Intraoral Camera Image Rotation for Correct Tooth Orientation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing intraoral camera systems struggle to properly display captured tooth images, leading to user confusion about the orientation and position of teeth.
Innovation Solution
An intraoral camera system with an imaging unit, sensor, and image processor that rotates image data based on the orientation of the camera to align the vertically upward direction with the image's upward direction, and adjusts the display to reflect the real vertical positional relationship of teeth.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If the intraoral camera captures images inside the mouth, then the tooth images can be obtained, but the images cannot be properly displayed with correct orientation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by detecting the camera's orientation angle during the imaging process and pre-calculating the required rotation angle. The image processor then rotates the captured image by this predetermined angle to align the tooth image orientation with the natural vertical direction, ensuring correct display before the user views it.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements feedback by using a sensor to detect the actual orientation angle of the intraoral camera during operation. This detected angle is fed back to the image processor, which uses it to calculate and apply the appropriate rotation angle, creating a closed-loop system that ensures accurate image orientation based on real camera position.
2Measurement precision
If the camera orientation is not detected and corrected, then the system is simple, but the displayed image does not reflect the real vertical positional relationship of teeth
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary sensor that detects the orientation angle of the intraoral camera. This sensor acts as a mediator between the physical camera orientation and the digital image processing, providing the necessary orientation data that enables the image processor to correctly rotate and display the tooth images with accurate vertical positioning.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces complex mechanical orientation adjustment mechanisms with an electronic solution. Instead of physically adjusting the camera or display orientation through mechanical means, the system uses electronic sensors to detect orientation and software-based image rotation to achieve the same effect, simplifying the overall system while maintaining precision.
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 intuitively understand their tooth condition by correctly displaying the captured images, improving user convenience and accuracy.
Implementation Method 1
a sensor that detects the orientation of the imaging unit
Data Source
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AI summary
An intraoral camera system includes an imaging unit and an image processor (102). If a first angle (α) formed by an imaging plane (S) perpendicular to the optical axis (LA) of the imaging unit and a first direction (LV or LS) that is the vertically upward direction along a vertical axis is less than a predetermined second angle, the image processor (102) rotates image data to cause the vertically upward direction along the vertical axis to coincide with an upward direction of an image by rotating the image data by a third angle (θ) formed by the first direction (LS) and a second direction (LB) from a handle (10b) toward a head (10a).