Patents by Inventor Robert F. Dillon
Robert F. Dillon has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).
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Patent number: 9157733Abstract: Described are embodiments of methods of obtaining three-dimensional (3D) surface data of an object scene such as an intra-oral cavity. For example, measured surfaces may include the enamel surface of teeth, the dentin substructure of teeth, gum tissue and various dental structures. The methods can also be applied in medical applications and other applications in which 3D measurement data are acquired with maneuverable 3D measurement devices. In certain embodiments, the measurement device is positioned and translated to enable 3D data to be acquired for a backbone 3D data set. Subsequent controlled motion of the measurement device enables additional 3D data to be acquired and accurately joined to the backbone 3D data set.Type: GrantFiled: August 25, 2011Date of Patent: October 13, 2015Assignee: Dimensional Photonics International, Inc.Inventors: Robert F. Dillon, Andrew F. Vesper, Timothy I. Fillion
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Patent number: 9135498Abstract: Shape data of a patient's crown and volumetric imagery of the patient's tooth are received. A determination is made of elements that represent one or more crowns in the shape data. A computational device is used to register the elements with corresponding voxels of the volumetric imagery. A tooth shape is determined from volumetric coordinates and radiodensities.Type: GrantFiled: December 14, 2012Date of Patent: September 15, 2015Assignee: ORMCO CORPORATIONInventors: Craig A. Andreiko, Robert F. Dillon, Bradley S. Carlson
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Publication number: 20140340733Abstract: Described are a method and apparatus for high-speed phase shifting of an optical beam. A transparent plate having regions of different optical thickness is illuminated by an optical beam along a path of incidence that extends through the regions. The transparent plate can be moved or the optical beam can be steered to generate the path of incidence. The optical beam exiting the transparent plate has an instantaneous phase value according to the region in which the optical beam is incident. Advantageously, the phase values are repeatable and stable regardless of the location of incidence of the optical beam within the respective regions, and phase changes at high modulation rates are possible. The method and apparatus can be used to modulate a phase difference of a pair of coherent optical beams such as in an interferometric fringe projection system.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 4, 2014Publication date: November 20, 2014Inventors: Robert F. Dillon, Neil H.K. Judell, Timothy I. Fillion, Gurpreet Singh, Nathan E. Wallace
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Patent number: 8848271Abstract: Described are a method and apparatus for high-speed phase shifting of an optical beam. A transparent plate having regions of different optical thickness is illuminated by an optical beam along a path of incidence that extends through the regions. The transparent plate can be moved or the optical beam can be steered to generate the path of incidence. The optical beam exiting the transparent plate has an instantaneous phase value according to the region in which the optical beam is incident. Advantageously, the phase values are repeatable and stable regardless of the location of incidence of the optical beam within the respective regions, and phase changes at high modulation rates are possible. The method and apparatus can be used to modulate a phase difference of a pair of coherent optical beams such as in an interferometric fringe projection system.Type: GrantFiled: February 27, 2014Date of Patent: September 30, 2014Assignee: Dimensional Photonics, Inc.Inventors: Robert F. Dillon, Neil H. K. Judell, Timothy I. Fillion, Gurpreet Singh, Nathan E. Wallace
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Publication number: 20140272772Abstract: Provided are a system, method, and computer readable storage medium for using a digital reconstruction of a tooth, wherein the digital reconstruction includes a crown and a root. An image of the crown of the tooth is acquired, subsequent to a movement of the tooth. The shape data of the crown is extracted from the image and registered to the digital reconstruction of the tooth.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 13, 2014Publication date: September 18, 2014Applicant: Ormco CorporationInventors: Craig A. ANDREIKO, Robert F. DILLON, Bradley S. CARLSON, Vicente A. REYNAL
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Publication number: 20140272774Abstract: Provided are a system, method, and computer readable storage medium for generating an intra-oral scan of a dentition. A contiguous scan of an occlusal surface of at least a part of one arch of the dentition is generated. At least one additional surface is associated to the contiguous scan of the occlusal surface.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 13, 2014Publication date: September 18, 2014Applicant: Ormco CorporationInventors: Robert F. DILLON, Craig A. ANDREIKO, Andrew F. VESPER, Neil H.K. JUDELL, Timothy I. FILLION
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Publication number: 20140272765Abstract: Provided are a system, method, and computer readable storage medium in which data is received from a dental imaging system. The received data is analyzed to adjust one or more imaging parameters of the dental imaging system.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 13, 2014Publication date: September 18, 2014Applicant: Ormco CorporationInventors: Craig A. ANDREIKO, Robert F. DILLON, Andrew F. VESPER
