Intraoral scanner battery charger

Abstract

The present disclosure relates to an intraoral scanner battery charger system (100) configured to charge an intraoral scanner battery (6) of a handheld intraoral scanner (10), where the system (100) comprises: a handheld intraoral scanner configured to perform a 3D scan; an intraoral scanner battery (6) configured to be inserted into the handheld intraoral scanner and to power the scanner; an intraoral scanner battery charger (1) configured to charge an intraoral scanner battery; wherein the intraoral scanner battery charger (1) comprises two or more battery jars (2A, 2B, 2C) configured to receive an intraoral scanner battery (6); wherein each of the two or more battery jars comprises a charging interface (3) configured to an intraoral scanner battery interface of the handheld intraoral scanner (10). The charging interface (3) is configured to transfer a charging current to the in-port scanner battery (6). The charger (1) further comprises a processor unit (4) configured to control the charging current based on a prioritized charging algorithm (7). The prioritized charging algorithm (7) comprises transmitting a first charging current (30) to a scanner cell (6) in a first port of the system (100) and a second charging current (31) to a scanner cell (6) in a second port of the system (100), and wherein the first charging current (30) is higher than the second charging current (31) during a charging period (CP1) and the second charging current (31) is lower than the second charging current (31) during a subsequent charging period (CP2). The first charging current (30) is lower than the second charging current (31).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to intraoral scanner battery chargers, and more particularly, to a charging algorithm configured to prioritize the charging of two or more intraoral scanner batteries so that at least one of the two batteries reaches a charge state as quickly as possible sufficient to allow the intraoral scanner to perform at least one complete scan of a patient's mouth (i.e., oral cavity) using the battery. Background Art

[0002] It is known that intraoral scanners configured to communicate wirelessly with external devices are powered by rechargeable batteries. This facilitates use because there are no cables between the scanner and the external device that interfere with the user during the patient's scanning session. In addition, the user is not limited by the length of the cable or obstacles that may collide with the cable. However, using a cable to power the scanner means that the user does not run the risk of the scanner being unable to scan due to insufficient power. In the case of using a rechargeable battery to power the intraoral scanner, one way to solve this problem is to have one or more backup batteries that are charged when scanning a patient or when the scanner is not in use. Therefore, when the charging capacity of the battery being used is no longer suitable for performing a scan, the battery can be ready for a complete scanning session. Unfortunately, in some cases, the user may forget to put the battery (one or more) into the charger after use, which may result in a situation where the user does not have a battery ready for at least a complete scanning session of the patient. In today's battery chargers for intraoral scanners, the batteries are charged at the same time with the same amount of charging power. Unfortunately, this results in a long and inconvenient charging time for charging the battery ready for the patient's entire scanning session.

[0003] Therefore, there is a need to improve the charging time of intraoral scanner batteries so that users do not become inconvenienced when scanning patients using a wireless intraoral scanner powered by a rechargeable battery. Summary of the invention

[0004] One aspect of the present disclosure is to provide a fast and reliable intraoral scanner battery charger system.

[0005] Another aspect of the present disclosure is to provide a faster intraoral scanner battery that is ready for use in performing a complete intraoral scan of a patient's mouth (eg, a patient's teeth).

[0006] According to these aspects, an intraoral scanner battery charger system is used to charge an intraoral scanner battery, which is configured to be removably mounted to a handheld intraoral scanner. The system may include a handheld intraoral scanner, which may be configured to perform 3D scanning, an intraoral scanner battery, which is configured to be inserted into the handheld intraoral scanner and power the scanner. The system also includes an intraoral scanner battery charger, which may be configured to charge the intraoral scanner battery. The intraoral scanner battery charger may include two or more battery slots, which may be configured to receive an intraoral scanner battery. Each of the two or more battery slots may include a charging interface, which is configured to an intraoral scanner battery interface of the intraoral scanner. The intraoral scanner may be configured to provide a 2D image and / or a 3D image of a patient's oral cavity to an external device. The intraoral scanner is configured to scan the oral cavity by using a projector unit, an image sensor, and an image processor unit. The projector unit may include one or more light sources, which are configured to emit light onto a dental object, and the image sensor may be configured to capture reflected light from the dental object. The image processor may then be configured to process the captured reflected light into raw image data, 2D image data, and / or 3D image data.The intraoral scanner battery charger may further include a processor unit configured to control the charging current based on a prioritized charging algorithm.

