Patent ID: 7844092
Filing Date: 2010-11-30
Classification: A61B,G06K

Abstract:
1. A method of capturing intra-oral digital images, said method comprising: establishing an internal spatial frame-of-reference with respect to teeth within a mouth of a patient; placing an intra-oral digital imaging sensor within said mouth of said patient adjacent to at least one tooth within said mouth that is to be imaged using said intra-oral sensor, wherein said intra-oral sensor is not physically connected to said spatial frame of reference; automatically generating first spatial location information defining how said intra-oral sensor is placed with respect to said spatial frame-of-reference; acquiring a first digital image of said at least one tooth using said intra-oral sensor; automatically associating said first spatial location information with said first digital image; automatically associating said first digital image with one of a plurality of pre-defined areas in a tooth chart corresponding to said associated first spatial location information; automatically orienting said first digital image to said one associated pre-defined area of said tooth chart in response to said first spatial location information or a default or pre-defined user preference of image orientation for said one associated pre-defined area of said tooth chart; and displaying said tooth chart and said oriented first digital image in said one associated area of said tooth chart.