Method for selecting edge line points and dental cad device for the method

Abstract

Disclosed are a method for selecting a margin line point and a dental CAD apparatus for the method. The method for selecting a margin line point according to one embodiment recommends in a manner of showing a preset optimal margin line point on a screen in advance when a user selects a margin line point, and thus, can reduce the inconvenience that the user has to find an accurate point and select the accurate point.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This disclosure relates to dental image processing techniques, and more particularly to techniques used for designing prostheses. Background Technology

[0002] Dental computer-aided design (CAD) software is used to perform all tasks related to designing objects needed for dental treatments, such as prostheses, orthodontic materials, and dentures. Tasks such as designing prostheses or moving tooth models can be performed using dental CAD software. Here, it often happens that the user must use a mouse or similar device to select the desired object from various objects on the screen to perform the corresponding task. However, this process of selecting a specific object is inconvenient and inaccurate. Summary of the Invention

[0003] Technical issues

[0004] One embodiment of this disclosure provides a method for selecting margin line points and a dental CAD device for using the method, which can solve and improve the inconvenience and accuracy that may occur when users select margin line points during the margin line design process in dental CAD software.

[0005] Technical solutions

[0006] According to one embodiment, the boundary line point selection method includes: obtaining a base model into which a prosthesis model will be inserted, and displaying the obtained base model on a screen; generating a search area based on the position of the cursor movement caused by the user's operation on the screen displaying the base model; and outputting the preset boundary line point on the screen if the preset boundary line point is located within the generated search area.

[0007] The boundary line selection method can also include displaying the generated search area on the screen.

[0008] The boundary line selection method can also include zooming in or out of the search area displayed on the screen.

[0009] The boundary line point selection method may also include, if the user's cursor movement operation is detected after the boundary line point is output, determining that the user has not yet selected the output boundary line point, and outputting a new boundary line point based on the new current position of the cursor on the screen.

[0010] In generating the search area, a region within a preset range surrounding the current position of the cursor on the screen can be generated as the search area, and the preset range can be set by the user.

[0011] Preset boundary line points can be in the form of points, vertices, or pixels.

[0012] The preset boundary line point can be the vertex with the maximum curvature among the vertices of the grid data that constitutes the search area in three dimensions. In the output of the preset boundary line point on the screen, the vertex with the maximum curvature among the vertices of the grid data that constitutes the search area in three dimensions can be output as the first priority candidate.

[0013] In the output of preset boundary line points on the screen, while the preview of the boundary line points is shown, the boundary line points can be displayed in a distinguishable manner using recognizable visual information.

[0014] According to another embodiment, the boundary line point selection method includes: obtaining a base model into which a prosthesis model will be inserted, and displaying the obtained base model on a screen; detecting the selection of boundary line points on the base model caused by user operations on the screen displaying the base model, and generating a search area based on the position of the detected points; selecting the selected boundary line point as the final boundary line point if the selected boundary line point matches a preset boundary line point in the search area; and generating a boundary line including the selected final boundary line point.

[0015] The boundary line selection method can also include displaying the generated search area on the screen.

[0016] The boundary line point selection method may also include: when the preset boundary line points and the boundary line points selected by the user are different from each other and an error occurs, using identifiable visual information to display the error-causing area, including the boundary line points that caused the error, in a distinguishable manner, or providing a warning message informing of the occurrence of the error.

[0017] The boundary line point selection method may also include: using recognizable visual information to display the error difference between preset boundary line points and boundary line points selected by the user in a distinguishable manner, or displaying the error difference as numerical information.

[0018] A dental CAD device according to another embodiment includes: a data acquisition unit configured to acquire an abutment model into which a prosthesis model will be inserted; an output device configured to display the acquired abutment model on a screen; and a controller configured to generate a search area based on the position of the cursor movement caused by user operations on the screen displaying the abutment model, and to output a preset boundary line point on the screen via the output device if the preset boundary line point is located within the generated search area.

[0019] The preset boundary line point can be the vertex with the maximum curvature among the vertices of the grid data that constitutes the search region in three dimensions, and the controller can output the vertex with the maximum curvature among the vertices of the grid data that constitutes the search region in three dimensions as the first priority candidate.

[0020] The controller can detect the selection of boundary line points on the base model caused by the user's operation on the screen of the display base model, generate a search area based on the position of the detected points, select the selected boundary line point as the final boundary line point if the selected boundary line point is consistent with the preset boundary line point in the search area, and generate a boundary line including the selected final boundary line point.