[0007] The prioritized charging algorithm may include delivering a first charging current to a first intraoral scanner battery and a second charging current to a second intraoral scanner battery, and the first charging current may be higher than the second charging current during a charging period, and during a subsequent charging period, the first charging current may be lower than the second charging current.

[0008] The prioritized charging algorithm may include giving a higher charging priority to a first intra-oral scanner battery than a higher charging priority to a second intra-oral scanner battery during a charging period, and during a second charging period, the prioritized charging algorithm includes giving a lower charging priority to the first intra-oral scanner battery than a lower charging priority to the second intra-oral scanner battery during a subsequent charging period.

[0009] The processor unit may be configured to assign a first intra-oral scanner battery disposed in one of the two or more battery bays as a master role and assign a second intra-oral scanner battery as a slave role. The prioritized charging algorithm may include charging the first intra-oral scanner battery at a higher charging rate than the second intra-oral scanner battery during a first charging phase, and charging the first intra-oral scanner battery at a lower charging rate than the second intra-oral scanner battery during a second charging phase.

[0010] In each example of the prioritized charging algorithm, the first intraoral scanner battery or the main intraoral scanner battery is not fully charged during the first charging phase, but the first intraoral scanner battery or the main intraoral scanner battery is charged to a point where the battery can be used to perform at least one complete scan of the patient's oral cavity. Thus, during the charging period, all batteries charged by the charger are not fully charged. During a subsequent charging period, at least one battery will be fully charged.

[0011] The intraoral scanner battery charger may include an internal power supply. If two intraoral scanner batteries are charged simultaneously at the maximum allowed rate, the maximum output current of the charger's internal power supply will be exceeded. A prioritized charging algorithm is configured to prioritize the charging current for at least two battery slots, enabling the system to quickly charge one battery slot when needed while limiting the charging current of the other battery slots so as not to exceed the maximum output current of the internal power supply while utilizing full capacity. As charging proceeds, the charging current of the battery slot prioritized as the highest priority (i.e., the master battery) will begin to decrease. When available, the algorithm directs the available current to other battery slots, i.e., slave battery slots, that have a lower priority than the previous battery slot. The battery slot that is filled first becomes the prioritized master slot.

[0012] The channel that is filled first becomes the prioritized primary channel. If plugged in simultaneously, the highest state of charge (SOC) is prioritized as the highest priority. If the SOCs are equal, the first battery slot is prioritized as the highest priority.

[0013] The master battery slot (i.e., the highest priority battery slot) is initialized with the highest priority, which allows it to draw the maximum current that one battery slot can deliver to the intraoral scanner battery. The slave battery slots are initialized with the lowest priority, which limits the allowed current to a hardware set level where the sum of the master and slave is below the reasonable range of the power supply rating. The algorithm continuously monitors the global current available as an ADC input, and the priority of the slave is increased until the global current reaches the target level. At some point, the master is fully charged (complete), causing the slave to obtain the highest priority, and the total current becomes dominated by the current of the slave alone. When the slave is also fully charged, the total current is the charging current of the charger. Charging occurs in two general stages, namely the charging period, constant current (CC) until a certain battery voltage and then constant voltage (CV) is used.

[0014] The intraoral scanner battery charger may include a memory configured to store information about a minimum charge capacity of the intraoral scanner battery, and wherein the minimum charge capacity of the intraoral scanner battery is sufficient to enable the intraoral scanner to perform a complete intraoral scan of the patient's mouth.

[0015] During a portion of the charging period, the first charging current is equal to the target charging current and the second charging current is equal to the minimum charging current. Thus, the first intraoral scanner battery is charged quickly and the second intraoral scanner battery is charged more slowly than the first battery. This will result in a faster battery that is ready for use by the intraoral scanner to perform at least one complete scan of the patient's mouth.

[0016] During a portion of the subsequent charging period, the first charging current is equal to the minimum charging current and the second intraoral scanner battery is equal to the target charging current. Thus, the first intraoral scanner battery is ready for use by the intraoral scanner to perform at least one complete scan of the patient's oral cavity, and the second intraoral scanner battery is charged more quickly to a point where the battery is also ready for use to perform at least one complete scan of the patient's oral cavity more quickly.

[0017] The charger may be configured to provide a total charging current to at least one or more intra-oral scanning batteries, and the total charging current is the sum of the first and second charging currents, and wherein the total charging current is lower than the supply current with a safety margin.

