Abstract: Apparatuses (e.g., systems, devices, etc.) and method for scanning both a subject's intraoral cavity as well as detecting, using the same scanner, e.g., wand, finger gestures and executing command controls based on these detected finger gestures.

Abstract: An apparatus for intraoral three-dimensional (3D) scanning comprises a light source, a spatial pattern, a beam splitter, an optical system comprising fewer than 10 lenses, a mirror, an image sensor, and a depth scanning module. The depth scanning module is configured to axially translate one or more lenses of the optical system in the optical axis to change a focus setting of the optical system, wherein the depth scanning module is configured to axially translate the one or more lenses by 0.1-5 mm to achieve a depth scanning range of 5-40 mm at a scan speed of about 5-50 scans per second.

Abstract: A video laryngeal endoscope system having flat scan video kymography and laryngoscopic functions for analyzing a motion state of a larynx comprises: a laryngoscope for viewing vocal cords; a light source for illuminating the vocal cords; a video camera which has a beam splitter for separating an image viewed by means of the laryngoscope and the light source into two images to acquire a flat scan kymographic image and a stroboscopic image; a dual image capturing unit for converting two image signals transmitted from the video camera into a digital image signal; a storage unit for storing the digital image signal; a control unit for analyzing the digital image signal of the storage unit and simultaneously displaying analysis results of the flat scan kymographic image and the stroboscopic image; and a computer comprising analysis software for analyzing the image signal of the storage unit; and a monitor for displaying photographed images and analysis results.

Abstract: Disclosed embodiments integrate a camera into an intraoral mirror. Integrating a camera into an intraoral mirror provides an efficient way to record and display what is visible to the healthcare provider in the mirror.

Abstract: An oral monitoring system is provided. The oral monitoring system includes one or more cameras configured for installation in a mouth for capturing images. A memory is configured for storing images. One or more processors are configured to process images captured by the one or more cameras, and a wireless transmitter is configured to transmit data corresponding to the captured images. A chemical sensor is further provided and the wireless transmitter is further configured to transmit data corresponding to substances detected by the chemical sensor.

Abstract: A window illumination enhancer having at least one planar reflective surface and two openings is designed to fit in a window well of a building. The surface reflects light from a first of the openings through the window, via the second opening. The first opening is located above the window well. A polymer film surrounds the path of the light between the two openings to reduce soiling of at least the surface. A second planar reflective surface may be included and may be arranged to form a periscopic device, which affords an above-ground view of the exterior. The enhancer may be composed of lightweight materials. It may be freestanding, and may be mounted without fixing to the building wall. Illumination is increased because the view of the dim-lit window well wall is blocked by the more brightly lit surface.

Abstract: An oral monitoring system is provided. The oral monitoring system includes one or more cameras configured for installation in a mouth for capturing images. A memory is configured for storing images. One or more processors are configured to process images captured by the one or more cameras, and a wireless transmitter is configured to transmit data corresponding to the captured images. A chemical sensor is further provided and the wireless transmitter is further configured to transmit data corresponding to substances detected by the chemical sensor.

Abstract: A three-dimensional (3D) scanner device for generating a three dimensional (3D) surface model of shaped objects, such as dental structures, applicable for use in the field of dentistry, particularly to dental prosthetics manufacturing. Methods and systems relating to the device are also disclosed.

Abstract: A three-dimensional (3D) scanner device for generating a three dimensional (3D) surface model of shaped objects, such as dental structures, applicable for use in the field of dentistry, particularly to dental prosthetics manufacturing. Methods and systems relating to the device are also disclosed.

Abstract: A scanner is used for scanning an object (3, 4, 5), in particular a tooth or a plurality of teeth or a dental cast. The scanner (1) comprises a projector (2) for projecting a pattern (7) onto the object (3, 4, 5) and a camera which comprises a recording optics and an image sensor (18). To improve such scanner, the recording optics comprises a first imaging optics (9) and a second imaging optics (10).

Abstract: An intraoral camera comprising: an imaging section for obtaining image data from a patient in a dental chair; a transmitter comprising a transmitter configured for both wired and wireless transmission of the obtained image data to a computer; and a power section including a cable that obtains power from the dental chair or a battery module within the camera.

Abstract: A handheld dental camera performs three-dimensional, optical measurements. The camera includes a light source that emits an illuminating beam, a scanning unit, a color sensor, and a deflector. The scanning unit focuses the illuminating beam onto a surface of an object to be measured. The surface of the object reflects the illuminating beam and forms a monitoring beam, which is detected by the color sensor. Focal points of wavelengths of the illuminating beam form chromatic depth measurement ranges. The scanning unit stepwise displaces the chromatic depth measurement ranges by a step width smaller than or equal to a length of each chromatic depth measurement range, so that a first chromatic depth measurement range in a first end position of the scanning unit and a second chromatic depth measurement range in a second end position are precisely adjoined in a direction of a measurement depth, or are partially overlapped.

