Arrangement method based on group data

Abstract

In the arrangement method based on group data according to the present invention, during the process of generating original group data and generating and aligning three-dimensional image data, if the state in which the three-dimensional volume data are not connected to each other continues for more than a predetermined time, new group data is generated, so that at least one or more intermittent group data can be generated. When it is confirmed that the three-dimensional volume data stored in the new group data overlaps with the three-dimensional volume data of the previously generated group data, an additional alignment step is performed to connect the overlapping parts to each other, which ultimately has the advantage of compensating for data gaps and easily acquiring the entire oral model data of the patient.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to an aligning method by grouped data, and more particularly, to an aligning method for generating a new group to continue scanning when a plurality of three-dimensional volume data are not connected to each other during an alignment process during scanning inside an oral cavity. Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, a patient's oral cavity is impressed using alginate, and plaster or the like is poured into the obtained mold to produce a patient's dental model. However, when producing a patient's dental model, the accuracy of the model may become a problem. If an accurate model cannot be produced, it is difficult to customize the treatment for the patient when producing the restorative treatment material to be applied to the patient.

[0003] Recently, a 3D scanner is used to scan the inside of a patient's oral cavity. The scanned part is obtained as 3D data. Therefore, the accurate size and shape of the inside of the oral cavity can be obtained, and the user can accurately diagnose the patient and provide the patient with appropriate restorative treatment.

[0004] The intraoral scanner in the three-dimensional scanner is held by the user (therapist, usually used by a dentist), and a part of the scanner is introduced into or out of the oral cavity to photograph the patient's affected part (which may include teeth, gums, etc. inside the oral cavity). The intraoral scanner obtains the photographed patient's affected part as image data, uses the brightness information of each data, etc. to convert it into three-dimensional volume data and align the overlapping parts, and finally generates a three-dimensional model. In this case, a three-dimensional model may refer to the patient's entire oral model data obtained by photographing the patient's maxilla, mandible, and occlusal state. However, when the alignment process is performed, if the user does not scan carefully, the alignment may be interrupted. If the alignment is interrupted, there is a problem that the combination between the three-dimensional volume data becomes incomplete and the accuracy of the patient's entire oral model data is reduced. Summary of the invention

[0005] Technical issues

[0006] The present invention is used to provide the following arrangement method based on group data, that is, when an image acquired by an imaging unit is converted into three-dimensional volume data and aligned, in the case of misalignment for more than a specified time, a group in which data is stored is newly created and separated, so that the data is classified into at least one or more data groups, and a data gap generated between the group data is compensated by an additional alignment step.

[0007] Technical Solution

[0008] The arrangement method based on group data according to the present invention may include: a step of generating a first group of data including at least one first image data; a step of determining whether second image data is aligned with the first group of data; a step of including the second image data in the first group of data when the second image data is aligned with the first group of data; a step of generating a second group of data to include the second image data when the second image data is not aligned with the first group of data; and a step of merging the first group of data and the second group of data.

[0009] Furthermore, the first image data and the second image data may be converted into three-dimensional volume data.

[0010] Furthermore, the step of attempting alignment may include: a step of confirming whether the second image data is aligned with the first set of data for a predetermined time; and in the step of confirming whether the alignment is achieved, when the second image data is not aligned with the first set of data, a step of updating the number of alignment attempts.

[0011] Furthermore, when the number of alignment attempts is less than a threshold number, the process may return to the step of confirming whether alignment is performed.

[0012] Furthermore, when the number of alignment attempts is greater than the threshold number, the second set of data may be generated to include the second image data.

[0013] Furthermore, in the step of merging the first set of data and the second set of data, at least a portion of the first image data included in the first set of data may be aligned with at least a portion of the second image data included in the second set of data.

[0014] Furthermore, the first image data and the second image data may be aligned by third image data that overlaps at least a portion of the first image data and at least a portion of the second image data, respectively.

[0015] On the other hand, a method for arranging based on group data according to another embodiment of the present invention may include: an image generation step, acquiring image data according to a scanning path; an alignment step, arranging the image data continuously acquired according to the scanning path in a mutually connected manner; a group data storage step, in which the image data is grouped and classified and stored based on points where the image data are not connected to each other; and a reconnection judgment step, aligning the data in a manner of connecting two or more of the group data to each other.