[0018] The intraoral scanner battery charger can be configured to communicate wirelessly or wired with an intraoral scanner battery inserted into one of the two or more battery slots. The communication can be performed through the charging interface, and the communication can be directional or bidirectional. The charger can include a wireless interface that is configured to wirelessly communicate with the intraoral scanner battery. The wireless interface can be based on amplitude modulation, phase modulation or time modulation or a combination thereof or a Bluetooth communication protocol or a WIFI protocol.

[0019] The intraoral scanner battery charger may include a memory configured to store firmware updates, and wherein the firmware updates are transmitted via the charging interface or the wireless interface.

[0020] Through the charging interface or the wireless interface, the charger can be configured to receive data from the battery or an external device, and the data can be firmware, firmware updates, settings, battery information, such as a charging algorithm associated with the battery type, a minimum charging capacity corresponding to at least one complete scan of the patient's mouth using an intraoral scanner, etc.

[0021] The intraoral system may include an intraoral scanner battery charger, an intraoral scanner battery, and an intraoral scanner. The system is configured to update the charger via the intraoral scanner and the battery. For example, when the battery is inserted into the scanner, a software update package, a firmware update package, or a settings update package may be transmitted wirelessly or by wire from an external server to the scanner, and then the package is forwarded to the battery. When the battery is then placed in the battery slot, the package is then automatically forwarded to the charger via the charging interface or the wireless interface. In another example, the charger may be wirelessly or by wire connected to an external server, and the charger may receive a software update package, a firmware update package, or a settings update package to be forwarded to the battery. The package may be for the battery, and in this example, the battery is configured to install the package into a portion of the battery's memory. In another example, the battery forwards the package to the scanner, and the scanner then installs the package into a portion of the scanner's memory.

[0022] During another portion of the charging period, a first charging current may be gradually reduced to the first intra-portal scanner battery, while a second charging current may be gradually increased to the second intra-portal scanner battery. The gradual reduction and increase may be performed simultaneously to obtain a nearly constant total charging current. The sum of the gradually reduced first charging current and the gradually increased second charging current is constant or approximately constant. Thus, when the battery needs to be charged, an optimal transfer of the battery is obtained because the battery is always charged using the maximum total charging current.

[0023] The intraoral scanner battery charger may include a temperature sensor configured to measure a temperature outside the intraoral scanner battery. The temperature may be within a housing of the charger. The processor unit may then be configured to monitor the temperature to control a charging current to the first intraoral scanner battery and / or the second intraoral scanner battery. Thereby, overheating of the charger is avoided, which may damage the charger. The processor unit may be configured to correlate the measured temperature with a battery temperature indicative of the battery temperature. Thereby, the processor unit is configured to prevent damage to the battery during charging due to overheating of the battery. The correlation between the measured battery external temperatures may be based on a battery correlation stored on a memory of the charger. The battery correlation may be determined during manufacture or calibration of the charger.

[0024] If it is detected that the first intra-mouth scanner battery is removed from one of the two or more battery slots, the processor unit may be configured to increase a charging current to the second intra-mouth scanner battery. The increase in the charging current may be faster than the increase in the charging rate from the charging period to the subsequent charging period (i.e., the increase in the charging current of the second intra-mouth scanner battery during the transition from the slave role to the master role of the second intra-mouth scanner battery).

[0025] Detection of the removal of the first intra-oral scanner battery and / or the second intra-oral scanner battery may be based on impedance measurement of the charging interface.

[0026] The battery well can be shaped as a tube configured to receive a cylindrical intraoral scanner battery.

[0027] To prevent unauthorized batteries from being inserted into a battery slot of an intraoral scanner battery charger, the charger includes an authenticator unit configured to authenticate an intraoral scanner battery inserted into each of two or more battery slots. Authentication of the battery may be based on a publicly known key. The key may be common to the intraoral scanner battery charger, at least one intraoral scanner battery, and the intraoral scanner. The battery may be configured to be inserted into the charger and the scanner.

[0028] Each of the two or more battery slots includes a guide configured to guide the intraoral scanner battery to obtain optimal connection of the battery to the charging interface.

[0029] The processor may be configured to monitor one or more battery slots during one or more prioritization periods. For example, if one of the at least two batteries is removed from at least one of the two or more battery slots, the processor is configured to detect whether the battery has been removed during the prioritization period. If the processor detects that the battery has been removed, the processor is configured to immediately increase the charging current of the other batteries disposed in one of the two or more battery slots.

[0030] The target charging current may be between a maximum charging current and an incremental charging current. The processor may be configured to reduce the charging current if above the maximum charging current and / or increase the charging current if below the incremental charging current.

