CN117119938A

CN117119938A - Distributed intraoral scanning system

Info

Publication number: CN117119938A
Application number: CN202280024957.2A
Authority: CN
Inventors: E·弗里德曼; A·莱文; A·A·布尔比亚; O·萨吉; S·法卡什; R·卡茨
Original assignee: Align Technology Inc
Current assignee: Align Technology Inc
Priority date: 2021-01-26
Filing date: 2022-01-25
Publication date: 2023-11-24
Also published as: EP4284225A1

Abstract

In the embodiments set forth herein, an intraoral scanning system includes: a first intraoral scanner; a second intraoral scanner; and a computing device wirelessly connected to both the first intraoral scanner and the second intraoral scanner. The computing device receives first intraoral scan data from a first intraoral scanner and generates a first three-dimensional (3D) surface of at least a portion of an arch of a first patient based on the first intraoral scan data. The computing device also receives second intraoral scan data from a second intraoral scanner and generates a second 3D surface of at least a portion of a dental arch of a second patient based on the second intraoral scan data.

Description

Distributed intraoral scanning system

Technical Field

Embodiments of the present disclosure relate to the field of dentistry, and in particular, to a distributed intraoral scanning system including one or more components (e.g., intraoral scanners and/or computing devices) connected via a wireless connection. Embodiments also relate to wireless intraoral scanners.

Background

Intraoral scanning systems typically include a handheld intraoral scanner and a computing device connected to the handheld intraoral scanner via a wired connection. The wired connection provides power to the intraoral scanner and the computing device receives intraoral scan data from the handheld intraoral scanner via the wired connection. The computing device processes the intraoral scan data and outputs the processing results to a display that is part of the computing device or connected to the computing device via a wired connection.

Intraoral scanning systems are expensive and take up space in dental offices. Thus, it is often not feasible for a dental office to invest in multiple intraoral scanning systems. This limits the number of intraoral scans that can be performed by a dental office. Furthermore, dentists need to move the entire intraoral scanning system to a different room, or need to dedicate a single room to intraoral scanning.

Disclosure of Invention

In a first aspect of the present disclosure, an intraoral scanning system comprises: a first intraoral scanner; a second intraoral scanner; and a first computing device wirelessly connected to both the first intraoral scanner and the second intraoral scanner. The first computing device is to: receiving first intraoral scan data from a first intraoral scanner; generating a first three-dimensional (3D) surface of at least a portion of an arch of a first patient based on the first intraoral scan data; receiving second intraoral scan data from a second intraoral scanner; and generating a second 3D surface of at least a portion of an arch of a second patient based on the second intraoral scan data.

The second aspect of the present disclosure may further extend the first aspect of the present disclosure. In a second aspect of the present disclosure, the intraoral scanning system further comprises a first display or a second computing device wirelessly connected to the first computing device. The first computing device is further to: determining that a view of a first 3D surface of at least the portion of the dental arch of the first patient is to be output to a first display or a second computing device; and outputting a view of the first 3D surface of at least the portion of the dental arch of the first patient to the first display or the second computing device.

The third aspect of the present disclosure may further extend the second aspect of the present disclosure. In a third aspect of the present disclosure, the intraoral scanning system further comprises a second display or third computing device wirelessly connected to the first computing device. The first computing device is further to: determining that a view of a second 3D surface of at least the portion of a dental arch of a second patient is to be output to a second display or a third computing device; and outputting a view of a second 3D surface of at least the portion of the dental arch of the second patient to a second display or a third computing device.

The fourth aspect of the present disclosure may further extend the second or third aspect of the present disclosure. In a fourth aspect of the disclosure, the second computing device is wirelessly connected to the first computing device. In addition, the computing device is further to: receive, from the second computing device, a command to manipulate a view of a first 3D surface of at least the portion of the dental arch of the first patient; and manipulating a view of the first 3D surface of at least the portion of the dental arch of the first patient based on the received command.

The fifth aspect of the present disclosure may further extend any one of the first to fourth aspects of the present disclosure. In a fifth aspect of the disclosure, the first computing device is wirelessly connected to the first intraoral scanner and the second intraoral scanner via a wireless network.

The sixth aspect of the present disclosure may further extend any one of the first to fifth aspects of the present disclosure. In a sixth aspect of the disclosure, the first intraoral scanner is to compress the first intraoral scan data prior to sending the first intraoral scan data to the first computing device, and the first computing device is to decompress the first intraoral scan data prior to generating the first 3D surface of at least the portion of the dental arch of the first patient.

The seventh aspect of the present disclosure may further extend any one of the first to sixth aspects of the present disclosure. In a seventh aspect of the present disclosure, the first intraoral scanner is further configured to generate and compress at least one of a) one or more color images or b) one or more near infrared images. In addition, the first computing device is further to: receiving at least one of a) one or more color images or b) one or more near infrared images; and decompressing at least one of a) the one or more color images or b) the one or more near infrared images.

The eighth aspect of the present disclosure may further extend any one of the first to seventh aspects of the present disclosure. In an eighth aspect of the disclosure, the first intraoral scan data comprises a first plurality of intraoral scans received during a first intraoral scan session, and the first computing device is further to: continuously updating a first 3D surface of at least the portion of the dental arch of the first patient as further intraoral scans of the first plurality of intraoral scans are received; and streaming the update of the view of the first 3D surface of at least the portion of the dental arch of the first patient as the first 3D surface of the dental arch of the first patient is updated.

The ninth aspect of the present disclosure may further extend any one of the first to eighth aspects of the present disclosure. In a ninth aspect of the present disclosure, the intraoral scanning system further comprises a plurality of cradles configured to hold at least one of the first intraoral scanner or the second intraoral scanner, each of the plurality of cradles periodically broadcasting a unique identifier. In addition, the first intraoral scanner is to: detecting a unique identifier broadcast by a cradle closest to the first intraoral scanner; and transmitting, to the first computing device, a unique identifier broadcast by the cradle closest to the first intraoral scanner. In addition, the first computing device is to determine a location of the first intraoral scanner based on the unique identifier received from the first intraoral scanner.

The tenth aspect of the present disclosure may further extend any one of the first to ninth aspects of the present disclosure. In a tenth aspect of the present disclosure, the plurality of racks includes a plurality of charging stations for at least one of the first intraoral scanner or the second intraoral scanner.

The eleventh aspect of the present disclosure may further extend any one of the first to tenth aspects of the present disclosure. In an eleventh aspect of the present disclosure, a first computing device comprises: a base including an access point and a power port for connecting the first computing device to a power source; a plurality of adapters, each of the plurality of adapters comprising a power source, a switch connecting the adapter to an access point, and a power connector connecting the power source to a power port; and one or more computing units, each of the one or more computing units being removably coupled to an adapter of the plurality of adapters.

The twelfth aspect of the present disclosure may further extend the eleventh aspect of the present disclosure. In a twelfth aspect of the disclosure, for each of the one or more computing units, a single connector connects the computing unit to the adapter, and wherein the computing unit is removable from the adapter via a single action and insertable into a replacement adapter of a replacement computing device via a single action.

The thirteenth aspect of the present disclosure may further extend the eleventh aspect of the present disclosure. In a thirteenth aspect of the present disclosure, the one or more computing units include: a first computing unit associated with the first intraoral scanner, wherein the first computing unit is for processing first intraoral scan data from the first intraoral scanner; and a second computing unit associated with the second intraoral scanner, wherein the second computing unit is configured to process second intraoral scan data from the second intraoral scanner.

The thirteenth aspect of the present disclosure may further extend the thirteenth aspect of the present disclosure. In a fourteenth aspect of the present disclosure, the intraoral scanning system further comprises: a first display for receiving the first image data from the first computing unit and displaying the first image data; and a second display for receiving the second image data from the second computing unit and displaying the second image data.

The fifteenth aspect of the present disclosure may further extend the thirteenth aspect of the present disclosure. In a fifteenth aspect of the present disclosure, the intraoral scanning system further comprises: a second computing device wirelessly connected to the first computing device, the second computing device for controlling a first instance of an intraoral scanning application executing on the first computing unit; and third computing means, wirelessly connected to the first computing means, for controlling a second instance of the intraoral scanning application executing on the second computing unit.

The sixteenth aspect of the present disclosure may further extend any one of the first to fifteenth aspects of the present disclosure. In a sixteenth aspect of the present disclosure, the intraoral scanning system further comprises a second computing device wirelessly connected to the first computing device. The first computing device operates in a slave mode and the second computing device operates in a master mode; and the first computing device is to perform one or more operations associated with at least one of dental diagnosis or orthodontic treatment in response to a command from the second computing device and to output a result of the one or more operations to the second computing device.

In a seventeenth aspect of the present disclosure, an intraoral scanning system comprises: a first intraoral scanner; at least one of the first computing device or the first display; and a second computing device wirelessly connected to the first intraoral scanner and operatively connected to at least one of the first computing device or the first display via a wireless network. The second computing device is configured to: receiving first intraoral scan data from a first intraoral scanner; transmitting the first intraoral scan data to a third computing device external to the local area network; receiving, from a third computing device, a first three-dimensional (3D) surface of at least a portion of an arch of a first patient generated by the third computing device based on the first intraoral scan data; and transmitting a view of the first 3D surface of at least the portion of the dental arch of the first patient to at least one of the first computing device or the first display.

The seventeenth aspect of the present disclosure may be further extended. In an eighteenth aspect of the present disclosure, the second computing device is further for: receiving from a first intraoral scanner at least one of a) one or more color images or b) one or more near infrared images; and transmitting at least one of a) the one or more color images or b) the one or more near infrared images from the first intraoral scanner to a third computing device external to the local area network. The first 3D surface received from the third computing device is enhanced by information from at least one of a) one or more color images or b) one or more near infrared images.

The nineteenth aspect of the present disclosure may further extend the seventeenth or eighteenth aspect of the present disclosure. In a nineteenth aspect of the present disclosure, the second computing device is for: determining that a view of a first 3D surface of at least the portion of the dental arch of the first patient is to be output to a first display or a first computing device; and outputting a view of the first 3D surface of at least the portion of the dental arch of the first patient to a first display or a first computing device.

The twentieth aspect of the present disclosure may further extend any one of the seventeenth to nineteenth aspects of the present disclosure. In a twentieth aspect of the present disclosure, the second computing device is further to: receive, from the first computing device, a command to manipulate a view of a first 3D surface of at least the portion of the dental arch of the first patient; sending the command to the third computing device; and receiving a view of the first 3D surface of at least the portion of the dental arch of the first patient manipulated from a third computing device.

The twentieth aspect of the present disclosure may further extend any of the seventeenth to twentieth aspects of the present disclosure. In a twenty-first aspect of the present disclosure, the first intraoral scanner is for compressing the first intraoral scan data before sending the first intraoral scan data to the second computing device, and the second computing device is for sending the compressed first intraoral scan data to the third computing device.

The twenty-second aspect of the present disclosure may further extend any one of the seventeenth to twenty-first aspects of the present disclosure. In a twenty-second aspect of the present disclosure, the first intraoral scan data includes a first plurality of intraoral scans received during a first intraoral scan session. In addition, the second computing device is further to: sequentially receiving a first plurality of intraoral scans; sequentially transmitting the first plurality of intraoral scans to a third computing device; receiving an update flow to a first 3D surface of at least the portion of the dental arch of the first patient while processing a further intraoral scan of the first plurality of intraoral scans by the third computing device; and streaming an update to a first computing device or a first display of a view of a first 3D surface of at least the portion of the dental arch of the first patient.

The twenty-third aspect of the present disclosure may further extend any one of the seventeenth to twenty-second aspects of the present disclosure. In a twenty-third aspect of the present disclosure, the intraoral scanning system further comprises a plurality of cradles configured to hold at least one of the first intraoral scanner or the second intraoral scanner, each of the plurality of cradles periodically broadcasting a unique identifier. In addition, the first intraoral scanner is to: detecting a unique identifier broadcast by a cradle closest to the first intraoral scanner; and transmitting, to the second computing device, the unique identifier broadcast by the cradle closest to the first intraoral scanner. The second computing device is also for determining a location of the first intraoral scanner based on the unique identifier received from the first intraoral scanner.

In a twenty-fourth aspect of the present disclosure, an intraoral scanning system comprises: an intraoral scanner; at least one of the first computing device or the first display; and a second computing device wirelessly connected to the intraoral scanner and operatively connected to at least one of the first computing device or the first display via a wireless network. The second computing device is configured to: receiving intraoral scan data from an intraoral scanner; generating a first three-dimensional (3D) surface of at least a portion of an arch of a first patient based on intraoral scan data; and transmitting a view of the first 3D surface of at least the portion of the dental arch of the first patient to at least one of the first computing device or the first display.

The twenty-fifth aspect of the present disclosure may further extend the twenty-fourth aspect of the present disclosure. In a twenty-fifth aspect of the present disclosure, at least one of the first computing device or the first display sends a command to the second computing device, the command causing the second computing device to send a view of the first 3D surface to the at least one of the first computing device or the first display.

The twenty-sixth aspect of the present disclosure may further extend the twenty-fourth or twenty-fifth aspect of the present disclosure. In a twenty-sixth aspect of the present disclosure, the second computing device is further for: determining that a view of a first 3D surface of at least the portion of the dental arch of the first patient is to be output to a first display or a first computing device; and outputting a view of the first 3D surface of at least the portion of the dental arch of the first patient to a first display or a first computing device.

The twenty-seventh aspect of the present disclosure may further extend any one of the twenty-fourth to twenty-sixth aspects of the present disclosure. In a twenty-seventh aspect of the present disclosure, the second computing device is further for: receive, from the first computing device, a command to manipulate a view of a first 3D surface of at least the portion of the dental arch of the first patient; and manipulating a view of the first 3D surface of at least the portion of the dental arch of the first patient based on the received command.

The twenty-eighth aspect of the present disclosure may further extend any one of the twenty-fourth to twenty-seventh aspects of the present disclosure. In a twenty-eighth aspect of the present disclosure, the intraoral scanner is for compressing intraoral scan data prior to sending the intraoral scan data to the second computing device, and the second computing device is for decompressing intraoral scan data prior to generating the first 3D surface of at least the portion of the dental arch of the first patient.

The twenty-ninth aspect of the present disclosure may further extend the twenty-eighth aspect of the present disclosure. In a twenty-ninth aspect of the present disclosure, the intraoral scanner is further configured to generate and compress at least one of a) one or more color images or b) one or more near infrared images. In addition, the second computing device is further to: receiving at least one of a) one or more color images or b) one or more near infrared images; and decompressing at least one of a) the one or more color images or b) the one or more near infrared images.

The thirty-fourth aspect of the present disclosure may further extend any one of the twenty-fourth to twenty-ninth aspects of the present disclosure. In a thirty-first aspect of the present disclosure, the intraoral scan data comprises a first plurality of intraoral scans received during an intraoral scan session. In addition, the second computing device is further to: continuously updating a first 3D surface of at least the portion of the dental arch of the first patient as further intraoral scans of the first plurality of intraoral scans are received; and streaming the update of the view of the first 3D surface of at least the portion of the dental arch of the first patient as the first 3D surface of the dental arch of the first patient is updated.

The thirty-first aspect of the present disclosure may further extend any one of the twenty-fourth to thirty-first aspects of the present disclosure. In a thirty-first aspect of the present disclosure, the intraoral scanning system further comprises a plurality of cradles configured to hold intraoral scanners, each of the plurality of cradles periodically broadcasting a unique identifier. In addition, intraoral scanners are used to: detecting a unique identifier broadcast by a cradle closest to the intraoral scanner; and transmitting, to the second computing device, a unique identifier broadcast by the cradle closest to the intraoral scanner; wherein the second computing device is to determine the location of the intraoral scanner based on the unique identifier received from the intraoral scanner.

The thirty-second aspect of the present disclosure may further extend the thirty-second aspect of the present disclosure. In a thirty-second aspect of the present disclosure, the plurality of racks comprises a plurality of charging stations for at least one of the intraoral scanner or the second intraoral scanner.

The thirty-third aspect of the present disclosure may further extend any one of the twenty-fourth to thirty-second aspects of the present disclosure. In a thirty-third aspect of the present disclosure, a second computing device comprises: a base including an access point and a power port for connecting the first computing device to a power source; a plurality of adapters, each of the plurality of adapters comprising a power source, a switch connecting the adapter to an access point, and a power connector connecting the power source to a power port; and one or more computing units, each of the one or more computing units removably coupled to an adapter of the plurality of adapters.

The thirty-fourth aspect of the present disclosure may further extend any one of the twenty-fourth to thirty-third aspects of the present disclosure. In a thirty-fourth aspect of the present disclosure, a first computing device is for controlling an intraoral scanning application executing on a first computing unit.

The thirty-fifth aspect of the present disclosure may further extend any one of the twenty-fourth to thirty-fourth aspects of the present disclosure. In a thirty-fifth aspect of the present disclosure, the second computing device operates in a slave mode and the first computing device operates in a master mode; and the second computing device is to perform one or more operations associated with at least one of dental diagnosis or orthodontic treatment in response to a command from the first computing device and to output a result of the one or more operations to the first computing device.

In a thirty-sixth aspect of the present disclosure, a method comprises: receiving, by the first computing device, a user command associating the first computing device with a first intraoral scanner of the plurality of intraoral scanners, the request including an identifier of the first intraoral scanner; wirelessly connecting the first computing device with the second computing device; and transmitting an identifier of the first intraoral scanner to a second computing device, wherein the second computing device is wirelessly connected to the first intraoral scanner and associates the first computing device with the first intraoral scanner; wherein once both the first computing device and the first intraoral scanner are wirelessly connected to the second computing device and associated with each other, intraoral scan data generated by the first intraoral scanner is transmitted to the second computing device, intraoral scan data is processed by the second computing device to generate a three-dimensional surface of a dental site, the three-dimensional surface or a view of the three-dimensional surface of the dental site is transmitted to the first computing device, and the three-dimensional surface or the view of the three-dimensional surface of the dental site is displayed by the first computing device.

The thirty-seventh aspect of the present disclosure may further extend the thirty-sixth aspect of the present disclosure. In a thirty-seventh aspect of the present disclosure, the method further comprises: determining, by the first computing device, an available computing unit from a plurality of computing units of the second computing device, wherein wirelessly connecting the first computing device with the second computing device includes wirelessly connecting the first computing device to the available computing unit of the second computing device.

The thirty-eighth aspect of the present disclosure may further extend the thirty-sixteenth or thirty-seventh aspect of the present disclosure. In a thirty-eighth aspect of the present disclosure, the method further comprises: receiving, by the first computing device or by the first intraoral scanner, an identifier of the first display device; and transmitting, by the first computing device or by the first intraoral scanner, an identifier of the first display device to the second computing device, wherein the second computing device is wirelessly connected to the first display device and associates the first display device with the first computing device and the first intraoral scanner, and wherein the view of the three-dimensional surface of the dental site is additionally transmitted to and displayed by the first display device.

The thirty-ninth aspect of the present disclosure may further extend the thirty-eighth aspect of the present disclosure. In a thirty-ninth aspect of the present disclosure, the identifier of the first display device comprises a code, wherein the first display device displays the code, and wherein receiving, by the first intraoral scanner, the identifier of the first display device comprises scanning the code by the first intraoral scanner.

The fortieth aspect of the present disclosure may further extend the thirty-ninth aspect of the present disclosure. In a fortieth aspect of the present disclosure, the code comprises a one-dimensional bar code or a two-dimensional bar code.

The fortieth aspect of the present disclosure may further extend the thirty-eighth aspect of the present disclosure. In a fortieth aspect of the present disclosure, the first intraoral scanner comprises a touch screen, the method further comprising: outputting a touch keypad on a touch screen of a first intraoral scanner; wherein receiving, by the first intraoral scanner, the identifier of the first display device comprises receiving, via the touch keypad, the identifier of the first display device.

The forty-second aspect of the present disclosure may further extend any one of the thirty-sixth to forty-first aspects of the present disclosure. In a forty-second aspect of the present disclosure, the method further comprises: receiving a user command to disconnect the first computing device and the first intraoral scanner from the second computing device; wirelessly transmitting a disconnect instruction from the first computing device to the second computing device; receiving, by the first computing device, a disconnect acknowledgement from the second computing device; and displaying a disconnection confirmation on at least one of a display of the first computing device or a touch screen of the first intraoral scanner.

In a fortieth aspect of the present disclosure, an intraoral scanner comprises: a body; the probe is positioned at one end of the body and comprises a scanning head; the wireless communication module is arranged in the body; one or more optical sensors for receiving light entering the scanning head and generating intraoral scan data based on the light, wherein the wireless communication module is for wirelessly transmitting the intraoral scan data to the first computing device; and a touch screen disposed on the body and configured to: outputting a plurality of virtual buttons; detecting a touch input associated with a virtual button of the plurality of virtual buttons; and providing a signal associated with the touch input of the virtual button to the first computing device.

The forty-fourth aspect of the present disclosure may further extend the forty-third aspect of the present disclosure. In a forty-fourth aspect of the present disclosure, an intraoral scanner is for: receiving input from a first computing device indicating a current mode of an intraoral scanning application; and determining a plurality of virtual buttons to output on the touch screen based at least in part on the current mode of the intraoral scanning application.

The forty-fifth aspect of the present disclosure may further extend the forty-fourth aspect of the present disclosure. In a forty-fifth aspect of the present invention, when the current mode is a scan mode, the plurality of virtual buttons includes at least one of a next section button or a previous section button.

The forty-sixth aspect of the present disclosure may further extend the forty-fourth aspect of the present disclosure. In a forty-sixth aspect of the present disclosure, when the current mode is a scan mode, the plurality of virtual buttons includes a lower arch section button, an upper arch section button, and an occlusal section button.

The forty-seventh aspect of the present disclosure may further extend the forty-fourth aspect of the present disclosure. In a forty-seventh aspect of the present disclosure, when the current mode is a three-dimensional surface view mode, the plurality of buttons includes a rotate button, a translate button, and a zoom button.

The forty-eighth aspect of the present disclosure may further extend any one of the forty-third to forty-seventh aspects of the present disclosure. In a forty-eighth aspect of the present disclosure, a touch screen supports multi-touch control, and wherein: dragging a first number of fingers of a user over the touch screen causes rotation of the three-dimensional surface on the display; dragging a second number of fingers of the user over the touch screen causes translation of the three-dimensional surface on the display; an inward squeezing motion of the user's finger on the touch screen causes a reduction in the three-dimensional surface on the display; and the outward squeezing motion of the user's finger on the touch screen causes an enlargement of the three-dimensional surface on the display.

The forty-ninth aspect of the present disclosure may further extend any one of the forty-third to forty-eighth aspects of the present disclosure. In a forty-ninth aspect of the present disclosure, a touch screen is used to output one or more message buttons in response to receiving an acknowledgement request message from a first computing device, wherein the one or more message buttons include at least one of an acknowledgement button or a cancel button.

In a fifty-first aspect of the present disclosure, an intraoral scanning system includes: a first intraoral scanner configured to generate intraoral scan data; a first computing device configured to control an intraoral scanning application; and a second computing device configured to execute the intraoral scanning application, wherein the second computing device is further configured to: receiving a first connection request from a first computing device; wirelessly connect to a first computing device; receiving an identifier of a first intraoral scanner from a first computing device; wirelessly connecting to a first intraoral scanner using the identifier; and associating the first intraoral scanner with the first computing device.

The fifty-first aspect of the present disclosure may further extend the fifty-first aspect of the present disclosure. In a fifty-first aspect of the present disclosure, once the first computing device is associated with the first intraoral scanner and both the first intraoral scanner and the first computing device are wirelessly connected to the second computing device: the first intraoral scanner transmits intraoral scan data to the second computing device; an intraoral scan application of the second computing device is operable to process intraoral scan data to generate or update a three-dimensional surface of a dental site and to send a view of the three-dimensional surface to the first computing device; and the first computing device is for outputting a view of the three-dimensional surface of the tooth site to a display of the first computing device.

The fifty-second aspect of the present disclosure may further extend the fifty-or fifty-first aspect of the present disclosure. In a fifty-second aspect of the present disclosure, the first computing device is one of a plurality of peripheral computing devices of an intraoral scanning system, the first intraoral scanner is one of a plurality of intraoral scanners of the intraoral scanning system, and the second computing device is a server computing device of the intraoral scanning system, the intraoral scanning system further comprising: a second intraoral scanner of the plurality of intraoral scanners; and a third computing device of the plurality of peripheral computing devices; wherein the second computing device is further to: receiving a second connection request from a third computing device; wirelessly connect to a third computing device; receiving a second identifier of a second intraoral scanner from a third computing device; wirelessly connecting to a second intraoral scanner using a second identifier; and associating the second intraoral scanner with the third computing device.

The fifty-third aspect of the present disclosure may further extend the fifty-second aspect of the present disclosure. In a fifty-third aspect of the present disclosure, the second computing device includes a plurality of computing units, wherein the first computing device and the first intraoral scanner are connected to a first available computing unit of the plurality of computing units, and wherein the third computing device and the second intraoral scanner are connected to a second available computing unit of the plurality of computing units.

The fifty-fourth aspect of the present disclosure may further extend any one of the fifty-third aspect of the present disclosure. In a twenty-fourth aspect of the present disclosure, the second computing device comprises a plurality of computing units, and wherein the first computing device is to: determining available ones of the plurality of computing units; and wirelessly connected to the available computing units.

The fifty-fifth aspect of the present disclosure may further extend any one of the fifty-fifth to fifty-fourth aspects of the present disclosure. In a fifty-fifth aspect of the present disclosure, the intraoral scanning system further comprises: a display device; wherein the display device is used for displaying the identifier of the display device; wherein the first computing device or intraoral scanner is configured to receive an identifier of the display device and to transmit the identifier of the display device to the second computing device; and wherein the second computing device is to wirelessly connect to the display device using the identifier and associate the display device with the first computing device and the first intraoral scanner.

The fifty-sixth aspect of the present disclosure may further extend the fifty-fifth aspect of the present disclosure. In a fifty-sixth aspect of the present disclosure, the first intraoral scanner includes a touch screen for outputting a touch keypad; and the first intraoral scanner is for receiving user input of an identifier of the display device via the touch keypad, wherein the identifier comprises a code.

The fifty-seventh aspect of the present disclosure may further extend the fifteenth or fifty-sixth aspect of the present disclosure. In a fifty-seventh aspect of the present disclosure, once the first computing device, the first intraoral scanner, and the display device are associated with each other and wirelessly connected to the second computing device: the first intraoral scanner transmits intraoral scan data to the second computing device; an intraoral scan application of the second computing device processes the intraoral scan data to generate or update a three-dimensional surface of the dental site and sends a view of the three-dimensional surface to the first computing device and the display device; the first computing device outputting a view of the three-dimensional surface of the tooth site to a display of the first computing device; and the display device outputs a view of the three-dimensional surface of the dental site.

The eighteenth aspect of the present disclosure may further extend any of the fifty-fifth to fifty-seventh aspects of the present disclosure. In a twenty-eighth aspect of the present disclosure, the first intraoral scanner is configured to scan the identifier and transmit the identifier to the second computing device.

