초록 ▼

Optical characteristic measuring systems and methods for determining the color or other optical characteristics of teeth comprising a probe body (2) wherein the probe provides light to the surface of the object/tooth (20). Perimeter receiver fiber optics (102) are spaced apart from a source fiber op

Optical characteristic measuring systems and methods for determining the color or other optical characteristics of teeth comprising a probe body (2) wherein the probe provides light to the surface of the object/tooth (20). Perimeter receiver fiber optics (102) are spaced apart from a source fiber optic and receive light from the surface of the object/tooth (20) being measured. Light from the perimeter fiber optics pass to a variety of filters. The system utilizes the perimeter receiver fiber optics (102) to determine information regarding the height and angle of the probe with respect to the object/tooth being measured wherein the numerical apertures of the receiver fiber optics (102) are different.

대표청구항 ▼

[ What is claimed is:] [1.]1. A method comprising the steps of:moving a probe in proximity to an object through relative movement between the probe and the object, wherein light is provided to the object from one or more light sources, and receives light from the object through a plurality of light

[ What is claimed is:] [1.]1. A method comprising the steps of:moving a probe in proximity to an object through relative movement between the probe and the object, wherein light is provided to the object from one or more light sources, and receives light from the object through a plurality of light receivers, wherein the plurality of light receivers comprise one or more first light receivers and one or more second light receivers, wherein the one or more first light receivers have a first numerical aperture and the one or more second light receivers have a second numerical aperture different from the first numerical aperture;determining the intensity of light received by more than one of the light receivers; andmeasuring the optical characteristics of the object, wherein the measurement produces data indicative of the optical characteristics of the object and includes at least first and second measurements with the probe at first and second distances from the object;wherein light from the one or more of the first or second light receivers is coupled to one or more sensors, wherein the one or more sensors generate at least one signal having a frequency proportional to the light intensity received by the one or more sensors.