[0031] The charger may include a processor configured to measure the total charging current and a digital-to-analog converter configured to convert the total charging current in steps. Then, the slave current (i.e., the second charging current) may be changed in steps so that it will be closest to the target current. The total charging current may be defined by a threshold and a neutral band (defined between the maximum charging current and the incremental charging current) and based on knowledge of the hardware. The algorithm will increase or decrease the current from the device to keep the total charging current within the neutral band. When in the neutral zone, no adjustment is made.

[0032] If the master battery slot is removed, the slave battery slot becomes the new master battery slot and takes full priority during subsequent charging sessions.

[0033] If the maximum current of the internal power supply is exceeded, a hardware trip will occur, which will reduce the priority of the master and slave channels in hardware. The firmware detects this situation and reduces the priority of the slave channel, then resets the hardware trip and continues the algorithm.

[0034] Another aspect of the present disclosure is a method for charging an intraoral scanner battery, wherein the method comprises:

[0035] receiving an intraoral scanner battery in each of the two or more battery wells,

[0036] Delivers charging current to the intraoral scanner battery,

[0037] Controlling the charging current based on a prioritized charging algorithm, and wherein the prioritized charging algorithm comprises:

[0038] o transmitting a first charging current to a first intraoral scanner battery,

[0039] o delivering a second charging current to a second intraoral scanner battery, and

[0040] During a charging period, the first charging current is higher than the second charging current, and during a subsequent charging period, the first charging current is lower than the second charging current. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0041] Various aspects of the present disclosure may be best understood from the following detailed description in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. These figures are schematic and simplified for clarity, and they only show details to improve understanding of the claims, while other details are omitted. Throughout, the same reference numerals are used for the same or corresponding parts. The individual features of each aspect may be combined with any or all features of the other aspects. These and other aspects, features and / or technical effects will be apparent from and elucidated with reference to the illustrations described below:

[0042] Figure 1A and 1B An intraoral scanner battery charger is shown.

[0043] Figure 2 A system including an intraoral scanner battery charger, an intraoral scanner battery, and an intraoral scanner is shown,

[0044] Figure 3 shows a prioritized charging algorithm,

[0045] Figure 4A , 4B and 4C shows an intraoral scanner battery charger,

[0046] Figure 5 shows a prioritized charging algorithm,

[0047] Figure 6 An intraoral scanner battery charger is shown.

[0048] Figure 7shows a prioritized charging algorithm, and

[0049] Figure 8 A prioritized charging algorithm is shown. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0050] The detailed description set forth below in conjunction with the accompanying drawings is intended to describe various configurations. The detailed description includes specific details for the purpose of providing a thorough understanding of the various concepts. However, it will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that these concepts can be practiced without these specific details. Several aspects of the apparatus, system, medium, program, and method are described by various blocks, functional units, modules, components, circuits, steps, processes, algorithms, etc. (collectively referred to as "elements"). Depending on the specific application, design constraints, or other reasons, these elements may be implemented using electronic hardware, computer programs, or any combination thereof.

[0051] The electronic hardware may include microprocessors, microcontrollers, digital signal processors (DSPs), field programmable gate arrays (FPGAs), programmable logic devices (PLDs), gated logic, discrete hardware circuits, and other suitable hardware configured to perform the various functions described in the present disclosure. A computer program should be broadly construed to mean instructions, instruction sets, codes, code segments, program codes, programs, subroutines, software modules, applications, software applications, software packages, routines, subroutines, objects, executable files, execution threads, procedures, functions, etc., whether referred to as software, firmware, middleware, microcode, hardware description language, or otherwise.

