KR102596502B1 - Dental scanner device, method and the system thereof - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to a dental scanner device, a method, and a dental scanner device that collects data for dental self-diagnosis in a system including the same. When scanning teeth, when the user's mouth is maintained in a fixed state, a light source and a camera located on the shaft An image collection unit that collects tooth images of the front, occlusal, and inner surfaces of teeth using a module, automatically controls the forward and backward motion of the shaft inside and outside the user's mouth, and the angle of the camera module to automatically control the teeth It includes a device control unit that controls a device for image collection and a communication unit that transmits the tooth image to an external mobile device.

Description

Dental scanner device, method, and system comprising the same {DENTAL SCANNER DEVICE, METHOD AND THE SYSTEM THEREOF}

The present invention relates to a dental scanner device, method, and system including the same, and more specifically, to technology for providing telemedicine services by collecting and analyzing data for dental self-diagnosis.

Dental treatment is one of the industries where sales are severely affected in the event of an infectious disease outbreak such as coronavirus, as it is difficult to block droplets. In addition, even with the introduction of a reservation system, it is difficult to manage waiting patients and meet patient satisfaction, and it is difficult to effectively manage patients during the 2 to 3 year correction period, resulting in the inconvenience of having to take an X-ray every time.

In the case of orthodontic patients, they must visit a dental hospital every month, but it is often difficult for them or their children to visit the dentist due to their occupation. Moreover, it is not a monthly visit to receive treatment, and simple checkups such as medical treatment and cavity checks are often performed. Cases where a lot of correction is needed are cases where the treatment period does not go as planned during treatment and the treatment period is extended.

Existing conventional patent No. 10-1717284 (announced on March 17, 2017) is a technology for photographing the state of the oral cavity using multiple modes, providing the effect of allowing users to easily check the state of their teeth. However, in the conventional patent, functional parts such as a light emitting unit, a prism, an imaging unit, and a control unit are provided within the housing, and there are limitations in that the functional parts cannot be moved or rotated, and the user's mouth is not fixed.

The purpose of the present invention is to photograph the front, occlusal, and inner surfaces of the user's teeth at the same location with a simple method of use, predict changes, record change history, provide diagnostic results, and provide expert feedback.

In the dental scanner device according to an embodiment of the present invention, when scanning teeth, when the user's mouth is maintained in a fixed state, the front surface, occlusal surface, and inner surface of the teeth are scanned using the light source and camera module located on the shaft. An image collection unit that collects images, a device control unit that controls the device for collecting the tooth image by automatically controlling the forward and backward movement of the shaft into and out of the user's mouth, and the angle of the camera module, and the tooth image. It includes a communication unit that transmits data to an external mobile device.

The dental scanner device includes a main body, an aperture-shaped body worn part that is connected to the main body and maintains the mouth in a fixed state when scanning teeth through both fixing members fixed to the user's teeth, and the center of the body worn part. It is located in and may include a shaft that moves forward and backward within a certain distance range to position the light source and the photographing portion of the camera module, and a coupling member that detachably couples the photographing portion to the shaft.

In the dental scanner method according to an embodiment of the present invention, when scanning teeth, if the user's mouth is maintained in a fixed state, the forward and backward movement of the shaft inside and outside the user's mouth and the angle of the camera module are automatically controlled. controlling a device for collecting teeth images, collecting teeth images of the front, occlusal, and inner surfaces of teeth using a light source located on the shaft and the camera module, and transmitting the tooth images to an external mobile device. It includes the step of transmitting to the device.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, teeth images can be collected with a simple method of use using a dental scanner device in the shape of an open mouth that maintains the user's mouth in a fixed state when scanning teeth, and an artificial intelligence model (AI) The image analysis technology used can provide diagnostic results after analyzing teeth images.