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Publication number: 20140272766Abstract: Provided is a head mounted display system that communicates with an intra-oral imaging system. Data received from the intra-oral imaging system is displayed in at least one head mounted display unit of the head mounted display system. Provided also is an intra-oral imaging system that in communication with a head mounted display system. The intra-oral imaging system sends data corresponding to an image of at least one tooth acquired by an intra-oral imaging sensor, to be displayed on the head mounted display system. The intra-oral imaging system receives, from the head mounted display system, a selection of at least one operation that is to be performed by the intra-oral imaging system.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 13, 2014Publication date: September 18, 2014Applicant: Ormco CorporationInventors: Craig A. ANDREIKO, Robert F. DILLON, James A. SICKLES
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Publication number: 20140227655Abstract: Orientation of a patient's tooth is determined from shape data of the patient's crown and volumetric imagery of the patient's tooth. A computational device is used to register the shape data of the patient's crown with model data, based on the determined orientation of the patient's tooth.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 12, 2013Publication date: August 14, 2014Applicant: ORMCO CORPORATIONInventors: Craig A. ANDREIKO, Robert F. DILLON, Bradley S. CARLSON
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Publication number: 20140177030Abstract: Described are a method and apparatus for high-speed phase shifting of an optical beam. A transparent plate having regions of different optical thickness is illuminated by an optical beam along a path of incidence that extends through the regions. The transparent plate can be moved or the optical beam can be steered to generate the path of incidence. The optical beam exiting the transparent plate has an instantaneous phase value according to the region in which the optical beam is incident. Advantageously, the phase values are repeatable and stable regardless of the location of incidence of the optical beam within the respective regions, and phase changes at high modulation rates are possible. The method and apparatus can be used to modulate a phase difference of a pair of coherent optical beams such as in an interferometric fringe projection system.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 27, 2014Publication date: June 26, 2014Applicant: Dimensional Photonics International, Inc.Inventors: Robert F. Dillon, Neil H.K. Judell, Timothy I. Fillion, Gurpreet Singh, Nathan E. Wallace
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Publication number: 20140169648Abstract: Shape data of a patient's crown and volumetric imagery of the patient's tooth are received. A determination is made of elements that represent one or more crowns in the shape data. A computational device is used to register the elements with corresponding voxels of the volumetric imagery. A tooth shape is determined from volumetric coordinates and radiodensities.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 14, 2012Publication date: June 19, 2014Applicant: ORMCO CORPORATIONInventors: Craig A. ANDREIKO, Robert F. DILLON, Bradley S. CARLSON
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Patent number: 8699111Abstract: Described are a method and apparatus for high-speed phase shifting of an optical beam. A transparent plate having regions of different optical thickness is illuminated by an optical beam along a path of incidence that extends through the regions. The transparent plate can be moved or the optical beam can be steered to generate the path of incidence. The optical beam exiting the transparent plate has an instantaneous phase value according to the region in which the optical beam is incident. Advantageously, the phase values are repeatable and stable regardless of the location of incidence of the optical beam within the respective regions, and phase changes at high modulation rates are possible. The method and apparatus can be used to modulate a phase difference of a pair of coherent optical beams such as in an interferometric fringe projection system.Type: GrantFiled: February 23, 2009Date of Patent: April 15, 2014Inventors: Robert F. Dillon, Neil H. K. Judell, Timothy I. Fillion, Gurpreet Singh, Nathan E. Wallace
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Publication number: 20130330684Abstract: A wand having a housing is coupled to an intra-oral imaging system. The wand comprises a first device and a second device coupled to the housing. The first device is an intra-oral imaging device for capturing images of a patient's teeth, and the second device provides an additional function.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 6, 2012Publication date: December 12, 2013Applicant: ORMCO CORPORATIONInventors: Robert F. DILLON, Olaf N. KROHG, Craig A. ANDREIKO
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Publication number: 20130323671Abstract: An imaging device is coupled to a wand having an optical source that generates light at a metrology wavelength, wherein the wand is included in an intra-oral imaging system. The imaging device comprises a spectral filter that transmits the light of the metrology wavelength and blocks light of other wavelengths. The imaging device also comprises a lens coupled to the spectral filter. Additionally, the imaging device further comprises a sensor, wherein the light of the metrology wavelength is incident on the sensor after being transmitted through the lens and the spectral filter, and wherein the sensor converts the light of the metrology wavelength that is incident on the sensor, into electrical signals to generate intra-oral imagery.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 30, 2012Publication date: December 5, 2013Applicant: ORMCO CORPORATIONInventors: Robert F. DILLON, Craig A. ANDREIKO
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Publication number: 20130183633Abstract: A portable three-dimensional intra-oral imaging system is comprised of a processor, a housing encasing the processor, an imaging sensor extensibly coupled to the housing for capturing images, and a touchscreen display to display the images acquired by the imaging sensor. An arm is coupled to the housing and supports the touchscreen display, wherein the arm is configurable to be retracted and protracted to allow placement of the touchscreen display within a range of heights. A handle of the housing is provided for portability.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 13, 2012Publication date: July 18, 2013Applicant: ORMCO CORPORATIONInventors: Robert F. DILLON, James A. SICKLES, Craig A. ANDREIKO, Evan I. T. GANT, Philip C. Y. LEUNG
