Intraoral Scanner Motion Sensor Power Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Intraoral scanners experience continuous power consumption and temperature increase when not in use, leading to performance decay and discomfort due to continuous operation of image sensors and projection modules, along with unnecessary computation from non-tooth images.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating a motion sensor to sense three-axis motion variations, enabling the image sensor and projection module only when the scanner is in operation state and disabling them when in idle state, thereby reducing power consumption and avoiding temperature rise.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the image sensor and projection module operate continuously, then the scanner is ready for immediate use, but power consumption increases and temperature rises
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts the operational state of the image sensor and projection module based on real-time motion detection. When motion is detected (scanner being held), the components are enabled; when no motion is detected (scanner placed down), the components are disabled. This dynamic state transition resolves the contradiction between maintaining readiness and reducing power consumption.
Solution Approach 2:
The motion sensor provides continuous feedback about the scanner's state to the processor, which then controls the power supply to the image sensor and projection module. This feedback loop enables automatic adjustment of power consumption based on actual usage conditions, resolving the contradiction between scanner readiness and energy efficiency.
2Speed
If the image sensor and projection module operate continuously, then scanning can begin immediately, but temperature increases causing performance decay
Solution Approach 1:
The system transitions between dynamic operational states based on motion detection. When the scanner is held (motion detected), components are enabled for immediate scanning. When placed down (no motion), components are disabled to prevent temperature rise. This dynamic control resolves the contradiction between fast response and temperature management.
3Productivity
If the image sensor operates continuously, then tooth scanning is immediate, but non-tooth images are captured causing unnecessary computation
Solution Approach 1:
The motion sensor feedback enables the system to distinguish between useful scanning operations and idle states. By enabling the image sensor only when motion is detected, the system ensures that computational resources are used only when actual scanning is intended, eliminating wasted computation on non-tooth images while maintaining scanning efficiency.
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
Effectively reduces power consumption and prevents performance decay by accurately distinguishing between operation and idle states, ensuring efficient scanning and patient comfort.
Implementation Method 1
a motion sensor is disposed in the intraoral scanner and is adapted to sense three motion variations corresponding to three axes according to a motion state of the intraoral scanner
Data Source
AI summary
An intraoral scanner includes an image sensor, a projection module, a motion sensor, a memory unit and a processor. The motion sensor senses three motion variations corresponding to three axes according to a motion state of the intraoral scanner. The memory unit stores three first variation thresholds corresponding to the three axes. The processor determines whether the three motion variations are smaller than or equal to the three first variation thresholds, respectively. When the processor determines that at least one of the three motion variations is smaller than or equal to the three first variation thresholds, the processor enables the image sensor and the projection module. When the processor determines that all of the three motion variations are larger than the three first variation thresholds, the processor disables at least one of the image sensor and the projection module.