The fifty-ninth aspect of the present disclosure may further extend the fifty-eighth aspect of the present disclosure. In a fifty-ninth aspect of the present disclosure, the identifier comprises a one-dimensional bar code or a two-dimensional bar code.

The sixtieth aspect of the present disclosure may further extend any one of the fifty-ninth aspects of the present disclosure. In a sixtieth aspect of the present disclosure, a first intraoral scanner includes a touch pad configured to output a plurality of virtual buttons and detect touch inputs associated with virtual buttons of the plurality of virtual buttons; and the first intraoral scanner is configured to provide signals associated with touch inputs of the virtual buttons to the second computing device.

The sixtieth aspect of the present disclosure may be further extended. In a sixteenth aspect of the present disclosure, the plurality of buttons output by the first intraoral scanner are based on a current mode of the intraoral scanning application.

The sixtieth aspect of the present disclosure may be further extended. In a sixtieth aspect of the present disclosure, a first intraoral scanner is to receive input from a second computing device indicating a current mode of an intraoral scanning application; and determining a plurality of virtual buttons to output on the touch screen based at least in part on the current mode of the intraoral scanning application.

The sixtieth aspect of the present disclosure may further extend any one of the sixtieth to sixtieth aspects of the present disclosure. In a sixtieth aspect of the present disclosure, when the current mode is the scan mode, the plurality of virtual buttons output by the touch screen includes at least one of a next section button or a previous section button.

The sixty-fourth aspect of the present disclosure may further extend any one of the sixty-third aspects of the present disclosure. In a sixty-fourth aspect of the present disclosure, when the current mode is a scan mode, the plurality of virtual buttons output by the touch screen includes a lower arch section button, an upper arch section button, and an occlusion section button.

The sixty-fifth aspect of the present disclosure may further extend any one of the sixty-to sixty-fourth aspects of the present disclosure. In a sixty-fifth aspect of the present disclosure, when the current mode is a three-dimensional surface view mode, the plurality of buttons includes a rotate button, a translate button, and a zoom button.

The sixty-sixth aspect of the present disclosure may further extend any one of the sixty-fifth aspects of the present disclosure. In a sixty-sixth aspect of the present disclosure, the touch screen is to output one or more message buttons in response to receiving an acknowledgement request message from the second computing device, wherein the one or more message buttons include at least one of an acknowledgement button or a cancel button.

The sixty-seventh aspect of the present disclosure may further extend any one of the fifty-sixth aspects of the present disclosure. In a sixty-seventh aspect of the present disclosure, the first intraoral scanner comprises a touch screen configured to display an identifier of the first intraoral scanner.

In a sixteenth aspect of the present disclosure, an intraoral scanning system comprises: a plurality of intraoral scanners, the plurality of intraoral scanners comprising a first number of intraoral scanners; and a first computing device wirelessly connected to the plurality of intraoral scanners via a wireless network, wherein the first computing device or at least one of one or more of the plurality of intraoral scanners is to: monitoring a condition of the wireless network; determining a second number of intraoral scanners supported by the wireless network based on the condition of the wireless network; determining whether the first number of intraoral scanners is equal to or less than the second number of intraoral scanners; and outputting a notification based on whether the first number of intraoral scanners is equal to or less than the second number of intraoral scanners.

The sixty-ninth aspect of the present disclosure may further extend the sixty-eighth aspect of the present disclosure. In a sixty-ninth aspect of the present disclosure, at least one of the first computing device or one or more of the plurality of intraoral scanners is further configured to determine that the first number of intraoral scanners exceeds the second number of intraoral scanners, wherein the notification is a recommendation to use one or more of the plurality of intraoral scanners in a wired configuration.

The seventy-fourth aspect of the present disclosure may further extend the sixty-eighth or sixty-ninth aspect of the present disclosure. In a seventeenth aspect of the present disclosure, at least one of the first computing device or one or more of the plurality of intraoral scanners is further configured to determine that the first number of intraoral scanners exceeds the second number of intraoral scanners, wherein the notification is to update the wireless network such that the wireless network will support recommendations of more intraoral scanners.

The seventeenth aspect of the present disclosure may further extend the sixty-eighth to seventy aspects of the present disclosure. In a seventeenth aspect of the present disclosure, at least one of the first computing device or one or more of the plurality of intraoral scanners is further configured to determine that the first number of intraoral scanners is equal to or less than the second number of intraoral scanners, wherein the notification is an indication that the wireless network is sufficient to accommodate the plurality of intraoral scanners.

In a seventy-second aspect of the present disclosure, an intraoral scanning system includes: an intraoral scanner comprising: a rechargeable battery; a charging module; a wireless communication module; a wired communication module; and a port connected to the wired communication module and the charging module; and a cable coupled to the port, wherein the cable is for providing power to the charging module when the intraoral scanner is not in use; wherein at least one of the intraoral scanner or cable is for: detecting when the intraoral scanner is in use; and preventing the cable from powering the charging module when the intraoral scanner is in use.

The seventy-third aspect of the present disclosure may further extend the seventy-second aspect of the present disclosure. In a seventy-third aspect of the present disclosure, the intraoral scanning system further comprises a stand, wherein at least one of the intraoral scanner or cable is for: detecting when the intraoral scanner is in the cradle; and enabling the cable to supply power to the charging module when the intraoral scanner is in the cradle.

The seventy-fourth aspect of the present disclosure may further extend the seventy-third aspect of the present disclosure. In a seventeenth aspect of the present disclosure, at least one of the intraoral scanning system or the cable includes a switch having a closed state when the intraoral scanner is in the cradle and an open state when the intraoral scanner is removed from the cradle.

The seventy-fifth aspect of the present disclosure may further extend the seventy-fourth aspect of the present disclosure. In a seventy-fifth aspect of the present disclosure, the switch is a magnetic switch, wherein the cradle comprises one or more magnets that provide a magnetic field, and wherein the magnetic field causes the magnetic switch to have a closed state when the intraoral scanner is positioned in the cradle.

The seventy-sixth aspect of the present disclosure may further extend the seventy-fourth or seventy-fifth aspect of the present disclosure. In a seventy-sixth aspect of the present disclosure, the intraoral scanner further comprises: the motion sensor is used for detecting the motion state of the intraoral scanner; and a controller for determining whether the intraoral scanner is in use based on analysis of the motion state.

Drawings

Embodiments of the present disclosure are illustrated by way of example, and not by way of limitation, in the figures of the accompanying drawings.

FIG. 1A illustrates a distributed system for performing intraoral scanning and/or generating a virtual three-dimensional model of an intraoral site according to an embodiment.

FIG. 1B illustrates a distributed system for performing intraoral scanning and/or generating a virtual three-dimensional model of an intraoral site according to an embodiment.

Fig. 2 illustrates an example dental office including a distributed intraoral scanning system according to an embodiment.

Fig. 3A illustrates a flowchart of a method of processing an intraoral scan from a handheld intraoral scanner by a computing device connected to the handheld intraoral scanner not via a wired connection, according to an embodiment.

Fig. 3B illustrates a flowchart of a method of processing intraoral scans from two different handheld intraoral scanners by a computing device connected to a handheld intraoral scanner not via a wired connection, according to an embodiment.

Fig. 4 illustrates a flowchart of a method of performing intra-oral scanning using a distributed intra-oral scanning system, according to an embodiment.

Fig. 5 shows a flowchart of a method for locating a wireless intraoral scanner according to an embodiment.

Fig. 6 illustrates a flowchart of a method of processing intraoral scan data during intraoral scan using a cloud-based server in accordance with an embodiment.

Fig. 7A-7C illustrate a computing device used as a local server for a distributed intraoral scanning system in accordance with embodiments.

FIG. 8 illustrates a distributed system for performing intraoral scanning and/or generating a virtual three-dimensional model of an intraoral site according to an embodiment.

Fig. 9A is a sequence diagram illustrating pairing of an intraoral scanner, peripheral computing device, and display device with a local server computing device in accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure.

Fig. 9B is another sequence diagram illustrating pairing of an intraoral scanner, peripheral computing device, and display device with a local server computing device in accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure.

Fig. 10A is a sequence diagram illustrating an intraoral scanning process involving multiple wirelessly connected devices according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

Fig. 10B is a sequence diagram illustrating the use of an intraoral scanner touchscreen to control an intraoral scanning application in accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure.

Fig. 11A-11F illustrate example virtual buttons on an intraoral scanner touch screen according to embodiments of the present disclosure.

Fig. 12 illustrates a block diagram of an example computing device, according to an embodiment of the disclosure.

Fig. 13 illustrates an example intraoral scanner according to embodiments of the present disclosure.

Fig. 14 illustrates another example intraoral scanner according to embodiments of the present disclosure.

Fig. 15A-15B illustrate a scanner physically connected to a medical-grade power adapter via a cable and wirelessly connected to a computing device via a wireless connection.

Fig. 16A to 16B show a scanner physically connected to a power supply box via a cable.

Fig. 17A-17B illustrate a scanner physically connected to a computing device via a cable.

Fig. 18A-18B illustrate a scanner wirelessly connected to a computing device via a wireless connection.

Fig. 19A-19B illustrate a scanner physically connected to a scanner cart via a cable.

Fig. 20 shows a flowchart of a method for analyzing a wireless network and determining whether it is appropriate to use a scanner in a wireless scanning mode on the wireless network, according to an embodiment.

Detailed Description

Embodiments of a distributed intraoral scanning system are described herein. In an embodiment, a distributed intraoral scanning system includes: one or more handheld intraoral scanners wirelessly connected to a local server computing device comprising an intraoral scanning application; and one or more displays and/or additional computing devices (also referred to as peripheral computing devices or control computing devices), operatively connected to the local server computing device via a wired or wireless connection. Each handheld intraoral scanner is configured to scan a patient's mouth and wirelessly transmit intraoral scan data to a local server computing device. The local server computing device then processes the intraoral scan data, or the intraoral scan data may be sent to a remote server computing device for processing. In either case, the local server computing device obtains (e.g., generates or receives) a three-dimensional (3D) surface of the patient's mouth. The local server computing device then outputs the 3D surface (or a view of the 3D surface) to a display and/or additional computing device operatively connected to the local server computing device. The handheld intraoral scanner, server computing device, one or more displays, and one or more additional computing devices (e.g., such as mobile computing devices) may be separate and distinct. The processing resources used to process the intraoral scan data may be separate from the scanner that generated the intraoral scan data and may also be separate from the device that controls the intraoral scan application and the display that provides visualization of the scan data and/or the 3D surface generated from the scan data. Thus, the display, additional computing devices, and/or intraoral scanner may be added to or removed from the scanning system based on the needs of the dental office. In an embodiment, a local server computing device running a local intraoral scanning application manages and coordinates in a seamless manner between multiple intraoral scanners and multiple displays and/or additional computing devices (e.g., peripheral computing devices).

In an embodiment, each handheld intraoral scanner wirelessly connected to the local server computing device may transmit intraoral scan data to the local server computing device. The local server computing device may process intraoral scan data from multiple intraoral scanners in parallel and may send respective outputs of the processing (e.g., views of the 3D surface of the respective patient's mouth) to different displays and/or computing devices.

In an example, a first dentist in a first room of a dental office may scan the oral cavity of a first patient using a first intraoral scanner, the first intraoral scanner may send first intraoral scan data to a server computing device in a second room, and a first display and/or a first mobile computing device in the first room may receive a most recent 3D surface (or a view such as a 2D view or a 3D view of the most recent 3D surface) of an area of the oral cavity of the first patient that has been scanned during a scanning process. Thus, the first dentist can view the progress of the intraoral scanning operation while performing the intraoral scanning. Once the scan is complete, the server computing device may generate a digital 3D model of one or more dental arches of the patient and may perform one or more treatment planning operations based on the digital 3D model. The first mobile computing device may provide an interface for viewing and manipulating the digital 3D model and/or for controlling one or more treatment planning operations performed on the server computing device.

Simultaneously or at a different time, a second dentist in a third room of the dental office may scan the oral cavity of a second patient using a second intraoral scanner, the second intraoral scanner may send second intraoral scan data to a server computing device in the second room, and a second display and/or a second mobile computing device in the third room may receive the most recent 3D surface of the area of the oral cavity of the second patient that has been scanned during the scanning process. Thus, the second dentist can view the progress of the intraoral scanning operation while performing the intraoral scanning. Once the scan is complete, the server computing device may generate a digital 3D model of one or more dental arches of the second patient and may perform one or more treatment planning operations based on the digital 3D model. The second mobile computing device may provide an interface for viewing and manipulating the digital 3D model and/or for controlling one or more treatment planning operations performed on the server computing device.

The embodiments described herein eliminate the need for a dentist to move the entire intraoral scanning system between rooms in a dental office and reduce the overall cost of ownership of the intraoral scanning system. The handheld intraoral scanner may be small and compact compared to an entire intraoral scanning system and may be easily carried between a room and workstation while the display and server computing device may remain stationary in a designated location. Multiple brackets may be provided at various locations in the dental clinic and may be used to charge the intraoral scanner. In embodiments, the stent may additionally be used to position an intraoral scanner.

Instead of purchasing an entirely new intraoral scanning system to increase its scanning capabilities, a dental office may simply purchase additional handheld intraoral scanners and connect those scanners to an already installed intraoral scanning system as the need for scanning increases. Thus, dentists may initially purchase a single intraoral scanner, display, and server computing device, and as their practice grows, they may purchase one or more additional intraoral scanners and/or displays and connect those additional intraoral scanners and/or displays to the same server computing device to which the first intraoral scanner is connected. The dentist may additionally purchase multiple holders and place the holders in various rooms of the dental office.

Techniques and systems for pairing or connecting a wireless intraoral scanner, peripheral computing device, and/or display device to a local server computing device are also described herein. The first computing device (e.g., mobile computing device) may receive a user command to associate the first computing device with a first intraoral scanner of the plurality of intraoral scanners, the request including an identifier of the first intraoral scanner. In an embodiment, the first intraoral scanner may comprise a touch screen displaying the identifier. The user may read the identifier of the first intraoral scanner and input it into the first computing device. The first computing device may then wirelessly connect with the local server computing device and send an identifier of the first intraoral scanner to the local server computing device. The local server computing device may then wirelessly connect to the first intraoral scanner using the received identifier, and may associate the first computing device with the first intraoral scanner. Once both the first computing device and the first intraoral scanner are wirelessly connected to the local server computing device and associated with each other, intraoral scan data generated by the first intraoral scanner is transmitted to the second computing device, intraoral scan data is processed by the local server computing device to generate a three-dimensional (3D) surface of the dental site, the 3D surface or view of the 3D surface of the dental site is transmitted to the first computing device, and the 3D surface or view of the 3D surface of the dental site is displayed by the first computing device.

In addition, the user may want to associate a first display device of the plurality of display devices with the first intraoral scanner and the first computing device. The first display device may display an identifier of the display device, which may be a code such as a 1-dimensional or 2-dimensional bar code. The first intraoral scanner or first computing device may receive the identifier of the display device and send it to the local server computing device. The local server computing device may then connect to the first display device using the received identifier, and may then send the 3D surface or a view of the 3D surface to the first display device and the first computing device.

Also described herein are intraoral scanners and intraoral scanner manufacturing platforms that enable manufacturers and/or owners to modify and/or select the configuration of scanners from a plurality of possible configurations. The scanner may be configured for wired power and wireless data transfer during use, wired power and wired data transfer during use, wireless charging and wireless data transfer during non-use, wireless charging and wired data transfer during non-use, entirely wireless use, etc.

Various embodiments are described herein. It should be understood that these various embodiments may be implemented as stand-alone solutions and/or may be combined. Thus, references to an embodiment or one embodiment may refer to the same embodiment and/or to different embodiments. Some embodiments are discussed herein with reference to intraoral scanning and intraoral images. However, it should be understood that the embodiments described with reference to intraoral scanning are also applicable to laboratory scanning or model/stamp scanning. The laboratory scan or model/impression scan may include one or more images of the tooth site or a model or impression of the tooth site, which may or may not include a height map, and which may or may not include a color image.

FIG. 1A illustrates a distributed system 100 for performing intraoral scanning and/or generating a virtual three-dimensional model of an intraoral site according to an embodiment. The distributed system 100 may include only components located at a single location (e.g., the dental office 108 or dental laboratory), or may include components located at multiple different locations (e.g., components of the dental office 108 or dental laboratory and components located at a second location remote from the dental office, such as a server farm providing the cloud computing service 109). The dental office 108 includes a local server computing device 105. In embodiments incorporating the use of cloud computing service 109 or other remote servers, distributed system 100 further includes remote server computing device 109 connected to local server computing device 105 via network 180. The network 180 may be a Local Area Network (LAN), a public Wide Area Network (WAN) (e.g., the internet), a private WAN (e.g., an intranet), or a combination thereof.

The computing device 105 may be coupled to and/or include a data store 125. The computing device 106 may also be connected to and/or include a data store (not shown). The data store may be a local data store and/or a remote data store. Computing device 105 and computing device 106 may each include one or more processing devices, memory, secondary storage devices, one or more input devices (e.g., such as a keyboard, mouse, tablet, etc.), one or more output devices (e.g., display, printer, etc.), and/or other hardware components. In some embodiments, computing device 105 and/or computing device 106 do not include input devices and/or output devices (e.g., are not connected to a keyboard, mouse, display, etc.).

In an embodiment, one or more handheld intraoral scanners 150 (also referred to as intraoral scanners or simply scanners) are wirelessly connected to local server computing device 105. In one embodiment, scanner 150 is wirelessly connected to computing device 105 via a direct wireless connection. In one embodiment, the scanner 150 is wirelessly connected to the computing device 105 via a wireless network. Alternatively, the scanner 150 may be connected to a mobile computing device (e.g., mobile computing devices 152, 154) via a wired connection, and the mobile computing device may be connected to the computing device 105 wirelessly via a wireless network. Alternatively, the scanner 150 may be connected to a desktop computing device, a mobile cart, or another computing device via a wired connection, and the desktop computing device, mobile cart, or other computing device may be connected to the computing device 105 wirelessly via a wireless network. Examples of different connection options are described below with reference to fig. 15A to 19B. In one embodiment, the wireless network is a Wi-Fi network. In one embodiment, the wireless network is a bluetooth network, a Zigbee network, or some other wireless network. In one embodiment, the wireless network is a wireless mesh network, examples of which include Wi-Fi mesh networks, zigbee mesh networks, and the like. In an example, the local server computing device 105 may be physically connected to one or more wireless access points and/or wireless routers (e.g., wi-Fi access points/routers). The intraoral scanner 150 may include a wireless module such as a Wi-Fi module, and via the wireless module may join a wireless network via a wireless access point/router.

The distributed system 100 may also include one or more displays 156 operatively connected to the local server computing device 105. Some displays 156 may be physically connected to computing device 105 via a wired connection. Some displays 156 may be wirelessly connected to computing device 105 via a wireless connection, which may be a direct wireless connection or a wireless connection via a wireless network. In an embodiment, the display 156 is a smart display, such as a smart Television (TV). The smart TV may include an application installed thereon for communicating with the computing device 105 and/or for use as a remote display for the computing device 105. Alternatively or additionally, the smart TV may include a web browser that may be used to navigate to a web page that streams data from the local server computing device 105. For example, the web page may stream the user interface of the intraoral scanning application 115.

In some embodiments, an intraoral scanning system display adapter (not shown) is inserted into the data input of the display device. For example, the intraoral scanning system display adapter may be connected to a television via RCA cable, high Definition Multimedia Interface (HDMI) cable, fiber optic cable, universal Serial Bus (USB) cable, or other audio/video or data cable. In one embodiment, the intraoral scanning system display adapter is a USB dongle that plugs into a USB port of a television. The intraoral scanning system display adapter may be a small device on which an application program is installed for communicating with the local server computing device of the intraoral scanning system. The intraoral scanning system display adapter may include a wireless module for connecting to a wireless network and/or for connecting directly to the local server computing device 105. The intraoral scanning system display adapter may also include a processing device (e.g., a system on a chip SoC) that receives data (e.g., a view of the 3D surface generated by the local server computing device and/or a viewfinder image generated by the intraoral scanner 150) and streams the data to the television to which it is connected. The use of an intraoral scanning system display adapter alleviates the need to develop intraoral scanning system communication applications for many different television brands and/or models. In some embodiments, the intraoral scanning system communication application may be installed on a digital media player such as Roku, amazon fictive, apple TV, etc., which may be plugged into a display device. This may enable the digital media player to perform the role of an intraoral scanning system display adapter.

The distributed system 100 may also include one or more additional computing devices 152, 154 (alternatively referred to as peripheral computing devices or control computing devices) operatively connected to the local server computing device 105. Some computing devices 152, 154 may be physically connected to computing device 105 via a wired connection. Some computing devices 152, 154 may be wirelessly connected to computing device 105 via a wireless connection, which may be a direct wireless connection or a wireless connection via a wireless network. In an embodiment, one or more of the computing devices 152, 154 may be a mobile computing device, such as a laptop computer, notebook computer, tablet computer, mobile phone, portable game console, or the like. In an embodiment, one or more of the computing devices 152, 154 may be a conventionally stationary computing device, such as a desktop computer, a set-top box, a game console, or the like. In the illustrated example, computing device 152 is a tablet computer and computing device 154 is a notebook computer. The computing devices 152, 154 and/or the display 156 may act as a thin client to the local server computing device 105. In one embodiment, computing devices 152, 154 and/or display 156 access local server computing device 105 using Remote Desktop Protocol (RDP). In one embodiment, computing devices 152, 154 and/or display 156 access local server computing device 105 using Virtual Network Control (VNC). Other protocols may also be used to connect the devices/displays 152, 154, 156 to the local server computing device 105 and/or to control the local server computing device 105. Some devices (e.g., devices 152, 154 and/or display 156) may be active clients that have control over local server computing device 105. Some devices (e.g., display 156) may be passive clients that do not have control of the server computing device and receive a visualization of the user interface of the in-portal scanning application 115. In one embodiment, one or more computing devices 152, 154 may operate in a master mode and local server computing device 105 may operate in a slave mode.

Intraoral scanner 150 may be a wireless handheld device that is not connected to a computer, display, and/or other hardware. Alternatively, the intraoral scanner 150 may have a wired connection to a computing device 152, 154, a power adapter, a power box, a cart, and/or another device. Intraoral scanner 150 may include or be a probe (e.g., a handheld probe) for optically capturing three-dimensional structures. The intraoral scanner 150 may be used to perform intraoral scanning of a patient's mouth.

Intraoral scanner 150 may include one or more light sources, optics, and one or more detectors, one or more buttons, and/or touch sensitive inputs (e.g., a touch pad and/or touch screen), etc. for generating intraoral scan data (e.g., intraoral scan, color image, NIRI image, etc.). Intraoral scanner 150 may additionally include memory and/or processing means (e.g., a controller) for performing initial processing on some or all of the intraoral scan data prior to transmission to local server computing device 105. Scanner 150 may additionally include a communication module (e.g., a wireless communication module) such as a Network Interface Controller (NIC) capable of communicating via Wi-Fi, via third generation (3G), fourth generation (4G), and/or fifth generation (5G) telecommunications protocols (e.g., global system for mobile communications (GSM), long Term Evolution (LTE), wi-Max, code Division Multiple Access (CDMA), etc.), via bluetooth, via Zigbee, and/or via other wireless protocols. Alternatively, scanner 150 may be connected to the various components Such as a Wide Area Network (WAN) of the internet, and may be connected to local server computing device 105 and/or remote server computing device 106 via the WAN. One example of scanner 150 is manufactured by Arieth technologies IncAn intraoral digital scanner. Another example of scanner 150 is set forth in U.S. publication No.2019/0388193, filed on date 19 at 6.2019, which is incorporated herein by reference. Two example scanners are described in more detail below with reference to fig. 13-14.

In embodiments, scanner 150 may include a wireless communication module, one or more rechargeable batteries, one or more replaceable batteries (which may or may not be rechargeable), a charging module for charging the one or more rechargeable batteries, and/or a controller (e.g., a processing device) for controlling one or more functions of scanner 150, among many other components, some of which are discussed below.

In addition to or instead of including a wireless communication module, scanner 150 may include an ethernet Network Interface Controller (NIC), a Universal Serial Bus (USB) port, a parallel port, a serial port, or other wired port. In some embodiments, the NIC or port may connect the scanner 150 to the computing devices 152, 154 via a wired connection. Instead of wirelessly transmitting the intraoral scan data to the local server computing device 105, the scanner 150 may transmit the intraoral scan data to the computing devices 152, 154, the scanner being connected to the computing devices 152, 154 via a wired connection, and the computing devices may then forward the intraoral scan data to the local server computing device 105 via a wireless connection. In such an embodiment, the wired connection may also provide power to the scanner 150.

The intraoral scanner 150 may generate an intraoral scan, which may be or include color or monochrome 3D information, and transmit the intraoral scan to the local server computing device 105 via a wireless connection. In some embodiments, the intraoral scan comprises a height map. The intraoral scanner 150 may additionally or alternatively generate a color two-dimensional (2D) image (e.g., viewfinder image) and transmit the color 2D image to the local server computing device 105 via a wireless connection. The scanner 150 may additionally or alternatively generate 2D or 3D images under certain lighting conditions, such as under infrared or near infrared (NIRI) light and/or ultraviolet light, and may transmit such 2D or 3D images to the server computing device 105 via a wireless connection. Intraoral scan, color image, and images under specified illumination conditions (e.g., NIRI image, infrared image, ultraviolet image, etc.) are collectively referred to as intraoral scan data 135A-N. The operator may begin recording the scan with the scanner 150 at a first location in the mouth, move the scanner 150 to a second location in the mouth while performing the scan, and then stop recording the scan. In some embodiments, recording may begin automatically when the scanner 150 identifies a tooth and/or other object.

A local intraoral scanning application 115 running on computing device 105 may communicate wirelessly with scanner 150 to effect intraoral scanning. The result of the intraoral scan may be intraoral scan data 135A, 135B through 135N, which may include one or more sets of intraoral scans, one or more sets of viewfinder images (e.g., color 2D images showing the field of view of the intraoral scanner), one or more sets of NIRI images, and so forth. Each intraoral scan may be a two-dimensional (2D) or 3D image that includes height information (e.g., a height map) of a portion of a tooth site, and thus may include x, y, and z information. In one embodiment, each intraoral scan is a point cloud. In one embodiment, intraoral scanner 150 generates a number of discrete (i.e., separate) intraoral scans and/or additional images. In some embodiments, multiple sets of discrete intraoral scans may be combined into a set of smaller hybrid intraoral scans, where each hybrid scan is a combination of multiple discrete intraoral scans.

In an embodiment, scanner 150 generates and transmits an intraoral scan data stream to computing device 105. In some embodiments, the intraoral scan data stream may include separate streams of intraoral scans, color images, and/or NIRI images (and/or other images under specific lighting conditions). In one embodiment, the mixed intra-oral scan stream is sent to computing device 105.

