초록 ▼

Optical characteristic measuring systems and methods such as for determining the color or other optical characteristics of teeth are disclosed. Perimeter receiver fiber optics preferably are spaced apart from a source fiber optic and receive light from the surface of the object/tooth being measured.

Optical characteristic measuring systems and methods such as for determining the color or other optical characteristics of teeth are disclosed. Perimeter receiver fiber optics preferably are spaced apart from a source fiber optic and receive light from the surface of the object/tooth being measured. Light from the perimeter fiber optics pass to a variety of filters. The system utilizes the perimeter receiver fiber optics to determine information regarding the height and angle of the probe with respect to the object/tooth being measured. Under processor control, the optical characteristics measurement may be made at a predetermined height and angle. Various color spectral photometer arrangements are disclosed. Translucency, fluorescence, gloss and/or surface texture data also may be obtained. Audio feedback may be provided to guide operator use of the system. The probe may have a removable or shielded tip for contamination prevention. A method of producing dental prostheses based on measured data also is disclosed. Measured data also may be stored and/or organized as part of a patient data base. Such methods and implements may be desirably utilized for purposes of detecting and preventing counterfeiting or the like.

대표청구항 ▼

[ What is claimed is:] [1.] A method comprising the steps of:moving a probe in proximity to an object, wherein the probe provides light having a plurality of wavelengths to a surface of the object and receives light from the object, wherein light is provided from the probe by a light source and ligh

[ What is claimed is:] [1.] A method comprising the steps of:moving a probe in proximity to an object, wherein the probe provides light having a plurality of wavelengths to a surface of the object and receives light from the object, wherein light is provided from the probe by a light source and light is received by one or more light receivers, wherein the light source and at least one of the one or more light receivers define a critical height from the surface below which substantially no light from the light source that is specularly reflected from the object is received by the one or more light receivers;determining the intensity of light received by the one or more light receivers by coupling the received light to a plurality of sensors through a plurality of filters;measuring the optical characteristics including at least spectral characteristics of the object of the object, wherein the measurement produces data indicative of the optical characteristics of the object; anddetermining data indicative of whether a cable coupled between the probe and a unit for measuring the optical characteristics is under a condition of flex, wherein the data indicative of the optical characteristics of the object is adjusted based on the determined data.