Office Action 2: Notice of Allowance (2025-04-09)

CLAIMS:
AMENDMENTS TO THE CLAIMS:

The following listing of claims will replace all prior versions and listings of claims in this application.

LISTING OF CLAIMS:

SVG {EMBED HERE} 0.4971.253Patent Attorney Docket N Applicati

1\. (Cancelled)

2\. (Currently Amended) \[\[An\]\] A handheld intraoral scanner for determining a 3D geometry of an object in an oral cavity, the intraoral scanner comprising:
a tip configured to be inserted into the oral cavity;
at least one camera accommodating an array of sensor elements;
a pattern generator configured to generate, using a light source, a static pattern or a time-varying illumination pattern; and an optical system configured to transmit the static pattern or the time-varying illumination pattern , via the tip, towards the object along an optical path thereby illuminating at least a part of the object with the static pattern or the time-varying illumination pattern, and to transmit at least a part of the light returned from the object to the at least one camera to form a plurality of 2D images, wherein the plurality of 2D images is configured to determine a 3D geometry; and wherein the handheld intraoral scanner is wireless.

3\. (Previously Presented) The handheld intraoral scanner according to claim 2, wherein the at least one camera is a high-speed camera.SVG {EMBED HERE} 0.671.423Attorney Docket Applic

4\. (Currently Amended) The handheld intraoral scanner according to claim 2, wherein the static pattern or the time-varying illumination pattern is a time-varying illumination pattern.

5\. (Currently Amended) The handheld intraoral scanner according to claim 2, comprising one or more motion sensors located on the intraoral scanner to measure three-dimensional motion of the handheld intraoral scanner\[\[,\]\].

6\. (Currently Amended) The handheld intraoral scanner according to claim \[\[2\]\] 20, wherein heat generated in the handheld intraoral scanner is used to warm the probe light such that no or less condensation occurs on the probe light when the probe light is inside the oral cavity.

7\. (Previously Presented) The handheld intraoral scanner according to claim 2, wherein the handheld intraoral scanner is configured to enter a calibration mode in which images of an object of known geometry are recorded.

8\. (Previously Presented) The handheld intraoral scanner according to claim 2, further comprising a hardware processor, located within the wireless intraoral scanner, configured to process the plurality of 2D images, and transmit, via a wireless connection, the processed plurality of 2D images in real time.

9\. (Currently Amended) The handheld intraoral scanner according to claim \[\[2\]\] 20, further comprising a hardware processor configured to:
selectively switch a color of the probe light, thereby illuminating the object with different colors at different times;Attorney Docket SVG {EMBED HERE} 0.671.423 Applic record different images by the at least one camera at the different times, thereby recording images of the object with the different colors; and combine the different colors from the different images, thereby obtaining the color of the surface of the object.

10\. (Previously Presented) The handheld intraoral scanner according to claim 9, wherein the different colors are provided by at least three monochromatic light sources of the light source.

11\. (Previously Presented) The handheld intraoral scanner according to claim 2, wherein the light source is a white light source, and wherein the at least one camera accommodates a Bayer color filter.

12\. (Currently Amended) The handheld intraoral scanner according to claim \[\[2\]\] 20, wherein the probe light is directed towards the object in a direction substantially parallel with the longitudinal axis of the tip, and wherein the probe light is further reflected towards the object by a single reflective mirror located in the tip.

13\. (Previously Presented) The handheld intraoral scanner according to claim 2, further comprising a hardware processor configured to locally process raw 3D data into data for the 3D geometry, such that the data for the 3D geometry is wirelessly transmitted instead of the raw 3D data, and wherein the raw 3D data is based on the plurality of 2D images.

14\. (Previously Presented) The handheld intraoral scanner according to claim 13, wherein the hardware processor processes the raw 3D data into data for the 3D geometry in real time.SVG {EMBED HERE} 0.671.423Attorney Docket Applic

15\. (Currently Amended) The handheld intraoral scanner according to claim \[\[2\]\] 20, wherein the probe light is autoclavable.

16\. (Previously Presented) The handheld intraoral scanner according to claim 2, wherein the optical system is configured to backward ray tracing to estimate a 2D to 3D mapping.

17\. (Currently Amended) The handheld intraoral scanner according to claim \[\[2\]\] 20, wherein the probe light is a tip with a smaller height than a scan length.

18\. (Currently Amended) The handheld intraoral scanner according to claim 2, wherein the static pattern or the time-varying illumination pattern is a static pattern.