Figure 1 shows an exploded perspective view of a dental scanner device according to an embodiment of the present invention.
Figure 2 is shown to explain an example of shaft movement in a dental scanner device according to an embodiment of the present invention.
Figure 3 is a block diagram showing the detailed configuration of a dental scanner device according to an embodiment of the present invention.
Figure 4 shows the configuration of a system for sharing data using a dental scanner device according to an embodiment of the present invention.
Figure 5 is shown to explain an example of tooth image acquisition through remote control according to another embodiment of the present invention.
Figure 6 shows an operation flowchart of a dental scanner method according to an embodiment of the present invention.

The advantages and features of the present invention and methods for achieving them will become clear by referring to the embodiments described in detail below along with the accompanying drawings. However, the present invention is not limited to the embodiments disclosed below and will be implemented in various different forms, but the present embodiments only serve to ensure that the disclosure of the present invention is complete and are within the scope of common knowledge in the technical field to which the present invention pertains. It is provided to fully inform those who have the scope of the invention, and the present invention is only defined by the scope of the claims.

The terminology used herein is for describing embodiments and is not intended to limit the invention. As used herein, singular forms also include plural forms, unless specifically stated otherwise in the context. As used herein, “comprises” and/or “comprising” refers to the presence of one or more other components, steps, operations and/or elements. or does not rule out addition.

Unless otherwise defined, all terms (including technical and scientific terms) used in this specification may be used with meanings that can be commonly understood by those skilled in the art to which the present invention pertains. Additionally, terms defined in commonly used dictionaries are not interpreted ideally or excessively unless clearly specifically defined.

Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in more detail with reference to the attached drawings. The same reference numerals are used for the same components in the drawings, and duplicate descriptions for the same components are omitted.

Embodiments of the present invention acquire images of the user's teeth using an open-mouth dental scanner device that maintains the user's mouth in a fixed state when scanning teeth, and use this to predict changes and record change history. , its purpose is to provide diagnostic results and expert feedback.

The dental scanner device according to an embodiment of the present invention is a tooth image capturing tool and can provide self-tooth disease analysis and data sharing through an application installed on a linked mobile device. Afterwards, the present invention implements a question-and-answer type medical service model and service through a dental telemedicine platform capable of remote treatment, and can develop an artificial intelligence model based on collected tooth images.

Specifically, embodiments of the present invention can provide dental telemedicine platform services using a dental scanner device. For example, an artificial intelligence model is learned using tooth images acquired through a dental scanner device, and the artificial intelligence model is used to diagnose the current tooth condition (cavities, bacteria, etc.) or predict the shape of teeth in the future. A variety of services can be provided.

Hereinafter, the device, method, and system according to the embodiments of the present invention described above will be described in detail with reference to FIGS. 1 to 6.

FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view of a dental scanner device according to an embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 2 is a diagram to illustrate an example of shaft movement within a dental scanner device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to Figure 1, the dental scanner device 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a body worn portion 110, a shaft 121, a coupling member 122, a light source 132, and a camera module 133. do.

The main body 101 has a body that the user can easily hold with one hand, and body-worn portions 110 are formed on both sides of the front part of the main body 101.

The body worn part 110 is connected to the main body 101 and is formed in an open shape so that the mouth is fixed and the teeth are maintained in an open state when scanning teeth through both fixing members fixed to both cheeks of the user. . For example, the body worn part 110 has an opening shape that opens and fixes the inside of the user's mouth at the edges, and supports the mouth so that the teeth can be revealed more clearly. At this time, the body-worn part 110 is manufactured in a detachable state from the main body 101 and provided to the user, so the user can separate the body-worn part 110 from the main body 101, wash it, and use it repeatedly. Depending on the embodiment, a one-time aperture device may be mounted on the body-worn unit 110, and the user may use the service after combining the one-time aperture device with the body-worn unit 110 when scanning teeth.