[0016] Furthermore, in the group data storing step, points where the image data are not connected to each other may be determined based on overlapping ranges of continuous image data.

[0017] Furthermore, the scanning path may include a plurality of paths, the plurality of paths may have different starting points and end points, and the plurality of paths may have overlapping scanning areas in at least a portion of the sections.

[0018] And, the number of the group data stored according to the group data storing step may have a number corresponding to the plurality of scanning paths.

[0019] Furthermore, in the alignment step, the points where the image data are not connected to each other may be the end points of each of the scanning paths.

[0020] Furthermore, the group data-based arrangement method may further include the step of displaying on a display points where the image data are not connected to each other between the group data.

[0021] Technical Effects

[0022] By using the group data-based arrangement method according to the present invention, even if all data are not continuously aligned, an additional alignment process is performed afterwards, which ultimately has the advantage of being able to export the entire oral model data and reducing the burden on the user to continuously scan the inside of the oral cavity.

[0023] Also, by comparing and overlapping the image data stored in the new group data with the image data of the previously generated group data, there is an advantage of compensating for and minimizing data gaps to improve the reliability of data acquired by the scanner.

[0024] Furthermore, by scanning only the space between the group data where the data gap occurs, there is an advantage in that the range that the user needs to perform additional scanning is minimized. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0025] Figure 1 The figure is a flow chart of the arrangement method based on group data according to the present invention.

[0026] Figure 2 The figure is a flow chart of the arrangement method based on group data according to the present invention.

[0027] Figure 3 The figure is a flow chart of the arrangement method based on group data according to the present invention.

[0028] Figure 4 The diagram conceptually illustrates an embodiment of a group data-based arrangement method according to the present invention.

[0029] Figure 5 The diagram conceptually illustrates an embodiment of a group data-based arrangement method according to the present invention.

[0030] Figure 6 The diagram conceptually illustrates an embodiment of a group data-based arrangement method according to the present invention.

[0031] Figure 7 The figure is a flow chart of a method for arranging group data according to another embodiment of the present invention.

[0032] Figure 8 The figure is a flow chart of a method for arranging group data according to another embodiment of the present invention.

[0033] Description of reference numerals:

[0034] 11, 12, 13: The first set of data 12I: The first set of original data

[0035] 12F: The first set of final data 21, 22, 23: The second set of data

[0036] 22I: The second set of original data 22F: The second set of final data

[0037] 31, 32, 33: The third set of data 32I: The third set of original data

[0038] 32F: The third set of final data 41, 43: The fourth set of data

[0039] 51, 53: The fifth group of data B: data gap DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0040] The advantages and features of the present invention and methods of achieving them will become apparent through the embodiments described in detail below in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. However, the present invention is not limited to the embodiments disclosed below, but can be implemented in various different forms, and these embodiments are provided to make the disclosure of the present invention complete and to fully inform the scope of the invention to those of ordinary skill in the art to which the present invention belongs. The present invention is defined only by the scope of the scope of the invention. The same figure numerals refer to the same structural elements throughout the specification.

[0041] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0042] Figures 1 to 3 The figure is a flow chart of the arrangement method based on group data according to the present invention.

[0043] Reference Figure 1, the arrangement method based on group data according to the present invention includes an original group data generation step (S1) of generating original group data. When a user (usually a person who treats a patient, which may be a dentist) starts to scan the patient's affected part (in the present invention, it usually refers to the inside of the patient's mouth, which may be teeth, gums, etc. that need to be photographed for treatments such as dental implants, braces, orthodontics) through a scanner, original group data is generated. The point of generating original group data can be executed by a processor built into the scanner, or can be executed by a processor built into a personal computer connected to the scanner, etc. Preferably, the original group data is generated in a processor formed inside the scanner. On the other hand, the original group data has the meaning of the first group data, and for convenience, it can be used interchangeably with the first group data in the description below.

[0044] Furthermore, when the user scans the inside of the patient's oral cavity through the scanner, light reflected from the teeth or gums inside the oral cavity is incident on the inside of the scanner through an opening formed at one end of the scanner. The light incident on the inside of the scanner is received in at least one imaging unit formed inside the scanner. In this case, the imaging unit may include a single camera formed by one camera, or may include a multi-camera configured with two or more cameras. When the imaging unit includes two or more multi-cameras, more than two images can be obtained for one viewpoint, and thus there is an advantage that more accurate image data can be obtained.