19\. (Previously Presented) The handheld intraoral scanner according to claim 18, wherein the static pattern is a static line pattern, a static checkerboard pattern, or a planar checkboard pattern.

20\. (New) A handheld intraoral scanner for determining a 3D geometry of an object in an oral cavity, the intraoral scanner comprising:
a tip configured to be inserted into the oral cavity;
at least one camera accommodating an array of sensor elements;
a pattern generator configured to generate, using a light source, a probe light with a plurality of configurations in the form of a static pattern or a time-varying illumination pattern; andPatent Attorney Docket No. SVG {EMBED HERE} 0.4631.157 Applicatio an optical system configured to transmit the probe light, via the tip, towards the object along an optical path thereby illuminating at least a part of the object with the static pattern or the time- varying illumination pattern, and to transmit at least a part of the light returned from the object to the at least one camera to form a plurality of 2D images, wherein the plurality of 2D images is configured to determine a 3D geometry; and wherein the handheld intraoral scanner is wireless.

OFFICE ACTION:
DETAILED ACTION
Notice of Pre-AIA  or AIA  Status
The present application is being examined under the pre-AIA  first to invent provisions.
Terminal Disclaimer
The terminal disclaimer filed on 03/06/2025 disclaiming the terminal portion of any patent granted on this application which would extend beyond the expiration date of U.S. Patent No. 12,155,812 has been reviewed and is accepted. The terminal disclaimer has been recorded.
EXAMINER’S AMENDMENT
An examiner’s amendment to the record appears below. Should the changes and/or additions be unacceptable to applicant, an amendment may be filed as provided by 37 CFR 1.312. To ensure consideration of such an amendment, it MUST be submitted no later than the payment of the issue fee.
Authorization for this examiner’s amendment was given in a telephone interview with William C. Rowland on 03/24/2025.
The application has been amended as follows:
Claims 6, 9, 10, 12, 15 and 17 has been canceled; and
New claims 21-26 are added using the same claimed limitations of the canceled claims to correct a dependency order issue.
21. (New) The handheld intraoral scanner according to claim 20, wherein heat generated in the handheld intraoral scanner is used to warm the probe light such that no or less condensation occurs on the probe light when the probe light is inside the oral cavity.
22. (New) The handheld intraoral scanner according to claim 20, further comprising a hardware processor configured to: selectively switch a color of the probe light, thereby illuminating the object with different colors at different times; record different images by the at least one camera at the different times, thereby recording images of the object with the different colors; and combine the different colors from the different images, thereby obtaining the color of the surface of the object.
23. (New) The handheld intraoral scanner according to claim 22, wherein the different colors are provided by at least three monochromatic light sources of the light source.
24. (New) The handheld intraoral scanner according to claim 20, wherein the probe light is directed towards the object in a direction substantially parallel with the longitudinal axis of the tip, and wherein the probe light is further reflected towards the object by a single reflective mirror located in the tip.
25. (New) The handheld intraoral scanner according to claim 20, wherein the probe light is autoclavable.
26. (New) The handheld intraoral scanner according to claim 20, wherein the probe light is a tip with a smaller height than a scan length.
Conclusion

APPLICANT REBUTTAL: Patent Attorney Docket No. 0079124-000447 Application No. 18/628,376 Page 7 REMARKSThe Examiner is thanked for the examination of the application and the indication of allowable subject matter.The Examiner is also thanked for identifying potential issues under 35 USC 112(b) and claim objections. In response thereto, appropriate amendments have been made. In the event that there are other issues, the Examiner is respectfully encouraged to telephone the undersigned so that such issues can be promptly addressed.With respect to the nonstatutory double patenting rejection, a terminal disclaimer is submitted herewith.Should any questions arise in connection with this application, it is respectfully requested that the undersigned be contacted at the number indicated below.Respectfully submitted, BUCHANAN INGERSOLL & ROONEY PCDate March 6, 2025 By: /WCRowland/ William C. Rowland Registration No. 30,888 Customer No. 188370 T 703 836 6620