The shaft 121 is located at the center of the body worn unit 110 and can move forward and backward within a certain distance to position the light source 132 and the imaging unit of the camera module 133. At this time, the light source 132 and the camera module 133 may be coupled to the angle adjusting unit 131 and positioned in front of the shaft 121. For example, the shaft 121 is formed to have a certain length, and as shown in Figure 2 (a), the shaft 121 advances within a certain distance from the main body 101 and is coupled to the main body 101. It may be possible to move back and forth by moving backwards. In more detail, Figure 2(a) shows the shaft 121 entering the inside of the mouth in the user's 'A' mode, and although not shown, in the user's 'A' mode, the shaft 121 enters the inside of the mouth. It can be located in . Accordingly, the light source 132 and the camera module 133 are located on the front part of the shaft 121 through the coupling member 122 and can freely move inside and outside the user's mouth, and the coupling member 122 is The imaging units 131 and 132 may be detachably coupled to the shaft 121.

As shown in Figure 2 (b), the camera module 133 photographs the upper part of the inner surface of the tooth while moving forward through the shaft 121, and photographs the lower part of the inner surface of the tooth while moving backward, and can be rotated 180 degrees. there is. At this time, the light source 132 may also rotate at the same angle as the camera module 133.

Depending on the embodiment, the dental scanner device 100 may further include a protective cap that protects the camera module 133 from moisture and saliva. At this time, the camera protection cap is manufactured to be detachable from the camera module 133 and provided to the user, so the user can detach the camera protection cap from the camera module 133, clean it, and use it repeatedly.

Figure 3 is a block diagram showing the detailed configuration of a dental scanner device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 3, a dental scanner device according to an embodiment of the present invention acquires a tooth image with a simple method of use and provides data to an external mobile device.

To this end, the dental scanner device 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention includes an image collection unit 140, a device control unit 150, and a communication unit 160.

When scanning teeth, when the user's mouth remains fixed, the image collection unit 140 collects teeth images of the front surface, occlusal surface, and inner surface of the teeth using a light source and a camera module located on the shaft.

The image collection unit 140 collects tooth images including the front image of the occlusal surface where the front surface of the tooth and the upper and lower teeth of the teeth occlude, the upper and lower images of the occlusal surface, and the image of the inner surface of the tooth from the inside of the mouth. You can. At this time, the image collection unit 140 can collect tooth images of the inner surface of the tooth using a light source from inside the mouth, and the number of tooth images taken for each of the front surface of the tooth, the occlusal surface of the tooth, and the inner surface of the tooth is not limited. No.

Depending on the embodiment, the image collection unit 140 may classify and store tooth images acquired according to the position and angle of the camera module into the front surface of the tooth, the occlusal surface of the tooth, and the inner side of the tooth, and store the number of tooth images for each classification. It may be possible.

The device control unit 150 controls the device for collecting teeth images by automatically controlling the forward and backward movement of the shaft inside and outside the user's mouth and the angle of the camera module. The dental scanner device 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention automatically controls the forward and backward movement of the shaft without any special manipulation by the user through the device control unit 150, and collects tooth images by controlling the angle of the camera module. It is characterized by collecting teeth images of the front surface, occlusal surface, and inner surface of the teeth through the image collection unit 140.

The device control unit 150 includes a first motor control unit 151 that controls the length of the shaft and a second motor control unit 152 that controls the angle of the camera module, and the first motor control unit 151 includes a light source and a camera module. The shaft moves forward and backward into and out of the user's mouth according to the position of the movement distance, and the second motor control unit 152 controls the rotation angle of the camera module at the shaft position fixed by the first motor control unit 151. can do. Here, the first motor control unit 151 and the second motor control unit 152 will be described in detail with reference to FIG. 5 below.

The communication unit 160 transmits the tooth image to the external mobile device 200.

The communication unit 160 can transmit and receive data including tooth images of the front surface of the tooth, the occlusal surface of the tooth, and the inner surface of the tooth to an external mobile device using Bluetooth or Wi-Fi. At this time, the mobile device 200 performs self-diagnosis through tooth status data such as cavities and bacteria and tooth situation data such as tooth color and shape using collected tooth images for each shooting mode of the front, occlusal, and inner sides of the teeth. , tooth monitoring of change prediction and change history storage can be performed, and tooth images can be provided to the external cloud server 300 and medical staff 400.