[0045] The light incident on the camera can be generated as image data by an imaging sensor electrically connected to the camera (S2). In this case, the image data can be in the form of a two-dimensional image, or can be voxel data as three-dimensional volume data. The image data generated by the imaging sensor can be classified and stored as raw group data (S3). That is, when the image data is generated by shooting, the generated image data is classified and stored as raw group data (or first group data). The path for storing the image data can be a storage device of a personal computer separated from the scanner, or can be a storage unit built into the scanner itself.

[0046] On the other hand, the original group data storage step (S3) may include a three-dimensional data conversion step (S31) for converting the image data obtained from the image generation step (S2) into three-dimensional volume data. In the three-dimensional data conversion step (S31), voxel data including brightness information in pixels having volume may be obtained by utilizing brightness information of corresponding parts from the two-dimensional image data obtained by the imaging unit. Furthermore, the three-dimensional volume data formed from the three-dimensional data conversion step (S31) are aligned so that overlapping parts are connected to form a larger data block (S32). In this case, alignment may refer to merging two or more three-dimensional volume data into one three-dimensional volume data having a larger volume through connection between the three-dimensional volume data. According to this alignment process, a three-dimensional volume data set for a whole mandible, a three-dimensional volume data set for a whole maxilla, and a three-dimensional volume data set for occlusion may be formed, and such data sets may be merged to form a complete data set for the oral model of the patient. In this case, the three-dimensional data conversion may be performed by an external processor formed outside the scanner and electrically connected to the scanner and receiving image data generated by the scanner.

[0047] When the alignment step (S32) as described above is performed, the continuous alignment process may not be performed for the immature or intentional distinction of the user's scan. In the past, when the alignment process is not performed, the alignment result according to the user's scan may be displayed on the display unit with a screen having a red frame. When displayed in this manner, no additional data is obtained unless three-dimensional volume data is generated by scanning a portion overlapping with an existing scan area that can be aligned.

[0048] In order to solve the above-mentioned problem, the arrangement method based on group data according to the present invention may further include a disconnection judgment step (S4), for which, in the alignment step, it is judged whether the misaligned state continues for more than a prescribed time as the three-dimensional volume data are connected to each other. In this case, the misaligned state continues for more than a prescribed time means that the data parts that were previously overlapped by forming the three-dimensional volume data are aligned, but the overlapping data parts do not appear, so that the data overlap and alignment are not performed. The prescribed time may refer to a specific time preset in the program, but preferably, it can be set to an interval time when it is judged that the alignment process is not reasonably performed when the user performs the scan.

[0049] On the other hand, the term "disconnect" used in this article does not mean that the scanner device is not electrically connected to the personal computer or server or the power supply, but should be interpreted as a state in which the data is not connected because there is no overlapping part between the three-dimensional data. On the other hand, the connection between the three-dimensional data is performed on the external processor, so the judgment of whether to disconnect can also be performed on the external processor.

[0050] According to the disconnection judgment step (S4), if the disconnected state is judged to last for more than a specified time because the three-dimensional data has no overlapping parts, the data collection of the original group data (first group data) can be terminated, and the last connected three-dimensional data can be set as the final data.

[0051] Figures 4 to 6 The diagram conceptually illustrates an embodiment of a group data-based arrangement method according to the present invention.

[0052] As described above, in the disconnection judgment step, since the three-dimensional volume data has no overlapping parts and is not connected, when the data collection of the existing group data is finished, a new (new) group data can be generated (S5). In this case, the new group data generated immediately after the original group data can be named as the second group data. The second group data can form a data set separated from the first group data.

[0053] When a new set of data is generated, the image data generated by the imaging unit of the scanner is now classified and stored as the new set of data (S6). That is, the image data generated after the second set of data is generated can be classified and stored as the second set of data. In this way, in a serial manner, when the image data is classified and stored as the second set of data, when the unconnected state continues for more than a predetermined time because the three-dimensional volume data has no overlapping parts (disconnection judgment step), the storage of the image data as the second set of data is terminated, and the third set of data is generated, and then the generated image data is classified and stored as the third set of data. This set of data can be stored in a storage device of a personal computer separated from the scanner, or can be stored in a storage unit built into the scanner itself.