CITED REFERENCE SUMMARIES: Ref US12155812: Claims:
1. An intraoral scanner for determining the 3D geometry and color of at least a part of the surface of an object in an oral cavity, the intraoral scanner comprising:
at least one camera accommodating an array of sensor elements;
a pattern generator configured to generate, using a light source, a probe light with a plurality of configurations in the form of a time-varying illumination pattern;
an optical system for transmitting the probe light towards the object along an optical path thereby illuminating at least a part of the object with the time-varying illumination pattern, and for transmitting at least a part of the light returned from the object to the at least one camera to form a plurality of 2D images, wherein the 3D geometry is determined based on the plurality of 2D images and the time-varying illumination pattern;
a tip configured to be inserted into the oral cavity; and
a hardware processor configured to:
selectively switch a color of the probe light, thereby illuminating the object with different colors at different times; and
record different images by the at least one camera at the different times, thereby recording images of the object with the different colors.
2. The intraoral scanner according to claim 1, wherein the pattern generator includes at least one translucent and/or transparent pattern element.
3. The intraoral scanner according to claim 1, wherein the pattern generator is based on a projector.
4. The intraoral scanner according to claim 1, further comprising one or more motion sensors located on the intraoral scanner to measure three-dimensional motion of the intraoral scanner.
5. The intraoral scanner according to claim 1, wherein the light source includes at least three monochromatic light sources that are light-emitting diodes (LEDs) or a segmented LED.
6. The intraoral scanner according to claim 1, wherein heat generated in the handheld intraoral scanner is used to warm the probe tip to minimize condensation from occurring on the probe when the probe is inside the oral cavity.
7. The intraoral scanner according to claim 1, wherein the probe light is directed towards the object in a direction substantially parallel with a longitudinal axis of the tip, and the intraoral scanner further comprises a single reflective mirror located in the tip configured to reflect the probe light towards the object.
8. The intraoral scanner according to claim 1, wherein the intraoral scanner is wireless.
9. The intraoral scanner according to claim 1, wherein the at least one camera is a high-speed camera.
10. The intraoral scanner according to claim 1, wherein the intraoral scanner is configured to enter a calibration mode in which images of the object of known geometry are recorded.
11. The intraoral scanner according to claim 1, wherein the hardware processor is further configured to transmit, via a wireless connection, the recorded images in real time.
12. The intraoral scanner according to claim 1, wherein a temporal correlation measure is computed with sensor signals, in the at least one camera, recorded at different times while the plurality of configurations in the form of a time-varying illumination pattern are changed.
13. The intraoral scanner according to claim 12, wherein the temporal correlation measure is computed for each individual sensing element.
14. The intraoral scanner according to claim 12, wherein the temporal correlation measure is based on a reference signal that is based on knowledge or on calibration of the plurality of configurations of the time-varying illumination pattern.
15. The intraoral scanner according to claim 9, wherein the high-speed camera records images at a frame rate of at least 500 frames per second.
16. The intraoral scanner according to claim 1, wherein the intraoral scanner comprises at least two light sources, each of the light sources configured to operate with the pattern generator.
17. The intraoral scanner according to claim 16, wherein the at least two light sources are configured to operate with different wavelengths.
18. The intraoral scanner according to claim 17, wherein the intraoral oral scanner is configured such that the different wavelengths can be manually selected, whereby the 3D geometry is dependent on which light source is being manually selected.
19. The intraoral scanner according to claim 1, wherein the intraoral scanner further comprises polarization optics.
20. The intraoral scanner according to claim 1, wherein the pattern generator is based on a liquid crystal display (LCD) projector or a digital light processing (DLP) projector.
21. The intraoral scanner according to claim 9, wherein the high-speed camera records images at a frame rate of at least 2000 frames per second.
22. A method for determining 3D geometry and color of at least a part of a surface of an object in an oral cavity, said method comprising the steps of:
using a light source and a pattern generator to generate a probe light with a plurality of configurations in the form of a time-varying illumination pattern;
transmitting the probe light, through a tip of an intraoral scanner inserted into the oral cavity, towards the object along an optical path, thereby illuminating at least a part of the object with the time-varying illumination pattern;
transmitting at least a part of the light returned from the object to at least one camera accommodating an array of sensor elements to form a plurality of 2D images;
wherein the 3D geometry is determined based on the plurality of 2D images and the time-varying illumination pattern;
selectively switching a color of the probe light, thereby illuminating the object with different colors at different times; and
recording different images by the at least one camera at the different times, thereby recording images of the object with the different colors.
23. The method according to claim 22, wherein the plurality of 2D images is recorded using a high-speed camera.
24. The method according to claim 22, further comprising wirelessly transmitting the data for the 3D geometry.