[0021] Beneficial effects

[0022] According to a boundary line point selection method and a dental CAD device for the method, in cases where a user must select points (e.g., points, vertices, pixels, etc.) in dental CAD software to design boundary lines, the user does not need to move the cursor on the screen to the exact position of the point on the boundary line to select the point.

[0023] For example, as a user moves the cursor on the screen, the software can automatically search internally for the best boundary point (e.g., the vertex with the maximum curvature among points on a pedestal model) within a search area based on the cursor's position, and then recommend the found best boundary point by showing a preview of the found best boundary point on the screen. Therefore, without needing to move the cursor further to find the accurate boundary point, the user can check the currently recommended and displayed best boundary point on the screen, select the accurate boundary point at the cursor's current position using only user action (e.g., a selection operation performed by clicking with the mouse), and perform subsequent tasks. This method has the following two advantages.

[0024] First, regardless of the size of the base model displayed on the screen, users can easily select accurate boundary line points based on the current position of the cursor on the screen. This reduces the number of times tasks such as screen zooming and camera orientation setting need to be performed.

[0025] Second, when certain selection criteria and standards for boundary lines are preset (e.g., points with maximum curvature), the software can perform precise mathematical analysis within the search area based on the current position of the cursor on the screen, automatically searching for the optimal boundary line point, and then recommending the found optimal boundary line point by showing the user a preview of the found optimal boundary line point. Therefore, the accuracy and precision of the selection can be improved. Attached Figure Description

[0026] Figure 1 This is a diagram illustrating a screen for defining boundary lines according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0027] Figure 2 This is a diagram showing the screen where the user clicks and selects points to generate the boundary lines using the mouse.

[0028] Figure 3 This is a diagram illustrating the construction of a dental CAD device according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0029] Figure 4 This is a flowchart illustrating a boundary line point selection method according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0030] Figure 5 This is a flowchart illustrating a boundary line point selection method according to another embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0031] Figure 6 This is a diagram showing an example of easily and accurately selecting boundary line points using a boundary line point selection method according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0032] Figure 7 This is a diagram showing an example of how a boundary line point selection method according to another embodiment of the present disclosure can be used to easily and accurately select boundary line points. Detailed Implementation

[0033] The advantages and features of this disclosure, as well as the methods for achieving said advantages and features, should become clear from the embodiments described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings. However, this disclosure is not limited to the embodiments disclosed below and can be implemented in various different forms. The embodiments described herein are merely intended to complete the disclosure and are provided to fully inform those skilled in the art of the scope of this disclosure. This disclosure is defined only by the scope of the claims. Throughout the specification, similar parts are indicated by similar reference numerals.

[0034] In describing embodiments of this disclosure, detailed descriptions of known functions or components will be omitted if it is determined that such detailed descriptions would unnecessarily obscure the main points of this disclosure. Furthermore, the terminology used herein is designed for functionality in the embodiments of this disclosure and may vary depending on the intent or practice of the user or operator. Therefore, the terminology should be set based on the entirety of this specification.

[0035] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present disclosure will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. However, the embodiments of the present disclosure described below can be modified in several different ways, and the scope of the present disclosure is not limited to the embodiments described below. The embodiments of the present disclosure are provided to fully explain the present disclosure to those skilled in the art to which it pertains.

[0036] Figure 1 This is a diagram illustrating a screen for defining boundary lines according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0037] Reference Figure 1 In dental CAD software, the edge line (10) is defined as the boundary line at which the tooth and the prosthesis come into contact with each other during the process of removing a portion of the tooth containing a cavity or caries from the patient's tooth and then replacing that portion with a prosthesis. The edge line (10) typically has the following characteristics: the curvature of the surface is significantly greater compared to other parts surrounding the edge line. Examples of prosthesis models (14) include crowns, inlays, high inlays, braces, etc. In order to insert the prosthesis, the software obtains the abutment model (12) into which the prosthesis model (14) will be inserted, and designs the edge line (10) for the obtained abutment model (12). Figure 1 An example of a dental crown as a prosthetic model (14) is shown. The abutment model is a model obtained by scanning a tooth from which the cavity portion has been removed. The abutment model can be model data scanned in three dimensions within a two-dimensional screen.

[0038] Figure 2 This is a diagram showing the screen where the user clicks and selects points to generate boundary lines using the mouse.

