Apparatus and method for measuring optical characteristics of an object
First Claim
1. A method comprising the steps of:
- providing light to a surface of an object with a probe and receiving light from the object, wherein light is provided from the probe by a light source and light is received by one or more light receivers, wherein the light source and one or more of the light receivers define a critical height from the surface below which no light from the light source that is specularly reflected from the object is received by the one or more of the light receivers;
determining an intensity of light received by the one or more light receivers by coupling the received light to a plurality of sensors through a plurality of filter elements; and
measuring the optical characteristics of the object including at least spectral characteristics of the object, wherein the measurement produces data indicative of the optical characteristics of the object, wherein at least first and second measurements are taken, including at least one measurement taken with the probe below the critical height for one or more of the light receivers.
2 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
Optical characteristic measuring systems and methods such as for determining the color or other optical characteristics of teeth are disclosed. Perimeter receiver fiber optics are spaced apart from a source fiber optic and receive light from the surface of the object/tooth being measured. Light from the perimeter fiber optics pass to a variety of filters. The system utilizes the perimeter receiver fiber optics to determine information regarding the height and angle of the probe with respect to the object/tooth being measured. Under processor control, the optical characteristics measurement may be made at a predetermined height and angle. Various color spectral photometer arrangements are disclosed. Translucency, fluorescence, gloss and/or surface texture data also may be obtained. Audio feedback may be provided to guide operator use of the system. The probe may have a removable or shielded tip for contamination prevention. A method of producing dental prostheses based on measured data also is disclosed. Measured data also may be stored and/or organized as part of a patient data base. Such methods and implements may be desirably utilized for purposes of detecting and preventing counterfeiting or the like.
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Citations
42 Claims
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1. A method comprising the steps of:
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providing light to a surface of an object with a probe and receiving light from the object, wherein light is provided from the probe by a light source and light is received by one or more light receivers, wherein the light source and one or more of the light receivers define a critical height from the surface below which no light from the light source that is specularly reflected from the object is received by the one or more of the light receivers;
determining an intensity of light received by the one or more light receivers by coupling the received light to a plurality of sensors through a plurality of filter elements; and
measuring the optical characteristics of the object including at least spectral characteristics of the object, wherein the measurement produces data indicative of the optical characteristics of the object, wherein at least first and second measurements are taken, including at least one measurement taken with the probe below the critical height for one or more of the light receivers. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
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11. A method comprising the steps of:
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providing light to a surface of an object with a probe and receiving light from the object, wherein light is provided from the probe by a light source and light is received by one or more light receivers, wherein the light source and one or more of the light receivers define a critical height from the surface below which no light from the light source that is specularly reflected from the object is received by the one or more of the light receivers;
determining an intensity of light received by the one or more light receivers by coupling the received light to a plurality of light to frequency converter sensing elements through a plurality of filter elements; and
measuring the optical characteristics of the object including at least spectral characteristics of the object, wherein the measurement produces data indicative of the optical characteristics of the object, wherein at least first and second measurements are taken, including at least one measurement taken with the probe below the critical height for one or more of the light receivers. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21)
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22. A method comprising the steps of:
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providing light to a surface of an object with a probe and receiving light from the object, wherein light is provided from the probe by a light source and light is received by one or more light receivers, wherein the light source and one or more of the light receivers define a critical height from the surface below which no light from the light source that is specularly reflected from the object is received by the one or more of the light receivers;
determining an intensity of light received by the one or more light receivers by coupling the received light to a plurality of sensors through a plurality of filter elements; and
measuring the optical characteristics of the object including at least spectral characteristics of the object, wherein the measurement produces data indicative of the optical characteristics of the object, wherein at least one measurement is taken, wherein the at least one measurement comprises a measurement taken with the probe below the critical height for one or more of the light receivers. - View Dependent Claims (23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31)
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32. A method comprising the steps of:
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providing light to a surface of an object with a probe and receiving light from the object, wherein light is provided from the probe by a light source and light is received by one or more light receivers, wherein the light source and one or more of the light receivers define a critical height from the surface below which no light from the light source that is specularly reflected from the object is received by the one or more of the light receivers;
determining an intensity of light received by the one or more light receivers by coupling the received light to a plurality of light to frequency converter sensing elements through a plurality of filter elements; and
measuring the optical characteristics of the object including at least spectral characteristics of the object, wherein the measurement produces data indicative of the optical characteristics of the object, wherein at least one measurement is taken, wherein the at least one measurement comprises a measurement taken with the probe below the critical height for one or more of the light receivers. - View Dependent Claims (33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42)
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Specification