Intraoral Camera Tooth Framing Feedback for Accurate Capture

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing intraoral camera systems struggle with accuracy in capturing images of teeth due to deviations from the intended operation trajectory, leading to incomplete or inaccurate images and decreased user experience.

Innovation Solution

An intraoral camera system with an imaging unit, position coordinate extractor, and image determination unit that identifies when a tooth extends beyond the effective imaging area, notifying the user to correct the capture and ensuring proper image order and alignment.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If manual operation of intraoral camera is used, then ease of operation is improved, but measurement precision deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveease of operationVSAvoidaccuracy of image capturing
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The system provides real-time feedback by detecting whether the tooth is captured within the effective area and notifying the user accordingly. This feedback loop enables users to adjust their operation to achieve accurate tooth imaging while maintaining ease of use.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The system performs preliminary detection of tooth position relative to the effective area before final image capture. By extracting position coordinates and determining tooth extent in advance, the system prepares guidance information that helps users achieve accurate positioning before committing to the capture.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Device complexity

If simple imaging without detection is used, then device complexity is reduced, but measurement precision deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedevice complexityVSAvoidaccuracy of image capturing
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The imaging system is segmented into distinct functional modules: an imaging unit for capture, a position coordinate extractor for location detection, and an image determination unit for analysis. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function efficiently while maintaining overall system manageability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The position coordinate extractor acts as an intermediary between the imaging unit and the image determination unit. It extracts critical position information from the captured images and provides it to the determination unit, enabling accurate tooth detection without requiring direct complex interaction between all system components.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Measurement precision

If comprehensive tooth position detection is implemented, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveaccuracy of image capturingVSAvoiddevice complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system focuses computational resources on detecting only the critical local feature - the tooth position within the effective area. Rather than analyzing all image properties comprehensively, the position coordinate extractor and image determination unit concentrate on determining whether the tooth is properly positioned, providing high measurement precision for the critical parameter while avoiding unnecessary complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Data Source

PatentEP4295749B1Intraoral camera system and photography operation determination method
Publication Date: 2025.12.17 PANASONIC INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY MANAGEMENT CO LTD
  • EP4295749B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4295749B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4295749B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

An intraoral camera system includes an imaging unit and an image determination unit (109). The imaging unit generates an image data item showing a target tooth for image capturing inside a mouth. The image determination unit defines two-dimensional plane coordinates for the image data item generated by the imaging unit and extracts the position coordinates of the outline of the target tooth from the entire imaging area (S1) of the imaging unit. When a part of the outline of the target tooth is outside an effective area (S3) set inside the entire imaging area (S1) of the imaging unit, the image determination unit determines that the target tooth extends beyond the effective area (S3).