In some embodiments, the scanner 150 compresses the intraoral scan data (e.g., intraoral scan, color image, NIRI image, etc.) before sending the intraoral scan data to the local server computing device. In some embodiments, the intra-oral scan data stream is compressed using video compression techniques (e.g., optionally based on h.264 codec). In some embodiments, intraoral scan data is compressed 20 to 40 times. Thus, the similarity between sequentially generated scans/images can be used to reduce the amount of data transmitted for each scan/image. For example, the scanner 150 may determine the delta or difference between the previously transmitted scan and the current scan and may transmit the delta or difference instead of the scan or image. This may significantly reduce the amount of information sent over the wireless connection. Scanner 150 may include an on-board (e.g., internal) processing device that performs compression on at least some of the intraoral scan data.

In some embodiments, scanner 150 does not send the entire scan and/or the entire image to computing device 105. In one embodiment, scanner 150 may perform one or more calculations on intraoral scan data (e.g., intraoral scan, color image, NIRI image, etc.) to determine one or more regions of interest (AOI) within the intraoral scan data. The one or more computations may be performed using a trained machine learning model optimized for the resource-constrained device and/or using one or more image processing algorithms. Scanner 150 may then perform data reduction, such as by cropping an intraoral scan, image, etc., such that areas outside of the AOI are cropped from the scan/image, and/or by reducing the resolution of areas outside of the AOI. Scanner 150 may include an on-board processing device capable of performing one or more calculations and/or data reduction/cropping of the scan data. The cropped or reduced scan/image is then sent to computing device 105. This can reduce the overall bandwidth associated with sending the intraoral scan data to local server computing device 105 in addition to or instead of performing compression on the intraoral scan data. In one embodiment, the AOI of the intraoral scan is determined and the intraoral scan is cropped or reduced prior to transmission to computing device 105, but a full-color image, such as a color viewfinder image, is transmitted to computing device 105 without first cropping or reducing the color image. The uncut viewfinder image may be presented to the doctor/dentist during the scanning process to show the current field of view of the scanner 150.

Local server computing device 105 receives intraoral scan data from scanner 150 and then stores intraoral scan data 135A-N in data storage 125. If the intraoral scan data has been compressed, computing device 105 may decompress the intraoral scan data before storing it. Alternatively, computing device 105 may store intraoral scan data in a compressed state and may decompress the intraoral scan data prior to processing. In an embodiment, each item of intraoral scan data (e.g., each intraoral scan, image, etc.) generated by scanner 150 includes metadata indicating a unique identifier of scanner 150 generating the intraoral scan data. Thus, computing devices 105 connected to multiple scanners 150 can easily distinguish intraoral scan data from different scanners 150 based on metadata associated with the intraoral scan data.

According to an example, a user (e.g., a physician) may subject a patient to an intraoral scan. In doing so, the user may apply scanner 150 to one or more patient intraoral locations. The scan may be divided into one or more sections. As examples, the segments may include a patient's lower dental arch, a patient's upper dental arch, one or more prepared teeth of the patient (e.g., teeth of the patient to whom a dental device (such as a crown or other dental prosthesis) is to be applied), one or more teeth in contact with the prepared teeth (e.g., teeth that are not themselves subject to the dental device but are located alongside or engaged with one or more such teeth when the mouth is closed), and/or a patient bite (e.g., a scan performed with the patient's mouth closed, wherein the scan is directed toward an engaged region of the patient's upper and lower teeth). Via such scanner application, scanner 150 may provide intraoral scan data 135A-N to computing device 105. Intraoral scan data 135A-N may be provided in the form of intraoral scan/image data sets, each of which may include 2D intraoral scan/images and/or 3D intraoral scan/images of a particular tooth and/or region of an intraoral site. In one embodiment, a separate scan/image dataset is created for the maxillary arch, for the mandibular arch, for patient bite, and for each prepared tooth. Alternatively, a single large intraoral scan/image dataset is generated (e.g., for the mandibular and/or maxillary arches). Such scans/images may be provided from the scanner to computing device 105 in the form of one or more points (e.g., one or more pixels and/or groups of pixels). For example, scanner 150 may provide such 3D scans/images as one or more point clouds.

The manner in which the patient's mouth is scanned may depend on the procedure applied to the patient's mouth. For example, if an upper or lower denture is to be created, a full scan of the mandibular or maxillary archless may be performed. In contrast, if a bridge is to be created, only a portion of the entire dental arch may be scanned, including the toothless area, adjacent prepared teeth (e.g., abutments), and the opposing dental arches and dentition. In addition, the manner in which the oral cavity is scanned may depend on the scanning preferences of the physician and/or the patient's condition.

As a non-limiting example, dental procedures can be broadly divided into restorative (restorative) and orthodontic procedures, which are then further subdivided into specific forms of these procedures. In addition, dental procedures may include identification and treatment of gum disease, sleep apnea, and intraoral disorders. The term repair surgery refers in particular to any surgery involving the oral cavity and intended to design, manufacture or install a dental prosthesis or a real or virtual model thereof at a dental site within the mouth (intraoral site), or intended to design and prepare an intraoral site to receive such a prosthesis. For example, the prosthesis may include any prosthesis, such as crowns, veneers, inlays, onlays, implants and bridges, as well as any other artificial partial or complete denture. The term orthodontic operation refers in particular to any operation involving the oral cavity and intended to design, manufacture or install an orthodontic element or a real or virtual model thereof at an intraoral site within the mouth, or to design and prepare an intraoral site to receive such an orthodontic element. These elements may be appliances including, but not limited to, brackets and wires, retainers, transparent aligners, or functional appliances.

During an intraoral scan session, local intraoral scan application 115 receives and processes intraoral scan data (e.g., intraoral scan) and based on such processing, generates a 3D surface of a scanned area of the oral cavity (e.g., tooth site). To generate the 3D surface, the intraoral scan application 115 may register and "stitch" or merge the intraoral scans generated from the intraoral scan session together in real time or near real time as the scans are performed. In one embodiment, performing registration includes capturing 3D data of points of the surface in multiple scans (views from the camera) and registering the scans by computing transformations between the scans. The 3D data may be projected into 3D space for transformation and stitching. The scans can be integrated into a common reference frame by applying an appropriate transformation to the points of each registered scan and projecting each scan into 3D space.

In one embodiment, registration is performed for adjacent or overlapping intra-oral scans (e.g., each successive frame of intra-oral video). In one embodiment, registration is performed using a hybrid scan and/or a downscaled or cropped scan. A registration algorithm is performed to register two or more adjacent intraoral scans and/or to register an intraoral scan with an already generated 3D surface, which basically involves determining a transformation to align one scan with another scan and/or with a 3D surface. Registration may involve identifying multiple points in each scan (e.g., point cloud) of a scan pair (or scan and 3D model), surface fitting the points, and matching the points of the two scans (or scan and 3D surface) using a local search around the points. For example, intraoral scanning application 115 may match points of one scan with nearest points interpolated on the surface of another image and iteratively minimize the distance between the matched points. Other registration techniques may also be used. Intraoral scan application 115 may repeat registration and stitching for all scans in a series of intraoral scans and update the 3D surface as the scans are received.

The output controller 118 of the local intraoral scanning application 115 may determine to which external device (e.g., display device 156, computing device 152, computing device 154, etc.) to send the 3D surface or view of the 3D surface and send the 3D surface or view of the 3D surface to the appropriate device. As additional scans are received and processed, the output controller 118 may stream updated versions and/or views of the 3D surface to the appropriate one or more devices 152, 154. When the viewfinder image is received, the output controller 118 may additionally or alternatively stream the viewfinder image to the appropriate device 152-156. Thus, the current scan progress and current field of view of scanner 150 may be output to a display and/or computing device in real-time or near real-time as the scan is performed. Thus, doctors can evaluate their progress by looking at the display at hand during the scanning process. If the doctor moves to a different room with a different display, the doctor may associate only the scanner 150 with the different display so that the scan, 3D surface, image, etc. is sent to the different display.

In one embodiment, the scanner 150 is associated with a particular device or group of devices 152-156, and the output controller 118 identifies one or more devices 152-156 associated with the scanner 150 and outputs a 3D surface and/or viewfinder image to the identified devices 152-156. The association between the scanner and the device may be changed at any time automatically based on user input and/or based on additional information. In one embodiment, the physician selects a device to be associated with scanner 150 before starting the scanning session. One or more of the devices 152-156 may include an end point intra-port scanning application installed thereon that is configured to communicate with the local intra-port scanning application 115 and/or to control the local intra-port scanning application 115. Additionally or alternatively, one or more of the devices 152-156 may include a web browser, and via the web browser, a user may navigate to a web interface for controlling the local intraoral scanning application 115. From the devices 152-156 (e.g., via a network interface or an intra-port scanning application), the user may select a particular scanner 150 to associate with the devices 152-156.

In one embodiment, the devices 152-156 may display a code (e.g., a one-dimensional or two-dimensional bar code, such as a QR code). The scanner 150 may be used to scan the code (which may be a unique code associated with the device displaying the code) and may send an image of the scanned code to the local intraoral scanning application 115. The output controller 118 may then decode the scanned code and may determine the device with which to associate the scanner 150 based on the decoded code. Alternatively, the onboard processing device on scanner 150 may decode the scanned code and determine a value therefrom. The scanner 150 may then send the value to the local intraoral scanning application 115 and the output controller 118 may determine the device 152-156 associated with the value and associate the scanner 150 with the device 152-156.

A user (e.g., physician) may navigate through the scanning zones (e.g., upper arch zone, lower arch zone, bite zone, and optionally separate zones for each prepared tooth) via a User Interface (UI) of the intraoral scanning application 115 through various input devices such as cursor control devices (e.g., a mouse), remote controls (e.g., a remote control of a smart TV), touch input devices (e.g., a touch screen) of computing devices 152-154, or a display 156 wirelessly connected to the local server computing device 105. In an embodiment, the scanner 150 may allow a user to easily navigate or control the user interface of the intraoral scanning application 115 using touch inputs and/or buttons of the scanner 150, thereby minimizing the user's movement between the computing devices 152, 154 and the patient. For example, a user may utilize a combination of buttons of scanner 150 and various touch gestures on the touch sensors to navigate the intraoral scanning application 115 without moving to computing devices 152, 154 to navigate and/or control the user interface. In some embodiments, intraoral scanner 150 includes a touch screen outputting one or more virtual buttons. The user may interact with one or more virtual buttons (e.g., by pressing the virtual buttons) to send control signals to intraoral scanning application 115. Which virtual buttons to display on the touch screen of intraoral scanner 150 may depend on the current mode of intraoral scanning application 115.

When the scan session is complete (e.g., all scans of the intraoral site or dental site have been captured), model generator 122A of local intraoral scan application 115 may generate a virtual 3D model (also referred to as a digital 3D model) of one or more scanned dental sites. The virtual 3D model includes a 3D surface of one or more scanned tooth sites, but with a higher accuracy than the 3D surface generated during the scanning process. To generate the virtual 3D model, the intraoral scan application 115 may register and "stitch" or merge the intraoral scans generated from the intraoral scan session. In one embodiment, registration is performed for adjacent and/or overlapping intra-oral scans (e.g., each successive frame of intra-oral video). In one embodiment, registration is performed using a hybrid scan and/or a downscaled or cropped scan. A registration algorithm may be performed to register two or more adjacent intraoral scans and/or to register an intraoral scan with a 3D model, which basically involves determining a transformation to align one scan with another scan and/or with a 3D model. Registration may involve identifying multiple points in each scan (e.g., point cloud) of a scan pair (or scan and 3D model), surface fitting the points, and matching the points of the two scans (or scan and 3D model) using a local search around the points. For example, intraoral scanning application 115 may match points of one scan with nearest points interpolated on the surface of another scan and iteratively minimize the distance between the matched points. Other registration techniques may also be used. Registration and stitching performed to generate the 3D model may be more accurate than registration and stitching performed to generate a 3D surface shown in real-time or near real-time during the scanning process.

Intraoral scan application 115 may repeatedly register all scans in a series of intraoral scans to obtain a transformation for each scan to register each scan with a previous scan and/or with a common reference frame (e.g., with a 3D model). Intraoral scan application 115 integrates all scans into a single virtual 3D model by applying the appropriately determined transformations to each scan. Each transformation may include rotation about one to three axes and translation in one to three planes.

In many cases, data from one or more intraoral scans does not correspond exactly to data from one or more other intraoral scans. Thus, in an embodiment, intraoral scan application 115 may process intraoral scans to determine which intraoral scans (and/or which portions of intraoral scans) are used for portions of the 3D model (e.g., portions representing particular tooth sites). In an embodiment, intraoral scan application 115 may use data such as geometric data represented in the scan and/or a timestamp associated with the image to select an optimal scan for delineating a tooth site or portion of a tooth site (e.g., for delineating an edge line of a prepared tooth). In an embodiment, intraoral scanning application 115 uses a weighted or unweighted combination of surface information from multiple scans to merge or mix together scans with conflicting or different information at the same point.

Once a 3D model of a dental site (e.g., dental arch) is generated, the output controller 118 of the intraoral scanning application 115 may generate a view of the 3D model and output the view to the appropriate device 152-156 to display the 3D model to a user (e.g., doctor) via the display of the device 152-156. The physician may then interact with the devices 152-156 to generate commands to change the view of the 3D model (e.g., by zooming in or out, panning, rotating, etc.). The devices 152-156 may send commands to the scanning application 115, which may change the view of the 3D model, and then send the updated view to the devices 152-156. In some embodiments, the touch screen of the intraoral scanner 150 includes virtual buttons for controlling the view of the intraoral scanner 150 and/or interprets touch gestures (e.g., pinch gestures, swipe gestures, etc.) to control the view of the 3D model. In some embodiments, the touch screen of the intraoral scanner supports multi-touch, and different numbers of detected fingers result in performing different actions (e.g., pan, zoom, rotate, etc.). The touch screen may detect user input, may generate commands based on the user input, and may send the detected commands and/or user input to the local server computing device to control the intraoral scanning application 115. In this way, the physician can visually examine the 3D model. The physician can virtually manipulate the 3D model with respect to up to six degrees of freedom (i.e., translation and/or rotation with respect to one or more of the three mutually orthogonal axes) using appropriate user controls (hardware and/or virtual) via the user interfaces of the devices 152-156 and/or via the touch screen of the intraoral scanner to enable viewing of the 3D model from any desired direction. The physician may view (e.g., visually examine) the generated 3D model of the intraoral site and determine whether the 3D model is acceptable (e.g., whether the edge lines of the prepared teeth are accurately represented in the 3D model).

In one embodiment, scanner 150 is used as an input device to control the view of a 3D model or other 3D surface of a tooth site. Embodiments of the present invention enable a user to perform operations (such as controlling or navigating a user interface of an intraoral scanning application and/or manipulating medical images or representations generated from medical images) while still in contact with a patient. Scanner 150 may include one or more buttons, one or more touch-sensitive inputs (e.g., a touch pad and/or a touch screen), and/or one or more inertial measurement devices (e.g., an accelerometer and/or a gyroscope) that may be used to navigate a user interface of an intraoral scanning application and/or manipulate medical images or 3D models of one or more dental arches.

Local intraoral scanning application 115 may include a user interface (e.g., a graphical user interface

(GUI)) that receives user commands and provides graphical and/or audio output to devices 152-156 that are wirelessly connected to local server computing device 105. The devices 152-156 may then use the device's display and/or speakers to output graphical and/or audio output to the user. The user interface enables a user to interact with intraoral scanning application 115 by manipulating graphical elements (such as graphical icons) and visual indicators (such as buttons, menus, etc.) output via devices 152-156. Intraoral scanning application 115 may include a variety of modes such as a planning mode, a scanning mode, an image processing mode, and a delivery mode. The user interface on the devices 152-156 and/or the touch screen of the intraoral scanner 150 may display different graphical elements for each of the various modes.

Navigation or control of the user interface of the intraoral scanning application 115 may be performed via user input. User input may be performed by a variety of devices, such as a touch input device (e.g., a touch screen), a keyboard, a mouse, or other similar control device that is wirelessly connected to one or more devices 152-156 of the local server computing device 105. In embodiments, user input may also be provided via scanner 150, such as via a touch pad and/or touch screen of intraoral scanner 150. For example, navigation of the user interface may involve navigating between various modules or modes, navigating between various sections, controlling viewing of 3D rendering, or any other user interface navigation. A touch sensitive scanner (e.g., which may include a touch screen) allows a user to navigate or control a user interface without continuously disengaging from a patient.

In one embodiment, intraoral scanning application 115 includes a touch input module (not shown) that receives and interprets touch input data from scanner 150. Scanner 150 may receive different types of touch inputs, such as a hold gesture, a swipe gesture, a tap gesture, a circle gesture, and so forth. Additionally or alternatively, the touch screen of the intraoral scanner 150 may display a plurality of different virtual buttons, and user interaction with each virtual button may trigger a different action in the local intraoral scanning application 115. The touch input module may determine the type of touch gesture performed by the user based on the received touch input and/or determine what virtual button was pressed based on the detected finger. The touch input module may then initiate a function or operation of the user interface (or typically an intraoral scanning application) in response to the determined touch gesture. The function or operation initiated may depend on the current mode of intraoral scanning application 115 and the determined touch gesture and/or virtual button pressed. Thus, the same touch gesture or finger interaction with the same area of the touch screen may cause a first function to be performed in a first mode of the intraoral scanning application and may cause a second function to be performed in a second mode. Specific modes of operation and touch gestures and/or virtual buttons that initiate the operation or function of these modes are discussed in more detail below.

In one embodiment, the local server computing device 105 executing the local intraoral scanning application 115 receives touch input (e.g., which may include pressing a virtual button on a touch screen) from a touch sensor (e.g., a touch pad or touch screen) of the scanner 150 and/or button presses from buttons of the scanner 150 during an intraoral scanning session. In one embodiment, the local intraoral scanning application 115 determines whether the touch input is a hold gesture or a swipe gesture. If the touch input is a hold gesture (or pressing a particular button of a virtual button), the computing device may perform a first function or operation to control the user interface of the intraoral scanning application, and if the touch input is a slide gesture (or pressing another button or virtual button), the computing device may perform a second function or operation to control the user interface of the intraoral scanning application. Examples of functions that may be performed include activating a gyroscope in intraoral scanner 150, using data from the gyroscope to control the orientation of the virtual 3D model (e.g., if a hold gesture is detected) and proceeding to the next scan segment or the previous scan segment (e.g., if a swipe gesture is detected). The functions or operations performed in response to a hold or swipe gesture and/or in response to a user pressing a virtual button of a touch screen on the intraoral scanner 150 may be functions conventionally performed in response to a user using a keyboard, mouse, and/or touch screen of a computer. The results of the input from the scanner 150 (e.g., button presses, virtual button presses, swipe gestures, hold gestures, movement of the scanner 150, etc.) may cause one or more menus or options of the intraoral scanning application 115 to navigate or transition between them and/or cause updated menus or options to be output to the devices 152-156 associated with the intraoral scanner 150 and/or to the touch screen of the intraoral scanner 150. In some embodiments, pressing one or more particular buttons (including one or more virtual buttons of a touch screen) or performing a touch-sensitive input hold gesture causes the local intraoral scanning application 115 to output navigation overlays to the devices 152-156. The user may move the scanner 150 while and/or after the button and/or virtual button is pressed and/or during a hold gesture of the touch sensitive input, and the movement of the scanner may be used as input to navigate the navigation overlay. For example, scanner 150 may move left to select a first menu option (e.g., switch to a previous scan section), right to select a second menu option (e.g., switch to a next scan section), up to select a third menu option, or down to select a fourth menu option. The movement of the scanner may be registered as an input causing the user interface of the intraoral scanning application 115 to be updated and the updated user interface may be output to the devices 152-156 associated with the scanner 150.

By providing touch sensors, touch screens and/or buttons, and an intraoral scanning application 115 in intraoral scanner 150, embodiments increase the efficiency of performing intraoral scanning in response to touch input from such touch sensors, in response to input from a touch screen (e.g., pressing a virtual button displayed on a touch screen), and/or in response to use of a button. Additionally, the display 156 may not include an input device for controlling the intraoral scanning application 115. However, scanner 150 may be used as such an input device for controlling intraoral scanning application 115. For example, if the intraoral scanning application 115 is outputting image data to the display 156, the user of the scanner 150 may press a physical button, press a virtual button of a touch screen on the intraoral scanner 150, and/or activate a view mode using a hold gesture on a touch input of the scanner 150. During the viewing mode, the user may move the scanner and/or cooperate with a touch screen or touchpad on the intraoral scanner 150 to rotate the view of the 3D surface or 3D model of the dental site. The user may release a button, virtual button, or hold gesture to resume the scan mode and continue generating intraoral scans. Alternatively, the user may press a different virtual button to resume the scan mode and continue to generate intraoral scans.

In one embodiment, intraoral scanning application 115 includes a treatment planner 123A configured to execute treatment plans for orthodontic treatment and/or oral repair treatment. The treatment planner 123A may additionally perform dental diagnostics and/or prognostics. Such diagnostics and/or prognostics may be performed, for example, in response to commands from the computing devices 152, 154. Via the user interface of treatment planner 123A, a physician can view one or more of the upper dental arch, the lower dental arch, the particular prepared tooth, and/or the patient's bite, each of which can be considered a separate scan section or mode. In an embodiment, the treatment planner 123A generates an orthodontic treatment plan including a 3D model for the final tooth arrangement and a 3D model for one or more intermediate tooth arrangements. The treatment planner 123A may additionally or alternatively perform a diagnosis of the patient's mouth and/or provide a prognosis of one or more dental conditions and/or a suggested treatment for one or more dental conditions. Treatment planner 123A may also perform one or more different analyses on the patient's dental arch and/or bite. The analysis may include an analysis for identifying tooth cracks, an analysis for identifying gingival recessions, an analysis for identifying tooth wear, an analysis of patient bite contact, an analysis for identifying crowding (and/or spacing) and/or other malocclusions, an analysis for identifying plaque, an analysis for identifying tooth stains, an analysis for identifying caries, and/or other analysis of patient dentitions. Once the analysis is complete, dental diagnostic summaries and/or detailed dental diagnostic information, optionally including predictive and/or therapeutic options, may be presented to the devices 152-156. The physician may use scanner 150 or one of devices 152-156 to control treatment planner 123A and navigate menus and options of the treatment planner's user interface.

Intraoral scanning application 115 may initiate a scanning mode in response to input from scanner 150. In response to further input from scanner 150 or from devices 152-156 associated with scanner 150, intraoral scanning application 115 may transition from scan mode to image processing mode to generate one or more 3D models. In response to further input from scanner 150 or from devices 152-156 associated with scanner 150, intraoral scanning application 115 may transition from an image processing mode to a treatment planning mode or back to a scanning mode.

The following non-limiting examples may help to more fully understand this process. Patients desiring to straighten their teeth may choose to have a cryptic fitAnd (3) treating. Cryptomeria is the process of creating a custom series of transparent orthotics specifically for a patient. The transparent appliance is worn on the patient's teeth and gradually moves the patient's teeth. A new set of orthotics may be worn after a specified period of time (e.g., two weeks) until the treatment is completed.

The patient may visit a dentist or orthodontist to initiate the cryptomeric treatment. A dental practitioner can scan a patient's teeth in a scanning mode using the distributed scanning system 100. The dental practitioner can use the scanner 150 to capture dental segments (e.g., upper arch, lower arch, bite segments) of the patient in one or more sets of intraoral scans. The intraoral scan application 115 may register and stitch the intraoral scans together to create a 3D rendering of the scan segments and present the 3D rendering to the dentist on the user interface of the intraoral scan application through one of the devices 152-156. Once the scan is complete, the dentist can next navigate to an image processing mode that can generate a virtual 3D model by registering and stitching the intraoral images together. Once a sufficient set of 3D renderings and/or virtual 3D models is completed, the 3D renderings and/or 3D models can be saved to a patient archive.

The dental practitioner may then provide input via the scanner 150 or computing devices 152-154 to switch to a planning mode in which the final tooth arrangement may be determined and one or more intermediate tooth arrangements may be determined. A treatment plan may be generated to provide progress of treatment phases from an initial tooth arrangement of a patient to a target final tooth arrangement, with a separate 3D model associated with each treatment phase.

Once a sufficient set of 3D models is generated, the 3D models can be saved to the patient archive. The dentist can then navigate to the delivery mode to electronically send the completed patient file to the processing center. The treatment center may then generate a customized series of transparent aligners for the patient and deliver the transparent aligners to the dentist. The patient will then return to the dentist to receive the first set of transparent aligners and verify that the transparent aligners are properly mounted to the patient's teeth.

In one embodiment, the doctor may erase or remove a portion of the 3D model that the doctor has determined to have a low quality dental arch via the interface provided by one of the devices 152-156. Intraoral scanning application 115 may direct the user to generate one or more additional intraoral images of the dental site corresponding to the deleted or removed portion of the 3D model (and/or corresponding to one or more sets of intraoral scans). The user may then use scanner 150 to generate one or more additional intraoral scans that at least partially overlap with the previously generated intraoral scan. The one or more additional intraoral scans may be registered with the 3D model (and/or with the intraoral scan dataset used to create the 3D model) to provide a composite of the 3D model and the one or more additional intraoral scans. In this compounding, the previously deleted/removed portions of the 3D model are at least partially replaced by corresponding portions of one or more additional intraoral scans. However, the portion of the one or more additional scans beyond the deleted or removed portion of the 3D model may not be applied to the composite or updated 3D model.

In some embodiments, local server computing device 105 offloads one or more operations to remote server computing device 106. The remote server computing device 106 may be provided by a cloud computing service 109, such as Amazon Web Service (AWS). The remote server computing device 106 may have increased resources, such as memory resources, processing resources, etc., as compared to the local server computing device 105. In some embodiments, rather than performing operations such as registration, stitching, treatment planning, etc., at local intraoral scanning application 115, some or all of these operations may be performed by remote intraoral scanning application 116. For example, when local intraoral scanning application 115 receives intraoral scanning data, it may send the intraoral scanning data to remote intraoral scanning application 116 via network 180. Remote intraoral scan application 116 may process the intraoral scan data (e.g., by performing registration and stitching of the intraoral scan data, generating a 3D surface, generating a 3D model, generating a treatment plan, etc.) and send back the generated 3D surface and/or other information resulting from the processing performed on the intraoral scan data. Local intraoral scanning application 115 may then send views of the 3D surface and/or other information to devices 152-156 associated with scanner 150. In one embodiment, the remote intraoral scanning application 116 includes a model generator 122B that generates a 3D model based on scan data and/or a treatment planner 123B that generates a treatment plan based on the generated 3D model of the patient's oral cavity.

In one embodiment, the local server computing device 105 includes credentials for accessing the remote server computing device 106 and/or patient records stored at the remote server computing device 106. The credentials may be used to identify and authenticate a dental office that owns the local server computing device 105 and/or one or more scanners 150 connected to the local server computing device 105.

