Intraoral 3D Scanning With Pattern Grouping and Dynamic Calibration
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing dental scanning systems face challenges in generating high-resolution 3D digital representations in real-time due to the complexity of the correspondence problem, especially with high-density light patterns, and require dynamic calibration to account for changes in optical component configurations.
Innovation Solution
A dental scanning system using a static light pattern with a predefined density, comprising a projector unit and multiple cameras with overlapping fields of view, solves the correspondence problem by grouping image features and dynamically updates the geometry model using fiducial markers for real-time calibration.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a high-density light pattern is used to improve imaging quality and resolution, then the sampling density and resolution increase, but the complexity of solving the correspondence problem increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the high-density light pattern into multiple lower-density patterns that are projected sequentially over time. Each pattern contains a subset of the total pattern features, reducing the correspondence problem complexity for each individual pattern while maintaining high overall resolution through temporal accumulation of multiple patterns.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary actions by projecting multiple simpler patterns before generating the final high-resolution 3D representation. Each intermediate pattern establishes partial correspondence relationships that are accumulated and refined to achieve the final high-density mapping, avoiding the need to solve the complete high-density correspondence problem in a single step.
2Ease of operation
If real-time 3D representation generation is required for immediate user feedback, then user satisfaction improves, but the computational complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses periodic projection of multiple lower-density patterns instead of a single high-density pattern. Each pattern is projected and captured in sequence, with correspondence problems solved incrementally for each period. This periodic approach distributes the computational load over time, enabling real-time processing while maintaining high final resolution.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary correspondence matching for each individual pattern before combining results. By pre-solving simpler correspondence problems for each projected pattern and accumulating the results, the system reduces the computational burden of real-time processing while maintaining the ability to generate immediate 3D representations.
3Device complexity
If the optical components are fixed in configuration for simplicity, then device complexity decreases, but accuracy decreases due to thermal expansion and configuration changes over time
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic calibration by introducing movable calibration elements (such as calibration targets or adjustable optical components) that can be repositioned to compensate for thermal expansion and configuration drift. The system continuously or periodically updates the geometric model based on the current positions of these dynamic elements, maintaining scanning accuracy despite changes in the fixed optical components over time.
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 fast and accurate generation of high-resolution 3D digital representations of dental objects by optimizing the light pattern density and dynamically calibrating the scanning device, improving scanning efficiency and accuracy.
Implementation Method 1
at least one projector unit configured to project a light pattern of a predefined density on the dental object along a projector optical axis
Implementation Method 2
one or more cameras, such as at least two cameras, having at least partly overlapping fields of view along different camera optical axes
Implementation Method 3
each of the cameras comprising an image sensor having an array of pixels
Implementation Method 4
The density of the structured light pattern projected onto the object being scanned is important to the quality of the imaging. A higher density of the light pattern can provide for increased sampling of the surface, better resolution, and enable improved stitching of surfaces obtained from multiple images.
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure relates to systems and methods for generating a digital representation of a three-dimensional (3D) object. In particular, the disclosure relates to a dental scanning system for acquiring images of the object and for generating the digital representation of the object. One embodiment relates to a dental scanning system for scanning a dental object, comprising an intraoral 3D scanning device comprising at least one projector unit configured to project a light pattern along a projector optical axis, the light pattern comprising a plurality of pattern features; one or more cameras having at least partly overlapping fields of view along different camera optical axes (and along the projector optical axis), each of the cameras comprising an image sensor, wherein the system further comprises one or more processors configured to generate a digital three-dimensional representation of the dental object based on triangulation.