Virtual Dental Keyboard for Touchscreen Data Entry
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current dental data entry methods during periodontal examinations are inefficient, requiring two personnel and prone to errors, as they rely on standard keyboards and mice, which are not optimized for the specific needs of dental data recording and can contaminate the sterile environment.
Innovation Solution
A specialized keyboard with dedicated keys for each tooth, integrated with existing dental software, allowing for rapid and accurate data entry directly into a computerized system, reducing the need for a mouse and minimizing contamination risks, while enabling voice recognition and automatic data recording.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If a standard keyboard and mouse are used for data entry during dental examinations, then the examination process can be performed, but the data entry is time-consuming and requires two personnel (examiner and data-entry person)
Solution Approach 1:
The keyboard is segmented into specialized zones corresponding to different tooth regions (quadrants and surfaces), allowing the examiner to directly input data for specific tooth areas without navigating through multiple screens or menus. Each key or key combination represents a specific tooth or tooth surface, enabling rapid data entry during the examination process.
Solution Approach 2:
The examiner performs both the examination and data entry functions simultaneously using the specialized keyboard, eliminating the need for a separate data-entry person. The keyboard is designed to be operated with one hand while the other hand performs the dental examination, allowing the examiner to self-service the data recording task.
2Reliability
If a standard keyboard and mouse are used for data entry, then data can be recorded, but the process is prone to errors and requires duplication of effort
Solution Approach 1:
The examiner simultaneously performs examination and data entry, eliminating the need for a second person to verify and re-enter data. The real-time data capture at the point of examination ensures accuracy by recording data directly as it is observed, preventing errors from manual transcription or duplication.
Solution Approach 2:
The specialized keyboard replaces the mechanical mouse-pointer-click system with a direct key-entry system. Instead of navigating through graphical interfaces and clicking buttons with a mouse, the examiner directly inputs data using keyboard keys that correspond to specific tooth regions, reducing the mechanical complexity of the input process and minimizing errors.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If a standard keyboard is used, then data entry can be performed, but it contaminates the sterile environment and requires additional precautions
Solution Approach 1:
The mouse is extracted from the input device system, eliminating the need for point-and-click operations that require the examiner to reach for and manipulate a separate device. The specialized keyboard can be positioned within easy reach and operated with one hand, reducing the risk of contaminating the sterile field while maintaining ease of operation.
4Reliability
If real-time data entry is performed during examination, then errors are reduced, but it requires two personnel which increases operational complexity
Solution Approach 1:
The examiner performs both examination and data entry functions simultaneously using the specialized keyboard, eliminating the need for a separate data-entry person. The keyboard is designed to be operated with one hand while the other hand performs the dental examination, allowing the examiner to self-service the data recording task and maintain real-time accurate data capture.
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention includes a device, system and method of use consisting of a specialized dental keyboard wherein the specialized keyboard resides as virtual keys on a touch screen panel on a device such as a tablet computer including such devices as an Apple iPad. The invention includes a software component that enables customer configurable keyboard layouts including a plurality of specialized keys that provide short-cut macros to streamline data entry during a dental exam.