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Patent number: 8477318Abstract: Described are an imaging device and method for determining three-dimensional position information of a surface of an object. The device includes a pair of optical fibers, a phase shifter, a detector array and a processor. The phase shifter is coupled to one of the optical fibers and is used to change a phase of optical radiation emitted from the optical fiber relative to a phase of optical radiation emitted from the other optical fiber. The detector array receives optical radiation scattered by the surface of the object. The processor communicates with the detector array and the phase shifter. Signals generated by the detector array are received by the processor and three-dimensional position information for the surface is calculated in response to the received optical radiation scattered by the surface of the object and the change in the relative phase of optical radiation emitted by the optical fibers.Type: GrantFiled: October 23, 2008Date of Patent: July 2, 2013Assignee: Dimensional Photonics International, Inc.Inventors: Robert F. Dillon, Yi Qian, Gurpreet Singh
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Patent number: 8390822Abstract: Described are a method and device for determining three-dimensional position information of a surface of a translucent object having a wavelength-dependent transmittance and reflectance characteristics. The method includes illuminating the surface of the translucent object with optical radiation at a predetermined wavelength emitted from a pair of optical sources. Radiation scattered from the surface and below the surface is detected, and a phase of the optical radiation from one of the optical sources relative to a phase of the optical radiation from the other optical source is changed before again detecting the scattered radiation. The predetermined wavelength is selected so that the optical radiation scattered from below the surface and detected provides a substantially constant background intensity with respect to the optical radiation scattered from the surface and detected. Three-dimensional position information of the surface is calculated in response to the detected radiation.Type: GrantFiled: October 23, 2008Date of Patent: March 5, 2013Assignee: Dimensional Photonics International, Inc.Inventors: Robert F. Dillon, Bing Zhao, Neil H. K. Judell
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Publication number: 20120062701Abstract: Described are embodiments of methods of obtaining three-dimensional (3D) surface data of an object scene such as an intra-oral cavity. For example, measured surfaces may include the enamel surface of teeth, the dentin substructure of teeth, gum tissue and various dental structures. The methods can also be applied in medical applications and other applications in which 3D measurement data are acquired with maneuverable 3D measurement devices. In certain embodiments, the measurement device is positioned and translated to enable 3D data to be acquired for a backbone 3D data set. Subsequent controlled motion of the measurement device enables additional 3D data to be acquired and accurately joined to the backbone 3D data set.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 25, 2011Publication date: March 15, 2012Applicant: DIMENSIONAL PHOTONICS INTERNATIONAL, INC.Inventors: Robert F. Dillon, Andrew F. Vesper, Timothy I. Fillion
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Publication number: 20120062716Abstract: Described are methods that enable rapid automated object classification of measured three-dimensional object scenes. Each method can be performed during a three-dimensional measurement procedure while data are being acquired or after completion of the measurement procedure using the acquired data. In various embodiments, an object scene is illuminated with an optical beam and an image is acquired. In some embodiments, the object scene is illuminated with a structured light pattern and a sequence of images of the object scene illuminated by the pattern at different spatial phases is acquired. Coordinates are determined for points in the one or more images and a translucence value is determined for each of the points. An object class is determined for each point based on the translucence value for the point. Optionally, additional information, such as grayscale or color image data for each point, is used to supplement the object class determination.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 25, 2011Publication date: March 15, 2012Applicant: DIMENSIONAL PHOTONICS INTERNATIONAL, INC.Inventors: Robert F. Dillon, Bing Zhao
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Publication number: 20120062557Abstract: Provided are a system and method for generating and displaying intra-oral measurement data. A measurement field of view of an intra-oral scanning device is directed at a first region of an object scene to acquire image data related to the first region. The intra-oral scanning device is moved from the first region along a path proximal to one or more surfaces of the object scene to a second region of the object scene. The intra-oral scanning device acquires image data corresponding to the object scene along the path. A set of 3D data is presented in a display. 3D data are generated from the image data acquired for the first region of the object scene to the second region of the object scene. Presented in a window of the display is a current video image of acquired image data of the object scene in the measurement field of view. The current video image overlays a respective portion of a graphical representation of accumulated data of the set of 3D data.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 25, 2011Publication date: March 15, 2012Applicant: DIMENSIONAL PHOTONICS INTERNATIONAL, INC.Inventors: Robert F. Dillon, Olaf N. Krohg, Andrew F. Vesper, Timothy I. Fillion