Scanner device with replaceable scanning-tips

Abstract

The present disclosure provides a scanning system for scanning an object, including a scanner device including an image sensor for acquiring images; a mounting-interface for detachably mounting at least one of a plurality of types of scanning-tips, wherein each of the plurality of types scanning-tips is configured for providing light to the object in an illumination-mode that differs for each of the plurality of types of scanning-tips.

1 . A scanning system for scanning an object, comprising:
 a scanner device comprising:
 an image sensor for acquiring images; 
 a mounting-interface for detachably mounting at least one of a plurality of types of scanning-tips, wherein each of the plurality of types scanning-tips is configured for providing light to the object in an illumination-mode that differs for each of the plurality of types of scanning-tips; and 
 a recognition component for recognizing the type of scanning-tip mounted to the mounting-interface; 
   a processor configured for processing the images acquired by the image sensor into processed data; and   a controller configured for controlling the operation of the processor according to the type of the scanning-tip recognized by the recognition component, wherein the controller is further configured for controlling the processor such that when a first type of scanning-tip is mounted and recognized, the processor is controlled to operate in a first processing-mode corresponding to the first type of scanning-tip, and such that when a second type of scanning-tip is mounted and recognized, the processor is controlled to operate in a second processing-mode corresponding to the second type of scanning-tip, wherein the second processing-mode is different from the first processing-mode, and wherein:
 when in the first processing mode, the processor processes a first plurality of images acquired with a first illumination-mode to provide the processed data in the form of first data for 3D geometry and first data for texture of the object, 
   wherein the first data for the 3D geometry is based on:    a first subset of the first plurality of images being selected according to the first type of scanning tip, thereby defining part of the first processing mode, and/or    a first subset of pixels within said first plurality of images being selected according to the first type of scanning tip, thereby defining part of the first processing mode, and   wherein the first data for the texture of the object is based on:    a second subset of the first plurality of images being selected according to the first type of scanning tip, thereby defining part of the first processing mode, and/or    a second subset of pixels within said first plurality of images being selected according to the first type of scanning tip, thereby defining part of the first processing mode, and
 when in the second processing mode, the processor processes a second plurality of images acquired with a second illumination-mode to provide the processed data in the form of second data for 3D geometry and second data for texture of the object, 
   wherein the second data for the 3D geometry is based on:    a first subset of the second plurality of images being selected according to the second type of scanning tip, thereby defining part of the second processing mode, and/or    a first subset of pixels within said second plurality of images being selected according to the second type of scanning tip, thereby defining part of the second processing mode,   wherein the second data for the texture of the object is based on:    a second subset of the second plurality of images being selected according to the second type of scanning tip, thereby defining part of the second processing mode, and/or    a second subset of pixels within said second plurality of images being selected according to the second type of scanning tip,   thereby defining part of the second processing mode.   
     
     
         2 . The scanning system according to  claim 1 , wherein the processor is integrated in the scanner device. 
     
     
         3 . The scanning system according to  claim 1 , wherein the controller is external to the scanner device. 
     
     
         4 . The scanning system according to  claim 1 , wherein the type of scanning-tip, as recognized by the recognition component, is in the form of recognition-data, and wherein the scanner device is configured to transmit the recognition-data to the controller. 
     
     
         5 . The scanning system according to  claim 1 , wherein the recognition element comprises a memory-reader configured to read recognition-data from an integrated memory on each of the plurality of types scanning-tips. 
     
     
         6 . The scanning system according to  claim 1 , wherein the illumination-mode for one type of scanning-tip is defined by the wavelength of the light and/or wherein the illumination-mode for one type of scanning tip is defined by the intensity of the light. 
     
     
         7 . The scanning system according to  claim 1 , wherein the illumination-mode for one type of scanning-tip is defined by different wavelengths of the light, whereby one type of scanning-tip switches between the different wavelengths of the light. 
     
     
         8 . The scanning system according to  claim 1 , wherein the illumination-mode for one type of scanning-tip is defined by the field-of-view of the light and/or wherein the illumination-mode for one type of scanning-tip is defined by a pattern of the light. 
     
