Intraoral 3D Camera Triggered Capture and Shake Analysis

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing intraoral 3D measuring cameras face challenges in efficiently and reliably recording larger areas due to high user demands, risk of blurred images, and excessive data volume, especially when capturing moving areas like the tongue, cheeks, or lips, which can hinder image combination and data control.

Innovation Solution

A method allowing users to select between continuous 3D video mode and 'point-and-click' mode, with a trigger command generated by a foot switch or motion sensor, enabling controlled data capture and image processing, and utilizing a camera shake analysis unit to determine image stability without additional sensors, allowing for efficient data management and reduced user strain.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If multiple recordings are taken from the same perspective to generate a 3D image, then measurement precision is improved, but the camera must be kept still for a certain time interval which reduces productivity

Engineering Contradiction:
Improve3D image qualityVSAvoidmeasurement speed
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The system allows the camera to move during recording by using high-speed continuous recording mode, transforming the static requirement into a dynamic capability where motion is compensated through software processing of multiple rapidly captured frames

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Area of stationary object

If the camera is moved continuously to measure larger areas, then the measurable area is improved, but the risk of blurred images and excessive data volume increases which worsens reliability

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemeasurable areaVSAvoidimage quality
Core Design Contradiction:
Area of stationary objectVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary stabilization by selecting only those image sequences where the camera was sufficiently still, as determined by shake analysis, before proceeding to 3D image generation. This preliminary filtering ensures reliability while enabling continuous measurement capability

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system extracts and uses only the stable portions of continuous recording data, separating useful stable frames from unusable shaky frames, thereby maintaining image quality while enabling continuous measurement over larger areas

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

3Loss of information

If all generated recordings are used to generate a 3D overall image, then completeness of measurement is improved, but data volume becomes excessive which worsens processing time

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemeasurement completenessVSAvoidprocessing time
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of informationVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system extracts and processes only the necessary subset of recordings - specifically those captured during stable camera periods - rather than processing all recorded data, thereby maintaining measurement completeness while significantly reducing processing time and data volume

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

4Productivity

If recording frequency is increased to reduce recording time, then productivity is improved, but device complexity increases which worsens ease of operation

Engineering Contradiction:
Improverecording speedVSAvoidcamera system complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The camera system performs self-analysis of its own stability through shake detection algorithms, automatically determining which recorded sequences are suitable for 3D reconstruction without requiring external sensors or complex additional hardware

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Data Source

PatentEP2904988B1Method for intraoral three-dimensional measurement
Publication Date: 2020.04.01 SIRONA DENTAL SYSTEMS GMBH CORP LEGAL
  • EP2904988B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP2904988B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4

AI summary

The method for optical three-dimensional measurement using an intraoral camera (2) that continuously generates individual 2D images or sequences of multiple 2D images provides that a 3D image is generated from at least one of the individual 2D images or from at least one of the sequences, and that in a first operating mode (M1), a plurality of all generated 2D images or generated sequences are used to generate at least one 3D image. Furthermore, the method provides that a choice is made between the first and a second operating mode (M1, M2), and that in the second operating mode (M2), a plurality of all 2D images or generated sequences generated during a time interval (T) directly before and/or after a trigger command (A) are used to generate at least one 3D image.