In one embodiment, each scanner 150 and each local server computing device 105 is owned by a particular dental office, and ownership information may be registered with the local server computing device 105 and/or the remote server computing device 106. The local server computing device may receive the unique ID of the scanner from the scanner 150 and may determine whether the scanner is registered with the local server computing device 105. If the local server computing device 105 has a record of the scanner 150, the scanner 150 may be allowed to connect to the computing device 105. If the local server computing device does not have a record of a particular scanner 150 attempting to connect to the local server computing device, it may query a remote server (e.g., remote server computing device) for ownership information about the scanner 150. The remote server may determine the unique IDs of the local server computing device 105 and the scanner 150 and determine whether both are registered to the same entity (or whether one is unregistered). If both are registered with the same entity, the remote server may respond to the local server to allow connection to the scanner 150. The local server computing device 105 may then update its record, allowing for a connection from the scanner 150. If the scanner is unregistered, the remote server may perform registration to register the scanner 150 with the same entity associated with the local server computing device (e.g., to the same account), and may then send instructions to the local server to allow connection to the scanner 150. However, if the scanner is registered with a different entity or account than the local server computing device 105, the remote server may notify the local server that the computing device is not connected to the scanner 150.

In some embodiments, scanner 150 may be connected to remote server computing device 106, but not to local server computing device 105. For example, scanner 150 may include a 5G modem that may be used to connect to a wireless service provider and, via the wireless service provider, to a remote server computing device. In such embodiments, the local server computing device may be omitted and the scanner 150 and/or computing devices 152, 154 and/or display 156 may communicate with the remote server computing device 106. In such embodiments, the remote server computing device may perform all of the functions discussed herein with reference to the local server computing device 105.

In some embodiments, the local intraoral scanning application 115 includes a position determiner 120 that performs one or more operations to determine the position of the scanner 150. The location determiner 120 is discussed in more detail with reference to fig. 1B.

FIG. 1B illustrates a distributed system 101 for performing intraoral scanning and/or generating a virtual three-dimensional model of an intraoral site according to an embodiment. Distributed system 101 includes scanner 150, local server computing device 105, additional computing devices 152A-D, 154A-B, and displays 156A-B. The distributed system 101 may also include a remote server computing device 106. Local server computing device 105 includes a local intraoral scanning application 115 that may include an output controller 118, a position determiner 120, a treatment planner 123A, and/or a model generator 122A. Remote server computing device 106 includes a remote intraoral scanning application 116 that may include model generator 122B and/or treatment planner 123B.

The distributed system 101 may substantially correspond to the distributed system 100 of FIG. 1A, except that additional computing devices 152A-152D, computing devices 154A-154B, and displays 156A-156B are shown for the distributed system 101. In addition, distributed system 101 may include one or more shelves 130A-130C.

Each cradle 130A-130C may be a charging station for holding and charging scanner 150. In some embodiments, the racks 130A-130C include a wireless charger that wirelessly charges a scanner 150 (e.g., the scanner includes one or more rechargeable batteries) having wireless charging capabilities disposed in the racks 130A-130C. For example, the carriages 130A-130C may include primary induction coils and the scanner 150 may include secondary induction coils. The primary inductive coils of the brackets 130A-130C may induce a current in the secondary inductive coil of the scanner 150 to charge the scanner 150 via resonant inductive coupling. In such embodiments, scanner 150 may not include an exposed charging pin. In addition, scanner 150 and shelves 130A-130C may support other types of wireless charging technologies, such as radio charging and resonance charging.

In some embodiments, brackets 130A-130C include pins that engage with exposed charging pins of scanner 150 (e.g., the scanner includes one or more rechargeable batteries) when scanner 150 is placed in brackets 130A-130C. Brackets 130A-130C may then perform wired charging of scanner 150 via contact between pins of brackets 130A-130C and exposed charging pins of scanner 150.

In embodiments, brackets 130A-130C may not be wirelessly connected to any other component of distributed system 101. When scanner 150 is inserted into shelves 130A-130C, a physical connection between scanner 150 and shelves 130A-130C may be established, and shelves 130A-130C may charge the battery of scanner 150 via the physical connection. Alternatively, wireless charging may be performed to charge the battery of the scanner 150.

In an embodiment, each cradle 130A-130C includes a wireless module that periodically or continuously broadcasts a signal that includes a unique identifier of the corresponding cradle 130A-130C. In one embodiment, the stents 130A-130C transmit a wired signal to a scanner inserted into the stents 130A-130C via a physical connection between the stents and the scanner, wherein the wired signal includes a unique identifier of the stent 130A-130C. In such embodiments, brackets 130A-130C may not include a wireless module and may not transmit wireless signals.

Each of the shelves 130A-130C may transmit or broadcast a unique identifier that is different from the other shelves 130A-130C. Scanner 150 may receive signals broadcast or transmitted by one or more of shelves 130A-130C depending on the location of scanner 150. The location of each of the brackets 130A-130C may be entered into the intraoral scanning application 115 during the configuration process and thus may be known by the local intraoral scanning application 115. Scanner 150 may send information regarding the received unique identifier from one or more of shelves 130A-130C to local server computing device 105. The position determiner 120 may then determine the position of the scanner 150 based on the known positions of the brackets 130A-130C and the received information received by the scanner 150 regarding the unique identifier. The location determiner 120 may then output a notification indicating the determined location of the scanner 150 to any computing device 152A-152D, 154A-154B and/or display 156A-156B that is wirelessly connected to the local server computing device 105. In one embodiment, a doctor or technician uses computing devices 152A-152D, 154A-154B to request the location of scanner 150, and location determiner 120 outputs the determined location to the requesting computing devices 152A-152D, 154A-154B.

In one embodiment, the signal broadcast by each of the shelves 130A-130C may be a low power signal that is detected by the scanner 150 if the scanner is within a threshold distance from the shelves 130A-130C. Thus, scanner 150 mayTo detect signals from the individual racks and report the unique identifiers included in the signals to computing device 105. In one embodiment, the low power signals output by the brackets 130A-130C are signals corresponding to a low energy unidirectional wireless protocol (e.g.,protocols or others->Low Energy (BLE) protocol) to transmit information that may be used to identify stents 130A-130C. In one embodiment, scanner 150 detects signals from brackets 130A-130C if the scanner is inserted into the bracket, but scanner 150 does not detect signals from the bracket if the scanner is removed from the bracket.

In one embodiment, the signal broadcast by each cradle 130A-130C is a Bluetooth signal, a Zigbee signal, a Wi-Fi signal, or a signal broadcast according to another wireless protocol. The racks 130A-130C may broadcast signals that are sufficiently powerful so that the scanner 150 may receive signals from multiple racks 130A-130C. The scanner 150 may report the received signal as well as the signal strength, time of flight, delay, signal angle, etc. of the received signal to the computing device 105. The computing device 105 may then use the known position of the gantry and signal strength, time of flight, delay, signal angle, etc. to determine the position of the scanner 150. In one embodiment, the scanner 150 is determined to be proximate to the bracket associated with the strongest signal strength. In one embodiment, the position determiner 120 uses signal strength, time of arrival, delay, and/or position of the cradle from which the signal is received to perform triangulation to determine a possible position of the scanner 150.

In one embodiment, scanner 150 includes a Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) or Near Field Communication (NFC) reader and periodically broadcasts a signal to read the RFID or NFC chip. Each cradle 130A-130C may include a unique RFID or NFC identifier and may respond by transmitting the unique identifier upon receipt of an RFID or NFC read signal. The scanner 150 may then report the unique identifier to the computing device 105, which may determine the location of the scanner based on the unique ID, as discussed above. Alternatively, each cradle 130A-130C may include an RFID or NFC reader that may read an RFID or NFC chip on scanner 150, and may include a Wi-Fi module to wirelessly connect to computing device 105 and report received signals from scanner 150. The position determiner 120 may then determine the position of the scanner 150 based on detecting the known positions of the supports 130A-130C of the scanner 150.

In one embodiment, the scanner 150 may be positioned using Wi-Fi signals instead of signals from the brackets 130A-130C. For example, a dental office may be established with a Wi-Fi mesh network including three or more access points. Scanner 150 may receive signals from and transmit signals to some or all of the wireless access points. Based on the known location of the wireless access point and information associated with the signals to/from the access point (such as signal strength, time of flight, delay, signal angle, etc.), the location determiner 120 may determine the location of the scanner 150.

In one embodiment, the distributed system 100 includes an indoor positioning system that includes a plurality of units throughout a dental office, where each unit includes a transmitter, receiver, and/or transceiver. Each unit may be configured to transmit signals to be received by the scanner 150 and/or to receive signals from the scanner 150. The signal may be an optical signal, a Radio Frequency (RF) signal, a magnetic field, an acoustic signal (e.g., an ultrasonic signal), or other type of signal. Based on signals received by the scanner 150 from the plurality of units and/or based on signals received by the plurality of units of the indoor positioning system from the scanner 150, the indoor positioning system may determine a location of the scanner 150, which may be reported to the local server computing device 105.

In fig. 1B, arrows show the direction of information flow in accordance with at least one embodiment. As shown, the shelves 130A-130C broadcast information that can be received by the scanner 150. Scanner 150 sends information (e.g., information received from stents 130A-130C and/or intraoral scan data) to location server computing device 105. The local server computing device 105 may exchange information with the remote server computing device 106, and may further exchange information with the computing devices 152A-152D, 154A-154B, and/or the displays 156A-156B. For example, computing devices 152A-152D, 154A-154B and displays 156A-156B may receive data from computing device 105 to present a user interface including a view of a 3D model and/or 3D surface, and may send instructions to computing device 105 to control and/or navigate local intraoral scanning application 115.

Fig. 2 illustrates an example dental office 200 including a distributed intraoral scanning system according to an embodiment. In an embodiment, the distributed intraoral scanning system may correspond to distributed system 100 or distributed system 101. As shown, the dental office 200 includes a waiting room, a receptionist area, and a plurality of rooms 202A, 202B, 202C, 202D, 202E, 202F. Rooms 202A-202C are treatment rooms, each including a dental chair and display 156A, 156B, 156C. In an embodiment, the displays 156A-156C may be smart TVs, or may be displays of desktop computing devices. Each treatment room 202A-202C is additionally shown to include a mobile computing device 154A, 154B, 154C (e.g., a laptop computer) and a stand 130A, 130B, 130C. Room 202D is an office and includes rack 130D and mobile computing device 152 (e.g., a tablet computer). Room 202E also includes a rack 130E. The small storage or facility room 202F includes a local server computing device 105.

Computing device 105 may be configured to know that room 202A includes rack 130A, room 202B includes rack 130B, room 202C includes rack 130C, room 202D includes rack 130D, and room 202E includes rack 130E. The dental office includes two intraoral scanners 150A, 150B, both of which are wirelessly connected to the local server computing device 105. Scanner 150A may receive the first unique ID from cradle 130B and may transmit the first unique ID to computing device 105. The computing device 105 may determine that the scanner 150A is in the room 202B based on the received unique ID. Scanner 150B may receive the second unique ID from cradle 130C and may transmit the second unique ID to computing device 105. The computing device 105 may determine that the scanner 150B is in the room 202C based on the received unique ID. A user may request information regarding the location of scanner 150A and/or scanner 150B by accessing an intraoral scanning application running on local server computing device 105 via any of mobile computing devices 152, 154A-154C, or displays 156A-156C. The location information may then be sent from the local server computing device 105 to the requesting device and displayed on the requesting device.

The local server computing device 105 may be wirelessly connected to both scanners 150A-150B and may receive intra-portal scan data from both scanners 150A-150B at the same time or at different times. In an embodiment, the local server computing device 105 may process intraoral scan data from two scanners 150A-150B in parallel.

Although two scanners 150A-150B, four mobile computing devices 152, 154A-154C, and three displays 156A-156B are shown, the distributed intraoral scanning system may include more or fewer scanners, displays, and/or computing devices that are each wirelessly connectable to the local server computing device 105. In addition, the dental office 200 may include more or fewer racks 130A-130E. For example, some rooms may include multiple racks and/or some rooms may not include racks.

In one example, a physician may generate an intraoral scan of a patient in room 202A and monitor the scanning process by viewing display 156A and/or mobile computing device 154A during the scanning process. After the scan process is complete, the physician may move to room 202D and view the scan results via mobile computing device 152. The physician may initiate generation of the 3D model and generation of the treatment plan from the device 152, wherein the actual generation of the 3D model and/or the treatment plan is performed on the local server computing device 105. The physician may then display the treatment plan and the expected outcome of the treatment plan to the patient via device 152.

Fig. 3A-6 illustrate methods related to intraoral scanning using a distributed intraoral scanning system and generating and manipulating virtual 3D models of tooth sites. The operations of the method may be performed by processing logic that may comprise hardware (e.g., circuitry, dedicated logic, programmable logic, microcode, etc.), software (e.g., instructions run on a processing device to perform hardware simulation), or a combination thereof. In one embodiment, at least some operations of the method are performed by a local server computing device executing a local intraoral scanning application, such as local intraoral scanning application 115 of fig. 1A.

For simplicity of explanation, the methodologies are depicted and described as a series of acts. However, acts in accordance with the present disclosure may occur in various orders and/or concurrently, and with other acts not presented and described herein. Moreover, not all illustrated acts may be required to implement a methodology in accordance with the disclosed subject matter. In addition, those skilled in the art will understand and appreciate that the methodologies could alternatively be represented as a series of interrelated states via a state diagram or events.

Fig. 3A illustrates a flowchart of a method 300 of processing an intraoral scan from a handheld intraoral scanner by a computing device connected to the handheld intraoral scanner not via a wired connection, in accordance with one embodiment. At operation 305 of method 300, processing logic receives first intraoral scan data from a first intraoral scanner, wherein the first intraoral scan data is an oral cavity of a first patient. The first intraoral scan data may be received wirelessly via a wireless network. The first intraoral scan data may include 2D or 3D scans, color 2D images, NIRI 2D images, and/or other images. At operation 310, processing logic processes first intraoral scan data (e.g., 3D scan) of at least a portion of an arch of a first patient based on the first intraoral scan data. At operation 315, processing logic determines that a view of the first 3D surface is to be output to a first target device (e.g., to a display or to a computing device). The first target device may be associated with the scanner 150 such that the scan results are transmitted to the first target device. In one embodiment, the first target device is temporarily associated with the scanner 150 (e.g., for a scanning session) in response to a user entering a selection to receive data from the scanner 150 into the first target device.

At operation 320, processing logic outputs a view of the first 3D surface to the first target device. For example, the view of the first 3D surface may be wirelessly transmitted to the first target device. At operation 325, processing logic receives a command from the first target device or from another device to manipulate a view of the first 3D surface. In one embodiment, processing logic receives a command from an intraoral scanner that receives intraoral scan data. At operation 330, processing logic manipulates the view of the first 3D surface and outputs an updated view of the first 3D surface to the first target device.

Fig. 3B illustrates a flowchart of a method 302 of processing intraoral scans from two different handheld intraoral scanners by a computing device connected to a handheld intraoral scanner not via a wired connection, according to one embodiment. Method 302 is similar to method 300 and includes some of the same operations as method 300. However, method 302 includes receiving and processing intraoral scan data from a plurality of intraoral scanners, where the data from the plurality of intraoral scanners may be received in parallel (and processed in parallel) or may be received in series (and processed in series).

At operation 305 of method 302, processing logic receives first intraoral scan data from a first intraoral scanner, wherein the first intraoral scan data is data of an oral cavity of a first patient. The first intraoral scan data may be received wirelessly via a wireless network. The first intraoral scan data may include 2D or 3D scans, color 2D images, NIRI 2D images, and/or other images. At operation 310, processing logic processes first intraoral scan data (e.g., 3D scan) of at least a portion of an arch of a first patient based on the first intraoral scan data. At operation 315, processing logic determines that a view of the first 3D surface is to be output to a first target device (e.g., to a display or to a computing device). The first target device may be associated with the scanner 150 such that the scan results are transmitted to the first target device. In one embodiment, the first target device is temporarily associated with the scanner 150 (e.g., for a scanning session) in response to a user entering a selection to receive data from the scanner 150 into the first target device.

At operation 335, processing logic receives second intraoral scan data from a second intraoral scanner, wherein the second intraoral scan data is an oral cavity of a second patient. The second intraoral scan data may be received wirelessly via a wireless network. The second intraoral scan data may include 2D or 3D scans, color 2D images, NIRI 2D images, and/or other images. At operation 340, processing logic processes second intraoral scan data (e.g., 3D scan) of at least a portion of an arch of a second patient based on the second intraoral scan data. At operation 345, processing logic determines that the view of the second 3D surface is to be output to a second target device (e.g., to a display or to a computing device). The second target device may be associated with a second scanner such that the scan results are transmitted to the second target device. In one embodiment, the second target device is temporarily associated with the second scanner (e.g., for a scanning session) in response to a user entering a selection to receive data from the second scanner into the second target device.

At operation 350, processing logic outputs a view of the second 3D surface to the second target device. For example, the view of the second 3D surface may be wirelessly transmitted to the second target device. At operation 355, processing logic receives a command from the second target device or from another device to manipulate a view of the second 3D surface. In one embodiment, processing logic receives a command from an intraoral scanner that receives intraoral scan data. At operation 360, processing logic manipulates the view of the second 3D surface and outputs an updated view of the second 3D surface to the second target device.

Fig. 4 illustrates a flow diagram of a method 400 of performing intra-oral scanning using a distributed intra-oral scanning system, according to an embodiment. At operation 402 of method 400, an intraoral scanner initiates intraoral scanning. At operation 405, the intraoral scanner generates intraoral scan data, which may include intraoral scans, color images, and/or other images generated under specific lighting conditions (e.g., under infrared or near infrared light). At operation 410, the intraoral scanner compresses intraoral scan data. In one embodiment, video compression techniques are used to compress intra-oral scan data. The compressed intra-oral scan data may include compressed intra-oral scans, compressed color images, and/or compressed near infrared images. Additionally or alternatively, the intraoral scanner may perform a reduction on intraoral scan data (e.g., on intraoral scans) by identifying regions of interest and cropping the intraoral scan to include only the regions of interest. At operation 415, the intraoral scanner wirelessly transmits the compressed and/or reduced intraoral scan data to the local server computing device.

At operation 420, the local server computing device receives the compressed and/or reduced intraoral scan data. At operation 425, the local server computing device decompresses the compressed intraoral scan data (if it is compressed). For example, the local server computing device may decompress the compressed scan, the compressed color image, and/or the compressed near infrared image. At operation 430, the local server computing device processes the intraoral scan data (e.g., intraoral scan, color image, and/or other image) to generate or update a 3D surface and/or a 2D surface of at least a portion of the dental arch of the patient. At operation 435, the local server computing device determines that the 3D surface and/or the view of the 2D surface is to be output to the target device (e.g., to a display or computing device). At operation 440, the local server computing device outputs the 3D surface and/or a view of the 2D surface to the target device. In one embodiment, a view of a 3D surface including data from multiple intraoral scans is output to a target device. The 3D surface may represent a portion of the dental arch of a patient that has been scanned so far. In one embodiment, a copy of the viewfinder image (e.g., a color 2D image) is also output to the target device, where the viewfinder image may represent the current field of view of the intraoral scanner.

At operation 445, the local server computing device determines whether the scan is complete. For example, in response to a command from the intraoral scanner to exit scan mode, scan completion may be determined. If the scan is not complete, the method returns to operation 405 and the scanner generates additional intraoral scan data. The additional intraoral scan data may be processed to generate an updated 3D surface, and a view of the updated 3D surface may be output to the first target device. As the scan continues, processing logic may continuously receive new intraoral scan data and may continuously update the first 3D surface of at least a portion of the dental arch of the first patient as further intraoral scans are received. When updating the first 3D surface, processing logic may stream the update to a view of the first 3D surface of at least a portion of the dental arch of the first patient. Thus, when a scan begins, the physician can view the scan progress in real-time or near real-time. Additionally, the viewfinder image may be received from the intraoral scanner (e.g., as a component of intraoral scan data) and may be streamed to the first target device. Thus, the doctor may additionally be provided with an up-to-date view of the field of view of the scanner. If the scan is complete, the method continues to operation 450 and the scan is stopped. At any time, the user can resume scanning by sending a command to start scanning again.

Fig. 5 illustrates a flow chart of a method 500 for locating a wireless intraoral scanner according to an embodiment. At operation 505 of method 500, one or more brackets each wirelessly broadcast a unique identifier. Each of the stents may be a stent for an intraoral scanner. At operation 510, the intraoral scanner wirelessly receives one or more unique identifiers broadcast by the cradle. At operation 515, the intraoral scanner wirelessly transmits the one or more received unique identifiers to the local server computing device.

At operation 520, the local server computing device receives one or more unique identifiers from the intraoral scanner. Each unique identifier may be associated with a particular stent. At operation 522, the local server computing device determines the location of the intraoral scanner based on the received unique identifier. In one embodiment, the local server computing device receives a single unique identifier from the intraoral scanner and determines that the intraoral scanner is located in proximity to the cradle associated with the received single unique identifier. In one embodiment, the local server computing device receives a plurality of unique identifiers, each of the plurality of unique identifiers being associated with a different signal strength, and determines that the intraoral scanner is in proximity to the cradle having the unique identifier associated with the strongest signal strength. Alternatively, the local server computing device may perform triangulation based on the plurality of signals and the known locations of the brackets outputting those signals to determine the location of the intraoral scanner. At operation 525, the local server computing device notifies the user of the location of the intraoral scanner and/or the determined stent in the vicinity of the intraoral scanner. For example, the notification may be performed by outputting an indication of the location to a display or computing device requesting the location of the scanner.

Fig. 6 illustrates a flow diagram of a method 600 of processing intraoral scan data during intraoral scan using a cloud-based server in accordance with an embodiment. At operation 605 of method 600, processing logic receives first intraoral scan data from a first intraoral scanner, wherein the first intraoral scan data is data of an oral cavity of a first patient. The first intraoral scan data may be received wirelessly via a wireless network. The first intraoral scan data may include 2D or 3D scans, color 2D images, NIRI 2D images, and/or other images. At operation 610, processing logic sends intraoral scan data to a remote server. At operation 615, processing logic receives a first 3D surface (or view of the first 3D surface) of at least a portion of an arch of a first patient, which is generated by a remote server based on the first intraoral scan data. At operation 620, processing logic determines that a view of the first 3D surface is to be output to a first target device (e.g., to a display or to a computing device). The first target device may be associated with a scanner such that the scan result is transmitted to the first target device. In one embodiment, the first target device is temporarily associated with the scanner (e.g., for a scanning session) in response to a user entering a selection to receive data from the scanner into the first target device.

At operation 625, processing logic outputs a view of the first 3D surface to the first target device. For example, the view of the first 3D surface may be wirelessly transmitted to the first target device. At operation 630, processing logic receives a command from the first target device or from another device to manipulate a view of the first 3D surface. In one embodiment, processing logic receives a command from an intraoral scanner that receives intraoral scan data. At operation 635, processing logic may send a command to the remote server to manipulate the view of the first 3D surface. At operation 640, processing logic may receive an updated view of the first 3D surface after the remote server has manipulated the view according to the command. Alternatively, instead of performing operations 635 and 640, processing logic may manipulate the view of the first 3D surface locally. At operation 645, processing logic outputs an updated view of the first 3D surface to the first target device.

At operation 650, processing logic receives second intraoral scan data from a second intraoral scanner, wherein the second intraoral scan data is data of an oral cavity of a second patient. The second intraoral scan data may be received wirelessly via a wireless network. The second intraoral scan data may include 2D or 3D scans, color 2D images, NIRI 2D images, and/or other images. At operation 655, processing logic sends the second intraoral scan data to a remote server. At operation 660, processing logic receives a second 3D surface of at least a portion of a dental arch of a second patient, which is generated by a remote server based on second intraoral scan data. At operation 665, processing logic determines that the view of the second 3D surface is to be output to a second target device (e.g., to a display or to a computing device). The second target device may be associated with a second scanner such that the scan results are transmitted to the second target device. In one embodiment, the second target device is temporarily associated with the second scanner (e.g., for a scanning session) in response to a user entering a selection to receive data from the second scanner into the second target device.

At operation 670, processing logic outputs a view of the second 3D surface to the second target device. For example, the view of the second 3D surface may be wirelessly transmitted to the second target device.

Fig. 7A-7C illustrate a computing device 700 that functions as a local server for a distributed intraoral scanning system in accordance with an embodiment. Fig. 7A illustrates a top view of a computing device 700. Fig. 7B illustrates a left side view of computing device 700. Fig. 7C shows a right side view of computing device 700.

In one embodiment, computing device 700 is a modular computing server system designed to provide computing services for a flexible number of intraoral scanners. Computing device 700 may include a base 705 and one or more adapters 720A-720B. The base 705 may include a wireless access point 710 (e.g., a Wi-Fi access point or module) and/or may include a network port 718 (e.g., an ethernet port 718) for connecting to a wireless access point or wireless router. The base 705 may additionally include a power port 715 for connection to an electrical outlet. Each adapter 720A-720B may include a private power unit (PSU) 725A-725B and a network switch (e.g., an ethernet switch). In one embodiment, adapters 720A-720B are daisy-chained (daity-chained) to base 705 via a power cable or power connector and/or a network cable (e.g., an Ethernet cable). Accordingly, each adapter 720A-720B may be connected to an access point 710 and/or a network port 718 as well as a power port 715.

Each of the adapters 720A-720B may be configured to receive a single computing unit 735A-735B, which may be removably coupled to the adapters 720A-720B. Each computing unit may include one or more processors and/or memory and may be responsible for performing operations on intraoral scan data from one or more intraoral scanners. For example, computing unit 735A may be associated with a first intraoral scanner and may process intraoral scan data from the first intraoral scanner, and computing unit 735B may be associated with a second intraoral scanner and may process intraoral scan data from the second intraoral scanner. Similarly, the first computing unit 735A may send the first image data to a first target device (e.g., a first display) associated with a first intraoral scanner, and the second computing unit 735B may send the second image data to a second target device (e.g., a second display) associated with a second intraoral scanner. In addition, the first computing unit 735A may receive commands from a first computing device associated with a first intraoral scanner to control a first instance of an intraoral scanning application executing on the first computing unit, and the second computing unit 735B may receive commands from a second device associated with a second intraoral scanner to control a second instance of an intraoral scanning application executing on the second computing unit. In one embodiment, each computing unit has its own private network address (e.g., its own Internet Protocol (IP) address, which may be a dynamic or static IP address).

As shown, computing device 700 includes two adapters 720A-720B, each having a computing unit 735A-735B attached to a respective adapter 720A-720B. However, in other embodiments, computing device 700 may include more than two adapters (e.g., may include 3, 4, 5, 6, or more adapters). In an embodiment, a customer may select how many adapters they want and/or how many computing units they want. Each computing unit 735A-735B may be designed to perform processing for one or several intraoral scanners. Thus, a dental office having only one scanner may use computing device 700 having a single computing unit 735A. However, a dental office with 3 scanners may use a computing device 700 with two computing units 735A-735B. The dental office may order a computing device 700 having a single computing unit 735A and having one or more empty adapters. If at some point the dental office expands and adds additional intraoral scanners to their system, they may order additional computing units 735B to add to the empty adapter to increase the capacity of their computing device 700.

