Intraoral Scanner Gesture Control for Sterile Operation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing intraoral scanning systems require users to interface with touch screens, which can lead to cross-contamination and increased procedural time and cost due to the need for screen cleaning between patients.

Innovation Solution

The implementation of a gesture control system using an intraoral scanner that allows users to control the scanning system and manipulate 2D or 3D scans through detected hand and finger gestures, eliminating the need for a separate gestural control sensor.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If a touch screen control interface is used, then user interaction with the scanning system is enabled, but cross-contamination risk increases and procedural time increases due to cleaning requirements

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveuser interactionVSAvoidcross-contamination

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the mechanical touch screen interface with an optical gesture recognition system. The intraoral scanner's camera captures hand gestures in the air, and image processing algorithms interpret these gestures to control the scanning system, eliminating the need for physical contact with the screen.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces an intermediary layer between the user and the control system. Instead of direct touch, users perform gestures in the air, and the system uses image processing as an intermediary to translate these gestures into control commands, thereby avoiding direct contact with the screen.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Ease of operation

If a touch screen control interface is used, then user interaction with the scanning system is enabled, but procedural time increases due to cleaning requirements between patients

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveuser interactionVSAvoidprocedural time

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The system automatically detects and interprets gestures without requiring manual intervention for cleaning or recalibration. The gesture recognition system continuously processes hand movements to control scanning functions, eliminating downtime for screen cleaning between patients.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

3Adaptability or versatility

If a separate gestural control sensor is added, then gesture control capability is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvegesture controlVSAvoidsensor integration

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent makes the intraoral scanner's camera multi-functional. The same camera used for capturing intraoral images is also used for detecting hand gestures. The system switches between scanning mode and gesture recognition mode based on the operational context, eliminating the need for separate sensors.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent merges the gesture recognition function into the existing intraoral scanner system. The camera, processor, and memory components of the scanner are utilized for both intraoral imaging and gesture detection, combining multiple functions into a single integrated system rather than adding separate components.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Data Source

PatentUS20250114050A1Gesture control using an intraoral scanner

Publication Date: 2025.04.10 ALIGN TECHNOLOGY INC

AI summary

Apparatuses (e.g., systems, devices, etc.) and method for scanning both a subject's intraoral cavity as well as detecting, using the same scanner, e.g., wand, finger gestures and executing command controls based on these detected finger gestures.