[0054] On the other hand, as described above, as the original group data (first group data) and the new group data (second group data, third group data, etc.) continue to be generated, data is collected intermittently even if the alignment process is not performed continuously. In this case, intermittent means that the data between the various groups of data do not overlap, and the alignment step is performed between the three-dimensional volume data in each group of data, so there is continuity. However, since the user ultimately needs to obtain the patient's entire oral model data, it is necessary to compensate for the data gap B between the various groups of data through subsequent scanning.

[0055] Therefore, the arrangement method based on group data according to the present invention may further include a reconnection judgment step (S7) of checking whether the data of the original group data and the new group data overlap. Figure 4 , the user Figure 4In this case, after the image data of the original first set of data 11 is converted and aligned into volume data, a new second set of data 21 is generated through a disconnection judgment step, and a second set of data storage step is started. The image data generated after the second set of data storage step starts are classified and stored as the second set of data 21. The portion between the first set of data 11 and the second set of data 21 where no data is generated due to no shooting is reserved as a data gap B.

[0056] In the same way, a data gap B is reserved between the second set of data 21 and the third set of data 31. In order to compensate for this data gap B, the user scans from the left to the right again. As the fourth set of data 41, the fifth set of data 51, and the sixth set of data 61 are generated, the data gaps B between the sets of data 11, 21, 31, 41, 51, and 61 are compensated, and finally the entire oral model data of the patient can be obtained.

[0057] Reference Figure 5 , when the first set of data 12 is generated to start scanning, the data initially generated from the first set of data 12 is referred to as the first set of raw data 12I. On the other hand, according to the disconnection judgment step, when the second set of data 22 is generated because the three-dimensional volume data is not connected for a predetermined time or longer, the three-dimensional volume data last generated and stored in the first set of data 12 before the second set of data 22 is generated is referred to as the first set of final data 12F. Similarly, the original generated data of the second set of data 22 becomes the second set of raw data 22I, and the three-dimensional volume data last generated and stored in the second set of data 22 when the third set of data 32 is generated becomes the second set of final data 22F.

[0058] On the other hand, when the third set of data 32 is generated and a new data storage step is performed, the third set of raw data 32I overlaps with the first set of data 12 previously captured and generated as three-dimensional volume data. Therefore, the third set of data 32 can be connected to the three-dimensional volume data of the first set of data 12 (additional alignment step (S8)), and the data gap B between the first set of data 12 and the second set of data 22 that existed previously can be compensated.

[0059] In order to compensate for the data gap B as described above, it may be determined whether the new group data overlaps with the three-dimensional volume data of the previously generated group data (S7). Preferably, it may be determined whether the original data or the final data of the new group data overlaps with the three-dimensional volume data of the previously generated group data. Figure 5As shown, the third group of raw data 32I of the third group of data 32 overlaps with the three-dimensional data of the first group of data 12, and the third group of final data 32F of the third group of data 32 overlaps and additionally aligns with the three-dimensional data of the second group of data 22, and finally compensates for the data gap B part (S8). In this way, the data stored in the new group of data is compared with the three-dimensional data of the previously generated group of data and overlapped, so as to compensate for the data gap B and minimize it to improve the reliability of the data acquired by the scanner. On the other hand, during the execution of the new group of data storage step (S6) or the additional alignment step (S8), the image data acquired by the scanner can also be continuously converted into three-dimensional data, and the alignment step (S10) can be re-executed. On the other hand, it can be executed together on an external processor that judges the reconnection judgment, additional alignment, etc. disconnection and performs alignment.

[0060] Reference Figure 6 , the first group of data 13, the second group of data 23 and the third group of data 33 are generated and scanned, but data gaps B are generated between each classification (the first group of data 13, the second group of data 23, the third group of data 33). In this regard, the user needs to scan a large area again after the existing alignment error occurs. However, according to the arrangement method based on group data of the present invention, only the first group of data and the second group of data (between 13 and 23) and the second group of data and the third group of data (between 23 and 33) where the data gap B is generated are scanned, thereby minimizing the range that needs to be scanned.

