Information processing device, information processing method, and program

Abstract

To provide a mechanism that can make communication smoother related to manufacturing a dental technical material.SOLUTION: An information processing device comprises a control unit which generates a UI screen which receives informational input related to manufacture instructions of one or more dental technical materials, and generates electronic data of dental technical instructions on the basis of the information inputted in the UI screen. The control unit proposes a candidate of remaining information which can be inputted, on the basis of the already inputted information in the UI screen.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an information processing device, an information processing method, and a program. [Background technology]

[0002] In recent years, the production of dental prostheses has become smarter. For example, it has become common to design and produce dental prostheses using 3D (dimensional) cameras, CT (Computed Tomography) scanners, CAD / CAM (Computer-Aided Design / Computer-Aided Manufacturing) devices, etc.

[0003] Communication between dental clinics or dental laboratories that place orders for dental prostheses and dental laboratories that receive orders and produce the dental prostheses is also becoming smarter. For example, the following Patent Document 1 discloses a technology related to a web ordering system for dental prostheses. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Patent No. 6441419 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] However, the technology disclosed in the above Patent Document 1 has only recently been developed, and there is still room for improvement in various respects.

[0006] Therefore, the present invention has been made in consideration of the above problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide a mechanism that enables smoother communication regarding the production of dental prostheses. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] In order to solve the above problem, according to one aspect of the present invention, there is provided an information processing device that generates a UI screen that accepts input of information related to production instructions for one or more dental prostheses, and includes a control unit that generates electronic data of a dental prosthesis instruction sheet based on the information input on the UI screen, and the control unit suggests candidates for the remaining information that can be input based on the information already input on the UI screen.

[0008] The UI screen may present one or more options for each of a plurality of items related to the production instructions for each dental technique and accept input to select one of the options, and the control unit may narrow down the options presented for a second item based on the option selected for a first item.

[0009] The control unit may suggest candidates for information that can be input as information about the second dental technique, based on information about the first dental technique input on the UI screen.

[0010] The control unit may warn, based on information of a third dental technique entered on the UI screen, that information of a fourth dental technique related to the third dental technique has not been entered.

[0011] The control unit may suggest the candidates based on whether or not health insurance is applicable, which is input on the UI screen.

[0012] The control unit may further suggest the candidates based on information about the dental laboratory to which the order is to be placed, and the information about the dental laboratory to which the order is to be placed may include at least one of the types of dental prostheses that can be produced, material inventory, or delivery dates.

[0013] The control unit may suggest dental laboratories that can be selected as a supplier of a dental technical product as the candidates.

[0014] The control unit may suggest the candidates based further on information of dental techniques previously produced for the patient, and the information of the dental techniques may include at least one of the target tooth, the type of dental technique, the material, or the shade.

[0015] The control unit may suggest as the candidate 3D data that is identified as 3D data of the patient's oral cavity based on information entered on the UI screen from among the multiple 3D data uploaded to the storage device.

[0016] In addition, in order to solve the above problem, according to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided an information processing method executed by a computer, the information processing method including: generating a UI screen that accepts input of information related to production instructions for one or more dental techniques; suggesting candidates for the remaining information that can be input based on information already input in the UI screen; and generating electronic data of a dental technique instruction sheet based on the information input in the UI screen.

[0017] In addition, in order to solve the above problem, according to another aspect of the present invention, a program is provided that causes a computer to function as a control unit that generates a UI screen that accepts input of information related to production instructions for one or more dental techniques, and generates electronic data for a dental technique instruction sheet based on the information input on the UI screen, and the control unit suggests candidates for the remaining information that can be input based on the information already input on the UI screen. Effect of the Invention

[0018] As described above, according to the present invention, a mechanism is provided that enables smoother communication regarding the production of dental prostheses. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0019] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a diagram for explaining an overview of a system according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Diagram 2]FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of a project screen according to the embodiment. [Diagram 3] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of a project screen according to the embodiment. [Figure 4] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of a details display screen according to the embodiment. [Diagram 5] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of a details display screen according to the embodiment. [Figure 6] 10 is a flowchart showing an example of a flow of a process executed by the terminal device according to the embodiment. [Figure 7] FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing an example of a hardware configuration of the information processing device according to the embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0020] Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. In this specification and the drawings, components having substantially the same functional configurations are designated by the same reference numerals, and duplicated explanations will be omitted.

[0021] <1. Overview> Fig. 1 is a diagram for explaining an overview of a system 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention. As shown in Fig. 1, the system 1 includes a plurality of terminal devices 10 (10A to 10C), a control device 20, and a plurality of dental laboratories 30 (30A to 30C). The terminal devices 10 and the control device 20, and the control device 20 and the dental laboratories 30 are connected via a network such as the Internet.

[0022] The terminal device 10 is an information processing device that accepts a user operation to input a production instruction for a dental prosthesis. The user who operates the terminal device 10 is a dentist, or a staff member such as a dental technician or a nurse who works under the supervision of the dentist. The terminal device 10 is placed in a dental clinic. The terminal device 10 displays a UI (User Interface) screen and accepts a user operation to input a production instruction for a dental prosthesis to be attached to a patient's oral cavity. The production instruction for the dental prosthesis here is information described in a dental prosthesis instruction book, such as a design of the dental prosthesis, a method of producing the dental prosthesis, and materials used for the dental prosthesis. The dental prosthesis instruction book is a document delivered from the dentist to the dental laboratory 30, in which the production instruction for the dental prosthesis is described. The terminal device 10 transmits the input production instruction for the dental prosthesis to the control device 20.

[0023] The dental laboratory 30 is a facility that produces dental prostheses. The dental laboratory 30 owns processing equipment such as a 3D printer and a milling machine, as well as materials for the dental prostheses. The materials here refer to dental material(s). The dental laboratory 30 produces the dental prostheses based on dental laboratory instructions. The dental laboratory 30 then sends the produced dental prostheses to the client.

