Intraoral 3D Scanning With On-Demand Remote Processing Modes
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Solution Overview
Problem
Intraoral scanning devices are limited to a single performance mode based on their initial purchase specification, leading to either high costs for high-end features or inadequate performance with low-end devices, without the flexibility to upgrade or downgrade remotely.
Innovation Solution
An intraoral scanning system that allows operation in different performance modes by accessing remote resources via a network, enabling on-demand switching between local and remote processors and resource pools, with predefined modes based on user input, profile, or client settings.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If a low-end intraoral scanning device is purchased, then the initial cost is reduced, but the device cannot perform high-end scans
Solution Approach 1:
The intraoral scanning device is designed to operate in multiple performance modes (low-end, mid-range, high-end, premium) by dynamically allocating processing resources between local and remote computers. The device can access different combinations of local processors and remote cloud resources to deliver varying levels of scanning performance, allowing a single device to replace what would traditionally require multiple different device specifications.
Solution Approach 2:
A resource allocation system acts as an intermediary between the intraoral scanning device and computing resources. This system manages the distribution of scanning tasks between local processors and remote cloud computers, enabling flexible performance scaling without requiring physical hardware changes to the scanning device itself.
2Adaptability or versatility
If a high-end intraoral scanning device is purchased, then high-end scanning performance is achieved, but the cost increases even for low-end scanning tasks
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements partial resource allocation where only the necessary processing power is activated for each scanning task. For low-end scanning tasks, only minimal local resources are used; for high-end tasks, additional remote resources are activated. This eliminates the need to maintain excessive processing resources continuously, reducing costs while maintaining high-end capability when needed.
Solution Approach 2:
The resource allocation is dynamic rather than static. The system can switch between different performance modes by dynamically adjusting the distribution of computational tasks between local and remote resources based on the specific scanning requirements, allowing optimal resource utilization for each task type.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the scanner is upgraded or downgraded by shipping to the manufacturer, then the performance mode can be changed, but the device downtime increases to several days
Solution Approach 1:
The physical mechanical process of shipping the device to the manufacturer for hardware upgrades is replaced with a software-based resource allocation system. Performance mode changes are achieved through digital configuration and remote resource provisioning rather than physical hardware modification, eliminating shipping time and enabling immediate or near-immediate performance adjustments.
Solution Approach 2:
The system enables self-service performance upgrades where the device can access and utilize additional remote resources without requiring manual intervention from the manufacturer. The resource allocation can be modified remotely and automatically, allowing the device to adapt its performance capabilities on-demand without external physical intervention.
4Productivity
If local processing resources are used, then data processing is performed locally, but the device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The processing system is segmented into local and remote components. The intraoral scanning device contains essential local processing capabilities for basic scanning operations, while more demanding processing tasks can be offloaded to remote cloud resources. This segmentation allows the device to maintain simplicity for core functions while accessing enhanced capabilities when needed.
Solution Approach 2:
The device is designed with universal processing capabilities that can operate effectively with varying degrees of local and remote resource support. The same hardware platform can function adequately with minimal local resources for basic tasks and scale up to handle complex tasks by incorporating remote resources, eliminating the need for different device configurations.
Data Source
AI summary
The intraoral scanning system includes an intraoral scanning device configured to acquire light information reflected from a dental object and further includes one or more processors connected to the intraoral scanning device. The one or more processors are configured to determine, in real time, surface information from the light information, and generate a three-dimensional surface model of a dental object using the surface information. One or more remote computers includes a resource pool, wherein the system provides temporary access for the intraoral scanning device to one or more resources of the resource pool based on a predefined performance mode of the scanning session. Each of at least two predefined performance modes is configured to operate the intraoral scanning device with a different number of resources from the resource pool and/or with a different type of resources from the resource pool.