Method and apparatus for colour imaging a three-dimensional structure
DCFirst Claim
1. A method for determining surface topology and associated color of an intraoral structure, the method comprising:
- illuminating the intraoral structure using white light passing through focusing optics;
capturing depth image data and color image data of the intraoral structure from the white light illuminating the intraoral structure using an image sensor of an imaging device, wherein the capturing includes scanning a focal plane of the imaging device over a range of depths and wherein returned lights beams returning from the intraoral structure pass through the focusing optics;
generating, using the imaging device and the depth image data, depth data of the intraoral structure;
generating, using the imaging device and the color image data, color data of the intraoral structure; and
providing, using one or more processors, a color three-dimensional numerical entity based on the depth data and the color data.
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Abstract
A device for determining the surface topology and associated color of a structure, such as a teeth segment, includes a scanner for providing depth data for points along a two-dimensional array substantially orthogonal to the depth direction, and an image acquisition means for providing color data for each of the points of the array, while the spatial disposition of the device with respect to the structure is maintained substantially unchanged. A processor combines the color data and depth data for each point in the array, thereby providing a three-dimensional color virtual model of the surface of the structure. A corresponding method for determining the surface topology and associate color of a structure is also provided.
364 Citations
30 Claims
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1. A method for determining surface topology and associated color of an intraoral structure, the method comprising:
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illuminating the intraoral structure using white light passing through focusing optics; capturing depth image data and color image data of the intraoral structure from the white light illuminating the intraoral structure using an image sensor of an imaging device, wherein the capturing includes scanning a focal plane of the imaging device over a range of depths and wherein returned lights beams returning from the intraoral structure pass through the focusing optics; generating, using the imaging device and the depth image data, depth data of the intraoral structure; generating, using the imaging device and the color image data, color data of the intraoral structure; and providing, using one or more processors, a color three-dimensional numerical entity based on the depth data and the color data. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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10. A method for determining surface topology and associated color of an intraoral structure, the method comprising:
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illuminating the intraoral structure with white light; capturing depth image data and color image data of the intraoral structure from the white light illuminating the intraoral structure using an image sensor of an imaging device, wherein the capturing includes scanning, using focusing optics, a focal plane of the imaging device over a range of depths and wherein the capturing of the depth image data and the color image data occurs at the same first angle and orientation with respect to the intraoral structure, and wherein the capturing includes capturing returning light passing though the focusing optics from the intraoral structure; generating, using the imaging device and the depth image data, depth data at the first angle and orientation with respect to the intraoral structure; generating, using the imaging device and the color image data, color data at the first angle and orientation with respect to the intraoral structure; and providing, using one or more processors, a color three-dimensional numerical entity based on the depth data and the color data. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17)
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18. A system for determining surface topology and associated color of an intraoral structure, the system comprising:
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a handheld imaging device comprising a probe, focusing optics configured to scan a focal plane of the handheld imaging device over a range of depths, a white light illuminator, and an image sensor configured to capture depth image data over the range of depths and color image data of the intraoral structure, wherein incident light beams from the white light illuminator and returned lights beams returning from the intraoral structure pass through the focusing optics; and one or more processors operably coupled to the handheld imaging device, the one or more processors configured to cause the system to; generate depth data of the intraoral structure using the depth image data from the handheld imaging device, generate color data of the intraoral structure using the color image data from the handheld imaging device, and provide a color three-dimensional numerical entity based on the depth data and the color data. - View Dependent Claims (19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24)
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25. A system for determining surface topology and associated color of an intraoral structure, the system comprising:
a handheld imaging device comprising a probe, focusing optics configured to scan a focal plane of the handheld imaging device over a range of depths, a white light illuminator, and an image sensor configured to capture depth image data over the range of depths and color image data of the intraoral structure by being configured to capture returning light passing through the focusing optics from the intraoral structure; and one or more processors operably coupled to the handheld imaging device, the one or more processors configured to cause the system to; capture the depth image data and the color image data of the intraoral structure over the range of depths and wherein the capturing of the depth image data and the color image data occurs at the same first angle and orientation with respect to the intraoral structure; generate, using the imaging device and the depth image data, depth data at the first angle and orientation with respect to the intraoral structure; generate, using the imaging device and the color image data, color data at the first angle and orientation with respect to the intraoral structure; and provide, using one or more processors, a color three-dimensional numerical entity based on the depth data and the color data. - View Dependent Claims (26, 27, 28, 29, 30)
Specification