[0024] The control device 20 is an information processing device that controls the entire system 1. The control device 20 generates electronic data of dental laboratory instructions based on information input to the terminal device 10. The control device 20 then transmits the generated electronic data of dental laboratory instructions to the dental laboratory 30. The transmission of the electronic data of dental laboratory instructions also serves to order a dental technique. Therefore, the dental laboratory 30 produces a dental technique based on the received electronic data of dental laboratory instructions and sends it to the user who placed the order.

[0025] The control device 20 is an information processing device that controls display of a UI screen by the terminal device 10. In detail, the control device 20 generates a UI screen to be displayed by the terminal device 10, and updates the UI screen in response to a user operation on the terminal device 10. For example, the control device 20 may provide the UI screen as a Web application. In this case, the terminal device 10 accesses the Web application provided by the control device 20, displays the UI screen, and accepts a user operation.

[0026] The control device 20 matches the dental clinic where the terminal device 10 is located with the dental laboratory 30 for each electronic data of the dental laboratory instruction generated. For example, the control device 20 stores information on each of the dental clinics where the terminal device 10 is located and the dental laboratory 30. The control device 20 then selects a destination of the electronic data of the dental laboratory instruction from among the dental laboratories 30. Examples of information stored by the control device 20 include the address of the dental clinic, the address of the dental laboratory 30, the specifications of the processing equipment owned by the dental laboratory 30, and the stock of materials at the dental laboratory 30. This configuration makes it possible to assign the production of a dental laboratory to the dental laboratory 30 that is most suitable in terms of various aspects such as delivery time, price, and quality.

[0027] Conventional paper dental laboratory instructions have various problems, such as insufficient space, difficulty in writing instructions, non-intuitiveness, and difficulty in reading. In particular, because paper dental laboratory instructions do not have a unified format, these problems become a major obstacle in an environment where new transactions occur frequently due to the above-mentioned matching. Therefore, in this embodiment, a mechanism for improving the usability of dental laboratory instructions is provided.

[0028] Hereinafter, the electronic data of the dental laboratory instruction sheet will also be simply referred to as the dental laboratory instruction sheet.

[0029] <2. Example of UI screen> The terminal device 10 displays a UI screen and accepts user operations on the UI screen. The control device 20 then generates electronic data of a dental technique instruction sheet based on information input on the UI screen. An example of the UI screen displayed by the terminal device 10 will be described below with reference to Figs. 2 to 5.

[0030] (1) Project screen 2 and 3 are diagrams showing an example of a project screen 100 according to the present embodiment. The project screen 100 is a UI screen that displays information about the entire project including a series of steps related to the production of a dental technique, and accepts editing (i.e., input or correction). Steps included in the project include, for example, input of a production instruction for the dental technique, placing an order with the dental laboratory 30, production of the dental technique by the dental laboratory 30, transportation of the produced dental technique, and fitting of the dental technique to a patient.

[0031] A user can select a desired UI element by operating a cursor on the project screen 100, select a desired option from a pull-down menu, or input text. In particular, a user starts a project by inputting a production instruction for a dental prosthesis on the project screen 100. The project screen 100 can accept input of a production instruction for one or more dental prostheses. Then, for each project, a dental prosthesis instruction sheet including a production instruction for one or more dental prostheses is generated. After ordering a dental prosthesis, a user can check the progress of the project, such as the production status, on the project screen 100.

[0032] 2 and 3, the project screen 100 is made up of a main screen 101, an upper frame 102 displayed on the upper side of the main screen 101, and a left frame 103 displayed on the left side of the main screen 101. The project screen 100 is actually displayed as one screen. The UI elements included in the project screen 100 will be described below. Note that UI elements other than the UI elements explicitly described below as being capable of accepting input may also be capable of accepting input.

[0033] -Main Screen 101 The main screen 101 includes a dentition display field 110, a text box 120, a dental technique list display field 130, and a 3D data input display field 140.

[0034] The teeth row display field 110 is a field for displaying a teeth row image. The teeth row image is an image showing a total of 32 teeth, including teeth 1 to 8 on the upper right side, teeth 1 to 8 on the upper left side, teeth 1 to 8 on the lower right side, and teeth 1 to 8 on the lower left side, arranged according to the arrangement of teeth. The teeth row display field 110 shown in FIG. 2 displays a teeth row image according to Palmer notation. Furthermore, the teeth row display field 110 displays the manufacturing instructions for the dental prosthesis inputted on the project screen 100 according to Palmer notation.

[0035] The text box 120 is a field for accepting input of text as a production instruction for a dental technique and displaying the input text. The user can input any text in the text box 120. For example, detailed supplementary explanations regarding the dental technique are input in the text box 120.

[0036] The dental technique list display field 130 is a field that displays a list of dental techniques to be ordered. In the dental technique list display field 130, information on each item related to one dental technique is displayed together in one line. The dental technique list display field 130 includes a product name display field 131, a target tooth display field 132, a material display field 133, a shade display field 134, a price display field 135, and a status display field 136 as fields that display information on each item related to the dental technique.

[0037] The product name display column 131 is a column for displaying the name of the dental technical product.

[0038] The target tooth display field 132 is a field for displaying the target tooth of the dental technique. The target tooth is a tooth on which the dental technique is attached.

[0039] The material display field 133 is a field for displaying the name of the material of the dental technical product. The material name here is the name of the dental material provided by each manufacturer.

[0040] The shade display field 134 is a field for displaying the shade of the dental technical product. The shade corresponds to the color of the dental technical product.

[0041] The price display column 135 is a column that displays the price of the dental technical product.

