Three-dimensional modeling of the oral cavity

• US 20060083422A1
• Filed: 01/12/2005
• Published: 04/20/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 01/27/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Densys Ltd.
• Original Assignee: Densys Ltd.
• Inventors: Neta, Uri, Ernst, Maurice Moshe, Cohen, Carmi, Geffen, Micha
• Granted Patent: US 7,330,577 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 382/154
• CPC Class Codes: G01B 11/25 by projecting a pattern, e.g. one or more lines, moiré fringes on the object G01B11/255 takes precedence ; image analysis for depth or shape recovery G06T7/50

Abstract

A method for creating three-dimensional models of intra-oral scenes and features. The intra-oral scene is illuminated by a two-dimensional array of structured illumination points, with anti-aliasing achieved by using stored two-dimensional patterns of pixels for anti-aliasing. Using a single camera to form images reduces the amount of apparatus necessary to introduce into the patient'"'"'s mouth. Three-dimensional models are obtained from the single image by triangulation with a stored image of the structured illumination onto a reference surface such as a plane. Alternative methods include the use of “bar-coded” one-dimensional patterns.

Claims

1. A method for three-dimensional modeling of the surface features of a intra-oral scene for a dental application, the method comprising:

generating a two-dimensional array of a plurality of random two-dimensional patterns;

saving said array in a projectable medium;

projecting said array from said projectable medium onto a reference surface from a first angle;

acquiring a first image of said array projected on said reference surface, wherein said acquiring said first image is performed from a second angle;

projecting said array from said projectable medium onto the intra-oral scene said first angle;

acquiring a second image of said array projected on the intra-oral scene from said second angle;

calculating the two-dimensional relative positions of said random patterns based on the relative positions thereof in an image;

matching said random two-dimensional patterns in said first image with said random two-dimensional patterns in said second image;

calculating the parallax between said random patterns in said first image with said random patterns in said second image;

calculating a three-dimensional relative positions of said random patterns based on said two-dimensional relative positions and said parallax; and

constructing a three-dimensional model of the intra-oral scene based on said three-dimensional relative positions.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the intra-oral scene contains at least a part of an intra-oral object.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein said two-dimensional random patterns are randomly distributed in said array.

4. A method for three-dimensional modeling of the surface features of a intra-oral scene for a dental application, the method comprising:

generating a two-dimensional array of a plurality of random one-dimensional patterns;

saving said array in a projectable medium;

projecting said array from said projectable medium onto a reference surface from a first angle;

acquiring a first image of said array projected on said reference surface, wherein said acquiring said first image is performed from a second angle;

projecting said array from said projectable medium onto the intra-oral scene said first angle;

acquiring a second image of said array projected on the intra-oral scene from said second angle;

calculating the two-dimensional relative positions of said random patterns based on the relative positions thereof in an image;

matching said random one-dimensional patterns in said first image with said random one-dimensional patterns in said second image;

calculating the parallax between said random patterns in said first image with said random patterns in said second image;

calculating a three-dimensional relative positions of said random patterns based on said two-dimensional relative positions and said parallax; and

constructing a three-dimensional model of the intra-oral scene based on said three-dimensional relative positions.

5. The method of claim 4, wherein the intra-oral scene contains at least a part of an intra-oral object.

6. The method of claim 4, wherein said one-dimensional random patterns are randomly distributed in said array.