[0061] Figure 7 FIG. 1 is a flow chart of a method for arranging group data according to another embodiment of the present invention. Figure 7 According to another embodiment of the present invention, the arrangement method based on group data may include: an image generation step (S110), acquiring image data according to a scanning path; an alignment step (S120), arranging the image data acquired continuously according to the scanning path in a mutually connected manner. As described above, when the oral cavity scans the inside of the patient's oral cavity through a scanner, image data for the scanned object part (referring to a part of the inside of the oral cavity) is generated. The image data may be image data that is digitized by the light reflected from the scanned object part incident on the inside of the oral scanner and formed in the inside of the oral scanner. And, when the image data is continuously acquired according to the scanning path, an overlapping area between the continuous image data is generated, and this overlapping area can reappear as a connected image data by being connected and arranged with each other. Finally, when the alignment step is performed normally, one mandibular data, one maxillary data, and occlusal data that merges the mandibular data and the maxillary data can be integrated into a whole to generate the entire oral model data of the patient. On the other hand, the generated image data can be stored in a storage unit that can be formed inside the scanner or in an external storage device.

[0062] On the other hand, the arrangement method based on group data according to another embodiment of the present invention may further include a group data storage step (S130), for which, in the alignment step, the image data is classified into different groups based on points where the image data are not connected to each other and stored in a classified manner. In the process of performing the alignment step as described above, there is a case where the connection and arrangement between the image data cannot be performed because sufficient scanning is not performed to form an overlapping portion between the image data. That is, in the arrangement method based on group data according to another embodiment of the present invention, regardless of whether the connection state of the image data continues for a specified time, the case where the data gap B occurs because the overlapping range of the image data is not fully formed is defined as "disconnection". On the other hand, the generated group data can be stored in a storage unit that can be formed inside the scanner or an external storage device.

[0063] In the case of a disconnection state as described above, the oral scanner classifies and stores the image data connected before the disconnection state as the nth group data, and classifies and stores the image data after the disconnection state as the n+1th group data. In this case, n can be any natural number, which means that there can be multiple groups of data from the first group data to the final scan.

[0064] For example, Figure 4 As shown, there is a scanning path connecting the first group of data 11, the second group of data 21 and the third group of data 31. During the scanning, two disconnections occur, that is, when a data gap B is generated, three groups of data 11, 21 and 31 are generated. Similarly, during the scanning process of a scanning path connecting the fourth group of data 41, the fifth group of data 51 and the sixth group of data 61, when two disconnections occur (a state of generating a data gap), three groups of data 41, 51 and 61 are generated. As a result, Figure 4 In the description of the example, during the scanning of the scanning paths twice in total, two disconnections occur for each scanning path, so that a total of six groups of data can be generated.

[0065] On the other hand, according to the group data storage step, the group data is divided before and after the time point of judging the disconnected state, the image data acquired before judging the disconnected state becomes the final data of the corresponding group data, and the image data acquired after judging the disconnected state becomes the original data of the corresponding group data. If interpreted from the perspective of the scanning path, the point scanned before judging the disconnected state can be identified as the end point of the corresponding scanning path, and the point scanned after judging the disconnected state can be identified as the starting point of the corresponding scanning path. And, if such a disconnected state is judged and divided into different group data, it means that the two classifications have different starting points and end points. This means that the disconnected point becomes the end point of each scanning path.

[0066] like Figure 5 As shown, the classification into a plurality of group data is to distinguish the scanning paths between each group data, so the number of group data stored in the group data storage step corresponds to the number of scanning paths. For example, a disconnection occurs at the location of the first group final data 12F of the scanning path corresponding to the first group data 12 to generate the first group data 12, a disconnection occurs at the location of the second group final data 22F of the scanning path corresponding to the second group data 22 to generate the second group data 22, and finally, a disconnection occurs at the location of the third group final data 32F of the scanning path corresponding to the third group data 32 to generate the third group data 32. In this way, when scanning the inside of the patient's mouth, if there are three scanning paths for scanning, there can be a total of three group data.

