Smartphone Tooth Shade Assessment Using Projected Color Patterns
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for assessing tooth color or shade are cumbersome and ineffective under challenging lighting conditions, requiring calibration and dedicated imaging devices, making at-home characterization time-consuming and expensive.
Innovation Solution
A system that projects a predetermined color pattern onto a screen, captures images of the user's mouth, automatically identifies teeth, compares the imaged pattern to the projected pattern, and extracts color information, optionally transmitting this information to a dental professional.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If calibration patterns are used to determine tooth color, then measurement precision is improved under homogeneous lighting, but reliability deteriorates under challenging lighting environments such as illumination gradients and shadows
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a color chart with known reference colors as an intermediary standard. The system captures images of both the color chart and teeth, then uses the color chart as a reference to calibrate and correct color values in the teeth image. This intermediary reference enables accurate tooth color determination by compensating for lighting variations, thereby maintaining both measurement precision and reliability across different lighting conditions.
2Measurement precision
If dedicated imaging devices and calibration procedures are used, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity and ease of operation worsen
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes the smartphone camera universal by enabling it to perform both general photography and specialized tooth color measurement functions. The existing smartphone camera is paired with a simple color chart accessory, eliminating the need for dedicated complex imaging devices. This multi-functional approach maintains measurement precision while significantly reducing device complexity and making the system accessible to consumers.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses a color chart that contains printed reference colors as a physical copy of standard color values. This simple copied reference enables calibration without requiring complex dedicated measurement instruments. The color chart serves as a portable, inexpensive replica of professional color standards, allowing accurate tooth color assessment using ordinary smartphone cameras.
3Measurement precision
If calibration patterns and dedicated imaging devices are required, then measurement precision is improved, but loss of time and ease of operation worsen
Solution Approach 1:
The color chart is pre-prepared with known reference colors printed on it, performing the calibration reference creation in advance. Users simply need to place the pre-made color chart next to their teeth and capture a single image. This preliminary preparation of the color reference eliminates the need for users to perform complex calibration procedures during the measurement process, significantly reducing time loss while maintaining assessment accuracy.
4Measurement precision
If professional dental tools are used for tooth color assessment, then measurement precision is improved, but ease of operation and accessibility worsen
Solution Approach 1:
The patent enables consumers to perform tooth color assessment themselves using their own smartphones and a simple color chart. The automated image processing and color extraction algorithms allow users to obtain professional-grade tooth color measurements without requiring dental professional intervention or specialized training. This self-service approach maintains measurement precision while dramatically improving ease of operation and accessibility for at-home use.
Data Source
AI summary
A method (300) for characterizing color information about a tooth, comprising: (i) projecting (320) at least one predetermined color pattern (400); (ii) obtaining (330), using an imager (10), one or more images (90) each containing both a projected first predetermined color pattern (400) and at least a portion of a user's mouth (500); (iii) automatically identifying (340) by a controller (30), from the obtained one or more images, one or more teeth (510) in the at least a portion of the user's mouth (500( ); (iv) comparing (350) an imaged predetermined color pattern to a corresponding projected predetermined color pattern; and (v) extracting (360) by the controller, based on the outcome of the comparison, color information about the one or more identified teeth (510).