     
         9 . The scanning system according to  claim 1 , wherein the first data for the 3D geometry is based on the first subset of the first plurality of images, and the first subset of pixels within said first plurality of images, and wherein the first data for the texture of the object is based on the second subset of the first plurality of images and the second subset of pixels within said first plurality of images,
 wherein the first subset of the first plurality of images is identical to the second subset of the first plurality of images, and   wherein the first subset of pixels within said first plurality of images is different from the second subset of pixels within said first plurality of images.   
     
     
         10 . The scanning system according to  claim 1 , wherein the first data for the 3D geometry is based on the first subset of the first plurality of images, and the first subset of pixels within said first plurality of images, and wherein the first data for the texture of the object is based on the second subset of the first plurality of images and the second subset of pixels within said first plurality of images,
 wherein the first subset of the first plurality of images is different from the second subset of the first plurality of images, and   wherein the first subset of pixels within said first plurality of images is different from the second subset of pixels within said first plurality of images.   
     
     
         11 . The scanning system according to  claim 1 , wherein the first data for the 3D geometry is based on the first subset of the first plurality of images, and the first subset of pixels within said first plurality of images, and wherein the first data for the texture of the object is based on the second subset of the first plurality of images and the second subset of pixels within said first plurality of images,
 wherein the first subset of the first plurality of images is different from the second subset of the first plurality of images, and   wherein the first subset of pixels within said first plurality of images is identical to the second subset of pixels within said first plurality of images.   
     
     
         12 . The scanning system according to  claim 10 , wherein the first subset of the first plurality of images is every second image of the plurality of images as recorded with non-chromatic light at a plurality of wavelengths, and wherein the second subset of the first plurality of images is the remaining images of the plurality of images recorded with monochromatic light at a first wavelength. 
     
     
         13 . The scanning system according to  claim 10 , wherein the first subset of the first plurality of images is every third image of the first plurality of images as recorded with non-chromatic light defined by a plurality of wavelengths, and wherein the second subset of the first plurality of images is the remaining images of the first plurality of images recorded with monochromatic light at a first wavelength and at a second wavelength. 
     
     
         14 . The scanning system according to  claim 9 , wherein the second subset of the first plurality of images is a single image as recorded with non-chromatic light defined by a plurality of wavelengths. 
     
     
         15 . The scanning system according to  claim 1 , wherein the second data for the 3D geometry is based on the first subset of the second plurality of images, and the first subset of pixels within said second plurality of images, and wherein the second data for the texture of the object is based on the second subset of the second plurality of images and the second subset of pixels within said second plurality of images,
 wherein the first subset of the second plurality of images is identical to the second subset of the second plurality of images, and   wherein the first subset of pixels within said second plurality of images is different from the second subset of pixels within said second plurality of images.   
     
     
         16 . The scanning system according to  claim 1 , wherein the second data for the 3D geometry is based on the first subset of the second plurality of images, and the first subset of pixels within said second plurality of images, and wherein the second data for the texture of the object is based on the second subset of the second plurality of images and the second subset of pixels within said second plurality of images,
 wherein the first subset of the second plurality of images is different from the second subset of the second plurality of images, and   wherein the first subset of pixels within said second plurality of images is different from the second subset of pixels within said second plurality of images.   
     
     
         17 . The scanning system according to  claim 1 , wherein the second data for the 3D geometry is based on the first subset of the second plurality of images, and the first subset of pixels within said second plurality of images, and wherein the first data for the texture of the object is based on the second subset of the second plurality of images and the second subset of pixels within said second plurality of images,
 wherein the first subset of the second plurality of images is different from the second subset of the second plurality of images, and   wherein the first subset of pixels within said second plurality of images is identical to the second subset of pixels within said second plurality of images.   
     
     
         18 . The scanning system according to  claim 1 , wherein the scanner device further comprises a lens configured to translate back and forth while the first and/or second plurality of images is acquired. 
     
     
         19 . The scanning system according to  claim 1 , wherein the scanning system further comprises a processor configured to generate a 3D-model of the object, and
 wherein the 3D-model is generated based on the first data for the 3D geometry, but wherein the 3D-model is not generated based on the second data for the 3D geometry, or   wherein the 3D-model is generated based on the second data for the 3D geometry, but wherein the 3D-model is not generated based on the first data for the 3D geometry.   
     