[0042] The status display field 136 is a field that displays the production status of the dental prosthesis. In the example shown in Fig. 2, since the production instruction is being input and the order has not yet been placed, "-" is displayed, indicating that the prosthesis has not yet been produced. As the production progresses, the status display field 136 displays the production status at the time the project screen 100 is displayed, such as "machining in progress," "fit adjustment in progress," "design not yet started," or "completed."

[0043] The dental technique list display field 130 includes a detail display button 137 at the end of each line. The detail display button 137 is a button that triggers displaying detailed information about the dental technique. When the detail display button 137 is selected, the terminal device 10 displays a screen (detail display screen 200, described later) including detailed information about the dental technique displayed in the same line as the detail display button 137.

[0044] The dental technique list display field 130 includes an add product button 138. The add product button 138 is a button that triggers adding a dental technique to be ordered. When the add product button 138 is selected, the terminal device 10 displays a screen (a detailed display screen 200 described later) that accepts input of detailed information about the newly ordered dental technique. Then, the terminal device 10 adds the information about the dental technique input on the screen to the dental technique list display field 130.

[0045] The dental technique list display field 130 includes a total price display field 139. The total price display field 139 is a field that displays the total of the prices of the dental techniques displayed in the dental technique list display field 130. As shown in Fig. 2, the total price display field 139 may display the price including tax, the price excluding tax, and the tax amount separately.

[0046] The 3D data input display field 140 is a field that accepts input of information related to 3D data of the patient's oral cavity and displays the input information. The terminal device 10 accepts a user operation of inputting 3D data of the patient's oral cavity as one of the production instructions for a dental prosthesis. For example, when an add file button 142 is selected, the terminal device 10 accepts a user operation of attaching new 3D data as 3D data of the patient's oral cavity. Then, the terminal device 10 displays an image 141 (141A to 141C) of the attached 3D data in the 3D data input display field 140. Examples of the format of the 3D data include STL (Stereolithography), PLY (Polygon File Format), and PDF (Portable Document Format).

[0047] -Upper frame 102 As shown in FIG. 3, the upper frame 102 includes a dental laboratory display section 151 , an order list display button 152 , a customer display button 153 , and an accounting display button 154 .

[0048] The dental laboratory display field 151 displays the name of the dental laboratory 30 to which the dental laboratory product in the project displayed on the project screen 100 is ordered.

[0049] The order list display button 152 is a button that triggers displaying an order list. When the order list display button 152 is selected, the terminal device 10 displays, for example, a list of projects that the user is currently implementing or has implemented in the past.

[0050] The customer display button 153 is a button that triggers display of customer information. When the customer display button 153 is selected, the terminal device 10 displays, for example, information on customers (i.e., patients) of a project that is being carried out or has been carried out in the past by the user.

[0051] The display accounting button 154 is a button that triggers the display of accounting information. When the display accounting button 154 is selected, the terminal device 10 displays, for example, accounting information related to a project that the user is currently implementing or has implemented in the past.

[0052] - Left frame 103 As shown in FIG. 3, the left frame 103 includes a nickname display field 161, a status display field 162, an orderer display field 163, a patient name display field 164, a schedule display field 165, a customer contact button 166, and a dental technique instruction display button 167.

[0053] The nickname display field 161 is a field for displaying the nickname of the project displayed on the project screen 100.

[0054] The status display field 162 is a field that displays the progress status of the project displayed on the project screen 100. Examples of the project progress status include "Data Checking" which indicates that the input production instructions are being checked for errors, "Ordered" which indicates that the ordering of the dental prosthesis has been completed, and "Production Completed" which indicates that the production of the dental prosthesis has been completed.

[0055] The orderer display field 163 is a field for displaying the name of the orderer of the dental technical product to be produced in the project displayed on the project screen 100.

[0056] The patient name display field 164 is a field for displaying the name of the patient on whom the dental technical product produced in the project displayed on the project screen 100 will be fitted.

[0057] The schedule display field 165 is a field that displays information related to the production schedule of a dental prosthesis in a project displayed on the project screen 100. In the example shown in FIG. 3, the schedule display field 165 includes an order number, an order date, a desired delivery date, a shipping date, a notice date, and a set date. The order number is a number that is uniquely assigned to a project. The order date is the date on which a dental prosthesis is ordered from the dental laboratory 30. The desired delivery date is the date on which the dental prosthesis produced by the dental laboratory 30 is desired to be delivered. The shipping date is the date on which the dental prosthesis produced by the dental laboratory 30 has been shipped or is scheduled to be shipped. The notice date is the date on which confirmation has been received or is scheduled to be received that there are no errors in the production instructions for the dental prosthesis. The set date is the date on which the dental prosthesis has been fitted or is scheduled to be fitted to a patient.

[0058] The customer contact button 166 is a button that triggers contact with the customer. When the customer contact button 166 is selected, the terminal device 10 displays a screen for inputting information to be communicated to the customer, and notifies the customer of the input information.

[0059] The dental laboratory instruction display button 167 is a button that triggers the display of the dental laboratory instruction. When the dental laboratory instruction display button 167 is selected, the terminal device 10 formats the information displayed on the project screen 100 according to the format of the dental laboratory instruction and then displays it.

[0060] (2)Details display screen 4 and 5 are diagrams showing an example of a detail display screen 200 according to this embodiment. The detail display screen 200 is a UI screen that displays detailed information for each dental technique and accepts editing (i.e., input or correction).

[0061] The user can select a desired UI element by operating a cursor on the detail display screen 200, select a desired option from a pull-down menu, input text, etc. In particular, the user can check detailed information about the dental prosthesis and input production instructions on the detail display screen 200.