[0039] Reference Figure 2 According to the typical method of generating and modifying boundary lines in dental CAD software, in order to generate boundary lines, the user examines the abutment model on the screen and then moves the mouse cursor to a predetermined point (20), such as a point with the maximum curvature, and selects the point by clicking the mouse.

[0040] The above method can be summarized as the following sequential tasks.

[0041] 1. An abutment model obtained by scanning the abutment (teeth from which the cavity portion is removed) is received as input.

[0042] 2. Users visually inspect the portions to be defined as boundary lines on the base model. Here, users can adjust the camera's field of view or the size of the model within the screen as needed.

[0043] 3. The user moves the mouse cursor to the boundary line area to be inspected on the base model.

[0044] 4. At the location where the mouse cursor is moved, the user clicks with the mouse to select the point used to generate the boundary line, and checks the selection result output on the screen.

[0045] 5. If the selection of the boundary line is unsatisfactory, the user returns to step 2 and repeats the above task.

[0046] The aforementioned method for selecting boundary line points has accuracy issues. For example, when a user directly locates and clicks the point corresponding to the boundary line while viewing the base model on the screen, inaccurate results are highly likely. The results may vary depending on the user, and even for the same user, the following problem exists: it's impossible to always obtain the same results for the same input data. Furthermore, the process itself—where the user visually inspects and determines the "region with the maximum curvature" corresponding to the boundary line, then moves the mouse cursor to the precise location and clicks—can be inconvenient for the user.

[0047] To address the aforementioned issues, this disclosure proposes a method that allows users to easily select boundary line points using a mouse during the generation of boundary lines for a base model into which a prosthesis model will be inserted. According to this method, the user does not need to select boundary line points existing on the base model at precise locations. For example, in the proposed method, when the user moves the cursor on the screen to select a point corresponding to the boundary line, the software internally analyzes and searches for a preset optimal boundary line point among points existing within a search area based on the cursor's position. A preview of the found optimal boundary line point is shown to the user as a candidate for selection on the screen, and the optimal boundary line point is selected as the final boundary line point simply by the user clicking the mouse at the current cursor position on the screen without further mouse movement. Compared to conventional methods, this method allows users to perform the task of generating and editing boundary lines more easily, quickly, and efficiently. The vertex closest to the mouse cursor can be an example of a vertex that maximally satisfies the boundary line conditions, but the boundary line conditions are not limited to this and can be set by the user.

[0048] Figure 3 This is a diagram illustrating the construction of a dental CAD device according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0049] Reference Figure 3Dental CAD equipment (3) performs CAD processes to facilitate dental prosthodontics in actual dentistry. The CAD process for prostheses refers to the following series of processes: obtaining the patient's dental data; loading a virtual prosthesis model from a library under the control of a computer program; and then virtually placing the loaded virtual prosthesis model at the target location in the dental data. Dental data is data that includes two-dimensional and three-dimensional information about the teeth, including the damaged target tooth. The target location is the position of the target tooth.

[0050] Dental CAD equipment (3) is an electronic device capable of running software such as prosthesis design software. Examples of electronic devices include personal computers (PCs), laptops, tablets, smartphones, mobile phones, etc. In addition to prosthesis design software, examples of software include guide programs, scanning programs, medical image processing programs, etc. Furthermore, the software can be used as typical medical software other than dental prosthesis surgery software.

[0051] Reference Figure 3 A dental CAD device (3) according to one embodiment includes a data acquisition device (30), a storage device (32), a controller (34), an input device (36), and an output device (38).

[0052] The data acquirer (30) acquires image data from the patient. Examples of image data required for prosthetic surgery include computed tomography (CT) data, oral model data, etc. The data acquirer (30) can execute CT data and oral model data in software, or load data stored on a web page or server.

[0053] Oral model data is data that includes information about actual teeth, including damaged teeth. Oral model data can be obtained by scanning a plaster cast created using a 3D scanner to mimic the cavity in a patient's mouth. As another example, oral model data can be obtained by scanning the interior of a cavity in a patient's mouth using a 3D intraoral scanner. The obtained oral model data can be stored in a storage device (32).

