Augmented Reality Dental Interface Hands-Free Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current augmented reality glasses for dental applications are hindered by the need for hand gestures or touch interactions, which can contaminate the device and are less effective in noisy environments, necessitating a hands-free and disinfectable control solution for dental machine operation.

Innovation Solution

A method and system utilizing an augmented reality user interface that allows control of a second user interface, typically operated by upper limbs, through a first user interface, such as a footswitch or disinfectable control panel, using augmented reality visualization to transmit control signals, enabling hands-free operation and reducing contamination risks.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If hand gestures or touch interactions are used to control AR glasses, then the control functionality is achieved, but the risk of contamination increases and device hygiene is compromised

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecontrol functionalityVSAvoidcontamination risk

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces voice commands as an intermediary control method between the clinician and the AR glasses. Instead of direct hand contact with touch interfaces, the clinician speaks commands that are captured by the AR glasses' microphone and processed to control the device, eliminating the need for physical contact and reducing contamination risk

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Ease of operation

If voice commands are used to control AR glasses, then hands-free operation is achieved, but effectiveness is reduced in noisy dental environments

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvehands-free operationVSAvoidcommand recognition accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements a multi-modal control system where the AR glasses can accept multiple types of input: voice commands for hands-free operation, touch interactions on the touchpad for precise control, and gesture recognition for intuitive commands. This multi-functionality ensures that clinicians can switch between control methods based on environmental conditions, maintaining reliability regardless of noise levels

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Ease of operation

If touchpad interaction on AR glasses is used, then control precision is maintained, but the device requires frequent disinfection

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecontrol precisionVSAvoiddisinfection frequency

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces air gestures as an intermediary control method where clinicians perform hand movements in the air that are detected by sensors on the AR glasses. This allows for precise control similar to touchpad interaction but without physical contact, eliminating the need for frequent disinfection of the touchpad surface

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentUS11771506B2Method and system for controlling dental machines

Publication Date: 2023.10.03 DENTSPLY SIRONA INC

AI summary

A method, system and a computer readable storage media for operating dental machines through an augmented reality control interface A hands free interface may enable the control of a dental machine during dental treatment by using dexterous parts of the body other than the upper limbs (e.g. by using the lower limbs) on a first user/control interface to send instructions corresponding to a second user/control interface that is different from the first user/control interface.