[0052] Scanning may be performed by a dental scanning system to provide intraoral scan data, which may include an intraoral scanner, such as the TRIOS series scanners from 3Shape A / S. The dental scanning system may include wireless capabilities provided by a wireless network unit. The scanning device may utilize scanning principles such as triangulation-based scanning, confocal scanning, focused scanning, ultrasonic scanning, X-ray scanning, stereoscopic vision, motion recovery structure, optical coherence tomography OCT, or any other scanning principle. In an embodiment, the scanning device operates by projecting a pattern and translating a focal plane along the optical axis of the scanning device and capturing multiple 2D images at different focal plane positions, so that each series of captured 2D images corresponding to each focal plane forms a 2D image stack. The acquired 2D image is also referred to herein as a raw 2D image, wherein raw in this context means that the image has not been image processed. The focal plane position is preferably moved along the optical axis of the scanning system so that the 2D images captured at multiple focal plane positions along the optical axis form the 2D image stack (also referred to herein as a sub-scan) for a given view of the object (i.e., for a given arrangement of the scanning system relative to the object). After moving the scanning device relative to the object or imaging the object in a different view, a new 2D image stack for the view can be captured. The focal plane position can be changed by at least one focusing element (e.g., moving the focusing lens). The scanning device is typically moved and angled during the scanning session so that at least some of the sub-scan groups overlap at least partially so that they can be stitched in post-processing. The result of the stitching is a digital 3D representation of a surface that is larger than the surface that can be captured by a single sub-scan, i.e., a digital 3D representation that is larger than the field of view of the 3D scanning device. Stitching, also known as registration, works by identifying overlapping areas of the 3D surface in each sub-scan and converting the sub-scans to a common coordinate system so that the overlapping areas match, ultimately producing a digital 3D model. An iterative closest point (ICP) algorithm can be used for this purpose. Another example of a scanning device is a triangulation scanner, in which a time-varying pattern is projected onto a dental object, and a sequence of images of different pattern configurations is acquired by one or more cameras at an angle relative to the projector unit.

[0053] The scanning device includes one or more light projectors configured to generate an illumination pattern to be projected onto a three-dimensional dental object during scanning. The (one or more) light projectors preferably include a light source, a mask having a spatial pattern, and one or more lenses, such as a collimating lens or a projection lens. The light source can be configured to generate light of a single wavelength or a combination of wavelengths (monochromatic or polychromatic). The wavelength combination can be generated by using a light source configured to generate light containing different wavelengths (e.g., white light). Alternatively, the (one or more) light projectors may include multiple light sources, such as LEDs, which individually generate light of different wavelengths (e.g., red, green, and blue), which can be combined to form light containing different wavelengths. Therefore, the light generated by the light source can be defined by a range of different wavelengths that define a wavelength of a specific color or a range of different wavelengths that define a color combination (e.g., white light). In an embodiment, the scanning device includes a light source configured to excite a fluorescent material of a tooth to obtain fluorescent data from a dental object. Such a light source can be configured to generate a narrow range of wavelengths. In another embodiment, the light from the light source is infrared (IR) light, which is able to penetrate dental tissue. The (one or more) light projectors can be DLP projectors that use a micromirror array to generate a time-varying pattern, or a diffractive optical element (DOF), or a back-illuminated mask projector, in which a light source is placed behind a mask having a spatial pattern so that the light projected onto the surface of the dental object is patterned. The back-illuminated mask projector may include a collimating lens for collimating the light from the light source, the collimating lens being placed between the light source and the mask. The mask may have a checkerboard pattern so that the generated illumination pattern is a checkerboard pattern. Alternatively, the mask may have other patterns, such as lines or dots, etc.

[0054] The scanning device preferably also includes an optical element for directing light from the light source to the surface of the dental object. The specific arrangement of the optical element depends on whether the scanning device is a focused scanning device, a scanning device using triangulation, or any other type of scanning device. The same applicant further describes a focused scanning device in EP2442720B1, which is incorporated herein in its entirety.

[0055] Using optical elements of the scanning device, light reflected from the dental object in response to illumination of the dental object is directed toward (one or more) image sensors. The (one or more) image sensors are configured to generate multiple images based on the incoming light received from the illuminated dental object. The image sensor can be a high-speed image sensor, such as an image sensor configured to acquire images with an exposure time of less than 1 / 1000 second or a frame rate exceeding 250 frames per second (fps). As an example, the image sensor can be a rolling shutter (CCD) or a global shutter sensor (CMOS). The (one or more) image sensor can be a monochrome sensor, including a color filter array (e.g., a Bayer filter) and / or additional filters that can be configured to substantially remove one or more color components from the reflected light before converting the reflected light into an electrical signal, and retain only other unremoved components. For example, such additional filters can be used to remove a portion of the white light spectrum (e.g., a blue component) and retain only red and green components in the signal generated in response to exciting the fluorescent material of the tooth.

[0056] The network unit may be configured to connect the dental scanning system to a network including a plurality of network elements, the plurality of network elements including at least one network element configured to receive the processed data. The network unit may include a wireless network unit or a wired network unit. The wireless network unit is configured to wirelessly connect the dental scanning system to a network including a plurality of network elements, the plurality of network elements including at least one network element configured to receive the processed data. The wired network unit is configured to establish a wired connection between the dental scanning system and a network including a plurality of network elements, the plurality of network elements including at least one network element configured to receive the processed data.