In one embodiment, each adapter 720A-720B includes a connector 740 that may be used to connect computing units 735A-735B to adapters 720A-720B. Computing units 735A-735B may be removed from the adapter via a single action and may be inserted into the same computing device 700 or an adapter of a different computing device or another adapter via a single action. The single connector may be a split connector that provides both power and data connections between the computing unit and the adapter. The computing unit may be inserted into and/or removed from the computing device by a simple push/pull action and may be moved between offices, for example, while leaving computing device 700 stationary.

Fig. 8 illustrates a distributed system 800 for performing intraoral scanning and/or generating a virtual three-dimensional model of an intraoral site according to an embodiment. Distributed system 800 includes scanners 850A-850B, local server computing device 105, peripheral computing devices 854A-845B, and displays 856A-856B. The distributed system 800 may also include remote server computing devices (not shown). In an embodiment, the local server computing device 105 may correspond to the local server computing device 700 of fig. 7A-7C. For example, the local server computing device may include a plurality of computing units 815A-815B. Although two computing units are shown, it should be understood that in alternative embodiments, the local server computing device 105 may include only a single computing unit or may include more than two computing units. Each computing unit 815A-815B may include its own instance of an intraoral scanning application 820A-820B. In some embodiments, each computing unit 815A-815B and intraoral scanning application 820A-820B may be configured to work with a single intraoral scanner at a time. In some embodiments, a single computing unit may be configured to operate in parallel with multiple intraoral scanners. For example, the computing unit may implement multi-tenant and/or virtualization to isolate interactions with different intraoral scanners. If virtualization is used, a single computing unit can include a virtual machine manager on which multiple virtual computing units can reside. Each virtual computing unit may include a different instance of its own intraoral scanning application.

In an embodiment, the distributed system 800 may substantially correspond to the distributed system 100 of FIG. 1A, except that the distributed system 800 illustrates one embodiment in which the local server computing device 105 includes a plurality of computing units 815A-815B, each of which processes an intraoral scanning task of a different intraoral scanner 850A-850B. For example, local server computing device 105 may be connected to data storage device 125 and may store intraoral scan data 135A-135N as discussed with reference to FIG. 1A.

The computing unit 815A and/or the intraoral scanning application 820A establish connection with an intraoral scanner 850A, peripheral computing device 854A, and display device 856A. The computing unit 815A and/or the intraoral scanning application 820A may associate the scanner 850A, peripheral computing device 854A, and display device 856A. Thus, intraoral scan data may be sent from scanner 850A to computing unit 815A. The intraoral scan application 820A may process intraoral scan data to generate a 3D surface and may send the 3D surface or a view of the 3D surface to the peripheral computing device 854A and/or display device 856A and a doctor may monitor progress of the intraoral scan based on viewing of the 3D surface shown on the peripheral computing device 854A and/or display device 856A.

Scanner 850A may include a touch screen 852A and intraoral scanning application 820A may transmit data to be displayed on touch screen 852A during an intraoral scanning session. The data to be displayed on the touch screen 852A may include virtual buttons, a virtual keypad, a full or partial view of a 3D surface, a viewfinder image, a portion of a viewfinder image, and/or other data. The data to be displayed on the touch screen 852A may be still data (e.g., buttons, menus, icons, etc.) and/or motion data (e.g., video). The user may interact with the touch screen (e.g., by pressing a virtual button), and scanner 850A may send control signals to intraoral scanning application 820A based on such user interaction with the touch screen. The control signals may cause the intraoral scanning application to change the view of the 3D surface or 3D model, change to a different scanning section (e.g., upper arch section, lower arch section, bite section, prepare tooth section, etc.), change to a different mode, etc. A user may additionally or alternatively cooperate with one or more inputs (e.g., mouse, touchpad, keyboard, etc.) of the peripheral computing device 854A to control the intraoral scanning application 820A.

Computing unit 815B and/or intraoral scanning application 820B establish connectivity to intraoral scanner 850B, peripheral computing device 854B and display device 856B. Computing unit 815B and/or intraoral scanning application 820B may associate scanner 850B, peripheral computing device 854B, and display device 856B. Thus, intraoral scan data may be sent from scanner 850B to computing unit 815B. The intraoral scan application 820B may process the intraoral scan data to generate a 3D surface and may send the 3D surface or a view of the 3D surface to the peripheral computing device 854B and/or display device 856B and a doctor may monitor progress of the intraoral scan based on viewing of the 3D surface shown on the peripheral computing device 854B and/or display device 856B. Each of these operations may be performed in parallel with operations performed by the computing unit 815A for the intraoral scanner 850A, peripheral computing device 854A, and display device 856A. Scanner 850B may include a touch screen 852B and intraoral scanning application 820B may operate as described with reference to touch screen 852A.

In embodiments, there are a number of different techniques that may be implemented for pairing or connecting an intraoral scanner, peripheral computing device, and/or display device to a local server computing device. Embodiments that cover some of these techniques are discussed below.

Fig. 9A is a sequence diagram illustrating a method 900 of pairing and synchronizing an intraoral scanner 150, a peripheral computing device 154, and an optional display device 156 with a local server computing device 105 in accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure. At block 902, the intraoral scanner 150 may display an Identifier (ID) of the intraoral scanner 150. The identifier may be a unique identifier assigned to the intraoral scanner 150 that can be used to identify the intraoral scanner 150. In one embodiment, the identifier is a permanent value, such as a serial number of intraoral scanner 150 that may have been assigned at the time of manufacture. In one embodiment, the identifier is an identifier previously assigned to the intraoral scanner 150 by the local server computing device 105. The identifier may be displayed on a display of the intraoral scanner, which may include a touch screen and/or a non-touch sensitive display, such as a small Liquid Crystal Display (LCD) display. In one embodiment, the displayed scanner ID is a code such as a one-dimensional or two-dimensional bar code.

At block 903, the peripheral computing device 154 may receive the displayed scanner ID, which may be performed after the doctor selects the "connect to intraoral scanner" option in the peripheral computing device 154. In one embodiment, a user reads a scanner ID from a scanner and enters the scanner ID into a peripheral computing device (e.g., using a keyboard of the peripheral computing device). In one embodiment, peripheral computing device 154 includes a camera that may be used to capture an image of the scanner ID displayed on scanner 150. For example, the peripheral computing device may scan a Quick Response (QR) code or another matrix barcode and determine a digital identifier from the scanned QR or matrix barcode. Alternatively, if the identifier is an alphanumeric code or a numeric code, the peripheral computing device may perform Optical Character Recognition (OCR) to identify the scanner ID.

In some embodiments, intraoral scanner 150 comprises a wireless module that periodically or continuously broadcasts a signal comprising a unique identifier of the intraoral scanner. Each intraoral scanner may transmit or broadcast a unique identifier that is different from the other intraoral scanners. The peripheral computing device 154 may receive signals broadcast or transmitted by the scanner 150. In one embodiment, the signal broadcast by the intraoral scanner may be a low power signal detected by peripheral computing device 154 if the scanner is within a threshold distance from the peripheral computing device. Thus, the peripheral computing device 154 may detect the signal from the intraoral scanner and report the unique identifier included in the signal to the computing device 105. In one embodiment, the low power signal output by the intraoral scanner is a signal corresponding to a low energy unidirectional wireless protocol (e.g.,protocols or others->Low Energy (BLE) protocol) to transmit information that may be used to identify an intraoral scanning system display adapter. In one embodiment, the signal broadcast by the intraoral scanner is a Bluetooth signal, a Zigbee signal, a Wi-Fi signal, or a signal broadcast according to another wireless protocol.

In one embodiment, peripheral computing device 154 includes a Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) or Near Field Communication (NFC) reader, and periodically broadcasts a signal to read the RFID or NFC chip. The intraoral scanner may include a unique RFID or NFC identifier and may respond by transmitting the unique identifier upon receipt of an RFID or NFC read signal. The peripheral computing device 154 may then report the unique identifier to the computing device 105, which may determine the intraoral scanner to be associated with the peripheral computing device 154 based on the unique ID, as discussed above. Alternatively, the intraoral scanner 150 may include an RFID or NFC reader that may read an RFID or NFC chip on the peripheral computing device 154 and may include a Wi-Fi module to wirelessly connect to the computing device 105 and report received signals from the peripheral computing device 154.

The peripheral computing device 154 may query the local server computing device 105 (e.g., via background polling) to determine one or more available computing units of the available local server computing device 105. In one embodiment, peripheral computing device 154 periodically performs polling of local server computing device 105 to determine available computing units. The peripheral computing device may receive one or more responses indicating one or more available computing units. At block 904, the peripheral computing device sends a connection request to the local server computing device 105. In one embodiment, the connection request is a request to associate the peripheral computing device with an intraoral scanner, which may be one of a plurality of intraoral scanners. The connection request may be sent to a particular available computing unit and/or may include an identifier of the available computing unit. The connection request may additionally or alternatively include an identifier of the peripheral computing device and a received scanner ID of the intraoral scanner 150. In one embodiment, a Remote Desktop Protocol (RDP) is used to initialize the connection with the computing unit.

At block 906, the local server computing device may send a connection response to the peripheral computing device indicating that the connection has been established. At block 910, the local server computing device 105 may send a connection request to the intraoral scanner 150 using the received scanner ID associated with the intraoral scanner 150. At block 912, the intraoral scanner 150 may send a connection response, after which the local server computing device may connect to the intraoral scanner. At this time, a specific computing unit of the local server computing device 105 may be connected to the peripheral computing device 154 and the intraoral scanner 150, and each of the computing unit of the local server computing device, the intraoral scanner 150, and the peripheral computing device 154 may be associated with each other in the intraoral scanning application.

In some embodiments, at block 915, the display device 156 displays an identifier of the display device 156. The display ID may be a unique identifier that may be used to identify the display device and may be a permanent ID (e.g., a serial number) or a temporary ID previously assigned by the local server computing device 105. At block 920, the peripheral computing device 154 may receive the display ID. For example, the user may manually input the display ID into the peripheral computing device 154, or the peripheral computing device may include a camera that captures an image of an identifier (e.g., a one-or two-dimensional bar code or alphanumeric code) displayed by the display device 156.

Note that references above to a connection established between the local server computing device 105 and the display device 156 include a direct connection between the local server computing device and the display device as well as a connection between the local server computing device 105 and an intraoral scanning system display adapter or digital media player inserted into the data input of the display device 156. For example, the intraoral scanning system display adapter may be connected to a television via RCA cable, high Definition Multimedia Interface (HDMI) cable, fiber optic cable, universal Serial Bus (USB) cable, or other audio/video or data cable. In one embodiment, the intraoral scanning system display adapter is a USB dongle that plugs into a USB port of a television. If the connection to the display device 156 is actually a connection to an intraoral scanning system display adapter or digital media player inserted into the display device, the display ID displayed on the display device and used to connect to the display device may actually be the ID of the intraoral scanning system display adapter or digital media player.

In some embodiments, an intraoral scanning system display adapter as previously discussed herein includes a wireless module that periodically or continuously broadcasts a signal that includes a unique identifier of the display device or intraoral scanning system display adapter. Additionally or alternatively, the display device may comprise such a wireless module. Each intraoral scanning system display adapter or display device may transmit or broadcast a unique identifier that is different from other intraoral scanning system display adapters and/or display devices. The peripheral computing device 154 may receive signals broadcast or transmitted by one or more intraoral scanning system display adapters and/or display devices depending on the location of the scanner 150. In one embodiment, if the peripheral computing device is within a threshold distance from the intraoral scanning system display adapter or display device, the signal broadcast by each intraoral scanning system display adapter and/or display device may be a low power signal detected by peripheral computing device 154. Thus, the peripheral computing device 154 may detect a signal from the intraoral scanning system display adapter or display device and report the unique identifier included in the signal to the computing device 105. In one embodiment, the low power signal output by the intraoral scanning system display adapter or display device is a signal corresponding to a low energy unidirectional wireless protocol (e.g., Protocols or otherLow Energy (BLE) protocol) to transmit information that may be used to identify an intraoral scanning system display adapter or display device.

In one embodiment, the signal broadcast by each intraoral scanning system display adapter or display device is a bluetooth signal, a Zigbee signal, a Wi-Fi signal, or a signal broadcast according to another wireless protocol. The intraoral scanning system display adapter or display device may broadcast signals that are strong enough that peripheral computing device 154 may receive signals from the display adapter and/or display device. The peripheral computing device 154 may report the received signal as well as the signal strength, time of flight, delay, signal angle, etc. of the received signal to the computing device 105. The computing device 105 may then use the received information to determine which of the plurality of intraoral scanning system display adapters and/or display devices should be associated with the peripheral computing device 154. In one embodiment, the peripheral computing device 154 is determined to be proximate to the intraoral scanning system display adapter or display device associated with the strongest signal strength.

In one embodiment, peripheral computing device 154 includes a Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) or Near Field Communication (NFC) reader, and periodically broadcasts a signal to read the RFID or NFC chip. Each intraoral scanning system display adapter and/or display device may include a unique RFID or NFC identifier and may respond by transmitting the unique identifier upon receipt of an RFID or NFC read signal. The peripheral computing device 154 may then report the unique identifier to the computing device 105, which may determine an intraoral scanning system display adapter or display device to be associated with the peripheral computing device based on the unique ID, as discussed above. Alternatively, each intraoral scanning system display adapter and/or display device may include an RFID or NFC reader that may read an RFID or NFC chip on peripheral computing device 154 and may include a Wi-Fi module to wirelessly connect to computing device 105 and report signals received from peripheral computing device 154.

At block 922, the peripheral computing device 154 may report the display ID to the local server computing device 105. The local server computing device 105 may then send a connection request to the display device using the received display ID at block 924. In one embodiment, the local server computing device 105 broadcasts a connection message that includes the display ID of the display device. At block 926, the display device 156 may send a connection response to the local server computing device 105 such that a connection is established between the local server computing device (e.g., a computing unit of the local server computing device) and the display device 156. In one embodiment, a web application or native application running on the display device receives the broadcast message including the display ID and then uses the IP address of the local computing device (which may be indicated in the received broadcast message) to connect to the local computing device 154. The display device may then begin receiving a video stream (e.g., webRTC video stream). The display device may then be associated with a computing unit of the local server computing device 105, the intraoral scanner 150, and the peripheral computing device 154.

Fig. 9B is another sequence diagram illustrating a method 950 of pairing and synchronizing an intraoral scanner 150, a peripheral computing device 154, and an optional display device 156 with a local server computing device 105 in accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure. At block 952, the intraoral scanner 150 may display an Identifier (ID) of the intraoral scanner 150. The identifier may be a unique identifier assigned to the intraoral scanner 150 that can be used to identify the intraoral scanner 150. In one embodiment, the identifier is a permanent value, such as a serial number of intraoral scanner 150 that may have been assigned at the time of manufacture. In one embodiment, the identifier is an identifier previously assigned to the intraoral scanner 150 by the local server computing device 105. The identifier may be displayed on a display of the intraoral scanner, which may include a touch screen and/or a non-touch sensitive display, such as a small Liquid Crystal Display (LCD) display. In one embodiment, the displayed scanner ID is a code such as a one-dimensional or two-dimensional bar code.

At block 953, the peripheral computing device 154 may receive the displayed scanner ID. In one embodiment, a user reads a scanner ID from a scanner and enters the scanner ID into a peripheral computing device (e.g., using a keyboard of the peripheral computing device). In one embodiment, peripheral computing device 154 includes a camera that may be used to capture an image of the scanner ID displayed on scanner 150. For example, the peripheral computing device may scan a Quick Response (QR) code or another matrix barcode and determine a digital identifier from the scanned QR or matrix barcode. Alternatively, if the identifier is an alphanumeric code or a numeric code, the peripheral computing device may perform Optical Character Recognition (OCR) to identify the scanner ID.

The peripheral computing device 154 may query the local server computing device 105 to determine one or more available computing units of the available local server computing device 105. The peripheral computing device may receive one or more responses indicating one or more available computing units. At block 954, the peripheral computing device 154 sends a connection request to the local server computing device 105. The connection request may be sent to a particular available computing unit and/or may include an identifier of the available computing unit. The connection request may additionally or alternatively include an identifier of the peripheral computing device and a received scanner ID of the intraoral scanner 150. At block 956, the local server computing device may send a connection response to the peripheral computing device indicating that a connection has been established. At block 960, the local server computing device 105 may send a connection request to the intraoral scanner 150 using the received scanner ID associated with the intraoral scanner 150. At block 962, the intraoral scanner 150 may send a connection response, after which the local server computing device may connect to the intraoral scanner. At this time, a specific computing unit of the local server computing device 105 may be connected to the peripheral computing device 154 and the intraoral scanner 150, and each of the computing unit of the local server computing device, the intraoral scanner 150, and the peripheral computing device 154 may be associated with each other in the intraoral scanning application.

In some embodiments, at block 965, display device 156 displays a display identifier of display device 156. The display ID may be a unique identifier that may be used to identify the display device and may be a permanent ID (e.g., a serial number) or a temporary ID previously assigned by the local server computing device 105. At block 970, the intraoral scanner 150 may receive the display ID.

In one embodiment, the user may manually enter the display ID into the intraoral scanner 150 using the touchscreen of the intraoral scanner. The touch screen may display a touch keypad including a plurality of virtual buttons, wherein each of the virtual buttons may display a number or other character. In some embodiments, the display ID includes a limited number of possible characters (e.g., each number of the display ID may be a value of 1-6). The size of the touch pad on the intraoral scanner 150 may be relatively small and thus the number of virtual buttons included in the displayed touch keypad may be limited (e.g., there may be 6, 5, 4, or fewer virtual buttons in the touch keypad). The touch keypad may include a different button (e.g., a different virtual button for each of the numbers 1-6) for each character that may be included in the display ID. Thus, the user may enter the display ID using a touch keypad on the touch screen of the intraoral scanner 150. In some embodiments, only a portion of the display ID is received via the touch screen of the intraoral scanner. For example, a dental office may have 10-50 display devices, each having a unique identifier. The lower two digits or three digits or four digits of the identifier for the display device may be sufficient to distinguish the display device. Thus, in some embodiments, not all numbers of display IDs are used.

In one embodiment, the probe (e.g., scanning surface) of the intraoral scanner 150 is directed toward the display and is used to capture an image (e.g., alphanumeric code, one-dimensional bar code, two-dimensional bar code, etc.) of the display ID displayed on the display device 156. At block 972, the intraoral scanner 150 may report the display ID to the local server computing device 105. The local server computing device 105 may then send a connection request to the display device using the received display ID at block 974. At block 976, the display device 156 may send a connection response to the local server computing device 105 such that a connection is established between the local server computing device (e.g., a computing unit of the local server computing device) and the display device 156. Display device 156 may then be associated with a computing unit of local server computing device 105, intraoral scanner 150, and peripheral computing device 154.

In some embodiments, an intraoral scanning system display adapter as previously discussed herein includes a wireless module that periodically or continuously broadcasts a signal that includes a unique identifier of the display device or intraoral scanning system display adapter. Additionally or alternatively, the display device may comprise such a wireless module. Each intraoral scanning system display adapter or display device may transmit or broadcast a unique identifier that is different from the other intraoral scanning system display adapters or display devices. The scanner 150 may receive signals broadcast or transmitted by one or more intraoral scanning system display adapters or display devices depending on the location of the scanner 150. In one embodiment, the signal broadcast by each intraoral scanning system display adapter or display device may be a low power signal that is detected by scanner 150 if the scanner is within a threshold distance from the intraoral scanning system display adapter. Thus, the scanner 150 may detect a signal from the intraoral scanning system display adapter or display device and report the unique identifier included in the signal to the computing device 105. In one embodiment, the low power signal output by the intraoral scanning system display adapter is a signal corresponding to a low energy unidirectional wireless protocol (e.g., Protocols or others->Low Energy (BLE) protocol) to transmit information that may be used to identify an intraoral scanning system display adapter.

In one embodiment, the signal broadcast by each intraoral scanning system display adapter or display device is a bluetooth signal, a Zigbee signal, a Wi-Fi signal, or a signal broadcast according to another wireless protocol. The intraoral scanning system display adapter or display device may broadcast a signal strong enough so that scanner 150 may receive signals from the display adapter. The scanner 150 may report the received signal as well as the signal strength, time of flight, delay, signal angle, etc. of the received signal to the computing device 105. The computing device 105 may then use the received information to determine which of the plurality of intraoral scanning system display adapters should be associated with the scanner 150. In one embodiment, scanner 150 is determined to be proximate to an intraoral scanning system display adapter or display device associated with the strongest signal strength.

In one embodiment, scanner 150 includes a Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) or Near Field Communication (NFC) reader and periodically broadcasts a signal to read the RFID or NFC chip. Each intraoral scanning system display adapter or display device may include a unique RFID or NFC identifier and may respond by transmitting the unique identifier upon receipt of an RFID or NFC read signal. The scanner 150 may then report the unique identifier to the computing device 105, which may determine an intraoral scanning system display adapter to be associated with the scanner based on the unique ID, as discussed above. Alternatively, each intraoral scanning system display adapter or display device may include an RFID or NFC reader that can read an RFID or NFC chip on scanner 150, and may include a Wi-Fi module to wirelessly connect to computing device 105 and report received signals from scanner 150.

The methods 900 and/or 950 may be performed in parallel or sequentially by a plurality of different peripheral computing devices, which may all be part of the same intraoral scanning system. For example, the first peripheral computing device and the second peripheral computing device may be two of a plurality of peripheral computing devices of an intraoral scanning system. Similarly, the first intraoral scanner and the second intraoral scanner may be two of a plurality of intraoral scanners of an intraoral scanning system. Similarly, the first display device and the second display device may be two of a plurality of display devices of an intraoral scanning system. The first peripheral computing device may be connected to the first intraoral scanner and/or the first display device via a first computing unit of the local server computing device, and the second peripheral computing device may be connected to the second intraoral scanner and/or the second display device simultaneously via a second computing unit of the local server computing device.

In some embodiments, the user may wish to connect the peripheral computing device to the local server computing device, rather than to the intraoral scanner. In such embodiments, the user may input a connection request via the peripheral computing device, and the peripheral computing device may search for available computing units. The peripheral computing device may identify and connect to available computing units of the local server computing device. While no intraoral scanner is connected to the computing unit to which the peripheral computing device is connected, intraoral scanning may be performed without association with the peripheral computing device. However, the peripheral computing device may be used to initiate a patient prescription, view a 3D model of the patient's dental arch, view a patient prescription, and so forth. At any time that the peripheral computing device is connected to the peripheral computing device, the user may input the scanner ID of the intraoral scanner to cause the local server computing device to connect to the scanner having the scanner ID and begin intraoral scanning.

At any point after the intraoral scanner and peripheral computing device (and optionally display device) are connected to a local server computing device (e.g., connected to a particular computing unit of the local server computing device) and associated with each other, a user may wish to disconnect one or more devices from the local server computing device. For example, a dental office may include more dental chairs and display devices than an intraoral scanner. The dentist may carry the intraoral scanner between the dental chairs and may wish to disconnect the first display device at the first dental chair and connect the intraoral scanner with the second display device at the second dental chair.

In one embodiment, the peripheral computing device receives a request to disconnect the intraoral scanner, display device, and/or peripheral computing device from the local server computing device. The peripheral computing device may then send a disconnect instruction to the local server computing device, the disconnect instruction identifying one or more devices to disconnect from the local server computing device. The local server computing device may then close the connection with the identified device. For example, to disconnect from the display device, the peripheral computing device may send a disconnect from the display device message to the local server computing device. The local server computing device may then cease streaming video to the display device and may cause the display device to switch back to the listening mode in which the display ID of the display device may be displayed.

In one embodiment, to completely close the intra-port scan session, the peripheral computing device may send a close session command to the local server computing device. The local server computing device may then close the connection with the intraoral scanner and may cease streaming data to the display device and switch the display device back to listening mode. The local server computing device may then send a disconnect acknowledgement to the peripheral computing device, which may receive and display the disconnect acknowledgement. In addition, disconnection confirmation may be sent to and displayed on the display device and/or intraoral scanner. Once the user of the peripheral computing device accepts the disconnection confirmation via the peripheral computing device, the peripheral computing device may send a disconnection confirmation message to the local server computing device such that the connection between the peripheral computing device and the local server computing device is terminated.

In one embodiment, a message is sent to one or more devices requesting confirmation of closing the connection. For example, a disconnect acknowledgement message may be sent to the intraoral scanner and/or peripheral computing device and may be displayed on one or more of these devices along with a continue virtual button or icon and a cancel virtual button or icon. The user may select or press a continue virtual button or icon to continue disconnecting the device from the local server computing device, or may select to cancel the virtual button or icon to cancel the disconnection process.

Fig. 10A is a sequence diagram illustrating an intraoral scanning process 1000 involving multiple wirelessly connected devices in accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure. At block 1002 of process 1000, intraoral scanner 150 generates intraoral scan data that may include intraoral scans, 2D color images (e.g., viewfinder images), 2D NIRI images, and the like. At block 1004, the intraoral scanner 150 wirelessly transmits intraoral scan data to the local server computing device 105. At block 1006, the local server computing device 105 processes the intraoral scan data to generate or update a 3D surface of the dental site being scanned. At block 1008, the local server computing device 105 may determine a view of the 3D surface. At block 1010, the local server computing device 105 may wirelessly transmit the view of the 3D surface to the peripheral computing device 154. At block 1012, the local server computing device 105 may additionally wirelessly transmit the view of the 3D surface to the display device 156. The current viewfinder image may also be transmitted at blocks 1010 and 1012. At block 1014, the peripheral computing device 154 displays a view of the 3D surface (and optionally the current viewfinder image). At block 1016, the display device 156 displays a view of the 3D surface (and optionally the current viewfinder image). This process may be repeated until the intraoral scan is stopped or until the intraoral scan application transitions from scan mode to another mode of operation. The intraoral scanner may generate multiple intraoral scans and/or images per second and may update the 3D surface with each intraoral scan and may stream an updated view of the 3D surface to the peripheral computing device and/or display device.

Fig. 10B is a sequence diagram illustrating a method 1050 of controlling an intraoral scanning application using an intraoral scanner touchscreen in accordance with an embodiment of the disclosure. At block 1052, the local server computing device 105 determines one or more virtual buttons, interfaces, and/or other data to display on the touch screen of the intraoral scanner 150. The determination of which virtual buttons to display may be based at least in part on a current mode of operation of an intraoral scanning application executing on local server computing device 105. For example, a first button may be displayed on the touch screen during the scan mode and a second button may be displayed on the touch screen during the view mode. At block 1054, the local server computing device 105 sends a touch screen/button/interface update to the intraoral scanner, where the update indicates what data is to be displayed on the touch screen. In some embodiments, the local server computing device 105 sends the actual image and/or video to be displayed or streamed to the touch screen. In some embodiments, intraoral scanner 150 includes memory in which a plurality of different touch screen virtual buttons and/or interfaces are stored. In such embodiments, the local server computing device 105 may send a code indicating what virtual buttons or what interfaces are to be displayed, and the intraoral scanner 150 may access the stored data to determine what images, virtual buttons, and/or icons are to be displayed on the touch screen based on the code.

