Abstract: A method and system for generating a three-dimensional scan of an object using a handheld scanner is disclosed. The method involves obtaining images of the object from a successive plurality of handheld scanner positions with respect to the object, and processing the images to generate a respective 3D frame for each of the plurality of handheld scanner positions. Each 3D frame includes data representing locations of a plurality of 3D points on a surface of the object. The method further involves comparing each successive 3D frame with at least one preceding 3D frame, determining whether a result of the comparison meets a correspondence criterion associated with generation of a 3D representation of the surface of the object, and initiating a recovery process when the correspondence criterion is not met.

Abstract: A method, apparatus, media and signals for producing a representation of a mold for forming an appliance for a living body is disclosed. The method involves identifying points representing a line corresponding to an intended edge of the appliance on a surface of the mold, the surface being defined by an input plurality of points representing a general shape of the mold. The method also involves identifying regions extending along the surface on opposite sides of the line, adjusting at least one coordinate of at least one of the input plurality of points that falls within at least one of the regions to alter the shape of the surface in the at least one region to produce a modified surface representation, and storing the modified surface representation in a computer memory to produce a modified representation of the mold.

Abstract: A method and system for generating a three-dimensional scan of an object using a handheld scanner is disclosed. The method involves obtaining images of the object from a successive plurality of handheld scanner positions with respect to the object, and processing the images to generate a respective 3D frame for each of the plurality of handheld scanner positions. Each 3D frame includes data representing locations of a plurality of 3D points on a surface of the object. The method further involves comparing each successive 3D frame with at least one preceding 3D frame, determining whether a result of the comparison meets a correspondence criterion associated with generation of a 3D representation of the surface of the object, and initiating a recovery process when the correspondence criterion is not met.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for applying a rotational transform to a portion of a three-dimensional representation of an appliance for a living body is disclosed. The representation is defined by an input plurality of coordinates stored in a processor circuit memory, the input plurality of coordinates representing a general shape of the appliance. The method involves applying the rotational transform to the portion of the representation of the appliance within the transform volume to produce an output plurality of coordinates representing a modified shape of the appliance such that the general shape of portions of the appliance outside the transform volume remain un-modified by the rotational transform, and storing the output plurality of coordinates in the processor circuit memory.

Abstract: A method, apparatus, media and signals for applying a shape transformation to at least a portion of a three dimensional representation of an appliance for a living body is disclosed. The representation is defined by an input plurality of coordinates representing a general shape of the appliance. The method involves identifying a coordinate location of a datum plane with respect to the representation of the appliance, the datum plane defining a transform volume within which the shape transformation is to be applied, the transform volume extending outwardly from and normal to a first surface of the datum plane. The method also involves identifying input coordinates in the plurality of input coordinates that are located within the transform volume. The method further involves modifying the identified input coordinates in accordance with the shape transformation to produce a modified representation of the appliance, and storing the modified representation of the appliance in a computer memory.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for applying a rotational transform to a portion of a three-dimensional representation of an appliance for a living body is disclosed. The representation is defined by an input plurality of coordinates stored in a processor circuit memory, the input plurality of coordinates representing a general shape of the appliance. The method involves applying the rotational transform to the portion of the representation of the appliance within the transform volume to produce an output plurality of coordinates representing a modified shape of the appliance such that the general shape of portions of the appliance outside the transform volume remain un-modified by the rotational transform, and storing the output plurality of coordinates in the processor circuit memory.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for producing a computer representation of a three-dimensional surface of an appliance for a living body is disclosed. The method involves identifying a plurality of spaced apart planes intersecting the three-dimensional surface, and for each plane in the plurality of spaced apart planes identifying a plurality of basis points on the plane. The basis points lie generally along a curve on the plane. The method also involves determining surface coordinate locations of a plurality of points on the plane that lie on the three-dimensional surface, each surface coordinate location being defined as an offset from the basis point, and storing the surface coordinate locations in a computer memory.

Abstract: A method, apparatus, media and signals for producing a representation of a mold for forming an appliance for a living body is disclosed. The method involves identifying points representing a line corresponding to an intended edge of the appliance on a surface of the mold, the surface being defined by an input plurality of points representing a general shape of the mold. The method also involves identifying regions extending along the surface on opposite sides of the line, adjusting at least one coordinate of at least one of the input plurality of points that falls within at least one of the regions to alter the shape of the surface in the at least one region to produce a modified surface representation, and storing the modified surface representation in a computer memory to produce a modified representation of the mold.