[0067] The user continues scanning in order to minimize the data gap B to obtain complete intraoral model data of the patient. When scanning is continued, the image data corresponding to the subsequent set of data may have an overlapping portion with the image data corresponding to the previous set of data. That is, this means that multiple scanning paths may have mutually overlapping scanning areas in at least a portion of the interval, in which case the data gap B may be filled.

[0068] Reference Figure 5 When generating group data corresponding to the number of scanning paths, typically, the scanning paths are intentionally divided according to the convenience of the user (i.e., after the first scan is performed through the scanning path corresponding to the first group of data 12, the second scan is performed through the scanning path corresponding to the second group of data 22, and finally, the third scan is performed through the scanning path corresponding to the third group of data 32). Typically, in this case, there may be mutually overlapping scanning areas between at least two or more scanning paths, thereby filling the data gap B.

[0069] As described above, when the data gap B is filled, it means that the image data can be connected between mutually different sets of data, and a reconnection judgment step (S140) may be further included, in which the data of two or more sets of data are aligned to confirm the possibility of being connected and arranged again. According to the reconnection judgment step, the data of the part generating the data gap B may be compensated, and continuous scanning as described above may be performed, so that the data gap B may be minimized to finally complete the complete intraoral model data of the patient.

[0070] On the other hand, the alignment, disconnection determination, reconnection determination, and data compensation between the image data or three-dimensional volume data as described above may be performed by an external processor formed outside the scanner.

[0071] On the other hand, the arrangement method based on group data according to another embodiment of the present invention may further include displaying on the display a data gap B occurrence point where the image data is not connected to each other between the group data. Figure 6 , it can be confirmed that the data gap B occurrence point is displayed in the shape of an arrow. In the arrangement method based on group data according to another embodiment of the present invention, the data gap B point is displayed in the form of an arrow or the like on such a display so that the user can clearly confirm that the data gap B occurs, so that the user re-scans only the data gap B occurrence portion to minimize the data gap B and connect the data between the group data. The display may refer to a display device electrically connected to a scanner or an external processor, and may be a display device of a screen that notifies the user whether the data gap B occurs.

[0072] Hereinafter, a method for arranging based on group data according to yet another embodiment of the present invention will be described.

[0073] Figure 8 The figure is a flow chart of a method for arranging group data according to another embodiment of the present invention.

[0074] Reference Figure 8 , according to another embodiment of the present invention, the arrangement method based on group data includes: a step of generating a first group data including at least one first image data (S210); and a step of judging whether the second image data is aligned with the first group data (S220). When the scanning process starts, at least one image data is acquired by the scanner, and the image data may form more than one group data. Exemplarily, a classification of the first group data is generated, and the image data is included in the first group data as the first image data. In this case, the image data (the first image data and the second image data) may be two-dimensional or three-dimensional.

[0075] In the step of generating the first group data (S210), at least one first image data may be aligned to form a three-dimensional volume data. When two or more image data are acquired sequentially, the image data finally acquired may be aligned together with the three-dimensional volume data formed by aligning the previously acquired image data. According to this process, the three-dimensional volume data may be expanded. That is, a group data may be generated as a three-dimensional volume data by aligning at least one image data. That is, the image data acquired sequentially may be aligned to generate a three-dimensional volume data.

[0076] On the other hand, in the step of determining whether the second image data is aligned with the first set of data (S220), the first image data is included in the first set of data, and it can be determined whether the second image data acquired during the scanning process is aligned with at least one of the first image data. Exemplarily, it can be determined whether the second image data can overlap with at least a portion of the first image data to be connected and arranged.

[0077] For the determination, the second image data may be attempted to be aligned with at least a portion of the first image data included in the first set of data for a predetermined number of times or a predetermined time (S230). Exemplarily, the step of attempting alignment (S230) includes a step of determining whether the second image data is aligned with the first set of data for a predetermined time (S231). When the second image data is aligned with the first set of data within the preset time, the second image data may be included in the first set of data (S232). That is, the second image data may be aligned with at least a portion of the first image data included in the first set of data to expand the three-dimensional volume data of the first set of data.

[0078] On the other hand, when scanning is performed, a data gap may occur because the scan area does not overlap. A data gap may occur when the user does not scan the patient's oral cavity carefully or intentionally does not perform scanning continuously. In this case, image data acquired before the occurrence of the data gap may be included in any group data, and image data acquired after the occurrence of the data gap may be included in new group data.