At block 1056, the intraoral scanner 150 receives virtual button presses and/or other touch screen interactions. At block 1058, the intraoral scanner 150 may wirelessly transmit touch screen interaction data (e.g., an indication of what virtual button was pressed, an indication of what touch motion or gesture was detected, etc.) to the local server computing device 105. At block 1060, the local server computing device 105 may update the status of the intraoral scanning application based on the received touch screen interaction data. For example, the mode of the intraoral scanning application may be changed, the view of the 3D surface may be changed, the active scanning section may be changed, etc.

Several examples of touch screen interfaces with virtual buttons are described below. Fig. 11A-11F illustrate example virtual buttons on an intraoral scanner touch screen according to embodiments of the present disclosure.

Fig. 11A shows an intraoral scanner 1100 having a touch screen 1102 displaying a touch keypad 1104 including a plurality of virtual buttons 1106. As shown, each virtual button 1106 includes a different character (e.g., a different number). The user may use the touch keypad 1104 to enter a code (such as a display ID of a display device) to associate with the intraoral scanner 1100. The touch keypad 1104 may be displayed on the touch screen 1102 in response to a user entering commands to connect to the display device via the intraoral scanner or via the peripheral computing device. After the user enters the display ID (or a portion of the display ID sufficient to uniquely distinguish the target display device from other nearby display devices), the local server computing device may output a message to the display device indicating that it is associated with the intraoral scanner. In addition, the local server computing device may output a message to the intraoral scanner asking if the desired display device has been connected, and the touch screen 1102 may display the message. In addition, the touch screen 1102 may display an accept virtual button 1130 and a cancel virtual button 1132 as shown in fig. 11E, or an option I virtual button 1134 and an option II virtual button 1136 as shown in fig. 11F. The user may press the accept virtual button 1116 to confirm that a connection has been established with the correct display device or may press the cancel virtual button 1118 to indicate that a connection has not been established with the correct display device.

Fig. 11B shows an intraoral scanner 1100 having a touch screen 1102 displaying an interface for navigating between scan segments during intraoral scanning. For example, the scan section may include an upper arch section, a lower arch section, and a patient bite section. The user may be currently scanning one of the sections (e.g., the upper arch section) and may desire to scan the next section (e.g., the lower arch section) when that section is completed. Thus, the user may press the next section virtual button 1112 to transition to scan the next section (e.g., the lower arch section). Once the section is complete, the user may press the "next section" button again to transition to scanning the next section (e.g., patient bite section). At any time, the user may press the previous section virtual button to revisit the scan of the already scanned section. For example, if the user is currently scanning the occlusal zone, the user may press the previous zone virtual button to transition to the scan of the lower arch zone, and may press the previous zone virtual button again to transition to the scan of the upper arch zone.

Fig. 11C shows an intraoral scanner 1100 having a touch screen 1102 displaying an alternative interface for navigating between scan segments during intraoral scanning. For example, the scan section may include an upper arch section, a lower arch section, and a patient bite section. In one embodiment, the interface of the touch screen 1102 includes an upper arch segment virtual button 1114, a lower arch segment virtual button 1116, and a patient bite virtual button 1118. The user may be currently scanning one of the sections (e.g., the upper arch section) and when that section is completed the user may desire to scan the other section (e.g., the lower arch section). Thus, the user may press a virtual button associated with the section that the user wishes to scan. Once the section is complete, the user may press a different section virtual button to transition to the scan of the next section (e.g., the patient's bite section). At any time, the user may press any scan section virtual button to enable further scanning of the section.

In one embodiment, the user may select a desired interface for the touch screen 1102 during scanning workflow control (e.g., navigating between sections). For example, the user may choose to use the interface shown in FIG. 11B to transition between scan sections, or may choose to use the interface shown in FIG. 11C to transition between scan sections.

Fig. 11D shows an intraoral scanner 1100 with a touch screen 1102 displaying an interface for controlling a view of a 3D surface or 3D model of a dental site, referred to as model view manipulation. At any time during the scan, the user may wish to evaluate the scan progress by viewing the 3D surface from one or more virtual camera positions and/or angles and/or magnification settings. The user may provide input via the scanner 1100 (e.g., via the touch screen 1102 and/or one or more buttons of the scanner 1100) to temporarily transition out of the scan mode and enter the view mode. When in the view mode, touch screen 1102 may display zoom virtual button 1120, pan virtual button 1122, and rotate virtual button 1124. In one embodiment, the user may press one of pan virtual button 1122, zoom virtual button 1120, or rotate virtual button 1124 to select the appropriate manipulation mode (e.g., pan mode, zoom mode, or rotate mode). In the appropriate mode, further interaction with the touch screen may cause a particular type of manipulation associated with the current manipulation mode. For example, in a pan mode, dragging a finger over a touch screen may pan a 3D surface. In the rotation mode, dragging a finger over the touch screen may rotate the 3D surface. In zoom mode, dragging a finger over the touch screen may zoom in or out the 3D surface.

In one embodiment, the user may press a pan virtual button to pan the view of the 3D surface. In one embodiment, the pan virtual button includes four arrows, and the direction and/or amount of panning is dependent on the position the user presses in the pan virtual button. For example, pressing the right arrow of the pan virtual button may cause a right pan, pressing the up arrow may cause an up pan, and so on. In one embodiment, rotating different swipe gestures within the virtual button causes a particular rotation of a view of the 3D surface (e.g., a virtual camera viewing the 3D surface). For example, a rightward sliding may cause a rotation about a vertical axis in a rightward direction. In one embodiment, a right swipe in the zoom virtual button causes a zoom-in command and a left swipe in the zoom virtual button causes a zoom-out command. Alternatively, pressing any of the virtual buttons shown in FIG. 11D causes one or more new virtual buttons associated with the selected viewing operation to be displayed.

In one embodiment, different gestures on the touch screen cause different operations to change the view of the 3D surface or 3D model. For example, a touch screen may support multi-touch control. Dragging a first number of fingers (e.g., one finger) of a user over a touch screen may cause rotation of a three-dimensional surface on a display. Dragging a second number of fingers (e.g., two fingers) of the user on the touch screen may cause a translation of the three-dimensional surface on the display. An inward squeezing motion of a user's finger on the touch screen may cause a reduction in the three-dimensional surface on the display. An outward squeezing motion of a user's finger on the touch screen may cause a magnification of the three-dimensional surface on the display.

Fig. 11E shows a touch screen 1102, the touch screen 1102 displaying a message and accepting virtual button 1130 and canceling virtual button 1132. For example, the message may be an inquiry asking the user if something is correct or if an action should be performed. Many other types of messages are possible. The user may press the accept virtual button 1130 to confirm the action or request or may press the cancel virtual button 1132 to reject or cancel the action or request.

Fig. 11F shows a touch screen 1102, the touch screen 1102 displaying messages along with option I virtual buttons 1134 and option II virtual buttons 1136. The message may be a query asking the user which of a plurality of options to proceed with. The particular options displayed may depend on the situation. The user may press the option I virtual button 1134 to proceed with the first option or may press the option II virtual button 1146 to proceed with the second option. One or more additional virtual buttons may also present one or more other options.

In some embodiments, once the intraoral scan is complete, touch screen 1102 displays an icon or message indicating that the intraoral scan is complete. The touch screen may additionally or alternatively include a virtual button that, when pressed, causes the intraoral scanning application to transition out of scan mode and to a subsequent mode (e.g., view mode).

The touch screen may provide one or more virtual buttons for feature activation of one or more features of the intraoral scanning application. In one embodiment, a long press of a touch screen (e.g., a particular icon or virtual button on the touch screen) will cause a menu to pop up in the touch screen and/or on the display of the peripheral computing device. The pop-up menu may provide a menu of a plurality of different feature options and/or icons/virtual buttons for controlling one or more features, for example as shown in fig. 11F. Some examples of features that may be controlled are visual features. For example, virtual buttons or menu options may be presented for turning on or off colors on the 3D surface or virtual 3D model, for turning on or off bite gap information (e.g., optionally displayed as a heat map overlay on the 3D model of the dental arch), for turning on or off a Fast Hole Detection (FHD) algorithm (a real-time hole detection algorithm that identifies and highlights holes larger than a threshold size), etc.

FIG. 12 illustrates a diagrammatic representation of machine in the example form of a computing device 1200 within which a set of instructions, for causing the machine to perform any one or more of the methodologies discussed herein, may be executed. In alternative embodiments, the machine may be connected (e.g., networked) to other machines in a Local Area Network (LAN), an intranet, an extranet, or the internet. For example, computing device 1200 may correspond to computing device 105 and/or computing device 106 of fig. 1. The machine may operate in the capacity of a server or a client machine in a client-server network environment, or as a peer machine in a peer-to-peer (or distributed) network environment. The machine may be a Personal Computer (PC), a tablet computer, a set-top box (STB), a Personal Digital Assistant (PDA), a cellular telephone, a network appliance, a server, a network router, switch or bridge, or any machine capable of executing a set of instructions (sequential or otherwise) that specify actions to be taken by that machine. Furthermore, while only a single machine is illustrated, the term "machine" shall also be taken to include any collection of machines (e.g., computers) that individually or jointly execute a set (or multiple sets) of instructions to perform any one or more of the methodologies discussed herein.

The example computing device 1200 includes a processing device 1202, a main memory 1204 (e.g., read Only Memory (ROM), flash memory, dynamic Random Access Memory (DRAM) such as Synchronous DRAM (SDRAM), etc.), a static memory 1206 (e.g., flash memory, static Random Access Memory (SRAM), etc.), and a secondary memory (e.g., data storage device 1228), which communicate with each other via a bus 1208.

The processing device 1202 represents one or more general-purpose processors, such as a microprocessor, central processing unit, or the like. More particularly, the processing device 1202 may be a Complex Instruction Set Computing (CISC) microprocessor, a Reduced Instruction Set Computing (RISC) microprocessor, a Very Long Instruction Word (VLIW) microprocessor, a processor implementing other instruction sets, or a processor implementing a combination of instruction sets. The processing device 1202 may also be one or more special purpose processing devices, such as an Application Specific Integrated Circuit (ASIC), a Field Programmable Gate Array (FPGA), a Digital Signal Processor (DSP), a network processor, or the like. The processing device 1202 is configured to execute processing logic for performing the operations and steps discussed herein (instructions 1226).

Computing device 1200 may also include a network interface device 1222 for communicating with a network 1264. The computing device 1200 may also include a video display unit 1210 (e.g., a Liquid Crystal Display (LCD) or a Cathode Ray Tube (CRT)), an alphanumeric input device 1212 (e.g., a keyboard), a cursor control device 1214 (e.g., a mouse), and a signal generation device 1220 (e.g., a speaker).

The data storage 1228 may include a machine-readable storage medium (or more specifically, a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium) 1224 having stored thereon one or more sets of instructions 1226 embodying any one or more of the methods or functions described herein, such as instructions for the dental modeling logic 1250. A non-transitory storage medium refers to a storage medium other than a carrier wave. The instructions 1226 may also reside, completely or at least partially, within the main memory 1204 and/or within the processing device 1202 during execution thereof by the computer device 1200, the main memory 1204 and the processing device 1202 also constituting computer readable storage media.

Computer-readable storage medium 1224 may also be used to store a local intraoral scanning application 1250 or a remote intraoral scanning application (not shown) that may perform the operations described above. The computer readable storage medium 1224 may also store a software library containing methods for the dental modeling logic 1250. While computer-readable storage medium 1224 is shown in an example embodiment to be a single medium, the term "computer-readable storage medium" should be taken to include a single medium or multiple media (e.g., a centralized or distributed database, and/or associated caches and servers) that store the one or more sets of instructions. The term "computer-readable storage medium" shall also be taken to include any medium, other than a carrier wave, that is capable of storing or encoding a set of instructions for execution by the machine and that cause the machine to perform any one or more of the methodologies of the present disclosure. Accordingly, the term "computer-readable storage medium" shall be taken to include, but not be limited to, solid-state memories, and optical and magnetic media.

Referring now to fig. 13, a schematic diagram of an intraoral scanner 1300 including an elongated hand wand (e.g., a body having a probe at one end of the body) according to some applications of the present disclosure. Intraoral scanner 1300 may include a wireless module (not shown) disposed in the body of intraoral scanner 1300. In an embodiment, the intraoral scanner 1300 may correspond to the intraoral scanner 150 of fig. 1A-1B. The intraoral scanner 1300 includes a plurality of structured light projectors 1302 and a plurality of cameras 1304 coupled to a rigid structure 1306 within a probe 1308 disposed at a distal end 1310 of a body of the intraoral scanner 1300. In some applications, the probe 1308 is inserted into the oral cavity of a subject or patient during an intraoral scanning procedure.

For some applications, the structured light projectors 1302 are positioned within the probe 1308 such that each structured light projector 1302 faces an object 1312 that is external to the intraoral scanner 1300 placed in its illumination field, rather than positioning the structured light projector at the proximal end of the hand wand and illuminating the object by light reflected off a mirror and then onto the object. Alternatively, a structured light projector may be provided at the proximal end of the hand-held wand. Similarly, for some applications, the cameras 1304 and/or other optical sensors are positioned within the probe 1308 such that each camera 1304 faces an object 1312 that is placed outside of the intraoral scanner 1300 in its field of view, rather than positioning the camera at the proximal end of the intraoral scanner and observing the object by light reflected off a mirror and into the camera. This positioning of the projector and camera within the probe 1308 enables the scanner to have an overall large field of view while maintaining a low profile probe. Alternatively, the camera may be provided in the proximal end of the hand-held wand.

In some applications, cameras 1304 each have a large field of view β (beta) of at least 45 degrees (e.g., at least 70 degrees, such as at least 80 degrees, such as 85 degrees). In some applications, the field of view may be less than 120 degrees, such as less than 100 degrees, such as less than 90 degrees. In one embodiment, the field of view β (beta) of each camera is between 80 and 90 degrees, which may be particularly useful because it provides a good balance between pixel size, field of view and camera overlap, optical quality and cost. The camera 1304 may include an image sensor 1318 and objective optics 1320 including one or more lenses. To achieve near-focus imaging, the camera 1304 may be focused at an object focal plane 1322, which object focal plane 1322 is located between 1mm and 30mm, e.g., between 4mm and 24mm, e.g., between 5mm and 11mm, e.g., 9mm-10mm, from the lens furthest from the sensor. In some applications, the camera 1304 may capture images at a frame rate of at least 30 frames per second, such as at a frame rate of at least 75 frames per second, such as at least 100 frames per second. In some applications, the frame rate may be less than 200 frames per second.

The large field of view obtained by combining the respective fields of view of all cameras may improve accuracy due to the reduced amount of image stitching error, especially in toothless areas, where the gingival surface is smooth and there may be fewer sharp high resolution 3D features. Having a larger field of view enables large smoothing features (such as the overall curve of the tooth) to appear in each image frame, which improves the accuracy of stitching the respective surfaces obtained from a plurality of such image frames.

Similarly, structured light projectors 1302 may each have a large illumination field α (alpha) of at least 45 degrees (e.g., at least 70 degrees). In some applications, the illumination field α (alpha) may be less than 120 degrees, for example, less than 100 degrees.

For some applications, to improve image capture, each camera 1304 has a plurality of discrete preset focus positions, at each of which the camera is focused at a respective object focal plane 1322. Each camera 1304 may include an autofocus actuator that selects a focus position from discrete preset focus positions in order to improve a given image capture. Additionally or alternatively, each camera 1304 includes an optical aperture phase mask that extends the depth of focus of the camera such that the image formed by each camera remains in focus over all object distances between 1mm and 30mm (e.g., between 4mm and 24mm, e.g., between 5mm and 11mm, e.g., 9mm-10 mm) from the lens furthest from the sensor.

In some applications, the structured light projector 1302 and the cameras 1304 are coupled to the rigid structure 1306 in a closely packed and/or alternating fashion such that (a) a majority of the field of view of each camera overlaps with the field of view of an adjacent camera, and (b) a majority of the field of view of each camera overlaps with the illumination field of an adjacent projector. Optionally, at least 20% (e.g., at least 50%, e.g., at least 75%) of the projected light pattern is in the field of view of at least one camera at an object focal plane 1322, the object focal plane 1322 being located at least 4mm from the lens furthest from the sensor. Due to the different possible configurations of the projector and camera, some of the projected pattern may never be seen in the field of view of any camera, and as the scanner moves around during scanning, some of the projected pattern may be blocked from view by the object 1312.

The rigid structure 1306 may be a non-flexible structure to which the structured light projector 1302 and the camera 1304 are coupled to provide structural stability to the optics within the probe 1308. Coupling all projectors and all cameras to a common rigid structure helps to maintain the geometric integrity of the optics of each structured light projector 1302 and each camera 1304 under varying environmental conditions (e.g., under mechanical stress that may be caused by the subject's mouth). In addition, the rigid structure 1306 helps to maintain stable structural integrity and positioning of the structured light projector 1302 and the camera 1304 relative to each other.

For some applications, there is at least one uniform light projector 1328 (which may be an unstructured light projector that projects light over a range of wavelengths) coupled to the rigid structure 1306. The uniform light projector 1328 may transmit white light onto the scanned object 1312. At least one camera (e.g., one of cameras 1304) captures a two-dimensional color image of object 1312 using illumination from uniform light projector 1328. Light reflected from object 1312 may enter the scan head and be received by the camera. The camera may then generate intraoral scan data based on the received light. In an embodiment, the wireless communication module may wirelessly transmit intraoral scan data to the local server computing device.

The processor or processing device 1330 of the local server computing device may run a surface reconstruction algorithm that may use the detected pattern (e.g., a dot pattern) projected onto the object 1312 to generate a 3D surface of the object 1312. In some embodiments, processor 1330 can combine at least one 3D scan captured using illumination from structured light projector 1302 with a plurality of intraoral 2D images captured using illumination from uniform light projector 1328 to generate a digital three-dimensional image of the intraoral three-dimensional surface. Using a combination of structured light and uniform illumination enhances the overall capture of the intraoral scanner and may help reduce the number of options that processor 1330 needs to consider when running the corresponding algorithm for detecting depth values of object 1312. In one embodiment, an intraoral scanner and corresponding algorithm described in U.S. application Ser. No.16/446,181 filed on 6/19 of 2019 is used. U.S. application Ser. No.16/446,181 filed on 6/19/2019 is incorporated by reference in its entirety. In an embodiment, processor 1330 may be a processor of local server computing device 105 of fig. 1A-1B. Alternatively, the processor 1330 may be a processor integrated into the intraoral scanner 1300.

For some applications, all data points acquired at a particular time are used as a rigid point cloud, and a plurality of such point clouds are captured at a frame rate exceeding 10 captures per second. The multiple point clouds are then stitched together using a registration algorithm (e.g., iterative Closest Point (ICP)) to create a dense point cloud. A surface reconstruction algorithm may then be used to generate a representation of the surface of object 1312.

For some applications, at least one temperature sensor 1332 is coupled to the rigid structure 1306 and measures the temperature of the rigid structure 1306. A temperature control circuit 1334 disposed within the hand-held wand 1300 (a) receives data from the temperature sensor 1332 indicative of the temperature of the rigid structure 1306 and (b) activates the temperature control unit 1336 in response to the received data. A temperature control unit 1336 (e.g., PID controller) maintains the probe 1308 at a target temperature (e.g., between 35 and 43 degrees celsius, between 37 and 41 degrees celsius, etc.). When the probe 1308 enters the oral cavity (the oral cavity is typically about 37 degrees celsius or above 37 degrees celsius), holding the probe 1308 above 35 degrees celsius (e.g., above 37 degrees celsius) reduces fogging of the glass surface of the hand-held wand 1300 through which the structured light projector 1302 projects and through which the camera 1304 views. Maintaining the probe 1308 below 43 degrees celsius (e.g., below 41 degrees celsius) prevents discomfort or pain.

In some embodiments, heat may be extracted from the probe 1308 via a thermally conductive element 1340 (e.g., a heat pipe) disposed within the hand wand 1300 such that the distal end 1345 of the thermally conductive element 1340 is in contact with the rigid structure 1306 and the proximal end 1350 is in contact with the proximal end 1360 of the hand wand 1300. Thus, heat is transferred from the rigid structure 1306 to the proximal end 1360 of the hand wand 1300. Alternatively or additionally, a fan disposed in the handle region of the hand wand 1300 may be used to draw heat from the probe 1308.

In one embodiment, the Intraoral scanner 150 corresponds to the Intraoral scanner described in U.S. application Ser. No.16/910,042 entitled "Intraoral 3D Scanner Employing Multiple Miniature Cameras and MultipleMiniature Pattern Projectors (Intraoral 3D scanner employing multiple miniature cameras and multiple miniature pattern projectors)" filed on even 23/6/2020, which is incorporated herein by reference. In one embodiment, the Intraoral scanner 150 corresponds to the Intraoral scanner described in U.S. application Ser. No.16/446,181, entitled "Intraoral 3D Scanner Employing Multiple MiniatureCameras and Multiple Miniature Pattern Projectors (Intraoral 3D scanner employing multiple miniature cameras and multiple miniature pattern projectors), filed on 6/19 of 2019, which is incorporated herein by reference.

In some embodiments, intraoral scanner 1300 includes a touch screen (not shown) disposed on the body of intraoral scanner 1300. The touch screen may be configured to output a plurality of virtual buttons, detect touch inputs associated with virtual buttons of the plurality of virtual buttons, and provide signals associated with the touch inputs of the virtual buttons to a processor of the local server computing device. In some embodiments, intraoral scanner 1300 may receive input from a local server computing device indicating a current mode of an intraoral scanning application. The intraoral scanner 1300 may then determine a plurality of virtual buttons to output on the touch screen based on the current mode of the intraoral scanning application and/or based on past inputs. Alternatively, the local server computing device may determine what virtual buttons to display on the touch screen, and may provide data to the intraoral scanner 1300 regarding what to display on the touch screen.

In some embodiments, an intraoral scanner that performs confocal focusing to determine depth information may be used.

Fig. 14 illustrates a functional block diagram of an intraoral scanner 1400 according to one embodiment. In an embodiment, intraoral scanner 1400 may correspond to intraoral scanner 150 of fig. 1A-1B. The intraoral scanner 1400 and one or more computing devices (e.g., the local server computing device 105 and/or one or more additional computing devices 152, 154 of fig. 1A-1B) together may form a system for generating a three-dimensional surface and/or model of a scanned intraoral object. In one embodiment, the intraoral scanner is a confocal intraoral scanner. In one embodiment, intraoral scanner 1400 includes a touch screen and a wireless communication module, as discussed above.

In one embodiment, intraoral scanner 1400 includes a body including a probe at one end of the body. The probe includes a scanning head. For example, the probe may include an endoscope 1416. Intraoral scanner 1400 includes a semiconductor laser unit 1408 in the body that emits focused light (e.g., a focused beam) as indicated by arrow 1402. Light 1402 passes through polarizer 1403. The polarizer 1403 polarizes the light beam passing through the polarizer 1403. Alternatively, in some embodiments, polarizer 1403 may be omitted. The light then enters an optical expander 1404 in the body, which improves the numerical aperture of the light 1402. The light 1402 then passes through an illumination module 1408 in the body, which may divide the light 1402 into an array of incident light beams 1406, represented here by a single line for ease of illustration. For example, illumination module 1408 may be a grating or microlens array that separates light 1402 into an array of light beams 1406. In one embodiment, beam array 1406 is a telecentric beam array. Alternatively, the array of beams may not be telecentric.

Intraoral scanner 1400 also includes a one-way mirror or beam splitter (e.g., polarizing beam splitter) 1410 in the body that passes array of light beams 1406. The unidirectional mirror 1410 allows light to pass from the semiconductor laser 1408 to downstream optics, but reflects light traveling in the opposite direction. Polarizing beam splitters allow light (e.g., light beams) having a particular polarization to be transmitted and reflect light beams having different (e.g., opposite) polarizations. In one embodiment, the one-way mirror or beam splitter 1410 has a small central aperture. The small central aperture may improve the measurement accuracy of the intraoral scanner 1400. In one embodiment, due to the structure of the one-way mirror or beam splitter 1410, an array of light beams will create a halo on the illuminated area of the imaged object, as long as that area is not in focus. Furthermore, once in focus, the ring will become a fully illuminated spot. This ensures that the difference between the measured intensities from the focus and the focus will be greater.

Following the one-way mirror or beam splitter 1410, along the optical path of the array of light beams are focusing optics 1412 in the body and an endoscopic detection member 46 at one end of the body. In one embodiment, the focusing optics are confocal focusing optics. In addition, a quarter wave plate may be placed along the optical path after the one-way mirror or beam splitter 1410 to introduce a particular polarization into the array of beams. In some embodiments, this may ensure that the reflected beam does not pass through the one-way mirror or beam splitter 1410. Focusing optics 1412 may additionally include relay optics (not shown). Focusing optics 1412 may or may not maintain the same magnification of the image over a wide distance in the Z-direction, which is the direction of beam propagation (e.g., the Z-direction corresponds to an imaging axis aligned with the optical path of beam array 1406). Relay optics enable intraoral scanner 1400 to maintain a particular numerical aperture for propagation of beam array 1406.

The endoscope detection member 1416 may include a rigid light transmissive medium, which may be a hollow object defining a light transmissive path therein or an object made of a light transmissive material, such as a glass body or tube. In one embodiment, the endoscope detection member 1416 includes a prism, such as a folding prism. At its ends, the endoscope detecting member 1416 may include a type of mirror that ensures total internal reflection. Thus, the mirror may direct an array of light beams toward the tooth segment 1420 or other intraoral object. Thus, the endoscope detection member 1416 emits light 1418 (e.g., an array of light beams) that impinges on the surface of the tooth segment 1420.

Light 1418 (e.g., an array of light beams) may be arranged in an X-Y plane in a cartesian coordinate system 1430, propagating along the Z-axis. Since the surface upon which the incident light impinges is an uneven surface, the point or location 1432 of illumination is at a different (X _i ,Y _i ) The positions are displaced from each other along the Z-axis. Thus, while a point at one location may be the focal point of the focusing optic 1412, points at other locations may be out of focus. Thus, the light intensity of the return light (e.g., return beam) to the focus will be at its peak, while the light intensities at other points will be at off-peak. Thus, for each illumination point, multiple measurements of light intensity are made at different locations along the Z-axis. For such (X) _i ,Y _i ) Each of the locations, a derivative of intensity with respect to distance (Z), where Z _i Generating the maximum derivative, Z ₀ Is the focal length. As described above, incident light from the light 1418 may form an optical disc or blurred image on the surface when out of focus and a complete spot or clear image when in focus. Thus, the distance derivative will be greater when approaching the in-focus position, thereby improving the accuracy of the measurement.