Figure 4 shows the configuration of a system for sharing data using a dental scanner device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

In the dental scanner device 100, the general image reflected by the white light source and the special image generated by Quantitative Light-induced Fluorescence are analyzed by an artificial intelligence model (AI) learned through deep learning and the results are presented. It is transmitted back to the dental scanner device 100 to output the results. The data generated during this process is stored in the cloud server 300 and is used only for identity verification and telemedicine purposes.

More specifically, the dental scanner device 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention shares dental data with the cloud server 300 and the medical professional 400 through the mobile device 200 carried by the user, and provides information on tooth images. You can receive diagnosis results and expert feedback. For example, a user acquires a tooth image using the dental scanner device 100. Afterwards, the mobile device 200 analyzes the image results using the tooth image received from the dental scanner device 100, provides the analysis results to the dental scanner device 100, and displays the results through the speaker and LED within the device. Can be printed. In addition, the mobile device 200 transmits the analysis results and tooth images to the external cloud server 300, and the medical staff 400, who receives the data through the cloud server 300, sends the diagnosis results and expert feedback to the cloud server. Provided at (300). Accordingly, the user can check the diagnosis results of the medical staff 400 and the expert's feedback provided by the cloud server 300 through the mobile device 200.

The dental scanner device 100 includes a body-worn part that fixes the mouth in the shape of an open mouth, and uses a light source and camera module whose length is adjustable to photograph the lingual surface, occlusal surface, and front of the oral cavity at a certain position without an external device, thereby capturing the teeth. It is a device that can collect images and manage the degree of change in teeth.

The mobile device 200 may analyze images captured by the dental scanner device 100 and output the analysis results through a speaker included in the main body of the dental scanner device 100. In addition, the mobile device 200 can store, manage, and analyze captured tooth images based on each user's login through an application, record change predictions and change history, and provide diagnosis results and expert feedback. At this time, the mobile device may be a terminal with at least one application installed among a smartphone, a desktop PC, a mobile terminal, a PDA, a laptop, and a tablet PC. It may include a display in the form of a touch screen capable of performing operations of a set of functions, and may be a device including one or more physical buttons or virtual buttons, so the type and form are not limited thereto.

The cloud server 300 can store data including tooth images of the front, occlusal, and inner sides of teeth for each user received from the mobile device 200 and the medical professional 400, image analysis results, diagnosis results, and expert feedback. there is.

The medical person 400 may be a medical or paramedical person with management qualifications to receive data stored in the cloud server 300, and may provide diagnosis and feedback information based on data and history information for each user.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, a dental telemedicine platform can be provided through an application in the mobile device 200. Accordingly, the present invention collects teeth images in a simple manner using a dental scanner device 100, a dental telemedicine platform, and an artificial intelligence model, provides self-analysis and sharing of dental diseases, and provides remote medical treatment and Q&A-based medical care. Service models and services can be implemented, and diagnostic assistance artificial intelligence models for orthodontic retainers that predict dental diseases and changes in tooth shape can be provided. Additionally, through the dental telemedicine platform, it may be possible to share services not only with users (or patients), but also with insurance companies, medical commerce, medical research, and associations/groups.

Figure 5 is shown to explain an example of tooth image acquisition through remote control according to another embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to Figure 5, the user can control the dental scanner device using an application (APP) in the mobile device and collect tooth images of the front surface, occlusal surface, and inner surface of the teeth.

As an example, when the user selects the front side, that is, the front side of the teeth or the occlusal surface, through the application, the first motor control unit 151 and the second motor control unit 152 of the dental scanner device are maintained in a basic state of not operating, The LED remains on. Here, the basic state is a state in which the shaft 121 is coupled to the main body without moving forward, and the camera module may be in a state facing the front. At this time, the application in the mobile device may be in a state where screen capture image analysis is possible after operation is completed.

As another example, when the user selects the upper inner side, that is, the upper inner surface of the tooth, through the application, the first motor control unit 151 of the dental scanner device advances the shaft 121 through forward rotation, and the second motor control unit ( 152) rotates in reverse to control the angle so that the camera module 133 faces upward, and the LED remains on. At this time, the application in the mobile device may be in a state where screen capture image analysis is possible after operation is completed.

