Intraoral Scanner Zoom Control for Missing 3D Scan Data
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Solution Overview
Problem
Intraoral scanners often fail to capture all regions of a patient's teeth during scanning, resulting in incomplete digital 3D models with missing scan data, making it difficult for users to identify and address these areas visually.
Innovation Solution
A method and system that dynamically adjusts the zoom level of the digital 3D model based on the motion of the intraoral scanner, allowing users to easily locate and capture missing scan data by transitioning between different zoom states.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of information
If the user commands zooming in of the digital 3D model to observe missing scan data, then the visibility of missing information is improved, but the scanning process efficiency deteriorates due to interrupted workflow and additional manual operations
Solution Approach 1:
The system automatically detects the intraoral scanner's motion state and autonomously adjusts the zoom level of the digital 3D model without requiring manual user commands. When the scanner decelerates or stops, the system automatically zooms in on the corresponding region, and when the scanner moves quickly, it automatically zooms out, making the system serve itself rather than requiring continuous user intervention
Solution Approach 2:
The system continuously monitors the motion state of the intraoral scanner (speed, acceleration) and uses this feedback to dynamically adjust the zoom level. The zoom state is directly coupled to the scanner's motion feedback, creating a closed-loop control system where the display automatically responds to the scanner's movement patterns
2Loss of information
If the system provides continuous zoom assistance during scanning, then the user guidance to missing information areas is improved, but the device complexity increases due to additional sensors and processing requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The intraoral scanner's existing motion sensing capabilities (accelerometers, gyroscopes already present for scan stabilization and tracking) are repurposed to detect deceleration and stopping events for zoom control. The same sensors serve multiple functions: scan geometry capture, image stabilization, and now zoom state control, eliminating the need for dedicated zoom-triggering hardware
Solution Approach 2:
The zoom control functionality is merged with the existing motion detection and scan processing pipeline. The system combines analysis of scanner motion data with the digital 3D model rendering process, integrating zoom state management into the existing software architecture rather than adding a separate independent subsystem
3Loss of information
If the zoom level is manually adjusted by the user, then the observation of specific regions is improved, but the scanning process continuity deteriorates due to workflow interruption
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary detection of the scanner's motion state changes (deceleration, stopping) and proactively adjusts the zoom level before the user would need to manually intervene. By anticipating the user's need to examine missing data areas through motion pattern recognition, the system prepares the optimal view in advance
Solution Approach 2:
The zoom level adjustment is continuously coupled to the scanner's motion state throughout the scanning process. As the scanner moves, the zoom level dynamically follows, maintaining continuous useful action without breaking the scanning workflow. The transition between zoom states is smooth and automatic, preserving the continuity of the scanning task
Data Source
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Figure 3A~3B
AI summary
A computer-implemented method for providing dynamic zoom assistance during scanning process of a dental object (108) is disclosed. The method comprises obtaining light information reflected from the dental object (108) inside an oral cavity by scanning the dental object (108) with an intraoral scanner (101). The method further comprises generating a digital 3D model (103) of the dental object (108) based on the obtained light information, displaying, on a graphical user interface (102), the digital 3D model (103) in a first zoom state. Further, the method comprises detecting that, as a result of motion of the intraoral scanner (101), the generating of the digital 3D model (103) satisfies a criterion, and transitioning from the first zoom state of the digital 3D model (103) to a second zoom state of the digital 3D model (103) based on the detecting step.