The light scattered from each point may comprise a beam that initially travels in the opposite direction along the path of the beam 1418 on the Z-axis. Each return beam in the array of return beams 1440 may correspond to one of the incident beams in the array of beams 1406. Given the asymmetric nature of the unidirectional mirror or beam splitter 1410, the return light is reflected in the direction of the detection optics 1450 in the body.

Detection optics 1450 may include a polarizer 1452 having a preferred plane of polarization oriented perpendicular to the plane polarization of polarizer 1403. Alternatively, in some embodiments, polarizer 1403 and polarizer 1452 may be omitted. In one embodiment, a return light array 1440 (e.g., a return light beam array) may pass through the imaging optics 1454. The imaging optics 1454 may include one or more lenses. Alternatively, detection optics 1450 may not include imaging optics 1454. In one embodiment, the return light 1440 further passes through a matrix 1456, which may be an array of pinholes. Alternatively, matrix 1456 is not used in some embodiments. The return light 1440 is then directed onto a detector 1458 in the body.

The detector 1458 is an image sensor having a matrix of sensing elements, each representing a pixel of an image. If matrix 1456 is used, each pixel further corresponds to one pinhole of matrix 1456. In one embodiment, the detector is a Charge Coupled Device (CCD) sensor. In one embodiment, the detector is a Complementary Metal Oxide Semiconductor (CMOS) image sensor. Other types of image sensors may also be used for the detector 1458. In one embodiment, the detector 1458 detects the intensity of light at each pixel.

In one embodiment, detector 1458 provides data to a local server computing device (such as local server computing device 105 of fig. 1). Thus, each light intensity measured in each sensing element of detector 1458 is then captured and analyzed.

Intraoral scanner 1400 also includes a control module 1470 in the body that is connected to semiconductor laser 1308 and motor 1472, voice coil, or other translation mechanism. In one embodiment, the control module 1470 is or includes a Field Programmable Gate Array (FPGA) configured to perform control operations. A motor 1472 is coupled to the focusing optic 1412 for changing the focus setting of the confocal focusing optic 1412. This can adjust the relative position of the imaginary flat or non-flat focal plane of the focusing optics 1442 along the Z-axis (e.g., on the imaging axis). The control module 1470 may cause the motor 1472 to axially displace (change the position of) one or more lenses of the focusing optic 1412 to change the depth of focus of an imaginary flat or non-flat focal plane. In one embodiment, motor 1472 or intraoral scanner 1400 includes an encoder (not shown) that accurately measures the position of one or more lenses of focusing optic 1412. The encoder may include a sensor paired with a scale encoding the linear position. The encoder may output the linear position of one or more lenses of the focusing optic 1412. The encoder may be an optical encoder, a magnetic encoder, an inductive encoder, a capacitive encoder, an eddy current encoder, etc. After receiving feedback that the position of one or more lenses has changed, the control module 1470 may cause the laser 1308 to generate light pulses.

Processing logic of the local server computing device may determine, from the received intraoral scan data, a relative intensity in each pixel of the intraoral scan received throughout the range of focus settings of the focusing optic 1412. Once a certain spot associated with a particular pixel is in focus, the measured intensity of that pixel will be maximum. Thus, for each pixel, by determining Z corresponding to the maximum light intensity _i Or by determining the maximum displacement derivative of the light intensity, the relative position along the Z-axis of each spot or spot for each pixel can be determined. Thus, data representing a three-dimensional pattern of the surface in the tooth segment 1420 or other intraoral object can be obtained.

Fig. 15A-19B illustrate examples of different wired and/or wireless connection options for scanner 1500 according to embodiments. In embodiments, scanner 1500 may correspond to scanner 150 of fig. 1, scanner 1300 of fig. 13, and/or scanner 1400 of fig. 14. Accordingly, scanner 1500 may include components of scanner 150, scanner 1300, and/or scanner 1400 in addition to those described with reference to fig. 15A-19B.

Scanner 1500 may be designed such that at the time of manufacture, scanner 1500 can be easily configured and manufactured to accommodate one or more use cases, such as those set forth in fig. 15A-19B. The scanner manufacturing platform may include a wireless communication module 1515, a wired communication module 1518, a controller module 1525, one or more battery modules 1522 (e.g., replaceable battery modules and/or integrated rechargeable battery modules), and/or a charging module 1520. The manufacturer may determine the scanner configuration to manufacture (e.g., for a particular market, for a particular product level, etc.), which may include or exclude one or more of the pre-configured modules. The scanner 1500 with the appropriate modules can then be manufactured according to the scanner configuration.

In some embodiments, scanner 1500 is manufactured with all modules (e.g., with wireless communication module 1515, wired communication module 1518, controller module 1525, battery module 1522, and charging module 1520). The capabilities of scanner 1500 may then be controlled via software and/or firmware. For example, scanner 1500 may be manufactured to support a number of different use cases and capabilities. However, different scanner capabilities may be associated with different scanner subscription packages. One or more capabilities of the scanner may be automatically activated or deactivated depending on the user's subscription package. At any time, the user may change the subscription package they subscribe to, and may send commands to scanner 1500 to change software and/or firmware settings that adjust the capabilities of scanner 1500 for activation and/or deactivation. For example, the user may choose to subscribe to using a wired scanner and may deactivate the scanner's wireless communication module 1515. In such use cases, scanner 1500 would require a wired connection to a computing device to effect the scan. In another example, the user may choose to use both wired charging and wireless data. In another example, the user may choose to use a purely wireless scanner. Many other options are possible, some of which are discussed below.

In some embodiments, scanner 1500 includes a wireless communication module 1515, a wired communication module 1518, one or more battery modules 1522, a charging module 1520 for charging one or more rechargeable batteries, and/or a controller module 1525 (e.g., a processing device) for controlling one or more functions of scanner 1500. The wireless communication module 1515 may include a Network Interface Controller (NIC) capable of communicating via Wi-Fi, via third generation (3G), fourth generation (4G), and/or fifth generation (5G) telecommunications protocols (e.g., global system for mobile communications (GSM), long Term Evolution (LTE), wi-Max, code Division Multiple Access (CDMA), etc.), via bluetooth, via Zigbee, and/or via other wireless protocols.

The wired communication module 1518 may include an ethernet Network Interface Controller (NIC), a Universal Serial Bus (USB) port, a parallel port, a serial port, or other wired port. The wired communication module 1518 may be connected to a port of the scanner 1500 and/or include a port of the scanner 1500. The cables 1505, 1605, 1705, 1805, 1905 may be plugged into ports to provide a wired connection to the wired communication module 1518 and to the scanner 1500 via the wired communication module 1518. In one embodiment, the cables 1505, 1605, 1705, 1805, 1905 are easily detachable connector pairs that include power and data lines and can sustain up to 15000 insertion cycles for charging and can provide a USB connection.

The battery module 1522 may include an integrated rechargeable battery module that includes removable or non-removable rechargeable batteries. The battery module 1522 may additionally or alternatively include a replaceable battery module that may house non-rechargeable batteries. Thus, the battery module 1522 may include only one or more rechargeable batteries, only one or more replaceable batteries, or both one or more rechargeable batteries and one or more replaceable batteries.

The charging module 1520 may include a charger for charging rechargeable batteries in the battery module 1522. Charging module 1520 may include a conventional charger that receives current via a wired connection (e.g., via cables 1505, 1605, 1705, 1805, 1905). Charging module 1520 may additionally or alternatively include an inductive or wireless charger component that includes a secondary coil configured to inductively couple with a primary coil of an external wireless charger external to scanner 1500 (e.g., integrated into a cradle of scanner 1500).

The controller module 1525 may include a processing device, memory, and/or other components for controlling one or more operations of the scanner 1500. In one embodiment, the controller module 1525 includes a system on a chip (SoC) including a processor and memory. In one embodiment, the controller module 1525 includes firmware and/or software installed thereon that controls the functionality of the scanner 1500.

Fig. 15A-15B illustrate a scanner 1500 physically connected to a medical-grade power adapter 1510 via a cable 1505 and wirelessly connected to a computing device 1512 via a wireless connection 1507. The computing device 1512 may be, for example, the local server computing device 105 of fig. 1A-2 and/or the local server computing device 700 of fig. 7A-7C.

The power supply designed for medical and healthcare equipment needs to meet the internationally recognized safety standard IEC 60601-1-2:2015. The present standard defines the safety standards and specifications for any item of equipment connected to a mains power supply for monitoring, diagnosing and treating patients. In particular, the standard covers applications where the patient is physically attached to the device. Thus, for scanner 1500 to be powered during use on a patient, the power source that provides power to scanner 1500 should meet stringent safety standards (e.g., compliance with IEC 60601). The medical-grade power adapter 1510 meets appropriate safety standards (e.g., compliance with IEC 60601). Thus, the medical-grade power adapter 1510 provides power (e.g., via 15V line and ground) to the scanner 1500 via the cable 1505 during use, which can be used to power the scanner 1500 and/or recharge any rechargeable battery in the battery module 1522.

Data transfer between scanner 1500 and computing device 1512 (which may run an intraoral scanning application as discussed above) may be performed via wireless connection 1507.

Fig. 16A-16B illustrate scanner 1500 physically connected to power box 1610 via cable 1605. The power supply cartridge 1610 may include a medical-grade power adapter that applies isolated power to the scanner 1500 and meets appropriate safety standards (e.g., meets IEC 60601). The power supply cartridge 1610 may be connected to a power source via a cable (not shown) and to a computing device 1620, which may be a stationary or mobile computing device, via a cable 1615. In one embodiment, computing device 1620 corresponds to computing device 152 or 154 of fig. 1A. In one embodiment, computing device 1620 is a standard (e.g., off-the-shelf) laptop computer or tablet computer. Computing device 1620 may then be wirelessly connected to computing device 1512 via wireless connection 1625.

The power supply box 1610 provides power to the scanner 1500 during use via the cable 1605 (e.g., via 15V line and ground), which can be used to power the scanner 1500 and/or recharge any rechargeable battery in the battery module 1522. Power supply cartridge 1610 may additionally provide power to computing device 1620. Alternatively, a different power source may be provided to computing device 1620. The power supply box 1610 may also provide wired data transmission between the scanner 1500 and the computing device 1620 via the cables 1605, 1615. Alternatively or additionally, scanner 1500 may have a wireless connection with computing device 1512 and may exchange data with computing device 1512 via a wireless connection.

In an embodiment, computing device 1620 may run an intraoral scanning application that processes scans generated by scanner 1500. In such embodiments, computing device 1620 may not be connected to computing device 1512. Alternatively, computing device 1620 may be connected to computing device 1512 via wireless connection 1625, and may perform data transmission with computing device 1512 via wireless connection 1625.

In the embodiment shown in fig. 16A-16B, scanner 1500 may lack wireless communication module 1515 or may have deactivated wireless communication module 1515 and may instead rely on the wireless communication capabilities of computing device 1620 to communicate with computing device 1512.

Fig. 17A-17B illustrate scanner 1500 physically connected to computing device 1620 via cable 1705. Computing device 1620 may be wirelessly connected to computing device 1512 via wireless connection 1725. Alternatively or additionally, scanner 1500 may have a wireless connection with computing device 1512 and may exchange data with computing device 1512 via a wireless connection. For example, the cable 1705 connecting the scanner 1500 to the computing device 1620 may be a USB cable plugged into a USB port of the computing device 1620. For example, data may be transferred via cable 1705 according to the USB 2.0 protocol or another USB protocol. The computing device 1620 may provide power to the scanner 1500 via the cable 1705. However, the supplied power may be a voltage smaller than that supplied by the medical-grade power adapter 1510 of fig. 15A-15B or the power supply box 1610 of fig. 16A-16B. For example, in one embodiment, the medical-grade power adapter 1510 and the power box 1610 may provide 15V via cables 1505, 1605, and in one embodiment, the computing device 1620 may provide 5V via cable 1705. In an embodiment, the power provided by computing device 1620 to scanner 1500 does not meet medical power requirements (e.g., does not comply with IEC 60601). Thus, when the scanner is used on a patient, it may not be permissible for the computing device 1620 to provide power to the scanner 1500. However, when the scanner 1500 is not in use, power may be provided to the scanner 1500 from the computing device 1620.

In one embodiment, the cable 1705 is a special cable that includes an integrated switch 1708 that is open in some cases and closed in other cases. Alternatively, the switch 1708 may be integrated into the scanner 1500 instead of the cable 1705. The switch 1708 may be configured to be open when the scanner 1500 is in use and closed when the scanner 1500 is idle or not in use. When the switch 1708 is turned off, power is not supplied to the scanner 1500. However, when switch 1708 is open, data transfer (e.g., via data lines d+ and D-) between scanner 1500 and computing device 1620 is still possible. Thus, when the scanner 1500 is in use, it draws power from the batteries from the one or more battery modules 1522. When the switch is closed, power is supplied to scanner 1500, and charging module 1520 uses the power to charge the rechargeable battery of battery module 1522. Thus, switch 1708 enables the scanner to be charged by computing device 1620 while still conforming to the appropriate standards for powering medical devices.

In one embodiment, switch 1708 is a magnetic switch, such as a reed switch. The switch 1708 may be closed when it is subjected to a magnetic field and may be open when it is not subjected to a magnetic field. In one embodiment, a cradle for scanner 1500 includes one or more magnets (e.g., permanent magnets and/or electromagnets) that generate a magnetic field that closes switch 1708 when scanner 1500 is in the cradle. When scanner 1500 is removed from the cradle, switch 1708 is no longer subject to the magnetic field generated by the one or more magnets of the cradle and switch 1708 is open. Thus, in an embodiment, scanner 1500 is charged when it is in the cradle and is not charged when it is away from the cradle.

In other embodiments, the switch 1708 may be any other type of switch, such as a momentary switch, that receives signals or commands to switch when the scanner 1500 is in the cradle, and does not receive such signals or commands when the scanner 1500 is not in the cradle. For example, scanner 1500 may include an accelerometer, a gyroscope, and/or other motion sensors that may be used to detect when scanner 1500 is in a cradle. In another example, as described above, the cradle may transmit a wireless signal, and the scanner 1500 may determine when it is proximate to the cradle based on the wireless signal. Then, when it is detected that the scanner 1500 is located in or near the cradle, the scanner may send a switching signal to the switch 1708.

In some embodiments, a hardware detection is performed to determine whether the scanner 1500 is not in use (and is therefore capable of receiving power), such as via the switch 1708. In some embodiments, a software test is performed to determine if scanner 1500 is not in use. Such software detection may include receiving data from a motion sensor and using the data to determine that scanner 1500 is not in use (e.g., because the scanner has been stationary for a threshold amount of time). The software detection may additionally or alternatively include generating scan data and/or image data, and processing the scan data and/or image data to determine whether the probe of the scanner 1500 is in the patient's mouth (e.g., via application of machine learning and/or image processing). If the probe is not in the oral cavity, the controller module 1525 may determine that the scanner 1500 is not in use.

In some embodiments, both hardware and software testing is performed to determine whether scanner 1500 is in use. In such an embodiment, if both the hardware detection and the software detection indicate that the scanner 1500 is not in use, power may be supplied to the scanner 1500. However, if the hardware detection or software detection indicates that the scanner is in use, power may not be supplied to the scanner 1500. For example, in an embodiment, scanner 1500 is powered only when switch 1708 is closed and the motion sensor of scanner 1500 fails to detect any motion (or detects motion below a motion threshold).

In an embodiment, computing device 1620 may run an intraoral scanning application that processes scans generated by scanner 1500. In such embodiments, computing device 1620 may not be connected to computing device 1512. Alternatively, computing device 1620 may be connected to computing device 1512 via wireless connection 1625, or scanner 1500 may have a wireless connection with computing device 1512 and may perform data transmission with computing device 1512 via a wireless connection (e.g., wireless connection 1625).

In the embodiment shown in fig. 17A-17B, scanner 1500 may lack wireless communication module 1515 or may have wireless communication module 1515 disabled and may instead rely on the wireless communication capabilities of computing device 1620 to communicate with computing device 1512.

Fig. 18A-18B illustrate a scanner 1500 wirelessly connected to a computing device 1512 via a wireless connection 1807. Scanner 1500 is not physically connected (e.g., via a cable) to any computing device or power source. Thus, scanner 1500 operates in a fully wireless mode of operation and draws power from the onboard battery of battery module 1522 and exchanges data with computing device 1512 via wireless connection 1807.

Fig. 19A-19B illustrate a scanner 1500 physically connected to a scanner cart 1910 via a cable 1905. The cart 1910 may include an onboard medical-grade power adapter (not shown) and may provide power (e.g., via 15V and ground) to the scanner 1500 during use via the cable 1905, which may be used to power the scanner 1500 and/or recharge any rechargeable battery in the battery module 1522. The cart 1910 may also include an on-board rack 1915 for holding the scanner 1500 when the scanner 1500 is not in use. In addition, cart 1910 may include a computing device 1920 that may run a scanning application for processing scans from scanner 1500. The scanner 1500 may perform data transmission with the cart 1910 via the cable 1905. In some embodiments, cart 1910 is wirelessly connected to a computing device (e.g., local server computing device 105 of fig. 1A-2). Alternatively or additionally, scanner 1500 may have a wireless connection with computing device 1512 and may exchange data with computing device 1512 via a wireless connection.

As shown in fig. 15A-19B, scanner 1500 may be used in a number of different environments and/or configurations, each having a different type of wired and/or wireless connection. In some embodiments, the controller module 1525 controls what type of scanner configuration may be used (e.g., based on a subscription associated with the scanner 1500). In some embodiments, the controller module 1525 automatically detects the type of configuration to be used, such as by detecting whether a cable is connected to the scanner 1500, detecting the type of power provided to the scanner (e.g., voltage supplied, current supplied, etc.), detecting whether cable data transmission is possible via a cable connected to the scanner 1500 (e.g., detecting whether a data line is present in a connected cable), detecting whether the scanner 1500 has a wireless connection with the computing device 1512, etc. The controller module 1525 may then automatically set the configuration based on the detected parameters. In one embodiment, if no cable is connected to scanner 1500, the scanner is configured in a fully wireless configuration, as shown in fig. 18A-18B. In one embodiment, if a wired connection providing power that fails to meet the medical power requirements is detected and a wired data connection is detected, the scanner is configured to operate in the mode shown in fig. 17A-17B. In one embodiment, if a wired connection providing power meeting medical power requirements is detected and a wired data connection is detected, scanner 1500 is configured to operate in the mode shown in fig. 16A-16B or the mode shown in fig. 19A-19B. In one embodiment, if a wired connection providing power meeting medical power requirements is detected and a wireless data connection is detected, scanner 1500 is configured to operate in the mode shown in fig. 15A-15B.

In one embodiment, instead of automatically detecting the configuration, the user selects which type of configuration they plan to use. For example, the user may select the configuration type via a touch screen interface of scanner 1500 or via a graphical user interface provided through computing device 1620. In one embodiment, scanner 1500 includes a ranked list of modes of operation. Scanner 1500 may determine which modes of operation are appropriate (e.g., based on a wireless connection and/or a wired connection) and automatically select the highest ranked option from among the appropriate modes of operation. Alternatively, scanner 1500 may output an indication of those modes of operation that are appropriate, or an indication of the highest ranked mode of operation among the determined appropriate modes of operation. The user may then choose to use the scanner 1500 according to one of the highest ranked modes of operation or other suitable modes of operation (e.g., by inserting the scanner appropriately into the computing device 1620, the medical-grade power adapter 1510, the power box 1610, etc.).

In one embodiment, scanner 1500 (e.g., controller module 1525) includes a network analyzer, which may be implemented in hardware, firmware, and/or software, for example. Alternatively or additionally, computing device 1620 and/or computing device 1512 may include a network analyzer. The network analyzer periodically or continuously monitors the network environment of the scanner 1500, computing device 1512, and/or computing device 1620 to determine whether the network environment is sufficient to support wireless scanning by one or more scanners. In an embodiment, scanner 1500 or computing device 1620 analyzes wireless network traffic (e.g., of a Wi-Fi network or other wireless network) to determine signal strength, hysteresis, delay, data transmission rate, number of occupied channels (e.g., in the range of 5GHz to 6GHz, or in another frequency range), usage pattern of channels, and/or other signal and/or message attributes of the wireless network. In some embodiments, each scanner 1500 on the wireless network may use a channel width of 40MHz, 80MHz, or 160 MHz. Alternatively, other channel widths may be used. In an embodiment, each scanner 1500 automatically selects the best channel to use (e.g., the channel not used by the scanner or the channel with the highest bandwidth, lowest hysteresis, highest intensity, highest transmission speed, etc.). In some embodiments, the network analyzer may additionally determine the number of scanners connected to the network, the channels occupied by the scanners, and/or the amount of data (e.g., scan data) sent by the scanners and/or computing devices 1620 to computing devices 1512 over the wireless network. The network analyzer may determine a data transmission threshold and/or a wireless connection standard based on the analyzed network conditions (e.g., based on signal strength, hysteresis, delay, etc.). Alternatively, the data transmission threshold and/or the wireless connection standard may be preconfigured.

The network analyzer may determine whether the wireless network meets one or more wireless scanning criteria based on the analyzed network traffic. For example, the network analyzer may determine whether the determined data transmission value (e.g., the data transmission value that would be used if additional scanners were to be added to the network) exceeds a data transmission threshold (and thus cannot meet wireless scanning criteria), whether there are any unused channels, whether the number of scanners on the network exceeds a threshold, and so forth. Then, if one or more wireless scanning criteria are not met, the network analyzer may generate an output recommending the use of a wired connection or updating the wireless network to accommodate wireless scanning with scanner 1500. In one embodiment, the wireless network supports simultaneous operation of up to five scanners 1500. In some embodiments, the network analyzer outputs a recommendation of the maximum number of scanners that can operate in parallel given the wireless network analyzed. For example, each scanner may have a known average bandwidth usage. The total bandwidth of the network may be determined and the total bandwidth may be divided by the average bandwidth usage of the scanners to determine the number of scanners supported by the network. The recommendations may be output via the touch screen of the scanner 1500 or via a graphical user interface of the computing device 1620.

In one embodiment, an intraoral scanning system includes an intraoral scanner including a rechargeable battery, a charging module, a wireless communication module, a wired communication module, and a port connected to the wired communication module and the charging module. The intraoral scanning system further comprises a cable coupled to the port, wherein the cable is for providing power to the charging module when the intraoral scanner is not in use. The cable may also be connected to a computing device, such as a mobile computing device or a desktop computing device, that provides power to the intraoral scanner, where the provided power is not medical-grade power. The intraoral scanner and/or the cable detects when the intraoral scanner is in use and prevents the cable from powering the charging module when the intraoral scanner is in use. The intraoral scanner and/or cable also detects when the intraoral scanner is not in use and provides power to the intraoral scanner when the intraoral scanner is not in use. The intraoral scanner may have a wireless connection with another computing device (e.g., a local server computing device) and may perform wireless data transmission to/from the additional computing device via the wireless connection. Additionally or alternatively, the intraoral scanner may perform wired data transmission with a computing device connected to the cable.

In one embodiment, the intraoral scanning system further comprises a cradle that can hold the intraoral scanner when it is not in use. The intraoral scanner and/or the cable may detect when the intraoral scanner is in the cradle and may enable the cable to power the charging module when the intraoral scanner is in the cradle. In one embodiment, at least one of the intraoral scanning system or the cable includes a switch having a closed state when the intraoral scanner is in the cradle and an open state when the intraoral scanner is removed from the cradle. In one embodiment, the switch is a magnetic switch, the cradle includes one or more magnets that provide a magnetic field, and the magnetic field causes the magnetic switch to have a closed state when the intraoral scanner is located in the cradle. In one embodiment, an intraoral scanner includes: one or more image sensors for generating a two-dimensional image of a field of view of at least one intraoral scan or scanner; and a motion sensor for detecting a motion state of the intraoral scanner. The intraoral scanner may also include a controller to determine whether the intraoral scanner is in use based on analysis of at least one intraoral scan, two-dimensional image, or motion state. If the controller determines that the scanner is in use (via software detection) or the switch indicates that the scanner is in use, power may not be provided to the scanner.

Fig. 20 shows a flowchart of a method 2000 for analyzing a wireless network and determining whether it is appropriate to use a scanner in a wireless scanning mode on the wireless network, according to an embodiment. The operations of the method 2000 may be performed by processing logic that may comprise hardware (e.g., circuitry, dedicated logic, programmable logic, microcode, etc.), software (e.g., instructions run on a processing device to perform hardware simulation), or a combination thereof. In one embodiment, at least some operations of method 2000 are performed by a local server computing device, by a mobile computing device, and/or by a scanner.

For simplicity of explanation, the method 2000 is depicted and described as a series of acts. However, acts in accordance with the present disclosure may occur in various orders and/or concurrently, and with other acts not presented and described herein. Moreover, not all illustrated acts may be required to implement a methodology in accordance with the disclosed subject matter. In addition, those skilled in the art will understand and appreciate that the methodologies could alternatively be represented as a series of interrelated states via a state diagram or events.

At block 2005 of method 2000, processing logic analyzes network traffic. This may include determining signal strength, hysteresis, delay, data transmission rate, number of Wi-Fi channels occupied (e.g., in the range of 5GHz to 6 GHz), usage patterns of the channels, and/or other signal and/or message attributes of the wireless network. In one embodiment, at block 2010, processing logic determines a number of scanners on the wireless network. In one embodiment, at block 2015, processing logic determines which channels (e.g., in the range of 5GHz to 6 GHz) are being used by the scanner.

At block 2020, processing logic determines whether the wireless network meets one or more wireless scanning criteria. In one embodiment, processing logic determines a number of concurrent scanners that the wireless network is capable of supporting based on an analysis of network traffic. The wireless scanning criteria may be met if the total number of scanners on the wireless network is equal to or less than the determined number of concurrent scanners supported by the wireless network. As discussed above, other criteria may also be used. If the wireless scanning criteria are met, the method continues to block 2025 and a wireless connection may be established between the one or more scanners and the local server computing device. Alternatively, the connection may already be established. If one or more wireless scanning criteria are not met, the method continues to block 2030 and processing logic may output a recommendation to wire use the one or more scanners and/or a recommendation to update the wireless network (e.g., by adding an access point, removing an access point, repositioning an access point, etc.).

In one embodiment, the intraoral scanning system includes a first number of intraoral scanners and computing devices (e.g., local server computing device 150 of fig. 1A-2). The computing device is wirelessly connected to a first number of intraoral scanners via a wireless network. One or more of the computing device and/or the first number of intraoral scanners monitor a condition of the wireless network. The computing device and/or one or more of the first number of intraoral scanners determine a second number of intraoral scanners supported by the wireless network according to conditions of the wireless network, determine whether the first number of intraoral scanners is equal to or less than the second number of intraoral scanners, and may output a notification based on whether the first number of intraoral scanners is equal to or less than the second number of intraoral scanners.

