Intraoral 3D Scanning with Event-Based Focus Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional intraoral scanners require significant memory allocation and computational power for processing large numbers of images, leading to a computational bottleneck that slows down the scanning process and increases costs.
Innovation Solution
A hand-held intraoral scanner with a focus element and sensor elements that detect reflected light signals, using event-based processing to determine the position of the focus element and generate 3D points, reducing the need for extensive processing and memory by identifying focused areas and performing contrast correlation calculations only on in-focus pixels.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If conventional intraoral scanners process all captured images to create 3D models, then measurement precision is improved, but productivity deteriorates due to significant memory allocation and computational power requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the image processing task by dividing the sensor array into multiple zones (first plurality of zones and second plurality of zones) that are processed separately and independently. This allows parallel processing of different spatial regions, reducing the computational bottleneck while maintaining complete coverage of the scanned object, thereby improving scanning speed without sacrificing measurement precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements partial processing by selectively processing only certain zones or regions of the captured images based on relevance to the final 3D model. By processing a subset of zones rather than all captured data, the system reduces memory allocation and computational power requirements while still achieving sufficient accuracy for dental applications.
2Measurement precision
If conventional intraoral scanners capture series of images at different depths, then measurement precision is improved, but loss of time increases due to time-consuming correlation calculations for each pixel
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the image data into multiple zones that can be processed independently and in parallel. By segmenting the computational domain, the system performs correlation calculations on smaller subsets of pixels simultaneously, reducing the total processing time while maintaining accurate focal plane determination through the same correlation algorithms applied to each zone.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent performs preliminary processing by pre-organizing and pre-processing the captured image data into zone-based structures before the actual correlation calculations. This preliminary organization of data facilitates more efficient processing during the focal plane determination stage, reducing the time required for computationally intensive operations.
3Manufacturing precision
If conventional intraoral scanners perform correlation calculations on all captured images, then manufacturing precision is improved, but device complexity increases due to significant memory allocation requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent reduces device complexity by segmenting the memory requirements into zone-specific buffers and data structures. Instead of allocating memory for processing all pixels simultaneously, the system allocates memory for individual zones that can be processed sequentially or in parallel batches, significantly reducing peak memory requirements while maintaining the same manufacturing precision through complete data coverage.
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
This approach significantly reduces processing power and memory requirements, speeds up the scanning process, and lowers computational costs while maintaining accuracy in generating 3D representations of dental objects.
Implementation Method 1
a focus element to focus a light signal on at least a part of the dental object
Implementation Method 2
a focus element to focus a light signal on at least a part of the dental object
Implementation Method 3
a plurality of sensor elements to detect a reflected light signal from at least the part of the dental object
Data Source
Figure 1A
Figure 1B
Figure 1C
AI summary
The present disclosure relates to an intraoral scanning system (102) that is configured to generate a 3D representation of a dental object (128). The system receives signal information (132) from the plurality of sensor elements (114), wherein the signal information is associated with one or more events at the plurality of sensor elements. The system determines a sequence of events associated with one or more sensor elements from the plurality of sensor elements based on the received signal information, determines position information of the focus element (112) with respect to at least the part of the dental object based on the sequence of events, and generates at least one 3D point associated with at least the part of the dental object for the 3D representation of the dental object based on the position information.