[0054] Various data segments, such as information required for the operation of the dental CAD device (3) and information generated based on the operation, are stored in the storage device (32). According to one embodiment, the storage device (32) can store oral model data and CT data for a single patient, and during the simulation of dental treatment, according to the user's request, provide the controller (34) with oral model data and CT data for a specific patient from among all the oral model data and CT data. Here, the storage device (32) can store maxillary and mandibular tooth arrangement images for a single patient, and according to the user's request, provide the controller (34) with maxillary and mandibular tooth arrangement images that match the oral model data and CT data for a specific patient. Furthermore, the storage device (32) can have a prosthesis library consisting of multiple prosthesis models, and can provide multiple prosthesis models to the controller (34).

[0055] The controller (34) establishes the prosthesis surgical plan and controls each component via computer software. The controller (34) manages screen information displayed on the screen via output device (38), designs the virtual prosthesis to be placed in the dental image, and performs a simulation of placing the virtual prosthesis. The dental image with the virtual prosthesis placed refers to a multi-dimensional image, such as a two-dimensional or three-dimensional image showing the patient's tooth arrangement, which is generated to establish the prosthesis surgical plan. Various types of images can be used in the prosthesis surgical plan, such as X-ray images, CT images, panoramic images, scan images, images generated through reconstruction, and images obtained by matching multiple images.

[0056] During prosthesis placement simulation, a controller (34) according to one embodiment generates boundary lines for inserting the prosthesis into the abutment model. When the points constituting the boundary lines are selected by the user, the controller (34) can connect the selected points to design the boundary lines. Here, the controller (34) proposes a method that allows the user to easily and accurately select the points required for designing the boundary lines.

[0057] The output device (38) displays on the screen an abutment model into which the prosthesis will be inserted. The abutment model is model data obtained by scanning a tooth from which a cavity has been removed. The abutment model can be a three-dimensional scanned abutment model within a two-dimensional screen. A tooth model can be used instead of an abutment model.

[0058] When the user moves the cursor to the boundary line on the base model displayed via the output device (38), the controller (34) detects the position of the cursor movement caused by the user's operation via the input device (36) and generates a search area based on the cursor position detected on the screen. Furthermore, through internal analysis, the controller searches for a preset optimal boundary line point within the generated search area. Here, the output device (38) recommends the optimal boundary line point found by the controller (34) as a candidate for selection to the user by displaying a preview of the found optimal boundary line point on the screen. Here, when the optimal boundary line point is the boundary line point desired by the user and there is no need to move the mouse to the exact position, the user can select the accurate boundary line point by clicking the mouse at the current position of the cursor on the screen without further moving the cursor. Compared to using conventional methods, by using this method, the user can more easily, quickly, and efficiently perform the task of generating and editing boundary lines.

[0059] As another example, when a user selects (e.g., clicks with a mouse) a boundary line point on a base model displayed via an output device (38) using an input device (36), the controller (34) detects the selection of the boundary line point on the base model and generates a search area based on the position of the detected point. The controller then determines whether the selected boundary line point matches or differs from a preset optimal boundary line point within the search area. Here, when the selected boundary line point is determined to match a preset optimal boundary line point, the controller selects the selected boundary line point as the final boundary line point and generates a boundary line including the selected final boundary line point.

[0060] If the selected boundary line point is determined to be different from the preset optimal boundary line point, the controller (34) determines that an error has occurred. For example, the error gap between two points (the selected boundary line point and the preset optimal boundary line point) can be preset, and if the gap between the two points exceeds the preset error gap, it can be determined that the two points are different from each other and an error has occurred.

[0061] In the event of an error, the controller (34) may, via the output device (38), display the error area including the boundary line points that caused the error in a distinguishable manner using recognizable visual information, or display or output a warning message informing of the occurrence of the error.

[0062] In the event of an error, the controller (34) can display the error difference between the preset optimal boundary line point and the boundary line point selected by the user in a distinguishable manner via the output device (38) using recognizable visual information, or display the error difference as numerical information. Therefore, the user can compare the difference between the two points.

[0063] The input device (36) receives user operation signals. For example, the input device may receive user operation signals for selecting boundary line points on the screen. Additionally, the input device may receive user operation signals for moving the position of a cursor moving on the screen. User operation signals can be received by a pointing device operated by the user, and the pointing device can be any input device, such as a mouse, keyboard, pen, or touchscreen. Examples of user operations include the user moving the cursor on the screen using a mouse, or the user selecting predetermined boundary line points on a touchscreen-type screen using a pen or by touch.