[0079] The process of dividing the group data is described in more detail. When the second image data is not aligned with the first group data for a predetermined time, the number of alignment attempts (S233) may be updated. Exemplarily, the initial number of alignment attempts may be set to 1. In this case, in the step of confirming whether to align (S231), when the second image data is not aligned with the first group data for a predetermined time, the number of alignment attempts may be increased by 1.

[0080] After updating the number of alignment attempts, a step of confirming whether the updated number of alignment attempts is less than a threshold number (S234) may be performed. Exemplarily, the threshold number may be 10 times. When the updated number of alignment attempts is less than 10 times, the step of confirming whether alignment is performed (S231) is returned again to confirm whether the second image data is aligned with the first set of data.

[0081] On the other hand, when the updated alignment attempt number is more than 10 times, alignment with the first set of data is not possible, and it can be determined that a data gap occurs. In this case, no attempt is made to align the second image data with the first set of data, and a new set of data can be generated. That is, when the second image data is not aligned with the first set of data for a predetermined number of times or a predetermined time, a second set of data different from the first set of data can be generated to include the second image data (S235). The second image data is included in the second set of data, so that the user can continue scanning without having to find a position aligned with the first set of data for scanning.

[0082] As described above, the limiting condition of the alignment attempt is described as the number of times, but it is not limited thereto. The alignment attempt time may also be set as a threshold condition, and the order of the step of updating the number of alignment attempts and the step of confirming whether the updated number of alignment attempts is less than the threshold number of times may be changed. Exemplarily, in the step of confirming whether the alignment is performed (S231), when the second image data is not aligned with the first set of data, it is determined whether the number of alignment attempts is less than the threshold number of times. When the number of alignment attempts is less than the threshold number of times, the number of alignment attempts may be updated. After updating the number of alignment attempts, the step of confirming whether the alignment is performed (S231) may be performed again.

[0083] Usually, users want to generate group data according to their own wishes. However, when the scanning environment (illuminance, foreign matter, etc.) or the scanner moves quickly, data gaps may occur momentarily. Generating new group data every time a data gap occurs momentarily not only violates the user's wishes, but also increases the amount of calculation required to acquire and align image data and generate group data. As the amount of calculation increases, the scanning speed of the scanner may decrease, and therefore the scanning efficiency may decrease.

[0084] Therefore, according to another embodiment of the present invention, when the second image data is not aligned with the first group data, new group data will not be generated immediately, and the user's intention can be confirmed by a predetermined number of alignment attempts or time. That is, even if a momentary alignment failure that the user does not want occurs, when image data aligned with the first group data is input within the predetermined number of alignment attempts or time, unnecessary new group data can be prevented from being generated.

[0085] If the second image data is not aligned with the first set of data according to the user's wishes, new set of data may be generated. Exemplarily, when the user scans the right molar portion and moves to the left molar portion for scanning, a data gap may occur between the right molar portion and the left molar portion. In this case, the image data representing the right molar portion is not aligned with the image data representing the left molar portion, and this state exceeds a predetermined number of alignment attempts or time. Therefore, an appropriate number of set of data may be generated according to the user's wishes by using a predetermined number of times or a predetermined time. The user can scan in a desired manner without worrying about alignment, and ultimately a fine three-dimensional model can be obtained.

[0086] Furthermore, when the second set of data is generated, a step of combining the second set of data with the first set of data (S240) may be performed. The first image data included in the first set of data and the second image data included in the second set of data may form three-dimensional volume data, respectively, and the three-dimensional volume data may each form at least a portion of the entire three-dimensional model. Therefore, all sets of data may be aligned to complete a three-dimensional model.

[0087] On the other hand, since the first image data included in the first group of data does not overlap with the second image data included in the second group of data, it is possible that no alignment is performed. That is, there may be a data gap between the first group of data and the second group of data. In this case, alignment can be performed by overlapping the third image data with at least a portion of the area of ​​the first image data and at least a portion of the area of ​​the second image data, respectively. Exemplarily, a third group of data can be generated between the first group of data and the second group of data, and the third group of data may include the third image data. The third image data may be aligned with both the first group of data and the second group of data. Therefore, the first group of data and the second group of data may be aligned between the third group of data. However, this is only an example, and multiple groups of data may also be generated between the first group of data and the second group of data to eliminate the data gap.

