Structured Light Oral Scanning With Region-Based Image Compression

Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional oral scanners transmit large areas of invalid data, such as gums, wasting bandwidth and compromising image quality due to lower computation power and inefficient image compression.

Innovation Solution

A stereoscopic scanning method using a structured light generator and optical sensor to determine image regions, applying varying compression rates based on structured light pattern presence and pixel feature information, and a deep learning model for image analysis to adjust compression rates.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Loss of energy

If uniform high compression is applied to all captured images, then bandwidth usage is reduced, but image quality of valid data deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebandwidth usageVSAvoidimage quality

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of energyVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies different compression rates to different regions of the image based on their validity. Valid regions (containing structured light patterns and target objects) use low compression rates to preserve quality, while invalid regions (gums, background) use high compression rates to reduce bandwidth. This local differentiation resolves the contradiction by optimizing both quality and bandwidth usage simultaneously.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The patent segments the image into valid and invalid regions before applying compression. By dividing the image based on the presence of structured light patterns and target objects, it enables selective compression strategies for different segments, thereby reducing overall bandwidth consumption without compromising the quality of important regions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Manufacturing precision

If uniform low compression is applied to all captured images, then image quality is maintained, but bandwidth usage increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveimage qualityVSAvoidbandwidth usage

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies different compression rates to different regions of the image based on their validity. Valid regions (containing structured light patterns and target objects) use low compression rates to preserve quality, while invalid regions (gums, background) use high compression rates to reduce bandwidth. This local differentiation resolves the contradiction by optimizing both quality and bandwidth usage simultaneously.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The patent segments the image into valid and invalid regions before applying compression. By dividing the image based on the presence of structured light patterns and target objects, it enables selective compression strategies for different segments, thereby reducing overall bandwidth consumption without compromising the quality of important regions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

3Loss of information

If all captured data is transmitted for analysis, then complete information is available, but transmission bandwidth is wasted

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveinformation completenessVSAvoidtransmission bandwidth

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of informationVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts and identifies valid regions containing structured light patterns and target objects, then separates them from invalid regions. Only the essential valid region information is transmitted at high quality, while invalid region data is either compressed or excluded from transmission. This extraction approach maintains information completeness for analysis while eliminating bandwidth waste from transmitting unnecessary data.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Data Source

PatentUS12568195B2Stereoscopic scanning method, stereoscopic image analysis method and scanning apparatus

Publication Date: 2026.03.03 QISDA CORP

AI summary

A stereoscopic scanning method is applied to a scanning apparatus having a structured light generator and an optical sensor and applied for a stereoscopic image analysis method. The stereoscopic scanning method includes utilizing the structured light generator to project a structured light pattern onto a target object, controlling the optical sensor to capture the target object for acquiring a detection image, analyzing and determining whether the structured light pattern is existed on the target object inside the detection image, and applying a first compression mode or a second compression mode to the detection image in accordance with a determined result of the structured light pattern.