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 or material and receiving light from the object or material, wherein light is provided by at least one light source and light is received by one or more fiber optic light receivers, wherein the one or more fiber optic light receivers receive light that has a radial and/or angular light distribution pattern;
removing at least part of the radial and/or angular light distribution pattern from the light received by the one or more fiber optic light receivers to produce radial/angular-distribution-pattern-reduced light;
coupling the radial/angular-distribution-pattern-reduced light to a spectral measurement device;
determining one or more optical characteristics of the object or material including at least spectral characteristics of the object or material, wherein at least one spectral measurement is taken with the spectral measurement device, wherein data indicative of the optical characteristics of the object or material is generated based on the at least one spectral measurement.
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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.
202 Citations
18 Claims
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1. A method comprising the steps of:
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providing light to a surface of an object or material and receiving light from the object or material, wherein light is provided by at least one light source and light is received by one or more fiber optic light receivers, wherein the one or more fiber optic light receivers receive light that has a radial and/or angular light distribution pattern;
removing at least part of the radial and/or angular light distribution pattern from the light received by the one or more fiber optic light receivers to produce radial/angular-distribution-pattern-reduced light;
coupling the radial/angular-distribution-pattern-reduced light to a spectral measurement device;
determining one or more optical characteristics of the object or material including at least spectral characteristics of the object or material, wherein at least one spectral measurement is taken with the spectral measurement device, wherein data indicative of the optical characteristics of the object or material is generated based on the at least one spectral measurement. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18)
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Specification