Abstract: Methods and apparatus for registration of digital images of a plurality of dental surfaces of a patient. Multiple dental surfaces are separately scanned and digitized, where each of the surfaces has at least one marked area. All marked areas are optically acquired, creating digitized images of the plurality of dental surfaces, which are then registered in a common reference frame on the basis of a specified marked areas. In some cases, a first dental surface is disposed on an upper dental arch and a second dental surface is disposed on a lower dental arch. Marked contact areas may be indicative of local occlusion pressure.

Abstract: A conoscopic holographic system and a method for imaging a scene characterized by a surface having a three-dimensional shape. The system utilizes an optical source, which illuminates the scene with substantially linear distributions of light, and independent register of a plurality of elementary conoscopic holograms in the image plane. Each elementary conoscopic hologram represents the imaging of a single emitting point of the illuminated scene. The optical source is translated relative to the scene to generate a sequence of optical holograms, and a weighted reconstruction of the holograms is performed, in a computer process, at a median plane to devise the three-dimensional shape of the imaged scene.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for projecting a tangible image of data characterizing an object onto a surface of the object itself. Three-dimensional measurements of the object are obtained, the measurements are processed for projection, and a tangible image is projected onto the object, the image conveying information based on the three-dimensional measurements. The image may be projected concurrently with performance of measurements. In an exemplary dental context, information derived in part from three-dimensional measurements of a tooth or replica may be projected onto the actual tooth or replica. In interactive application, a work piece is be measured during the course of fabrication, and three-dimensional information, derived from contemporaneous non-contact measurement, is projected onto the work piece in order to direct the user with the formation of the work piece.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for projecting a tangible image of data characterizing an object onto a surface of the object itself. Three-dimensional measurements of the object are obtained, the measurements are processed for projection, and a tangible image is projected onto the object, the image conveying information based on the three-dimensional measurements. The image may be projected concurrently with performance of measurements. In an exemplary dental context, information derived in part from three-dimensional measurements of a tooth or replica may be projected onto the actual tooth or replica. In interactive application, a work piece is be measured during the course of fabrication, and three-dimensional information, derived from contemporaneous non-contact measurement, is projected onto the work piece in order to direct the user with the formation of the work piece.

Abstract: Methods for digitizing complex surfaces of dental objects such as impressions of dental surfaces and shapes. While an impression mold is being scanned by translation along a known trajectory, typically in a plane, the line of sight of a distance probe is directed toward successive positions on the surface of the impression mold, such as by a periodic series of reflecting surfaces characterized by normal vectors at distinct non-orthogonal angles with respect to their axis of symmetry. One or more reference objects are scanned using the same translation and mirror positioning systems. Gathered coordinate data are processed to apply angular corrections and combined to form a single distortion-corrected image of the impression mold. An apparatus and methods are provided for measuring both sides of a dental object separately, and then registering the two sides relative to each other in a digital representation of the object.

Abstract: A system and methods for obtaining and processing data requisite for fabrication of a dental restorative prosthesis. A dental temporary is fashioned at a site of patient treatment, and fitted in the patient's mouth. The temporary is then characterized by three-dimensional digital data based on distances measured by means of three-dimensional co-ordinate measuring equipment. The three-dimensional data are transmitted to a fabrication site, where a prosthesis may be fabricated. Additionally, information based upon the three-dimensional digital data characterizing the temporary may also be provided to a dentist at the site of patient treatment. The prosthesis design may be edited prior to fabrication.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for digitization of surfaces of complex objects such as dental surfaces or plastic parts. While an object is being scanned by translation along a known trajectory, typically in a plane, the line of sight of a distance probe is bent toward an object by a periodic series of reflecting surfaces characterized by normal vectors at distinct non-orthogonal angles with respect to their axis of symmetry. One or more reference objects are scanned using the same translation and mirror positioning systems. Gathered coordinate data are processed to apply angular corrections and combined to form a single distortion-corrected image.

Abstract: Methods for digitizing complex surfaces of dental objects such as impressions of dental surfaces and shapes. While an impression mold is being scanned by translation along a known trajectory, typically in a plane, the line of sight of a distance probe is directed toward successive positions on the surface of the impression mold, such as by a periodic series of reflecting surfaces characterized by normal vectors at distinct non-orthogonal angles with respect to their axis of symmetry. One or more reference objects are scanned using the same translation and mirror positioning systems. Gathered coordinate data are processed to apply angular corrections and combined to form a single distortion-corrected image of the impression mold. An apparatus and methods are provided for measuring both sides of a dental object separately, and then registering the two sides relative to each other in a digital representation of the object.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for digitization of surfaces of complex objects such as dental surfaces or plastic parts. While an object is being scanned by translation along a known trajectory, typically in a plane, the line of sight of a distance probe is bent toward an object by a periodic series of reflecting surfaces characterized by normal vectors at distinct non-orthogonal angles with respect to their axis of symmetry. One or more reference objects are scanned using the same translation and mirror positioning systems. Gathered coordinate data are processed to apply angular corrections and combined to form a single distortion-corrected image.

Abstract: A system and method for maintaining a specified distance between the focus of a laser tooling beam of a laser machining system and a workpiece. The system includes an optical assembly for focusing the tooling beam substantially onto a spot on the surface of the workpiece and a beam splitter for deflecting light retro-reflected from the workpiece and through the optical assembly. The system also includes a distance-measuring apparatus, such as a conoscope, for receiving the retro-reflected beam and for determining the distance to the spot on the surface of the workpiece relative to a fiducial reference as well as a controller for governing the location of the workpiece relative to the focus of the optical assembly based on the measured distance of the spot.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for enhancing the proportion of detected light that has been diffusely scattered by a surface light to light specularly reflected from the surface. A beam of light having a direction of predominant polarization is directed through a wedge module so as to illuminate the scene. The wedge module has two optically anisotropic wedges and an optical compensation plate. The polarization axes of the first and second wedges are substantially parallel to the direction of predominant polarization of the illuminating beam. Light scattered by the surface is detected through a polarizer.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for converting a beam of light that is substantially coherent and has a coherence length into substantially incoherent radiation. The method has the steps of collimating the beam, delaying a first portion of the beam by a first optical delay by ballistic passage through a first cell of an optical element, and delaying each of a plurality of other portions of the beam by an optical delay different from the first optical delay by an amount exceeding the coherence length of the beam.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for inspecting a three dimensional structure, such as an electronic component, using collimated light for accurately measuring the three-dimensional structure of members protruding above the surface of the component. Collimated light illuminates the surface, and spherical or other three-dimensional structure on the surface is analyzed, using stereoscopic, holographic, Moire, or conoscopic analysis of light reflected or scattered by the structure, using an array of optical detectors in a detector plane.

Abstract: A linear conoscope producing a conoscopic interferogram of an object wherein the phase shift giving rise to the interferogram is substantially linearly dependent on displacement of an object from a geometrical axis. Two anisotropic optical elements are provided and oriented with respect to one another in such a manner as to cancel the predominant term in which the phase shift depends quadratically on displacement from the geometrical axis.