[0062] There may be multiple triggers for displaying the details display screen 200. As one example, when the details display button 137 is selected on the project screen 100 shown in Fig. 2, the terminal device 10 displays the details display screen 200 that displays detailed information about the dental prosthesis displayed on the same line as the details display button 137. As another example, when the add product button 138 is selected on the project screen 100 shown in Fig. 2, the terminal device 10 displays the details display screen 200 and accepts input of detailed information about the dental prosthesis to be newly ordered.

[0063] The information displayed on the details display screen 200 can be switched by switching tabs. Specifically, when the product tab 201 is selected, the details display screen 200 displays a product page 203 shown in Fig. 4. On the other hand, when the process / file tab 202 is selected, the details display screen 200 displays a process / file page 204 shown in Fig. 5.

[0064] The following describes UI elements included in the details display screen 200. Note that UI elements other than UI elements explicitly described below as being capable of accepting input may also be capable of accepting input.

[0065] -Product page 203 The product page 203 is a page that accepts input of detailed information about the dental technique targeted by the detail display screen 200 and displays the accepted information. However, the product page 203 may grant editing authority to a user only during a predetermined period, while granting only viewing authority outside the predetermined period. That is, the product page 203 may be capable of accepting input of information about the dental technique only during a predetermined period. An example of the predetermined period is a period before an order is placed and a period during which a change in the production instructions is requested by the dental laboratory 30. As shown in FIG. 4, the product page 203 includes a production instruction input display field 210 and a price breakdown display field 220. Note that FIG. 4 shows, as an example, a display example when the detail display button 137 in the "A" row in the dental technique list display field 130 of the project screen 100 shown in FIG. 2 is selected.

[0066] The production instruction input display field 210 is a field for receiving input of production instructions for a dental prosthesis and displaying the contents of the input production instructions. As shown in Fig. 4, the production instruction input display field 210 includes a product master input display field 211, a display product name display field 212, a target tooth input display field 213, a material input display field 214, a shade input display field 215, a price adjustment input display field 216, an individual price adjustment input display field 217, and an insurance coverage selection field 218.

[0067] The product master input display field 211 is a field that accepts input of the type of dental technology and displays the input type of dental technology. The product master input display field 211 may display a pull-down menu that lists selectable types of dental technology, and may accept a user operation to select the type of dental technology from the pull-down menu.

[0068] The displayed product name display field 212 is a field for displaying the name of the dental technique. The name of the dental technique displayed in the displayed product name display field 212 is automatically set according to the type of dental technique input in the product master input display field 211. The name of the dental technique displayed in the displayed product name display field 212 is reflected in the display in the product name display field 131 of the project screen 100.

[0069] The target tooth input display field 213 is a field that receives input of a target tooth of a dental technique and displays the input target tooth. The target tooth input display field 213 may display a pull-down menu that lists selectable target teeth, and may receive a user operation to select a target tooth from the pull-down menu. The target tooth input in the target tooth input display field 213 is reflected in the display in the target tooth display field 132 of the project screen 100.

[0070] The material input display field 214 is a field that accepts input of the name of the material of the dental technique and displays the input name of the material of the dental technique. The material input display field 214 may display a pull-down menu that lists selectable materials, and may accept a user operation to select a material from the pull-down menu. The name of the material input in the material input display field 214 is reflected in the display in the material display field 133 of the project screen 100.

[0071] The shade input display field 215 is a field that receives input of the shade of the dental technique and displays the inputted shade of the dental technique. The shade input display field 215 may display a pull-down menu that lists selectable shades, and may receive a user operation to select a shade from the pull-down menu. The shade input in the shade input display field 215 is reflected in the display in the shade display field 134 of the project screen 100.

[0072] The price adjustment input display field 216 is a field that accepts the input of the price adjustment content that is applied to all dental prostheses ordered in the project, and displays the input price adjustment content. The price adjustment input display field 216 may display a pull-down menu that lists selectable price adjustment contents, and may accept a user operation to select the price adjustment content from the pull-down menu. An example of the price adjustment content that is input in the price adjustment input display field 216 is a discount (i.e., a volume discount) due to a large volume of transactions between the ordering dental clinic and the ordering dental laboratory 30. The price adjustment content may be a price increase in addition to a discount.

[0073] The individual price adjustment input display field 217 is a field that accepts the input of the price adjustment content applied to an individual dental prosthesis and displays the input price adjustment content. The price adjustment input display field 216 may display a pull-down menu that lists selectable price adjustment contents, and may accept a user operation to select the price adjustment content from the pull-down menu. An example of the price adjustment content that can be input into the individual price adjustment input display field 217 is a discount resulting from the use of surplus stock materials. The price adjustment content may be a price increase in addition to a discount.

[0074] The terminal device 10 may not accept user input to the price adjustment input display field 216 and the individual price adjustment input display field 217. In that case, the terminal device 10 may automatically set the input contents in the price adjustment input display field 216 and the individual price adjustment input display field 217 based on information such as the transaction volume and material inventory.

[0075] The insurance coverage selection field 218 is a checkbox that accepts a user operation to select whether or not insurance is applied. The user selects whether or not insurance is applied by checking or unchecking the checkbox. A check in the insurance coverage selection field 218 indicates that insurance is applied. On the other hand, no check in the insurance coverage selection field 218 indicates that insurance is not applied. Insurance here refers to a system that provides financial assistance for the manufacturing costs of dental prostheses, and specifically refers to national health insurance.

[0076] The price breakdown display field 220 is a field that displays the breakdown of the price of the dental prosthesis. The price breakdown display field 220 lists the unit price for each type of dental prosthesis, the material price, and various processing costs at the dental laboratory 30, and the total amount of these amounts is the price of the dental prosthesis. The total amount in the price breakdown display field 220 is reflected in the display in the price display field 135 of the project screen 100. The price displayed in the price breakdown display field 220 is calculated by applying the price adjustments input in the price adjustment input display field 216 and the individual price adjustment input display field 217 to the standard price, and further reflecting the insurance coverage input in the insurance coverage selection field 218.

