Camera Jig for Consistent Teeth Whitening Measurement
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing at-home oral care systems for teeth whitening lack objectivity and consistency due to reliance on subjective comparisons under varying lighting conditions, making it difficult for users to accurately track whitening progress.
Innovation Solution
A handheld camera jig with a built-in light source and a tubular light shield that positions the camera lens at a consistent distance from the teeth, blocking ambient light and ensuring consistent lighting conditions for image capture.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If printed reference cards are used for tooth shade comparison, then consumers can track whitening progress, but the results become subjective and inconsistent due to varying lighting conditions and consumer judgment
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a camera as an intermediary device to objectively capture tooth images, replacing subjective visual comparison. The camera acts as a mediator between the teeth and the reference cards, capturing images that can be digitally compared against standardized shade guides, thereby eliminating human judgment variability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent controls lighting parameters by using a standardized light source (flash) at fixed intensity and position. This parameter control ensures that all images are captured under identical lighting conditions, enabling consistent and reliable tooth shade measurements across different time points.
2Adaptability or versatility
If consumers use reference cards under different lighting conditions, then they can perform comparisons at various times, but the results vary over time due to changes in ambient lighting color and intensity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent activates the camera flash as a preliminary action before capturing the tooth image. This ensures that the flash provides the primary illumination for the photograph, overriding ambient lighting conditions. By preparing the lighting condition in advance through flash activation, the system eliminates variability from different ambient lighting environments.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent standardizes the lighting parameter by using the camera flash as the dominant light source. This parameter control transforms the lighting condition from variable (ambient light) to constant (flash illumination), enabling accurate tooth shade comparisons regardless of when or where the photograph is taken.
3Ease of operation
If handheld camera is used without positioning control, then consumers can easily capture tooth images, but the camera distance and angle vary leading to inconsistent images
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a positioning structure as an intermediary between the camera and the teeth. This structure includes features like a recess or guide that physically constrains the camera's position and orientation, ensuring consistent framing and distance from the teeth while still allowing easy operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The positioning structure is designed to automatically align the camera when placed in the mouth. The geometric constraints of the structure cause the camera to self-align to the correct position and angle, eliminating the need for manual adjustment while ensuring consistent images.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Enables users to capture images of their teeth under consistent light conditions, allowing for accurate evaluations of whitening progress over time by isolating the camera's flash as the sole light source and maintaining alignment with the teeth, thus providing reliable comparisons.
Implementation Method 1
a light source
Implementation Method 2
a lens
Implementation Method 3
The light shield blocks substantially all ambient light from the target
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4
Figure 5
AI summary
Apparatuses and methods for producing improved photographs suitable for measuring teeth whiteness with a handheld camera using a camera jig are provided. The camera jig includes a base that contacts a surface. The camera jig also includes a light shield made from a tubular structure defining an interior cavity. The camera jig further includes a slot in the tubular structure that supports the handheld camera at a predetermined distance from a target, which may be teeth of a user. The slot aligns a lens of the handheld camera with the target. Further, the light shield blocks substantially all ambient light, other than light of a light source of the handheld camera, from the target as it is photographed.