As another example, when the user selects the lower inner side, that is, the lower inner surface of the tooth, through the application, the first motor control unit 151 of the dental scanner device advances the shaft 121 through forward rotation, and the second motor control unit (152) rotates forward to control the angle so that the camera module 133 faces downward, and the LED remains on. At this time, the application in the mobile device may be in a state where screen capture image analysis is possible after operation is completed.

Finally, when image collection is completed and the end state is reached, the first motor control unit 151 and the second motor control unit 152 of the dental scanner device are maintained in the basic initial position, and the LED is in an off state. is maintained. At this time, the application in the mobile device may have buttons in a deactivated state.

Figure 6 shows an operation flowchart of a dental scanner method according to an embodiment of the present invention.

The method of FIG. 6 is performed by the dental scanner device according to the embodiment of the present invention shown in FIG. 3.

Referring to FIG. 6, in step S610, when scanning the teeth, if the user's mouth remains fixed, the forward and backward movement of the shaft inside and outside the user's mouth and the angle of the camera module are automatically controlled to image the teeth. Control the device for collection.

Step S610 uses a first motor control unit that controls the length of the shaft and a second motor control unit that controls the angle of the camera module to move the shaft forward and backward into and out of the user's mouth according to the moving distance position of the light source and the camera module. And, at a fixed shaft position, the rotation angle of the camera module can be controlled.

In step S620, tooth images of the front surface, occlusal surface, and inner surface of the teeth are collected using a light source and a camera module located on the shaft.

Step S620 may collect tooth images including a front image of the occlusal surface where the front surface of the tooth and the upper and lower teeth of the teeth are in occlusion, an upper and lower image of the occlusal surface, and an image of the inner surface of the tooth from inside the mouth. At this time, in step S620, tooth images of the inner surface of the tooth can be collected using a light source inside the mouth, and the number of tooth images taken for each of the front surface of the tooth, the occlusal surface of the tooth, and the inner surface of the tooth is not limited.

Depending on the embodiment, step S620 may classify and store tooth images obtained according to the position and angle of the camera module into the front surface of the tooth, the occlusal surface of the tooth, and the inner side of the tooth, and may also store the number of tooth images for each category.

In step S630, the tooth image is transmitted to an external mobile device.

Step S630 can transmit and receive data including tooth images of the front surface of the tooth, the occlusal surface of the tooth, and the inner surface of the tooth to an external mobile device using Bluetooth or Wi-Fi. At this time, the mobile device uses the collected tooth images of the front, occlusal, and inner sides of the teeth for each shooting mode to self-diagnose and predict changes through tooth condition data such as cavities and bacteria and tooth color and shape. and change history can be saved, tooth images can be provided to external cloud servers and medical staff.

The system or device described above may be implemented with hardware components, software components, and/or a combination of hardware components and software components. For example, devices and components described in embodiments may include, for example, a processor, a controller, an arithmetic logic unit (ALU), a digital signal processor, a microcomputer, and a field programmable gate array (FPGA). , may be implemented using one or more general-purpose or special-purpose computers, such as a programmable logic unit (PLU), a microprocessor, or any other device capable of executing and responding to instructions. The processing device may execute an operating system (OS) and one or more software applications running on the operating system. Additionally, a processing device may access, store, manipulate, process, and generate data in response to the execution of software. For ease of understanding, a single processing device may be described as being used; however, those skilled in the art will understand that a processing device includes multiple processing elements and/or multiple types of processing elements. It can be seen that it may include. For example, a processing device may include a plurality of processors or one processor and one controller. Additionally, other processing configurations, such as parallel processors, are possible.