[0077] -Process File Page 204 The process / file page 204 is a page that accepts input of detailed information on the production process of the dental prosthesis targeted by the details display screen 200 and on attached files, and displays the accepted information. As shown in Fig. 5, the process / file page 204 includes a production process list display field 230, and a 3D data input display field 240. Note that Fig. 5 shows, as an example, a display at a timing when the production process has progressed to a certain extent after an order is placed.

[0078] The production process list display field 230 is a field that displays a list of information related to a series of production processes from the start to the completion of production of a dental prosthesis. In the production process list display field 230, information on each item related to the production process is displayed together in one line. The production process list display field 230 includes a process name display field 231, a status display field 232, a person in charge name display field 233, and a person in charge comment display field 234 as fields that display information on each item related to the production process.

[0079] The process name display column 231 is a column for displaying the name of a manufacturing process.

[0080] The status display column 232 is a column that displays the progress of the production process.

[0081] The person in charge name display column 233 is a column for displaying the name of the person in charge of the production process.

[0082] The person in charge of the production process comment display field 234 is a field for displaying comments reported by the person in charge of the production process.

[0083] The production process list display field 230 includes a detail display button 235 at the end of each line. The detail display button 235 is a button that triggers displaying detailed information about the production process. When the detail display button 235 is selected, the terminal device 10 displays a screen including detailed information about the production process displayed in the same line as the detail display button 235.

[0084] The production process list display field 230 includes an add production process button 236. The add production process button 236 is a button that triggers the addition of a new production process. When the add production process button 236 is selected, the terminal device 10 displays a screen for accepting input of detailed information on the new production process. Then, the terminal device 10 adds the information on the production process input on the screen to the production process list display field 230.

[0085] The 3D data input display field 240 is a field that accepts input of information related to 3D data in the oral cavity of a patient and displays the input information. The configuration of the 3D data input display field 240 is the same as that of the 3D data input display field 140. However, the 3D data input display field 240 may accept input and display the input information limited to information related to 3D data related to the dental technique targeted by the detailed display screen 200. For example, the 3D data input display field 240 may display an image 241 (241A to 241C) of 3D data related to the dental technique targeted by the detailed display screen 200 among the 3D data in the oral cavity of a patient. Furthermore, the terminal device 10 may accept a user operation to attach 3D data related to the dental technique targeted by the detailed display screen 200 when the file addition button 242 is selected.

[0086] <3. Technical features> Above, we have described one example of a UI screen displayed by the terminal device 10. Below, we will explain in detail the technical features of the system 1 while supplementing the features of the UI screen described above.

[0087] As described above with reference to Figs. 2 to 5, the terminal device 10 displays a UI screen that accepts input of information related to production instructions for one or more dental prostheses. Here, the terminal device 10 proposes candidates for the remaining information that can be input (hereinafter also referred to as input candidates) based on the information already input on the UI screen. The terminal device 10 narrows down the input candidates, thereby making it possible to reduce the input load of production instructions on the user. An example of a method for proposing input candidates will be described below.

[0088] The UI screen may present one or more options (i.e., input candidates) for each of a plurality of items related to the production instructions for each dental technique, and accept an input to select one option. In this case, the terminal device 10 may narrow down the options presented for the second item based on the option selected for the first item. For example, as described above with reference to FIG. 4, the terminal device 10 may accept, as an input of the production instructions, a user operation to select an option from a pull-down menu for each of the type of dental technique, the target tooth, the material, and the shade in the production instruction input display field 210. In this case, when the type of dental technique and the target tooth are input, the terminal device 10 may narrow down the materials and shades selectable for the input type of dental technique and the target tooth, and display only the narrowed down options in the pull-down menu. With this configuration, it is possible to support the user to input appropriate production instructions.

[0089] There are various possible methods for narrowing down the input candidates. For example, the control device 20 may hold a combination of selectable options for the type of dental prosthesis, the target tooth, the material, and the shade as a standard data set. The terminal device 10 may then narrow down the input candidates by referring to the standard data set. The control device 20 may hold a different standard data set for each dental clinic or dental laboratory 30. Furthermore, the control device 20 may update the standard data set depending on the availability of materials in stock, etc.

[0090] The terminal device 10 may propose candidates for information that can be input as information for the second dental technique based on the information for the first dental technique input on the UI screen. In detail, the terminal device 10 may propose input candidates for production instructions so that the production instructions for a plurality of dental techniques related to each other are consistent with each other. As an example, the terminal device 10 may propose input candidates for material and shade so that the material and shade match for a plurality of dental techniques having adjacent target teeth. As another example, the terminal device 10 may propose input candidates for material so that the abutment and fixture constituting the implant are produced from materials of the same manufacturer. With this configuration, it is possible to support the user to input appropriate production instructions.

[0091] The terminal device 10 may warn that information on a fourth dental technique related to the third dental technique has not been input based on information on the third dental technique input on the UI screen. In detail, the terminal device 10 may suggest input candidates for production instructions so that production instructions for a plurality of dental techniques related to each other are input together. For example, when a production instruction for a fixture is input and a production instruction for an abutment is not input, the terminal device 10 displays a pop-up message such as "An order for an abutment has been omitted." With this configuration, it is possible to prevent an order for a dental technique from being omitted.

[0092] The terminal device 10 may suggest input candidates based on whether or not health insurance is applied, which is input on the UI screen. For example, when "insurance applied" is selected in the insurance application selection field 218 on the product page 203 shown in FIG. 4, the terminal device 10 may display only materials for which health insurance is applicable in the pull-down menu of the material input display field 214. On the other hand, when "insurance not applied" is selected in the insurance application selection field 218, the terminal device 10 may display all materials, regardless of whether or not health insurance is applicable, in the pull-down menu of the material input display field 214. With this configuration, it is possible to support the user to input appropriate production instructions according to whether or not health insurance is applied. In other words, it is possible to prevent the occurrence of a situation in which a dental prosthesis that is not covered by health insurance is erroneously produced, even though the patient wishes to apply health insurance.