Abstract: The present invention related to an auto focus intraoral camera. The auto focus intraoral camera includes an illumination module for providing illuminating light, an imager, and a lens system for collecting light reflected from an object and focusing the light onto the imager, wherein said lens system further comprises at least one liquid lens including a vessel filled with a first liquid, and a second liquid being in contact with said first liquid, the first and second liquids being immiscible, of different optical indexes, and of substantially same density; wherein the lens system further includes a driver integrated circuit applying variable voltage to control the focal length of said lens. According to the present application, a compact auto focus intraoral camera with a small size and simple structure is provided, which decreases the camera complexity and improve the performance.

Abstract: A device for capturing biometric characteristics, the device having an optical sensor with a field of view covering a detection zone for detecting optical characteristics, and an electronic control unit that is connected to the sensor in order to control it, the control unit being placed at least in part in the field of view of the sensor and includes a memory containing at least one signature resulting from at least one reference optical characteristic of the control unit as seen by the sensor, and a comparator module for comparing the signature with at least one corresponding signature that results from at least one optical characteristic of the control unit as supplied by the sensor.

Abstract: A scanner is used for scanning an object (3, 4, 5), in particular a tooth or a plurality of teeth or a dental cast. The scanner (1) comprises a projector (2) for projecting a pattern (7) onto the object (3, 4, 5) and a camera which comprises a recording optics and an image sensor (18). To improve such scanner, the recording optics comprises a first imaging optics (9) and a second imaging optics (10).

Abstract: A dental treatment observation system includes a photographing unit supported with a first auxiliary arm at a front end of a support arm extending from a stand and a stereoscopic display unit supported with a second auxiliary arm at the front end of the support arm. The stand allows the photographing unit and stereoscopic display unit together to be widely moved and the first and second auxiliary arms allow the units to be separately moved in optional directions. The system is appropriate for dental treatment and is capable of reducing fatigue of a dentist during treatment.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for full-mouth intraoral image acquisition. An intraoral sensor configuration includes a multi-aperture digital camera and/or a conformal layered sensor structure, a bite piece, and an electronic cable for imaging inside surfaces of a mouth of a patient without having to re-position the digital camera and/or the conformal layered sensor structure within the mouth of the patient during an image acquisition session. Images may be acquired sequentially or simultaneously.

Abstract: A dental color measurement tool disposed opposite an opening portion for capturing light from an artificial tooth to undergo color measurement with a color measurement device includes at least one pair of guide posts having an engaging portion corresponding to an engaging portion on the color measurement device side, and an abutment post disposed between the pair of guide posts and having a pointed convex shape to which the artificial tooth can be mounted. The abutment post has a color measurement reference surface in a color measurement light axis direction as the vicinity of a focus position of the color measurement device in a photographing state. When performing color measurement photographing, the artificial tooth is mounted to the abutment post to position the front thereof at the color measurement reference surface. Thus, the artificial tooth can be stably retained at a suitable position with respect to the color measurement device.

Abstract: The present invention related to an auto focus intraoral camera. The auto focus intraoral camera includes an illumination module for providing illuminating light, an imager, and a lens system for collecting light reflected from an object and focusing the light onto the imager, wherein said lens system further comprises at least one liquid lens including a vessel filled with a first liquid, and a second liquid being in contact with said first liquid, the first and second liquids being immiscible, of different optical indexes, and of substantially same density; wherein the lens system further includes a driver integrated circuit applying variable voltage to control the focal length of said lens. According to the present application, a compact auto focus intraoral camera with a small size and simple structure is provided, which decreases the camera complexity and improve the performance.

Abstract: An auto-focus camera has an optical system for forming an image of a target, a moveable sensor for recording a set of one or more images of the target, the set of one or more images corresponding to a set of one or more positions for the moveable sensor, and a linear piezoelectric actuator mechanically coupled to the moveable sensor for driving the moveable sensor to the set of one or more positions along a predetermined moving direction in response to a stimulus. A driving system is actuable to generate the stimulus to drive the piezoelectric actuator. An image processor, in response to stored instructions, obtains the set of one or more recorded images from the moveable sensor, processes the set of one or more obtained recoded images, and identifies the image that is in focus.