[0088] The above description is merely an exemplary illustration of the technical spirit of the present invention, and a person skilled in the art may make various modifications and variations without departing from the essential characteristics of the present invention.

[0089] Therefore, the embodiments disclosed in the present invention are not used to limit the technical spirit of the present invention, but to explain the present invention, and the scope of the technical spirit of the present invention is not limited by these embodiments. The protection scope of the present invention should be interpreted by the protection scope of the attached invention claims, and all technical ideas within the equivalent scope should be understood to be included in the scope of the present invention.

[0090] Industrial Availability

[0091] The group data-based arrangement method according to the present invention provides a method for classifying aligned image data into group data and obtaining an overall three-dimensional model through alignment between the group data even if the image data obtained according to the scanning process is not continuously aligned.

Claims

1. A method of arrangement based on group data, in, include: The step of generating a first set of data including at least one first image data; a step of determining whether the second image data is aligned with the first set of data; The step of including the second image data in the first set of data when the second image data is aligned with the first set of data; When the second image data is not aligned with the first set of data, attempting to align the data a predetermined number of times or for a predetermined time; generating a second set of data to include the second image data when the second image data is not aligned with the first set of data by the predetermined number of times or the predetermined time; as well as a step of merging the first set of data and the second set of data, The first image data and the second image data are a part of one of mandibular data, maxillary data, and occlusal data obtained by combining the mandibular data and the maxillary data, wherein, in the step of merging the first set of data and the second set of data, at least a portion of the first image data included in the first set of data is aligned with at least a portion of the second image data included in the second set of data, The first image data and the second image data are aligned by third image data that overlaps with at least a portion of the first image data and at least a portion of the second image data, respectively.

2. The arrangement method based on group data according to claim 1, It is characterized in that The first image data and the second image data are converted into three-dimensional volume data.

3. The arrangement method based on group data according to claim 1, It is characterized in that The steps of attempting alignment include: a step of confirming whether the second image data is aligned with the first set of data for a predetermined time; and In the step of confirming whether the alignment is achieved, when the second image data is not aligned with the first set of data, a step of updating the number of alignment attempts is performed.

4. The arrangement method based on group data according to claim 3, It is characterized in that The method further comprises: a step of confirming whether the updated number of alignment attempts is less than a threshold number, When the number of alignment attempts is less than the threshold number, the process returns to the step of confirming whether alignment is achieved.

5. The arrangement method based on group data according to claim 4, It is characterized in that When the number of alignment attempts is equal to or greater than the threshold number, the second set of data is generated to include the second image data.

6. A method of permutation based on group data, in, include: An image generation step, obtaining image data according to the scanning path; an alignment step, arranging the image data continuously acquired according to the scanning path in a mutually connected manner; A group data storage step, in which the image data is grouped and stored in a classified manner based on points of the image data that are not connected to each other in the alignment step; as well as The reconnection judgment step is to judge whether there is data overlap between the groups of data. If there is data overlap between the groups of data, the data of two or more groups of data are connected to align them. The image data is a part of one of mandibular data, maxillary data, and occlusal data obtained by merging the mandibular data and the maxillary data.

7. The arrangement method based on group data according to claim 6, It is characterized in that In the group data storing step, points where the image data are not connected to each other are determined based on overlapping ranges of the continuous image data.

8. The arrangement method based on group data according to claim 6, It is characterized in that The scanning path includes a plurality of scanning paths, the plurality of scanning paths have different starting points and end points, and the plurality of scanning paths have overlapping scanning areas in at least a portion of sections.

9. The arrangement method based on group data according to claim 8, It is characterized in that The number of the group data stored according to the group data storing step has a number corresponding to the plurality of scanning paths.

10. The method for arranging based on group data according to claim 8, It is characterized in that In the alignment step, the points where the image data are not connected to each other are the end points of each of the scanning paths.

11. The method for arranging based on group data according to claim 6, It is characterized in that The method further comprises: The step of displaying on a display a point between the group data at which the image data are not connected to each other.

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