[0093] Furthermore, the terminal device 10 may set the priority of the proposed input candidates based on the application or non-application of health insurance input on the UI screen. For example, when "insurance coverage" is selected in the insurance coverage selection field 218, the terminal device 10 may arrange the materials to be displayed in the pull-down menu of the material input display field 214 in ascending order of the price after health insurance coverage. On the other hand, when "insurance non-application" is selected in the insurance coverage selection field 218, the terminal device 10 may arrange the materials to be displayed in the pull-down menu of the material input display field 214 in descending order of quality. With this configuration, it is possible to support the input of appropriate production instructions that correspond to the needs of the patient inferred from the application or non-application of health insurance.

[0094] Here, the dental laboratory 30 to which the order is placed may be input before the production instruction for the dental prosthesis is input. In this case, the terminal device 10 may suggest input candidates based on the information of the dental laboratory 30 to which the order is placed. The information of the dental laboratory 30 to which the order is placed includes at least one of the types of dental prostheses that can be produced, the stock of materials, and the delivery date. For example, the terminal device 10 may suggest the types of dental prostheses that can be produced at the dental laboratory 30 to which the order is placed, the materials in stock, and the delivery date that can be achieved as input candidates. The information of the dental laboratory 30 may be managed by the control device 20, and the terminal device 10 may obtain the information of the dental laboratory 30 to which the order is placed from the control device 20 and use it to suggest the input candidates. With this configuration, it is possible to support the user to input appropriate production instructions. Specifically, it is possible to prevent rework such as re-ordering to another dental laboratory 30 after it is discovered that it is difficult to produce the dental prosthesis under the specified conditions at the dental laboratory 30 to which the order is placed after the order is placed.

[0095] Of course, a production instruction for a dental technique may be input before the dental laboratory 30 to which the dental technique is to be ordered. In this case, the terminal device 10 may suggest dental laboratories 30 that can be selected as a place to order a dental technique as input candidates. For example, the terminal device 10 may list dental laboratories 30 capable of producing a plurality of dental techniques displayed in the dental technique list display field 130 of the project screen 100 shown in FIG. 2 based on the information of the dental laboratories 30 managed by the control device 20, and suggest them as ordering candidates. In this case, the terminal device 10 may set a priority for the dental laboratories 30 proposed as ordering candidates based on the price, the distance between the ordering dental clinic and the dental laboratory 30, and the quality of the dental technique produced by the dental laboratory 30. The quality of the dental technique produced by the dental laboratory 30 may be estimated based on the evaluation of the dental technique produced by the dental laboratory 30 by the patient or the ordering dental clinic in the past. According to such a configuration, it is possible to support the user to input appropriate production instructions. Specifically, it is possible to prevent a rework that would occur if it is discovered after an order has been placed that the dental laboratory 30 to which the order was placed has difficulty producing the dental prosthesis according to the specified conditions, and the order has to be placed again with a different dental laboratory 30.

[0096] The terminal device 10 may suggest input candidates based on information on dental prostheses previously made for the patient. The information on dental prostheses previously made for the patient may include at least one of the target tooth, the type of dental prostheses, the material, or the shade. For example, the terminal device 10 may suggest a material of the same manufacturer as a dental prostheses previously made for the patient and worn as an input candidate, or may suggest the same shade as an input candidate. The information on dental prostheses previously made for the patient may be stored by the control device 20, and the terminal device 10 may acquire the information from the control device 20 and use it to suggest input candidates. With this configuration, it is possible to support the user to input appropriate production instructions. Specifically, it is possible to make the dental prostheses currently worn by the patient and the dental prostheses to be ordered blend in appearance.

[0097] In a dental clinic, 3D data of the patient's oral cavity may be acquired by scanners of various manufacturers. Then, the 3D data acquired by the scanner may be automatically uploaded to a cloud server (an example of a storage device) provided by the scanner manufacturer. The control device 20 may cooperate with the cloud server of the scanner manufacturer to acquire the 3D data uploaded to the cloud server. Then, the control device 20 may identify the 3D data of the patient's oral cavity from among the multiple 3D data uploaded to the cloud server based on information input on the UI screen. Then, the terminal device 10 may suggest the 3D data identified as the 3D data of the patient's oral cavity as a candidate for the 3D data of the patient's oral cavity. For example, when the file addition button 142 shown in FIG. 2 or the file addition button 242 shown in FIG. 5 is selected, the terminal device 10 may preferentially suggest the 3D data identified as the 3D data of the patient's oral cavity as the 3D data to be attached. According to this configuration, it is possible to reduce the effort of searching for the 3D data of the patient from the multiple 3D data uploaded to the cloud server. If a dental clinic has a mix of scanners from multiple manufacturers, i.e., if there are multiple cloud servers to which 3D data can be uploaded, the effect of reducing this input load will be significant.

[0098] There are various methods for identifying the 3D data of the patient's oral cavity. As one example, the control device 20 may identify 3D data whose scan date and time are close to the data input date and time on the UI screen as 3D data of the patient's oral cavity. As another example, the control device 20 may identify 3D data that includes, as metadata, a patient name that is the same as the patient name input on the UI screen as 3D data of the patient's oral cavity. As another example, the control device 20 may identify 3D data in which the types of the target tooth and dental prosthesis estimated based on the 3D data match the types of the target tooth and dental prosthesis input on the UI screen as 3D data of the patient's oral cavity.

[0099] An example of a method for suggesting input candidates has been described above.

[0100] Next, an example of the flow of processing executed in this embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 6. Fig. 6 is a flowchart showing an example of the flow of processing executed by the terminal device 10 according to this embodiment.