Abstract: An image processing system includes a photographing apparatus and a processing apparatus. The photographing apparatus includes LEDs for emitting light with characteristics of spectroscopic distributions varied in a visible light area, an image pick-up device unit which picks-up a subject image that is illuminated by the LEDs and is formed by an image pick-up optical system and which outputs an image signal, and a control unit. The control unit sequentially lights-on the LEDs upon an instruction for photographing a subject spectroscopic image being input from an operating switch, picks-up the image, and thus controls the operation for capturing subject spectroscopic images. The processing apparatus includes a calculating device which performs a desired image calculation based on the image signal.

Abstract: An image processing system is used for dentistry. Upon creating a false tooth of a patient (59), a plurality of illuminating light of LEDs with different wavelengths emit light and a photographing apparatus (1A) photographs a tooth portion of the patient (59), thereby obtaining image data. The image data is sent to a dentistry filing system (2A) serving as a processing apparatus, and color reproducing data is obtained by calculation. The color reproducing data is sent to a dentistry factory (55) via a public line. Data is searched from a database (56) for calculating a ceramic compounding ratio, compound data of the ceramic false tooth is obtained, matching the color of the tooth portion of the patient (59), and the false tooth approximate to the tooth color of the patient (59) is created.

Abstract: The image processing system is applied to dentistry, for example, and performs photography of the teeth of a patient while causing a plurality of illumination light LEDs of different wavelengths to emit light by means of a photography device when producing a crown repair or denture of the patient, whereby image data are acquired. The image data are transmitted to a dental filing system constituting a processing device where color reproduction data are determined through computation. In addition, color reproduction data are transmitted to the dental technician's office via a public switched network. Therefore, a repair material compound ratio calculation database is searched and the compound data for a material that matches the hue of the patient's teeth are found, whereby a crown repair or denture or the like that very closely matches the color of the patient's teeth is produced.

Abstract: An image processing system is used for dentistry. Upon creating a false tooth of a patient (59), a plurality of illuminating light of LEDs with different wavelengths emit light and a photographing apparatus (1A) photographs a tooth portion of the patient (59), thereby obtaining image data. The image data is sent to a dentistry filing system (2A) serving as a processing apparatus, and color reproducing data is obtained by calculation. The color reproducing data is sent to a dentistry factory (55) via a public line. Data is searched from a database (56) for calculating a ceramic compounding ratio, compound data of the ceramic false tooth is obtained, matching the color of the tooth portion of the patient (59), and the false tooth approximate to the tooth color of the patient (59) is created.

Abstract: A dental 3D camera for optically scanning a three-dimensional object, and a method for operating a dental 3D camera. The camera operates in accordance with a triangulation procedure to acquire a plurality of images of the object. The method comprises forming at least one comparative signal based on at least two images of the object acquired by the camera while at least one pattern is projected on the object, and determining at least one camera shake index based on the at least one comparative signal.

Abstract: An image processing system which performs photography of the teeth of a patient while causing a plurality of illumination light LEDs of different wavelengths to emit light by means of a photography device when producing a crown repair or denture of the patient, whereby image data are acquired. The image data are transmitted to a dental filing system constituting a processing device where color reproduction data are determined through computation. In addition, color reproduction data are transmitted to the dental technician's office via a public switched network. A repair material compound ratio calculation database is searched and compound data for a material that matches the hue of the patient's teeth is retrieved, so that a crown repair or denture or the like that very closely matches the color of the patient's teeth can be produced.

Abstract: An illuminating device is used for oral photography and is connectable to a lens barrel provided on a camera. The illuminating device includes a light-emitting surface that has an arc shape, so that a periphery of a mouth being under a nose of a person being photographed can be exclusively illuminated.

Abstract: An image processing system which performs photography of the teeth of a patient while causing a plurality of illumination light LEDs of different wavelengths to emit light by means of a photography device when producing a crown repair or denture of the patient, whereby image data are acquired. The image data are transmitted to a dental filing system constituting a processing device where color reproduction data are determined through computation. In addition, color reproduction data are transmitted to the dental technician's office via a public switched network. A repair material compound ratio calculation database is searched and compound data for a material that matches the hue of the patient's teeth is retrieved, so that a crown repair or denture or the like that very closely matches the color of the patient's teeth can be produced.

Abstract: An illuminating device is used for oral photography and is connectable to a lens barrel provided on a camera. The illuminating device includes a light-emitting surface that has an arc shape, so that a periphery of a mouth being under a nose of a person being photographed can be exclusively illuminated.