     
         20 . The scanning system according to  claim 19 , wherein when the 3D-model is not generated based on the second data for the 3D geometry, then the second data for the 3D geometry is compared to the first data for the 3D geometry, whereby the second data for texture of the object is matched to the 3D-model. 
     
     
         21 . The scanning system according to  claim 19 , wherein when the 3D-model is not generated based on the first data for the 3D geometry, then the first data for the 3D geometry is compared to the second data for the 3D geometry, whereby the first data for texture of the object is matched to the 3D-model. 
     
     
         22 . A computer-implemented method for generating a 3D-representation of an oral cavity displayed in a graphical user-interface on a screen, comprising the steps of:
 displaying, in the graphical user-interface, a plurality of options for scanning, such that a user is instructed, in the user-interface, to select one of said options for scanning;   receiving, by the user, one or more of said options for scanning;   displaying, in the graphical user-interface, and based on the one option for scanning as received, first mounting-instructions for the user to mount a first scanning-tip to a scanner device;   receiving first information from the scanner device related to the first scanning-tip when the first scanning-tip is mounted to the scanner device;   displaying, in the graphical user-interface, and based on the first information from the scanner device, a first scanning instruction and/or a first scanning indication for the user to scan with the scanner device having mounted the first scanning-tip;   receiving first scan data by the scanner device with the first scanning-tip, wherefrom a first part of the 3D-representation is generated;   displaying, in the graphical user-interface, and based on the first scan data as received, second mounting-instructions to replace the first scanning-tip with a second scanning-tip;   receiving second information from the scanner device related to the second scanning-tip when the second scanning tip is mounted to the scanner device;   displaying, in the graphical user-interface, and based on the second information from the scanner device, a second scanning instruction and/or second scanning indication for the user to scan with the scanner device having the second scanning-tip; and   receiving second scan data by the scanner device with the second scanning-tip, wherefrom a second part of the 3D-representation is generated.   
     
     
         23 . The computer-implemented method according to  claim 22 , wherein the one of said options for scanning is related to edentulous scanning. 
     
     
         24 . The computer-implemented method according  claim 22 , wherein the step of receiving, by the user, one or more of said options for scanning is provided by the user clicking on the one or more of said options in the user-interface. 
     
     
         25 . The computer-implemented method according to  claim 22 , wherein the step of receiving the first information from the scanner device related to the first scanning-tip and/or the step of receiving the second information from the scanner device related to the second scanning-tip is provided from a recognition component in the scanner device that recognizes the type of scanning-tip when mounted to the scanner device. 
     
     
         26 . The computer-implemented method according to  claim 22 , wherein the step of receiving the first information from the scanner device related to the first scanning-tip is provided from visual recognition of at least a part of the first scanning-tip in the field of view of the first scanning-tip and/or the step of receiving the second information from the scanner device related to the second scanning-tip is provided from visual recognition of at least a part of the second scanning-tip in the field-of-view of the second scanning-tip. 
     
     
         27 . The computer-implemented method according to  claim 22 , wherein the first scanning-tip is configured for scanning with a larger field-of-view in comparison to the second scanning-tip, whereby the first part of the 3D-representation is used as a reference model for the second part of the 3D-representation being matched to the reference model. 
     
     
         28 . The computer-implemented method according to  claim 22 , wherein the step of displaying instructions to replace the first scanning-tip with a second scanning-tip is based on confirmation-input from a user, wherein the confirmation-input comprise information confirming that the first part of the 3D-representation as generated is sufficient. 
     
     
         29 . The computer-implemented method according to  claim 28 , wherein the first part of the 3D-representation, as confirmed sufficient, is collected over time from:
 the user, and/or   a plurality of different users,   
       thereby forming historical 3D-representations as confirmed sufficient, whereby the step of displaying the instructions to replace the first scanning-tip with a second scanning-tip is automatized and based on the historical 3D-representations as confirmed sufficient. 
     
     
         30 . The computer-implemented method according to  claim 29 , wherein the historical 3D-representations as confirmed sufficient is used as input for an algorithm configured to determine when the 3D-representation as generated is sufficient, and wherein the algorithm is based on averaging the historical 3D-representations, and/or wherein the algorithm is based on machine learning and/or artificial intelligence.