[0064] Figure 4 This is a flowchart illustrating a boundary line point selection method according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0065] Reference Figure 3 and Figure 4 The dental CAD device (3) obtains the abutment model into which the prosthesis model will be inserted and displays the obtained abutment model on the screen (S41). The abutment model can be model data obtained by three-dimensional scanning of the abutment (from which the cavity portion of the tooth is removed).

[0066] Then, the dental CAD device (3) detects the position of cursor movement caused by the user's operation on the screen displaying the abutment model (S42).

[0067] Then, the dental CAD device (3) generates a search area (S43) based on the detected cursor position. The search area is a region formed within a preset distance with the current position of the cursor on the screen as the center point, and the search range can be predefined. Vertices, points, pixels, etc. corresponding to the boundary lines will be searched from this search range. Here, the generated search area can be displayed on the screen. In addition, the search area can be enlarged or reduced.

[0068] Then, the dental CAD device (3) searches for a preset optimal boundary line point within the generated search area (S44). The preset optimal boundary line point can be the vertex with the maximum curvature among the vertices of the mesh data constituting the search area in three dimensions. As another example, the preset optimal boundary line point can be the point closest to the boundary line among the points on the abutment model existing within the search area.

[0069] Then, the dental CAD device (3) outputs a preview (S45) of the found optimal boundary line point on the screen to recommend the boundary line point. The user visually inspects the portion of the boundary line determined to be on the abutment model, and then performs an operation to move the cursor on the screen to the inspected boundary line portion. Before the cursor on the screen moves to the boundary line portion inspected by visual inspection, when outputting the optimal boundary line point (S45), the dental CAD device (3) outputs the optimal boundary line point in the search area as a selected candidate on the screen by showing a preview of the optimal boundary line point in the search area. Here, if the selected candidate shown on the screen is the boundary line point desired by the user without further moving the mouse to the corresponding boundary line point, the user selects the boundary line point at the current position of the cursor on the screen by a selection operation (e.g., mouse click operation) and checks the selection result output on the screen. On the other hand, if the selected candidates shown on the screen are not satisfactory, the user continues to move the mouse to the desired boundary line portion, and the dental CAD device (3) repeats the process of searching for new boundary line points based on the new current position of the cursor on the screen caused by the user's operation through the input device (36), and displays a preview of the new boundary line points found on the screen as selected candidates.

[0070] When outputting the optimal boundary line point (S45), the dental CAD device (3) can use recognizable visual information to distinguish the optimal boundary line point when outputting a preview of the optimal boundary line point. To this end, a function or user interface (UI) can be provided that allows the search results to be displayed as a preview on the screen and examined by the user when searching for a preset optimal boundary line point within a search area. An example of a method for distinguishing the optimal boundary line point using recognizable visual information includes a method in which the optimal boundary line point is displayed by changing at least one of its physical characteristics among color, shape, size, area, thickness, and highlight.

[0071] Figure 5 This is a flowchart illustrating a boundary line point selection method according to another embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0072] Refer to the above Figure 4 In the described boundary line point selection method, when the user moves the mouse to select a boundary line point on the abutment model, the dental CAD device (3) searches for the optimal boundary line point and recommends the found optimal boundary line point to the user by displaying its preview. On the other hand, in reference Figure 5In the described boundary line point selection method, when the user selects a boundary line point on the abutment model, and the selected boundary line point is consistent with the preset optimal boundary line point, the user selects the selected boundary line point as the final boundary line point. Here, in the event of an error (e.g., the selected boundary line point is not the optimal boundary line point), the dental CAD device (3) can correct the corresponding error and display the optimal boundary line point as a candidate point.

[0073] More specifically, refer to Figure 3 and Figure 5 The dental CAD device (3) obtains the abutment model into which the prosthesis model will be inserted and displays the obtained abutment model on the screen (S51).

[0074] Then, the dental CAD device (3) detects the selection of boundary line points on the abutment model through user operations on the screen displaying the abutment model (S52). Here, user operations correspond to the user's operation of selecting points determined as boundary lines on the abutment model displayed on the screen by clicking the mouse, etc.

[0075] Then, the dental CAD device (3) generates a search area based on the location of the detected points (S53). Here, the dental CAD device (3) can display the generated search area on the screen. In addition, the dental CAD device (3) can zoom in or out on the search area.

[0076] Then, when the selected boundary line point matches the preset optimal boundary line point within the search area, the dental CAD device (3) selects the selected boundary line point as the final boundary line point (S54). In addition, the dental CAD device (3) generates a boundary line including the selected final boundary line point (S55).