Software may include a computer program, code, instructions, or a combination of one or more of these, which may configure a processing unit to operate as desired, or may be processed independently or collectively. You can command the device. Software and/or data may be used on any type of machine, component, physical device, virtual equipment, computer storage medium or device to be interpreted by or to provide instructions or data to a processing device. , or may be permanently or temporarily embodied in a transmitted signal wave. Software may be distributed over networked computer systems and stored or executed in a distributed manner. Software and data may be stored on one or more computer-readable recording media.

The method according to the embodiment may be implemented in the form of program instructions that can be executed through various computer means and recorded on a computer-readable medium. The computer-readable medium may include program instructions, data files, data structures, etc., singly or in combination. Program instructions recorded on the medium may be specially designed and configured for the embodiment or may be known and available to those skilled in the art of computer software. Examples of computer-readable recording media include magnetic media such as hard disks, floppy disks, and magnetic tapes, optical media such as CD-ROMs and DVDs, and magnetic media such as floptical disks. -Includes optical media (magneto-optical media) and hardware devices specifically configured to store and execute program instructions, such as ROM, RAM, flash memory, etc. Examples of program instructions include machine language code, such as that produced by a compiler, as well as high-level language code that can be executed by a computer using an interpreter, etc. The hardware devices described above may be configured to operate as one or more software modules to perform the operations of the embodiments, and vice versa.

As described above, although the embodiments have been described with limited examples and drawings, various modifications and variations can be made by those skilled in the art from the above description. For example, the described techniques are performed in a different order than the described method, and/or components of the described system, structure, device, circuit, etc. are combined or combined in a different form than the described method, or other components are used. Alternatively, appropriate results may be achieved even if substituted or substituted by an equivalent.

Therefore, other implementations, other embodiments, and equivalents of the claims also fall within the scope of the claims described below.

100: Dental scanner device
101: body
110: body worn part
121: shaft
122: Coupling member
131: Angle adjustment unit
132: light source
133: Camera module

Claims (12)

In the dental scanner device,
When scanning teeth, when the user's mouth remains fixed, an image collection unit that collects teeth images of the front surface, occlusal surface, and inner surface of the teeth using a light source and a camera module located on the shaft;
a device control unit for controlling the forward and backward movement of the shaft into and out of the user's mouth and automatically controlling the angle of the camera module to enable collection of the tooth image; and
Communication unit that transmits the tooth image to an external mobile device
Including,
The image collection unit
Collecting images of the teeth, including a front image of the front of the teeth and the occlusal surface where the upper and lower teeth of the teeth occlude, upper and lower images of the occlusal surface, and an image of the inner surface of the teeth from inside the mouth,
Collecting the tooth image of the inner surface of the tooth using the light source inside the mouth,
The device control unit
a first motor control unit that controls the length of the shaft; and
It includes a second motor control unit that controls the angle of the camera module,
The first motor control unit advances and retracts the shaft into and out of the user's mouth according to the moving distance position of the light source and the camera module, and the second motor control unit moves the shaft position fixed by the first motor control unit. Controlling the rotation angle of the camera module,
The dental scanner device is
main body;
A body-worn part in the shape of an opening that is connected to the main body and maintains the mouth in a fixed state when scanning teeth through fixing members on both sides fixed to the user's teeth;
a shaft located at the center of the body worn unit and moving forward and backward within a certain distance to position the light source and the photographing unit of the camera module; and
A coupling member that detachably couples the photographing unit to the shaft.
Including,
The filming department
Characterized in that the upper part of the inner surface of the tooth is photographed while advancing through the shaft, and the lower part of the inner surface of the tooth is photographed while moving backward, and can be rotated 180 degrees.
Dental scanner device. delete delete delete According to paragraph 1,
The Department of Communications
A dental scanner device that transmits and receives data including the tooth image to an external mobile device using Bluetooth or Wi-Fi. According to paragraph 1,
The mobile device is
Using the above-mentioned tooth images for each shooting mode for the front, occlusal, and lingual surfaces of the teeth, self-diagnosis, change prediction, and change history storage through tooth condition data such as tooth condition such as cavities and bacteria and tooth color and shape. A dental scanner device that performs monitoring. delete delete delete delete delete delete