[0101] 6, first, the terminal device 10 displays a UI screen for accepting input of information related to production instructions for one or more dental technicians (step S102). For example, the terminal device 10 displays a project screen 100 or a detail display screen 200.

[0102] Next, the terminal device 10 accepts input of a production instruction for the dental technical product on the UI screen (step S104). For example, the terminal device 10 accepts a user operation for inputting at least a part of the type, target tooth, material, or shade of the dental technical product.

[0103] Next, the terminal device 10 proposes input candidates for uninputted production instructions based on the inputted production instructions (step S106). As an example, when the terminal device 10 receives input of the type, target tooth, material, and shade of one dental technique, the terminal device 10 displays desirable input candidates for the material and shade in a narrowed-down pull-down menu at the time when the type and target tooth of the dental technique are input. As another example, when the terminal device 10 receives input of production instructions for a plurality of dental techniques, the terminal device 10 displays desirable input candidates for the remaining dental techniques in a narrowed-down pull-down menu at the time when production instructions for some of the dental techniques are input.

[0104] Next, the terminal device 10 accepts input of production instructions based on the proposed input candidates (step S108). For example, the terminal device 10 accepts a user operation to select one input candidate from among multiple input candidates displayed in a pull-down menu.

[0105] Then, the terminal device 10 places an order for the dental technique based on the inputted production instructions for the dental technique (step S110). For example, the terminal device 10 transmits the inputted information to the control device 20. Thereafter, the control device 20 generates a dental technique instruction sheet based on the information received from the terminal device 10 and transmits it to the dental laboratory 30 to which the order is placed.

[0106] <4. Hardware configuration example> Hereinafter, the hardware configuration of the information processing device according to this embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 7. Fig. 7 is a block diagram showing an example of the hardware configuration of the information processing device according to this embodiment. The information processing device 900 shown in Fig. 7 may be, for example, an information processing device arranged in the terminal device 10, the control device 20, or the dental laboratory 30 shown in Fig. 1 and communicating with the control device 20. Information processing by the information processing device arranged in the terminal device 10, the control device 20, or the dental laboratory 30 according to this embodiment is realized by cooperation between software and hardware described below.

[0107] 7, the information processing device 900 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 901, a ROM (Read Only Memory) 902, a RAM (Random Access Memory) 903, and a host bus 904a. The information processing device 900 also includes a bridge 904, an external bus 904b, an interface 905, an input device 906, an output device 907, a storage device 908, and a communication device 909.

[0108] The CPU 901 functions as an arithmetic processing device and a control device, and controls the overall operation of the information processing device 900 according to various programs. The information processing device 900 may have an electric circuit such as a microprocessor, a DSP (Digital Signal Processor), or an ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit) instead of or in addition to the CPU 901. The ROM 902 stores programs and arithmetic parameters used by the CPU 901. The RAM 903 temporarily stores parameters that change as appropriate when the CPU 901 executes a program. The CPU 901 may constitute, for example, a control unit that controls the overall operation of the terminal device 10. The CPU 901 may also constitute, for example, a control unit that controls the overall operation of the control device 20. The CPU 901 may also constitute, for example, a control unit that controls the overall operation of the information processing device disposed in the dental laboratory 30.

[0109] The CPU 901, ROM 902, and RAM 903 are connected to one another by a host bus 904a including a CPU bus, etc. The host bus 904a is connected to an external bus 904b such as a PCI (Peripheral Component Interconnect / Interface) bus via a bridge 904. Note that the host bus 904a, bridge 904, and external bus 904b do not necessarily need to be configured separately, and these functions may be implemented on a single bus.

[0110] The input device 906 is a device into which information is input by a user. Examples of such devices include a mouse, a keyboard, a touch panel, a button, a switch, and a lever. The input device 906 may also include a microphone that accepts voice input or a camera that accepts gesture input. A user of the information processing device 900 can input various data to the information processing device 900 or instruct the information processing device 900 to execute processing by operating the input device 906. The input device 906 accepts input of user operations, for example, at the terminal device 10. In addition, the input device 906 accepts input, for example, from a person in charge of producing a dental prosthesis at an information processing device arranged in the dental laboratory 30.

[0111] The output device 907 is a device that outputs information to a user. Examples of such devices include devices that output visual information such as a display and a projector, devices that output auditory information such as a speaker, and devices that output tactile information such as an eccentric motor. The output device 907 outputs, for example, results obtained by various processes performed by the information processing device 900. The output device 907 displays a UI screen on the terminal device 10, for example. Also, the output device 907 displays a UI screen on an information processing device arranged in the dental laboratory 30, for example.

[0112] The storage device 908 is a device that stores data. Examples of such devices include a magnetic storage device such as a HDD, a semiconductor storage device, an optical storage device, and a magneto-optical storage device. The storage device 908 may include a storage medium, a recording device that records data in the storage medium, a reading device that reads data from the storage medium, and a deleting device that deletes data recorded in the storage medium. For example, the storage device 908 stores, in the control device 20, information on a plurality of dental clinics in which the terminal devices 10 are located and information on a plurality of dental laboratories 30.

[0113] The communication device 909 is a device that communicates with other devices in a wired or wireless manner. The communication device 909 performs communication in compliance with any communication standard, such as Wi-Fi (registered trademark), Bluetooth (registered trademark), LTE (Long Term Evolution), LPWA (Low Power Wide Area), or USB (Universal Serial Bus).

[0114] An example of a hardware configuration capable of realizing the functions of the information processing device 900 according to this embodiment has been described above. Each of the above components may be realized using general-purpose components, or may be realized by hardware specialized for the function of each component. Therefore, the hardware configuration to be used can be changed as appropriate depending on the technical level at the time of implementing this embodiment.