[0077] On the other hand, if the boundary line point selected by the user and the preset optimal boundary line point are different from each other, the dental CAD device (3) can determine that an error has occurred. Here, the dental CAD device (3) can use recognizable visual information to distinguish the error area including the boundary line point that caused the error, or display or output a warning message informing that an error has occurred.

[0078] Furthermore, in the event of an error, the dental CAD device (3) can use identifiable visual information to distinguish the error difference between the user-selected boundary line point and the preset optimal boundary line point, or display the error difference as numerical information. Therefore, the user can compare the differences between the two points.

[0079] Figure 6 The diagram illustrates an example of easily and accurately selecting boundary line points using a boundary line point selection method according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0080] Reference Figure 3 and Figure 6 The dental CAD device (3) detects the current position of the cursor (62) on the screen based on the user's operation of moving the mouse to a point on the boundary line of the abutment model (60) displayed on the screen.

[0081] Then, the dental CAD device (3) generates a search area (66) based on the detected current position of the cursor (62). The search area (66) used to select boundary line points can be defined in various ways and in various forms as needed. For example, the dental CAD device (3) can generate an area as the search area (66) within a preset range around the current position of the cursor (62) displayed on the abutment model (60). Figure 6 In this system, a circle or sphere with a certain radius surrounding the current position of the cursor (62) on the abutment model (60) is defined as the search area (66). Here, the dental CAD device (3) can zoom in or out of the preset range of the search area (66) set by the user. Additionally, the dental CAD device (3) can display the search area (66) on the screen and can zoom in or out of the displayed search area (66). For example, if the boundary line image on the abutment model is unclear and difficult to distinguish, the dental CAD device can zoom in on the search area (66) to improve accuracy.

[0082] The dental CAD device (3) recommends boundary points by displaying a preview of a preset optimal boundary point (68) within a generated search area (66) on the screen. The optimal boundary point (68) is a point that best fits the boundary conditions among the points on the abutment model included within the search area (66). For example, as... Figure 6 As shown, the dental CAD device (3) recommends the vertex with the largest curvature among the vertices of the mesh data constituting the search area (66) in three dimensions as the optimal boundary line point (68). The model data, such as the scan model, can consist of triangular mesh data, and each point of the mesh data is called a vertex.

[0083] The dental CAD device (3) can select the recommended best boundary line point (68) as the final boundary line point based on the user's operation of selecting the recommended best boundary line point (68) at the current position of the cursor (62) on the screen without moving the mouse further, and can connect the final boundary line points selected in this way to generate a boundary line (64).

[0084] When the optimal boundary line point (68) is output in preview form, the dental CAD device (3) can display the optimal boundary line point in a distinguishable manner using recognizable visual information. For example, the dental CAD device (3) can apply appropriate methods—such as using a changed color or increasing the size—to show the optimal boundary line point (68). As an example, Figure 6 A method is shown for using circular or spherical objects to display the best boundary line point (68) found within the search area (66).

[0085] Figure 7 This is a diagram showing an example of how a boundary line point selection method according to another embodiment of the present disclosure can be used to easily and accurately select boundary line points.

[0086] Reference Figure 3 and Figure 7 The user visually inspects the portion of the abutment model that is identified as a boundary line, and then moves the cursor to the inspected boundary line portion. Before the cursor moves to the boundary line portion inspected by the visual inspection, the dental CAD device (3) generates a search area (76) based on the current position of the cursor (72), and outputs the preset optimal boundary line points (78) in the search area (76) as selection candidates on the screen to recommend boundary line points by showing a preview of the preset optimal boundary line points (78) in the search area (76). Here, the dental CAD device (3) can display the search area (76) on the screen.

[0087] If the optimal boundary point (78) shown on the screen is the boundary point the user desires, and there is no need to move the cursor further to the optimal boundary point (78), the user can select the optimal boundary point (78) at the current cursor position by a selection operation (e.g., a mouse click operation), and can check the selection result output on the screen. The dental CAD device (3) can connect the final boundary points selected in this way to generate a boundary line (74).

[0088] When the optimal boundary line point (78) is output, the dental CAD device (3) can display the optimal boundary line point in a distinguishable manner using recognizable visual information. For example, the dental CAD device (3) can apply appropriate methods—such as using a changed color or an increased size—to display the optimal boundary line point (78). As an example, Figure 7 A method is shown for using circular or spherical objects to display the best boundary line point (78) found within the search area (76).