[0057] The dental scanning system preferably also includes a processor configured to generate scan data (intraoral scan data) by processing a two-dimensional (2D) image acquired by the scanning device. The processor may be part of the scanning device. As an example, the processor may include a field programmable gate array (FPGA) and / or an advanced RISC machine (ARM) processor located on the scanning device. The scan data includes information related to a three-dimensional dental object. The scan data may include any of the following: a 2D image, a 3D point cloud, depth data, texture data, intensity data, color data, and / or a combination thereof. For example, the scan data may include one or more point clouds, each of which includes a set of 3D points describing a three-dimensional dental object. As another example, the scan data may include images, each of which includes image data, such as image data described by image coordinates and a timestamp (x, y, t), wherein depth information may be inferred from the timestamp. The (one or more) image sensors of the scanning device may acquire multiple original 2D images of the dental object in response to irradiating the dental object using one or more light projectors. Multiple original 2D images may also be referred to herein as 2D image stacks. The 2D images may then be provided as input to the processor, which processes the 2D images to generate scan data. The processing of 2D images may include a step of determining which part of each 2D image is in focus in order to infer / generate depth information from the image. The depth information may be used to generate a 3D point cloud, which includes a group of 3D points in space, for example, described by Cartesian coordinates (x, y, z). The 3D point cloud may be generated by the processor or other processing unit. Each 2D / 3D point may also include a timestamp indicating the recording time of the 2D / 3D point, that is, which image in the 2D image stack the point originated from. The timestamp is associated with the z coordinate of the 3D point, that is, the z coordinate may be inferred from the timestamp. Therefore, the output of the processor is scan data, and the scan data may include image data and / or depth data, for example, described by image coordinates and timestamps (x, y, t) or alternatively described as (x, y, z). In addition to the scan data, the scanning device may be configured to transmit other types of data. Examples of data include 3D information, texture information such as infrared (IR) images, fluorescent images, reflective color images, X-ray images, and / or combinations thereof.

[0058] Figure 1A and 1BAn intraoral scanner battery charger 1 is shown, which is configured to charge one or more intraoral scanner batteries. The charger 1 includes two or more battery slots (2A, 2B, 2C) configured to receive an intraoral scanner battery 6, wherein each of the two or more battery slots (2A, 2B, 2C) includes a charging interface 3. The charging interface 3 is configured to an intraoral scanner battery interface of an intraoral scanner, and the charging interface 3 is configured to transmit a charging current to the intraoral scanner battery 6. The charger 1 includes a processor unit 4, which is configured to control the charging current based on a prioritized charging algorithm. Figure 1A A charger 1 is shown comprising two battery slots (2A, 2B), Figure 1B A charger 1 is shown comprising more than two battery slots (2A, 2B, 2C).

[0059] Figure 2 A system 100 is shown including a charger 1, at least one intraoral scanner battery 6, and an intraoral scanner 10. The charging interface is configured to the intraoral scanner battery interface 6 of the intraoral scanner 10. In this example, the battery 6 may be configured to be plugged into the charging interface 3 of the charger 1 and the battery interface of the scanner 10.

[0060] Figure 3 A prioritized charging algorithm 7 is shown. The prioritized charging algorithm 7 includes transmitting a first charging current 30 to the first intraoral scanner battery 6A and transmitting a second charging current 31 to the second intraoral scanner battery 6B, and wherein, during a charging period CP1, the first charging current 30 is higher than the second charging current 31, and during a subsequent charging period CP2, the first charging current 30 is lower than the second charging current 31. During a portion of the charging period CP1, the first charging current 30 is equal to the target charging current, and the second charging current 31 is equal to the minimum charging current. During a portion of the subsequent charging period CP2, the first charging current 30 is equal to the minimum charging current, and the second intraoral scanner battery 31 is equal to the target charging current. The total charging current 32 is the sum of the first charging current 30 and the second charging current 31, and wherein the total charging current 32 is lower than the supply current with a safety margin. During another portion of the charging period CP1, the first charging current 30 to the first intraoral scanner battery 6A gradually decreases, while the second charging current 31 to the second intraoral scanner battery 6B gradually increases. The sum between the gradually decreasing first charging current 30 and the gradually increasing second charging current 31 is constant or approximately constant. The charging of each battery 6 occurs in two general phases; constant current (CC) up to a certain battery voltage, after which constant voltage (CV) is used. In the constant current phase, the charging current is constant or increasing, while in the constant voltage phase, the charging current decreases.