Abstract: A stroboscopic flash device for a digital camera having a plurality of stroboscopic flash units mounted on a ring-like holder provided removably attached to a lens barrel of the digital camera comprising a circumferential position adjustment mechanism to adjust a circumferential position of the two stroboscopic flash units along the ring-like holder, an upward and leftward position adjustment mechanism to adjust an upward and downward position of a flash face of the stroboscopic flash units and a rightward and leftward position adjustment mechanism to adjust a rightward and leftward position of the flash face of the stroboscopic flash units, the circumferential position adjustment, the upward and downward position adjustment mechanism and the rightward and leftward position adjustment mechanism being adapted to indicate the optimum stroboscopic flash positions relative to every photographic part of the photographic object by distinguishing them by a pointer corresponding to any of colored indication parts and

Abstract: An intra-oral camera for producing an axially aligned picture of an intra-oral item of interest permits a rapid taking of pictures, whereby burdensome usage requirements are avoided without, however, suffering any diminishment in the quality of the picture that is taken. A computer-controlled picture taking positioning of the intra-oral camera properly positions the camera for taking pictures of objects of interest. The proper picture taking position of the camera ensures that the picture of an intra-oral object or an area of interest such as, for example, a tooth of a patient, is taken in the desired size, at the desired angle, and at the desired location.

Abstract: In a digital camera having a rectangular electronic display for framing pictures, a dental positioning grid comprising: a line pattern superimposed on the rectangular electronic display, the line pattern including a horizontally centered horizontal line extending substantially the width of the display, a short vertical line intersecting the horizontal line at its midpoint, and long left and right vertical lines intersecting the horizontal line at substantially ¼ of the display width distance respectively from the left and right sides of the display.

Abstract: According to the invention, the lens system of a dental or endoscopic camera is designed in the form of a non-telecentric lens in which the field stop or an image thereof is located in the region of the lens arrangement on the converter side of said lens system.

Abstract: A dentition image reading apparatus (1) includes an in-mouth insert (11) to be inserted into mouth and image pick-up optics (21), the in-mouth insert including a light-transmitting portion (15) at least on one of front and back sides and a hollow portion (12) provided thereinside, the image pick-up optics (21) including: a light source (22) inserted in the hollow portion of the in-mouth insert for irradiating light on the dentition through the light-transmitting portion; a reflection mirror (23) for reflecting the light from the dentition toward the outside of the in-mouth insert; a scanner 31 for moving the light source and the reflection mirror along the depth direction of the hollow portion of the in-mouth insert; and an image pick-up optical system (41) for receiving the light reflected by the reflection mirror.

Abstract: A dental camera is provided which is capable of operating in a wireless mode and a wired mode. A handpiece includes circuitry for generating a signal representing a video image and a first connector. A wireless adaptor module includes a power supply for supplying power to the handpiece, a transmitter for transmitting the signal representing a video image, and a second connector that mates with the first connector when the dental camera is being operated in the wireless mode. A cable has a third connector that mates with the first connector when the dental camera is being operated in the wired mode. With this system, clinical flexibility is afforded to a dental practitioner.

Abstract: A camera cap for an intra oral camera includes a base plate from which a first side plate and a second side plate extend. The base plate forms a hole. The camera cap establishes an interior surface on which an adhesive layer is disposed. The camera cap can be installed on the head of an intra oral camera to block any light produced by the head of the camera while allowing imaging of, e.g., an x-ray, through the hole in the base plate.

Abstract: A self-contained dental camera uses white diodes to provide sufficient illumination for dental imaging without unduly depleting battery power. The illuminated dental work is imaged by a camera, preferably a CCD, and the resulting video signal is transmitted to a base station for display on a monitor. The camera unit may be disposed in a holder on a base station to recharge the battery.

Abstract: In a digital camera system comprising lens-barrels 12, 13 having an optical system including an objective 14, a finder 17, a monitoring liquid crystal display 18, a release button 19 and a controller 22 having a power supply, a ring flash 15 is provided on the lens-barrel so as to surround the objective, a metering sensor 26 is provided below the front end portion of the lens-barrel, and a light receiving surface 28 is inclined at an angle of 20 to 85 degrees with respect to the surface which is perpendicular to the optical axis of the optical system. Accordingly, the metering sensor reliably receives the reflected light from a subject, and the amount of light emission of the ring flash can be accurately controlled, so that it is possible to obtain clear images.

Abstract: A computer-automation tool for dentists and insurance companies to communicate dental patient information is provided. Such system has a specialized PC-peripheral that produces digital images from transparency films and dental intra-oral intra-oral radiographs, e.g., x-ray films, for storage, retrieval, viewing, transmission, and processing on computer networks. For example, dental intra-oral radiograph images can be captured at a local dentist's office and transmitted over the internet to support quick insurance claim processing. The digitizer peripheral is automatic enough that no special skills beyond that of an office clerk are required. To digitize an x-ray film frame, the film is simply dropped into a slot on the digitizer peripheral. No menu items or key needs to be selected on the computer. The sensing of the film insertion, its positioning, and releasing it after digitization are all automatic.