[0115] <5. Supplementary Information> Although the preferred embodiment of the present invention has been described in detail above with reference to the accompanying drawings, the present invention is not limited to such an example. It is clear that a person having ordinary knowledge in the technical field to which the present invention pertains can conceive of various modified or altered examples within the scope of the technical ideas described in the claims, and it is understood that these also naturally belong to the technical scope of the present invention.

[0116] The terminal device 10 may accept a user operation to input a facial image including the patient's facial features or a dentition image including the patient's dentition on the UI screen together with or instead of the 3D data of the patient's oral cavity. The terminal device 10 may then suggest input candidates for instructions to produce a dental prosthesis based on at least one of the facial image and the dentition image. For example, the terminal device 10 may suggest a shade that matches the patient's facial features or dentition as an input candidate.

[0117] In the above embodiment, narrowing down the options displayed in the pull-down menu is given as an example of proposing input candidates related to the production instructions for the dental prosthesis, but the present invention is not limited to such an example. For example, the terminal device 10 may propose text input candidates in a field in which text can be freely input, such as the text box 120. In detail, the terminal device 10 may propose input candidates for the following text based on the text input by the user. Alternatively, the terminal device 10 may propose input candidates for the text based on information input using the pull-down menu. Conversely, the terminal device 10 may narrow down the options displayed in the pull-down menu based on the input content of the text.

[0118] In the above embodiment, an example has been described in which the control device 20 provides a UI screen as a Web application, but the present invention is not limited to such an example. The UI screen may be provided by a native application installed in the terminal device 10. That is, the terminal device 10 may generate and display the UI screen. In addition, the suggestion of input candidates may be performed by the terminal device 10 based on the control of the control device 20, or may be performed by the terminal device 10 alone.

[0119] The series of processes by each device described in this specification may be realized using any of software, hardware, and a combination of software and hardware. The programs constituting the software are stored in advance, for example, in a recording medium (more specifically, a non-transient storage medium readable by a computer) provided inside or outside each device. Then, each program is read into a RAM when executed by a computer that controls each device described in this specification, and executed by a processing circuit such as a CPU. The recording medium is, for example, a magnetic disk, an optical disk, a magneto-optical disk, a flash memory, etc. In addition, the above computer program may be distributed, for example, via a network without using a recording medium. In addition, the above computer may be an application-specific integrated circuit such as an ASIC, a general-purpose processor that executes a function by reading a software program, or a computer on a server used for cloud computing. In addition, the series of processes by each device described in this specification may be processed in a centralized manner by a single computer, or may be processed in a distributed manner by multiple computers. Furthermore, in each of the above embodiments, two or more communication means present in one device may be physically realized by one medium.

[0120] In addition, the processes described in this specification using flowcharts and sequence diagrams do not necessarily have to be performed in the order shown in the drawings. Some processing steps may be performed in parallel. In addition, additional processing steps may be employed, and some processing steps may be omitted.

[0121] The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and various modifications are possible, and it goes without saying that these modifications are also included within the scope of the present invention. [Explanation of symbols]

[0122] 1 System 10 Terminal Equipment 20 Control device 30 Dental Laboratory 100 Project Screen 200 Detail display screen

Claims

1. a control unit that generates a UI screen that accepts input of information regarding instructions for producing one or more dental technicians, and generates electronic data of a dental technician instruction sheet based on the information input on the UI screen; the control unit proposes remaining information candidates that can be input based on information that has already been input on the UI screen; the control unit proposes candidates of information that can be input as information on the second dental technique based on information on the first dental technique input on the UI screen; Information processing device.

2. the UI screen presents one or more options for each of a plurality of items related to the production instructions for each of the dental technicians, and accepts an input to select one of the options; the control unit narrows down the options to be presented for a second item based on the option selected for a first item; The information processing device according to claim 1 .

3. the control unit issues a warning that information on a fourth dental technique related to the third dental technique has not been input, based on information on the third dental technique input on the UI screen. The information processing device according to claim 1 .

4. The control unit proposes the candidates based on whether or not health insurance is applied, which is input on the UI screen. The information processing device according to claim 1 .

5. The control unit proposes the candidates further based on information of the dental laboratory to which the order is placed, The information about the dental laboratory to which the order is placed includes at least one of the types of dental prostheses that can be produced, material inventory, and delivery time. The information processing device according to claim 1 .

6. the control unit proposes dental laboratories that can be selected as a supplier of a dental prosthesis as the candidates; The information processing device according to claim 1 .

7. The control unit proposes the candidate further based on information of dental prostheses previously manufactured for the patient; The information on the dental technique includes at least one of a target tooth, a type of dental technique, a material, or a shade. The information processing device according to claim 1 .

8. The control unit proposes, as the candidate, 3D data identified as 3D data of the patient's oral cavity based on information input on the UI screen from among the plurality of 3D data uploaded to the storage device. The information processing device according to claim 1 .

9. 1. A computer-implemented information processing method, comprising: generating a UI screen that accepts input of information regarding production instructions for one or more dental prostheses; Suggesting remaining information candidates that can be input based on information that has already been input on the UI screen; generating electronic data of a dental technique instruction sheet based on the information input on the UI screen; Including, Proposing candidates for remaining information that can be input based on information that has already been input on the UI screen includes proposing candidates for information that can be input as information for a second dental technique based on information for a first dental technique that has been input on the UI screen. Information processing methods.

10. Computer, generating a UI screen that receives input of information regarding instructions for producing one or more dental prostheses, and causing the UI screen to function as a control unit that generates electronic data of a dental prosthesis instruction sheet based on the information input on the UI screen; the control unit proposes remaining information candidates that can be input based on information that has already been input on the UI screen; the control unit proposes candidates of information that can be input as information on the second dental technique based on information on the first dental technique input on the UI screen; program.

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