Patent ID: 7259871
Filing Date: 2007-08-21
Classification: A61C,G16H

Abstract:
1. An apparatus for rapid and precise scanning of a three-dimensional (3-D) occlusal profile of a dental cast, comprising: optical projection units, each including an optical component set and including semiconductor laser devices for generating a light source by means of two vertically symmetrical semiconductor laser diodes arranged at suitable orientation of inclination, wherein the light source generates a structured light pattern after passing through optical lenses of the optical component set, wherein the structured light pattern is subsequently projected onto an object to be measured through the optical lenses of the optical component set; image capturing units, including three sets of optical lenses and image sensing devices situated at various positions for acquiring images of a deformed structured light pattern representing the occlusal profile to be measured, wherein the image sensing devices output information representing the images to a main control unit; a precision rotating platform unit, including a precision rotating platform and a dental cast vise, wherein the precision rotating platform unit is able to precisely rotate the object to be measured to various measuring orientations for complete scanning of the 3-D occlusal profile of a single tooth; and the main control unit, connected to the optical projection units and the image capturing units, for modulating the structured light pattern output by the optical projection unit and processing the image information acquired by the image capturing unit.