[0061] Figure 4A , 4B4C shows a charger 1 configured to transmit data directional or bidirectionally to an intraoral scanner battery 6. Figure 4A In the case of a charging device, the communication is provided via the charging interface 3, i.e. the communication is carried out via contacts, wires or inductance. Figure 4B In the example, communication is provided to the wireless interface 40 of the battery 6 via the wireless interface 41. The charger 1 comprises a memory 32 configured to store firmware updates, and the firmware updates are received via the charging interface 3 or the wireless interface 41. Figure 4C In the embodiment, the charger 1 includes a temperature sensor 43 configured to measure the temperature outside the intraoral scanner battery 6. The processor unit 4 is configured to reduce the charging current to the first intraoral scanner battery 6A and / or the second intraoral scanner battery 6B based on the measured temperature, see Figure 5 .exist Figure 5 In the embodiment, when the measured temperature is higher than a temperature threshold Tth, the charging current is reduced, and the temperature threshold Tth represents an ideal temperature for battery charging.

[0062] Figure 6 An example of a charger is shown, wherein the battery slot ( 2A, 2B, 2C) comprises at least one magnet for aligning the battery 6 for optimal connection with the battery interface 3 .

[0063] Figure 7 An example is shown in which the processor unit 4 is configured to increase the charging current to the second intra-oral scanner battery 6B upon detecting that the first intra-oral scanner battery 6A is removed from a battery slot (2A, 2B, 2C) of the two or more battery slots. The detection of the removed first intra-oral scanner battery 6A and / or second intra-oral scanner battery 6B is based on an impedance measurement performed by, for example, the charging interface 3.

[0064] Figure 8 It is shown that the target charging current (30, 31) should be controlled between the maximum charging current and the incremental charging current. The processor unit 4 is configured to reduce the charging current (30, 31) if it is above the maximum charging current and / or increase the charging current if it is below the incremental charging current.

[0065] Although some embodiments have been described and shown in detail, the present disclosure is not limited to such details, but can also be implemented in other ways within the scope of the subject matter defined in the appended claims. In particular, it should be understood that other embodiments can be utilized and structural and functional modifications can be made without departing from the scope of the present invention.

[0066] Benefits, other advantages, and solutions to problems have been described herein for specific embodiments. However, benefits, advantages, solutions to problems, and any (one or more) parts / (one or more) units that may cause any benefit, advantage, or solution to appear or become more significant should not be interpreted as key, essential, or necessary features or parts / elements of any or all claims or the present invention. Therefore, the scope of the present invention is limited only by the appended claims, wherein, unless explicitly stated, references to singular parts / units / elements are not intended to mean "one and only one", but "one or more". A claim can refer to any of the preceding claims, and "any" is understood to mean "any one or more" in the preceding claims.

[0067] Structural features of the apparatus described above in the detailed description and / or in the claims can be combined with steps of the method when appropriately replaced by corresponding processes.

[0068] As used, the singular forms "a", "an", and "the" are intended to include the plural forms as well (i.e., have the meaning of "at least one"), unless expressly stated otherwise. It will also be understood that the terms "includes", "comprises", "including", and / or "comprising", when used in this specification, specify the presence of stated features, integers, steps, operations, elements, and / or parts, but do not exclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, operations, elements, parts, and / or combinations thereof. It will also be understood that, unless expressly stated otherwise, when an element is referred to as being "connected" or "coupled" to another element, the element may be directly connected or coupled to the other element, but there may also be intermediate elements. In addition, "connected" or "coupled" as used herein may include wireless connections or couplings. As used herein, the term "and / or" includes any and all combinations of one or more of the associated listed items. Unless expressly stated otherwise, the steps of any disclosed method are not limited to the exact order described herein.

[0069] It should be understood that throughout this specification, references to "one embodiment" or "embodiment" or "aspect" or features included as "possible" mean that the specific features, structures or characteristics described in conjunction with this embodiment are included in at least one embodiment of the present disclosure. In addition, in one or more embodiments of the present disclosure, the specific features, structures or characteristics may be appropriately combined. The previous description is provided to enable those skilled in the art to practice the various aspects described herein. Various modifications to these aspects will be apparent to those skilled in the art and the general principles defined herein may be applied to other aspects.

[0070] The claims are not intended to be limited to the aspects shown herein, but are to be accorded the full scope consistent with the claim language, wherein, unless otherwise specifically stated, elements referred to in the singular are not intended to mean "one and only one," but rather "one or more." Unless expressly stated otherwise, the term "some" refers to one or more.