In one embodiment, at least one of the first computing device or the one or more intraoral scanners determines that a first number of intraoral scanners exceeds a second number of intraoral scanners, and outputs a recommendation to use the one or more intraoral scanners in a wired configuration and/or updates the wireless network such that the wireless network will support recommendations for more intraoral scanners.

In one embodiment, at least one of the first computing device or the one or more intraoral scanners determines that a first number of intraoral scanners is equal to or less than a second number of intraoral scanners and does not output a notification or output an indication that the wireless network is sufficient to accommodate the first number of intraoral scanners.

It is to be understood that the above description is intended to be illustrative, and not restrictive. Many other embodiments will be apparent upon reading and understanding the above description. Although embodiments of the present disclosure have been described with reference to particular example embodiments, it will be recognized that the present disclosure is not limited to the described embodiments, but can be practiced with modification and alteration within the spirit and scope of the appended claims. The specification and drawings are, accordingly, to be regarded in an illustrative rather than a restrictive sense. The scope of the disclosure should, therefore, be determined with reference to the appended claims, along with the full scope of equivalents to which such claims are entitled.

Claims

1. An intraoral scanning system comprising:

a first intraoral scanner;

a second intraoral scanner; and

a first computing device wirelessly connected to both the first intraoral scanner and the second intraoral scanner, wherein the first computing device is to:

receiving first intraoral scan data from the first intraoral scanner;

generating a first three-dimensional (3D) surface of at least a portion of a dental arch of a first patient based on the first intraoral scan data;

receiving second intraoral scan data from the second intraoral scanner; and

a second 3D surface of at least a portion of a dental arch of a second patient is generated based on the second intraoral scan data.

2. The intraoral scanning system of claim 1, further comprising:

a first display or a second computing device wirelessly connected to the first computing device, wherein the first computing device is further to:

determining that a view of the first 3D surface of at least the portion of the dental arch of the first patient is to be output to the first display or the second computing device; and

a view of the first 3D surface of at least the portion of the dental arch of the first patient is output to the first display or the second computing device.

3. The intraoral scanning system of claim 2, further comprising:

a second display or a third computing device wirelessly connected to the first computing device, wherein the first computing device is further to:

determining that a view of the second 3D surface of at least the portion of the dental arch of the second patient is to be output to the second display or the third computing device; and

a view of the second 3D surface of at least the portion of the dental arch of the second patient is output to the second display or the third computing device.

4. An intraoral scanning system according to claim 2 or claim 3 wherein the second computing device is wirelessly connected to the first computing device and wherein the first computing device is further configured to:

receive, from the second computing device, a command to manipulate a view of the first 3D surface of at least the portion of the dental arch of the first patient; and is also provided with

A view of the first 3D surface of at least the portion of the dental arch of the first patient is manipulated based on the received commands.

5. The intraoral scanning system of any one of claims 2-4 wherein the first intraoral scan data comprises a first plurality of intraoral scans received during a first intraoral scan session, and wherein the first computing device is further to:

Continuously updating the first 3D surface of at least the portion of the dental arch of the first patient as further intraoral scans of the first plurality of intraoral scans are received; and is also provided with

When updating the first 3D surface of the first patient's dental arch, streaming an update of a view of the first 3D surface of at least the portion of the first patient's dental arch.

6. The intraoral scanning system of any one of claims 1-5 wherein the first computing device is wirelessly connected to the first intraoral scanner and the second intraoral scanner via a wireless network.

7. The intraoral scanning system of any one of claims 1-6 wherein the first intraoral scanner is to compress the first intraoral scan data prior to sending the first intraoral scan data to the first computing device, and wherein the first computing device is to decompress the first intraoral scan data prior to generating the first 3D surface of at least the portion of the dental arch of the first patient.

8. The intraoral scanning system of claim 7 wherein:

the first intraoral scanner is further for generating and compressing at least one of a) one or more color images or b) one or more near infrared images; and

The first computing device is further to:

receiving at least one of a) the one or more color images or b) the one or more near infrared images; and

decompressing at least one of a) the one or more color images or b) the one or more near infrared images.

9. The intraoral scanning system of any one of claims 1-8, further comprising:

a plurality of carriages configured to hold at least one of the first intraoral scanner or the second intraoral scanner, each of the plurality of carriages periodically broadcasting a unique identifier;

wherein the first intraoral scanner is for:

detecting a unique identifier broadcast by a cradle closest to the first intraoral scanner;

transmitting the unique identifier broadcast by the cradle closest to the first intraoral scanner to the first computing device; and is also provided with

Wherein the first computing device is to determine a location of the first intraoral scanner based on the unique identifier received from the first intraoral scanner.

10. The intraoral scanning system of claim 9 wherein the plurality of racks comprises a plurality of charging stations for at least one of the first intraoral scanner or the second intraoral scanner.

11. The intraoral scanning system of any one of claims 1-10 wherein the first computing device comprises:

a base including an access point and a power port for connecting the first computing device to a power source;

a plurality of adapters, each of the plurality of adapters comprising a power source, a switch connecting the adapter to the access point, and a power connector connecting the power source to the power port; and

one or more computing units, each of the one or more computing units removably coupled to an adapter of the plurality of adapters.

12. The intraoral scanning system of claim 11 wherein for each of the one or more computing units a single connector connects the computing unit to the adapter, and wherein the computing unit is removable from the adapter via a single action and insertable into a replacement adapter of a replacement computing device via a single action.

13. The intraoral scanning system of claim 11 or claim 12 wherein the one or more computing units comprise:

A first computing unit associated with the first intraoral scanner, wherein the first computing unit is for processing the first intraoral scan data from the first intraoral scanner; and

a second computing unit associated with the second intraoral scanner, wherein the second computing unit is configured to process the second intraoral scan data from the second intraoral scanner.

14. The intraoral scanning system of claim 13, further comprising:

a first display for receiving first image data from the first computing unit and displaying the first image data; and

and a second display for receiving second image data from the second computing unit and displaying the second image data.

15. The intraoral scanning system of claim 13 or claim 14, further comprising:

a second computing device wirelessly connected to the first computing device, the second computing device for controlling a first instance of an intraoral scanning application executing on the first computing unit; and

third computing means wirelessly connected to the first computing means for controlling a second instance of an intraoral scanning application executing on the second computing unit.

16. The intraoral scanning system of any one of claims 1-15, further comprising:

a second computing device wirelessly connected to the first computing device, wherein:

the first computing device operates in a slave mode and the second computing device operates in a master mode; and is also provided with

The first computing device is to perform one or more operations associated with at least one of dental diagnosis or orthodontic treatment in response to a command from the second computing device, and to output a result of the one or more operations to the second computing device.

17. An intraoral scanning system comprising:

a first intraoral scanner;

at least one of the first computing device or the first display; and

a second computing device wirelessly connected to the first intraoral scanner and operatively connected to at least one of the first computing device or the first display via a wireless network,

wherein the second computing device is to:

receiving first intraoral scan data from the first intraoral scanner;

transmitting the first intraoral scan data to a third computing device external to the wireless network;

receiving, from the third computing device, a first three-dimensional (3D) surface of at least a portion of a dental arch of a first patient generated by the third computing device based on the first intraoral scan data; and

A view of the first 3D surface of at least the portion of the dental arch of the first patient is sent to at least one of the first computing device or the first display.

18. The intraoral scanning system of claim 17 wherein the second computing device is further configured to:

receiving from the first intraoral scanner at least one of a) one or more color images or b) one or more near infrared images;

transmitting at least one of a) the one or more color images or b) the one or more near infrared images from the first intraoral scanner to the third computing device outside the wireless network;

wherein the first 3D surface received from the third computing device is enhanced by information from at least one of a) the one or more color images or b) the one or more near infrared images.

19. An intraoral scanning system according to claim 17 or 18 wherein the second computing means is for:

determining that a view of the first 3D surface of at least the portion of the dental arch of the first patient is to be output to the first display or the first computing device; and

a view of the first 3D surface of at least the portion of the dental arch of the first patient is output to the first display or the first computing device.

20. The intraoral scanning system of any one of claims 17-19 wherein the second computing device is further configured to:

receive, from the first computing device, a command to manipulate a view of the first 3D surface of at least the portion of the dental arch of the first patient;

sending the command to the third computing device; and

a view of the first 3D surface of at least the portion of the dental arch of the first patient is received from the third computing device.

21. The intraoral scanning system of any one of claims 17-20 wherein the first intraoral scanner is configured to compress the first intraoral scan data prior to transmitting the first intraoral scan data to the second computing device, and wherein the second computing device is configured to transmit the compressed first intraoral scan data to the third computing device.

22. The intraoral scanning system of any one of claims 17-21 wherein the first intraoral scan data comprises a first plurality of intraoral scans received during a first intraoral scan session, and wherein the second computing device is further to:

sequentially receiving the first plurality of intraoral scans;

Sequentially transmitting the first plurality of intraoral scans to the third computing device;

receiving an update flow to the first 3D surface of at least the portion of the dental arch of the first patient while processing a further intraoral scan of the first plurality of intraoral scans by the third computing device; and

an update to a view of the first 3D surface of at least the portion of the dental arch of the first patient is streamed to the first computing device or the first display.

23. The intraoral scanning system of any one of claims 17-22, further comprising:

wherein the first intraoral scanner is for:

transmitting the unique identifier broadcast by the cradle closest to the first intraoral scanner to the second computing device; and is also provided with

Wherein the second computing device is to determine a location of the first intraoral scanner based on the unique identifier received from the first intraoral scanner.

24. An intraoral scanning system comprising:

an intraoral scanner;

at least one of the first computing device or the first display; and

a second computing device wirelessly connected to the intraoral scanner and operatively connected to at least one of the first computing device or the first display via a wireless network, wherein the second computing device is to:

receiving intraoral scan data from the intraoral scanner;

generating a first three-dimensional (3D) surface of at least a portion of an arch of a first patient based on the intraoral scan data; and is also provided with

25. The intraoral scanning system of claim 24 wherein at least one of the first computing device or the first display sends a command to the second computing device, the command causing the second computing device to send a view of the first 3D surface to at least one of the first computing device or the first display.

26. An intraoral scanning system according to claim 24 or 25 wherein the second computing device is further operable to:

Determining that a view of the first 3D surface of at least the portion of the dental arch of the first patient is to be output to the first display or the first computing device; and is also provided with

27. The intraoral scanning system of any one of claims 24-26 wherein the second computing device is further configured to:

receive, from the first computing device, a command to manipulate a view of the first 3D surface of at least the portion of the dental arch of the first patient; and

28. The intraoral scanning system of any one of claims 24-27 wherein the intraoral scanner is configured to compress the intraoral scan data prior to transmitting the intraoral scan data to the second computing device, and wherein the second computing device is configured to decompress the intraoral scan data prior to generating the first 3D surface of at least the portion of the dental arch of the first patient.

29. The intraoral scanning system of claim 28 wherein:

the intraoral scanner is further for generating and compressing at least one of a) one or more color images or b) one or more near infrared images; and is also provided with

The second computing device is further to:

30. The intraoral scanning system of any one of claims 24-29 wherein the intraoral scan data comprises a first plurality of intraoral scans received during an intraoral scan session, and wherein the second computing device is further to:

continuously updating the first 3D surface of at least the portion of the dental arch of the first patient as further intraoral scans of the first plurality of intraoral scans are received; and

31. The intraoral scanning system of any one of claims 24-30 further comprising:

A plurality of carriages configured to hold the intraoral scanner, each carriage of the plurality of carriages periodically broadcasting a unique identifier;

wherein the intraoral scanner is for:

detecting a unique identifier broadcast by a cradle closest to the intraoral scanner;

transmitting the unique identifier broadcast by the cradle closest to the intraoral scanner to the second computing device; and is also provided with

Wherein the second computing device is to determine a location of the intraoral scanner based on the unique identifier received from the intraoral scanner.

32. The intraoral scanning system of claim 31 wherein the plurality of racks comprises a plurality of charging stations for at least one of the intraoral scanner or a second intraoral scanner.

33. The intraoral scanning system of any one of claims 24-32 wherein the second computing device comprises:

34. The intraoral scanning system of claim 33 wherein the first computing device is configured to control an intraoral scanning application executing on a first computing unit of the one or more computing units.

35. An intraoral scanning system according to claim 33 or 34 wherein:

the second computing device operates in a slave mode and the first computing device operates in a master mode; and is also provided with

The second computing device is to perform one or more operations associated with at least one of dental diagnosis or orthodontic treatment in response to a command from the first computing device, and to output a result of the one or more operations to the first computing device.

36. A method, comprising:

receiving, by a first computing device, a user command associating the first computing device with a first intraoral scanner of a plurality of intraoral scanners, the user command including an identifier of the first intraoral scanner;

wirelessly connecting the first computing device with a second computing device; and

Transmitting the identifier of the first intraoral scanner to the second computing device, wherein the second computing device is wirelessly connected to the first intraoral scanner and associates the first computing device with the first intraoral scanner;

wherein once both the first computing device and the first intraoral scanner are wirelessly connected to the second computing device and associated with each other, intraoral scan data generated by the first intraoral scanner is transmitted to the second computing device, the intraoral scan data is processed by the second computing device to generate a three-dimensional surface of a dental site, the three-dimensional surface or view of a three-dimensional surface of the dental site is transmitted to the first computing device, and the three-dimensional surface or view of a three-dimensional surface of the dental site is displayed by the first computing device.

37. The method of claim 36, further comprising:

determining, by the first computing device, an available computing unit from a plurality of computing units of the second computing device, wherein wirelessly connecting the first computing device with the second computing device includes wirelessly connecting the first computing device to the available computing unit of the second computing device.

38. The method of claim 36 or 37, further comprising:

receiving, by the first computing device or by the first intraoral scanner, an identifier of a first display device;

transmitting, by the first computing device or by the first intraoral scanner, the identifier of the first display device to the second computing device, wherein the second computing device is wirelessly connected to the first display device and associates the first display device with the first computing device and the first intraoral scanner, and wherein a view of the three-dimensional surface of the dental site is additionally transmitted to and displayed by the first display device.

39. The method of claim 38, wherein the identifier of the first display device comprises a code, wherein the first display device displays the code, and wherein receiving, by the first intraoral scanner, the identifier of the first display device comprises scanning the code by the first intraoral scanner.

40. The method of claim 39, wherein the code comprises a one-dimensional bar code or a two-dimensional bar code.

41. The method of any of claims 38-40, wherein the first intraoral scanner comprises a touch screen, the method further comprising:

outputting a touch keypad on the touch screen of the first intraoral scanner;

wherein receiving, by the first intraoral scanner, the identifier of the first display device comprises receiving the identifier of the first display device via the touch keypad.

42. The method of any one of claims 36-41, further comprising:

receiving a user command to disconnect the first computing device and the first intraoral scanner from the second computing device;

wirelessly transmitting a disconnect instruction from the first computing device to the second computing device;

receiving, by the first computing device, a disconnect acknowledgement from the second computing device; and

the disconnection confirmation is displayed on at least one of the display of the first computing device or a touch screen of the first intraoral scanner.

43. A computer readable medium comprising instructions which, when executed by a processing device, cause the processing device to perform the method of any of claims 36-42.

44. An intraoral scanning system comprising:

a first computing device, a second computing device, and a first intraoral scanner;

wherein the intraoral scanning system is configured to perform the method of any one of claims 36-42.

45. An intraoral scanning system comprising:

a first intraoral scanner configured to generate intraoral scan data;

a first computing device configured to control an intraoral scanning application; and

a second computing device configured to execute the intraoral scanning application, wherein the second computing device is further configured to:

receiving a first connection request from the first computing device;

wirelessly connect to the first computing device;

receiving an identifier of the first intraoral scanner from the first computing device;

wirelessly connecting to the first intraoral scanner using the identifier; and

the first intraoral scanner is associated with the first computing device.

46. The intraoral scanning system of claim 45 wherein once the first computing device is associated with the first intraoral scanner and both the first intraoral scanner and the first computing device are wirelessly connected to the second computing device:

The first intraoral scanner sending the intraoral scan data to the second computing device;

the intraoral scanning application of the second computing device processes the intraoral scanning data to generate or update a three-dimensional surface of a tooth site and sends a view of the three-dimensional surface to the first computing device; and is also provided with

The first computing device outputs a view of the three-dimensional surface of the tooth site to a display of the first computing device.

47. The intraoral scanning system of claim 45 or 46 wherein the first computing device is one of a plurality of peripheral computing devices of the intraoral scanning system, wherein the first intraoral scanner is one of a plurality of intraoral scanners of the intraoral scanning system, and wherein the second computing device is a server computing device of the intraoral scanning system, the intraoral scanning system further comprising:

a second intraoral scanner of the plurality of intraoral scanners; and

a third computing device of the plurality of peripheral computing devices;

wherein the second computing device is further to:

receiving a second connection request from the third computing device;

Wirelessly connected to the third computing device;

receiving a second identifier of the second intraoral scanner from the third computing device;

wirelessly connecting to the second intraoral scanner using the second identifier; and

the second intraoral scanner is associated with the third computing device.

48. The intraoral scanning system of claim 47 wherein the second computing device comprises a plurality of computing units, wherein the first computing device and the first intraoral scanner are connected to a first available computing unit of the plurality of computing units, and wherein the third computing device and the second intraoral scanner are connected to a second available computing unit of the plurality of computing units.

49. The intraoral scanning system of any of claims 45-48 wherein the second computing device comprises a plurality of computing units and wherein the first computing device is to:

determining available ones of the plurality of computing units; and

wirelessly connected to the available computing units.

50. The intraoral scanning system of any one of claims 45-49, further comprising:

A display device;

wherein the display device is used for displaying an identifier of the display device;

wherein the first computing device or the first intraoral scanner is to receive the identifier of the display device and send the identifier of the display device to the second computing device; and is also provided with

Wherein the second computing device is wirelessly connected to the display device using the identifier and associates the display device with the first computing device and the first intraoral scanner.

51. The intraoral scanning system of claim 50 wherein:

the first intraoral scanner includes a touch screen for outputting a touch keypad; and is also provided with

The first intraoral scanner receives user input of the identifier of the display device via the touch keypad, wherein the identifier comprises a code.

52. The intraoral scanning system of claim 50 or 51 wherein once the first computing device, the first intraoral scanner, and the display device are associated with each other and wirelessly connected to the second computing device:

The intraoral scanning application of the second computing device processes the intraoral scanning data to generate or update a three-dimensional surface of a tooth site and sends a view of the three-dimensional surface to the first computing device and the display device;

the first computing device outputting a view of the three-dimensional surface of the tooth site to a display of the first computing device; and is also provided with

The display device outputs a view of the three-dimensional surface of the dental site.

53. An intraoral scanning system according to claim 50 wherein the first intraoral scanner is configured to scan the identifier and transmit the identifier to the second computing device.

54. An intraoral scanning system according to claim 53 wherein the identifier comprises a one-dimensional barcode or a two-dimensional barcode.

55. The intraoral scanning system of any one of claims 45-54 wherein:

the first intraoral scanner includes a touch screen configured to output a plurality of virtual buttons and detect touch inputs associated with virtual buttons of the plurality of virtual buttons; and is also provided with

The first intraoral scanner is configured to provide signals associated with the touch inputs of the virtual buttons to the second computing device.

56. The intraoral scanning system of claim 55 wherein the plurality of virtual buttons output by the first intraoral scanner are based on a current mode of the intraoral scanning application.

57. An intraoral scanning system according to claim 56 wherein:

the first intraoral scanner is for receiving input from the second computing device indicating a current mode of an intraoral scanning application; and is also provided with

The plurality of virtual buttons to be output on the touch screen is determined based at least in part on the current mode of the intraoral scanning application.

58. The intraoral scanning system of any one of claims 56-57 wherein when the current mode is a scanning mode, the plurality of virtual buttons output by the touch screen comprises at least one of a next section button or a previous section button.

59. The intraoral scanning system of any one of claims 56-58 wherein when the current mode is a scanning mode, the plurality of virtual buttons output by the touch screen include a lower arch segment button, an upper arch segment button, and an occlusal segment button.

60. The intraoral scanning system of any one of claims 56-59 wherein when the current mode is a three-dimensional surface view mode, the plurality of virtual buttons includes a rotate button, a translate button, and a zoom button.

61. The intraoral scanning system of claim 55 wherein the touch screen is configured to output one or more message buttons in response to receiving an acknowledgement request message from the second computing device, wherein the one or more message buttons include at least one of an acknowledgement button or a cancel button.

62. The intraoral scanning system of any one of claims 45-61 wherein:

the first intraoral scanner includes a touch screen configured to display the identifier of the first intraoral scanner.

63. An intraoral scanning system comprising:

a plurality of intraoral scanners, the plurality of intraoral scanners comprising a first number of intraoral scanners; and

a first computing device wirelessly connected to the plurality of intraoral scanners via a wireless network, wherein the first computing device or at least one of one or more of the plurality of intraoral scanners is to:

monitoring a condition of the wireless network;

determining a second number of intraoral scanners supported by the wireless network based on conditions of the wireless network;

determining whether the first number of intraoral scanners is equal to or less than the second number of intraoral scanners; and is also provided with

A notification is output based on whether the first number of intraoral scanners is equal to or less than the second number of intraoral scanners.

64. The intraoral scanning system of claim 63 wherein at least one of the first computing device or one or more of the plurality of intraoral scanners is further configured to:

determining that the first number of intraoral scanners exceeds the second number of intraoral scanners, wherein the notification is a recommendation to use one or more of the plurality of intraoral scanners in a wired configuration.

65. The intraoral scanning system of claim 63 wherein at least one of the first computing device or one or more of the plurality of intraoral scanners is further configured to:

determining that the first number of intraoral scanners exceeds the second number of intraoral scanners, wherein the notification is a recommendation to update the wireless network such that the wireless network will support more intraoral scanners.

66. The intraoral scanning system of any of claims 63-65 wherein at least one of the first computing device or one or more of the plurality of intraoral scanners is further configured to:

Determining that the first number of intraoral scanners is equal to or less than the second number of intraoral scanners, wherein the notification is an indication that the wireless network is sufficient to accommodate the plurality of intraoral scanners.

67. An intraoral scanner comprising:

a body;

the probe is positioned at one end of the body and comprises a scanning head;

a wireless communication module disposed within the body;

one or more optical sensors for receiving light entering the scanning head and generating intraoral scan data based on the light, wherein the wireless communication module is for wirelessly transmitting the intraoral scan data to a first computing device; and

a touch screen disposed on the body and configured to:

outputting a plurality of virtual buttons;

detecting a touch input associated with a virtual button of the plurality of virtual buttons; and

a signal associated with the touch input of the virtual button is provided to the first computing device.

68. An intraoral scanner according to claim 67 wherein:

the intraoral scanner is used for:

receiving input from the first computing device indicating a current mode of an intraoral scanning application; and

69. An intraoral scanner according to claim 68 wherein when the current mode is scan mode the plurality of virtual buttons includes at least one of a next section button or a previous section button.

70. An intraoral scanner according to claim 68 or 69 wherein when the current mode is scan mode the plurality of virtual buttons includes a lower arch section button, an upper arch section button and an occlusal section button.

71. The intraoral scanner of any of claims 68-70 wherein when the current mode is a three-dimensional surface view mode, the plurality of virtual buttons include a rotate button, a translate button, and a zoom button.

72. The intraoral scanner of any of claims 68-71 wherein the touch screen supports multi-touch control, and wherein:

dragging a first number of fingers of a user over the touch screen causes rotation of a three-dimensional surface on a display;

dragging a second number of fingers of a user over the touch screen causes translation of a three-dimensional surface on the display;

An inward squeezing motion of a user's finger on the touch screen causes a reduction of a three-dimensional surface on the display; and

an outward squeezing motion of the user's finger on the touch screen causes an enlargement of the three-dimensional surface on the display.

73. The intraoral scanner of any of claims 68-72 wherein the touch screen is to output one or more message buttons in response to receiving an acknowledgement request message from the first computing device, wherein the one or more message buttons comprise at least one of an acknowledgement button or a cancel button.

74. An intraoral scanner according to any one of claims 68 to 73 wherein the intraoral scanner is for:

detecting when the intraoral scanner is in use; and

when the intraoral scanner is in use, a cable connected to the intraoral scanner is prevented from powering the intraoral scanner.

75. An intraoral scanning system comprising:

an intraoral scanner comprising:

a rechargeable battery;

a charging module;

a wireless communication module;

a wired communication module; and

a port connected to the wired communication module and the charging module; and

A cable coupled to the port, wherein the cable is for providing power to the charging module when the intraoral scanner is not in use;

wherein at least one of the intraoral scanner or the cable is for:

detecting when the intraoral scanner is in use;

the cable is prevented from powering the charging module when the intraoral scanner is in use.

76. The intraoral scanning system of claim 75, further comprising:

a bracket;

wherein at least one of the intraoral scanner or the cable is for:

detecting when the intraoral scanner is in the cradle; and

the cable is enabled to power the charging module when the intraoral scanner is in the cradle.

77. An intraoral scanning system according to claim 76 wherein:

at least one of the intraoral scanning system or the cable includes a switch having a closed state when the intraoral scanner is in the cradle and an open state when the intraoral scanner is removed from the cradle.

78. The intraoral scanning system of claim 77 wherein the switch is a magnetic switch, wherein the cradle comprises one or more magnets that provide a magnetic field, and wherein the magnetic field causes the magnetic switch to have the closed state when the intraoral scanner is located in the cradle.

79. An intraoral scanning system according to claim 77 or claim 78 wherein:

the intraoral scanner further comprises:

a motion sensor for detecting a motion state of the intraoral scanner; and

a controller for determining whether the intraoral scanner is in use based on analysis of the motion state.

80. The intraoral scanning system of any one of claims 75-79, the intraoral scanner further comprising:

a body housing the rechargeable battery, the charging module, the wireless communication module, and the wired communication module;

the probe is positioned at one end of the body and comprises a scanning head;

a touch screen disposed on the body and configured to:

outputting a plurality of virtual buttons;

81. An intraoral scanning system according to claim 80 wherein:

the intraoral scanner is used for:

82. The intraoral scanning system of claim 81 wherein when the current mode is a scanning mode, the plurality of virtual buttons includes at least one of a next section button or a previous section button.

83. The intraoral scanning system of claim 81 or 82 wherein when the current mode is a scanning mode, the plurality of virtual buttons comprises a lower arch segment button, an upper arch segment button, and an occlusal segment button.

84. The intraoral scanning system of any one of claims 81-83 wherein when the current mode is a three-dimensional surface view mode, the plurality of virtual buttons includes a rotate button, a translate button, and a zoom button.

85. The intraoral scanning system of any one of claims 80-84 wherein the touch screen supports multi-touch control and wherein:

86. The intraoral scanning system of any of claims 80-85 wherein the touch screen is to output one or more message buttons in response to receiving an acknowledgement request message from the first computing device, wherein the one or more message buttons comprise at least one of an acknowledgement button or a cancel button.