[0089] The present disclosure has been described above with reference to embodiments thereof. Those skilled in the art will understand that the present disclosure can be implemented in many different forms without departing from its essential characteristics. Therefore, the embodiments described herein should be considered illustrative only and not for limiting purposes. The scope of the present disclosure is set forth in the claims rather than in the foregoing description, and all differences falling within the scope of equivalents of the claims should be construed as including within the present disclosure.

Claims

1. A method for selecting boundary line points using a dental computer-aided design (CAD) device, the method comprising performing the following operations using the dental CAD device: The obtained prosthesis model will be inserted into the abutment model, and the obtained abutment model will be displayed on the screen; A search area is generated based on the position of the cursor, which is moved due to user actions on the screen displaying the base model; and If the preset boundary line point used to generate the boundary line is located within the generated search area, the preset boundary line point is output on the screen.

2. The boundary line point selection method according to claim 1 further includes displaying the generated search area on the screen.

3. The boundary line point selection method according to claim 2 further includes zooming in or out of the search area displayed on the screen.

4. The boundary line point selection method according to claim 1 further includes, if the cursor movement operation is detected after the output of the boundary line point, determining that the user has not yet selected the output boundary line point, and outputting a new boundary line point based on the new current position of the cursor on the screen.

5. The boundary line point selection method according to claim 1, wherein, In the generation of the search area, a region within a preset range surrounding the current position of the cursor on the screen is generated as the search area, and the preset range can be set by the user.

6. The boundary line point selection method according to claim 1, wherein, The preset boundary line points are in the form of points, vertices, or pixels.

7. The boundary line point selection method according to claim 1, wherein: The preset boundary line point is the vertex with the maximum curvature among the vertices of the grid data constituting the search region in three dimensions; as well as In the output of the preset boundary line points on the screen, the vertex with the largest curvature among the vertices of the grid data constituting the search area in the three-dimensional form is output as the first priority selection candidate.

8. The boundary line point selection method according to claim 1, wherein, In the output of the preset boundary line points on the screen, while the preview of the boundary line points is shown, the boundary line points are displayed in a distinguishable manner using recognizable visual information.

9. A method for selecting boundary line points using a dental computer-aided design (CAD) device, the method comprising performing the following operations using the dental CAD device: The obtained prosthesis model will be inserted into the abutment model, and the obtained abutment model will be displayed on the screen; The selection of boundary line points on the base model caused by user operations on the screen displaying the base model is detected, and a search area is generated based on the position of the detected points. If the selected boundary line point matches a preset boundary line point within the search area, the selected boundary line point is selected as the final boundary line point; and Generate the boundary lines that include the selected final boundary line points.

10. The boundary line point selection method according to claim 9 further includes displaying the generated search area on the screen.

11. The boundary line point selection method according to claim 9 further includes, in the case that the preset boundary line point and the boundary line point selected by the user are different from each other and an error occurs, using identifiable visual information to display the error occurrence area including the boundary line point that caused the error in a distinguishable manner, or providing a warning message informing of the occurrence of the error.

12. The boundary line point selection method according to claim 11 further includes, in the event of an error, using identifiable visual information to distinguish between the preset boundary line point and the boundary line point selected by the user, or displaying the error difference as digital information.

13. A dental computer-aided design (CAD) device, comprising: A data acquisition device configured to acquire a base model into which the prosthesis model will be inserted; An output device configured to display the obtained pedestal model on a screen; as well as The controller is configured to generate a search area based on the position of a cursor moved by a user's operation on the screen displaying the base model, and to output the preset boundary line point on the screen via the output device if the preset boundary line point for generating the boundary line is located within the generated search area.

14. The dental CAD device according to claim 13, wherein: The preset boundary line point is the vertex with the maximum curvature among the vertices of the grid data constituting the search region in three dimensions; as well as The controller outputs the vertex with the largest curvature among the vertices of the mesh data constituting the search region in the three-dimensional form as the first priority candidate for selection.

15. The dental CAD device according to claim 13, wherein, The controller performs the following operations: The selection of boundary line points on the base model caused by user operations on the screen displaying the base model is detected, and a search area is generated based on the position of the detected points. If the selected boundary line point matches a preset boundary line point within the search area, the selected boundary line point is selected as the final boundary line point; and Generate the boundary lines that include the selected final boundary line points.

Images