Claims

1. An intraoral scanner battery charger system configured to charge an intraoral scanner battery of a handheld intraoral scanner, wherein: The system comprises: a handheld intraoral scanner configured to perform 3D scanning, an intraoral scanner battery configured to be inserted into and power the handheld intraoral scanner, an intraoral scanner battery charger, the intraoral scanner battery charger being configured to charge the intraoral scanner battery, and wherein the intraoral scanner battery charger comprises: o two or more battery slots, the two or more battery slots configured to receive the intraoral scanner battery, wherein each of the two or more battery slots includes a charging interface, the charging interface is configured to an intraoral scanner battery interface of the handheld intraoral scanner, and the charging interface is configured to transmit a charging current to the intraoral scanner battery, o a processor unit configured to control the charging current based on a prioritized charging algorithm, and wherein the prioritized charging algorithm includes transmitting a first charging current to a first intraoral scanner battery of the system and transmitting a second charging current to a second intraoral scanner battery of the system, and wherein during a charging period, the first charging current is higher than the second charging current and during a subsequent charging period, the first charging current is lower than the second charging current.

2. An intraoral scanner battery charger system according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein: During a portion of the charging period, the first charging current is equal to a target charging current, and the second charging current is equal to a minimum charging current.

3. An intraoral scanner battery charger system according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein: The charging interface is configured to communicate data directionally or bidirectionally between the intraoral scanner battery and the intraoral scanner battery charger.

4. An intraoral scanner battery charger system according to any one of the preceding claims, comprising a wireless interface configured to communicate with the intraoral scanner.

5. An intraoral scanner battery charger system according to claim 3 or 4, comprising a memory unit configured to store firmware updates, and wherein, The firmware update is received via the charging interface or the wireless interface.

6. The intraoral scanner battery charger system according to any one of claims 4 and 5, wherein: The wireless interface includes a Bluetooth communication protocol or a WIFI protocol.

7. An intraoral scanner battery charger system according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein: During another portion of the charging period, a first charging current to the first intra-oral scanner battery is gradually decreased, and a second charging current to the second intra-oral scanner battery is gradually increased.

8. The intraoral scanner battery charger system of claim 7, wherein: The sum of the gradually decreasing first charging current and the gradually increasing second charging current is constant or substantially constant.

9. An intraoral scanner battery charger system according to any one of the preceding claims, comprising a temperature sensor configured to measure a temperature external to the intraoral scanner battery.

10. The intraoral scanner battery charger system of claim 9, wherein: The processor unit is configured to reduce a charging current to the first intraoral scanner battery and / or the second intraoral scanner battery based on the measured temperature.

11. An intraoral scanner battery charger system according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein: If it is detected that the first intraoral scanner battery is removed from one of the two or more battery wells, the processor unit is configured to increase a charging current to the second intraoral scanner battery.

12. The intraoral scanner battery charger system of claim 11, wherein: Detection of the removal of the first intraoral scanner battery and / or the second intraoral scanner battery is based on impedance measurements.

13. The intraoral scanner battery charger system according to any one of the preceding claims, comprising an authenticator unit configured to authenticate an intraoral scanner battery inserted into each of the two or more battery slots.

14. The intraoral scanner battery charger system of claim 13, wherein: Authentication of the battery is based on a publicly known key stored in the memory of the intraoral scanner battery charger.

15. The intraoral scanner battery charger system of claim 14, wherein: The publicly known key is common to the intraoral scanner battery charger, at least one intraoral scanner battery, and the intraoral scanner, and wherein the battery is configured to be inserted into the charger and the scanner.

16. The intraoral scanner battery charger system of claim 2, wherein: The target charging current is between the maximum charging current and the incremental charging current.

17. The intraoral scanner battery charger system of claim 16, wherein: The processor unit is configured to reduce the charging current if above a maximum charging current and / or to increase the charging current if below an incremental charging current.

18. A method for charging an intraoral scanner battery, wherein: The method comprises: receiving an intraoral scanner battery in each of the two or more battery wells, · transmit charging current to the intraoral scanner battery, Controlling the charging current based on a prioritized charging algorithm, wherein the prioritized charging algorithm comprises: o transmitting a first charging current to said first intraoral scanner battery, o delivering a second charging current to the second intraoral scanner battery, and During a charging period, the first charging current is higher than the second charging current, and during a subsequent charging period, the first charging current is lower than the second charging current.

19. An intraoral scanner system comprising at least one intraoral scanner battery, an intraoral scanner and an intraoral scanner battery charger according to any one of claims 1 to 17.

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