Superimposing Teeth Data onto Face Images via Reference Line Alignment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for predicting the outcome of transparent orthodontic treatment are inaccurate and time-consuming, as they struggle to accurately and efficiently superimpose teeth data images onto face images for before-and-after simulations.
Innovation Solution
An apparatus and method that utilize a scanner for teeth data, a camera for side face images, and a control unit to extract feature points, adjust the size and position of the teeth data image based on a reference line from the side face, and superimpose it onto the face image, ensuring accurate and quick alignment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If conventional image matching methods are used to superimpose teeth data onto face images, then the process can be performed, but the accuracy of matching is poor and the treatment prediction is not accurate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a reference line as an intermediary element to facilitate accurate matching between teeth data and face images. The reference line is extracted from both the side face image and teeth data image, serving as a common basis for alignment. This intermediary enables precise superimposition by providing a standardized reference framework that connects the two different image types.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transforms the matching problem from direct image-to-image alignment to parameter-based alignment using reference line parameters (position, angle, length). By changing the matching parameters from pixel-level coordinates to anatomical landmark-based parameters, the system achieves higher accuracy in superimposing teeth data onto face images.
2Productivity
If conventional synthesis processes are used to generate before-and-after predictive simulation data, then the data can be produced, but the process takes 2-3 hours which is too time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary extraction of reference lines and feature points from images during the data acquisition phase. By pre-processing and storing these key parameters, the actual superimposition process during treatment planning requires minimal computation time, reducing the synthesis time from 2-3 hours to near-real-time performance.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts only the essential reference line parameters and feature points from the complete images, rather than processing the entire image data. This extraction approach focuses computational resources on the critical alignment elements, dramatically reducing processing time while maintaining matching accuracy.
3Ease of operation
If conventional image matching is used, then the process can be completed, but it is not easy to accurately and meaningfully match the composite parts of the images
Solution Approach 1:
The reference line serves as a mediator that simplifies the matching operation by providing a clear, standardized alignment framework. Instead of attempting to match multiple complex image features simultaneously, the system uses the reference line as an intermediary step that guides the superimposition process, making it both easier to operate and more accurate.
Data Source
AI summary
An apparatus and method for superimposing a teeth data image onto a face image is provided. The apparatus for superimposing the teeth data image onto the face image includes a scanner for generating a teeth data image by scanning a teeth of a patient; a camera for obtaining a side face image by photographing a side face of the patient; and a control unit for extracting a feature point of the side face image, extracting a reference line of the side face based on the feature point, adjusting a size of the teeth data image according to a length of the reference line of the side face, and superimposing the teeth data image onto the side face image.