Device for detecting the three-dimensional geometry of objects and method for the operation thereof

Abstract

A device for detecting the three-dimensional geometry of objects ( 9 ), in particular teeth, includes a handpiece ( 1 ) which is provided with at least one position sensor ( 12 ) for detecting the change of the spatial position of the handpiece ( 1 ), and an optical device ( 2 ) having at least one camera ( 5, 6 ) for capturing images and at least one light source ( 3 ) for at least one projector ( 4 ). The position sensor ( 12 ) in the handpiece ( 1 ) initially determines the size of the change of the spatial position of the device. It is determined therefrom, how many pictures the camera ( 5, 6 ) can take in a defined time unit.

1 - 30 . (canceled) 
     
     
         31 . Method for operating a device for detecting the three-dimensional geometry of objects, in particular teeth, with a scanner with a handpiece ( 1 ) with at least one optical device ( 2 ) with at least one camera ( 5 ,  6 ) for capturing images and at least one light source ( 3 ), characterized in that, before the three-dimensional geometry of objects is detected with the scanner, calibration images of a preferably flat surface are taken at different known distances. 
     
     
         32 . Method according to  claim 31 , characterized in that the central axes of the field angle of the cameras are oriented essentially normal to the flat surface when taking the calibration images. 
     
     
         33 . Method according to  claim 31 , characterized in that the central axes of the field angle of the camera are tilted at known angles to the surface when taking the calibration images. 
     
     
         34 . Method according to  claim 31 , characterized in that brightness profiles determined when taking the calibration images (and dependent on the distances) are recorded in a table along with empirical values of the edges of the pattern. 
     
     
         35 . Method according to  claim 34 , characterized in that the table is used when sharpening two-dimensional images of the camera ( 5 ,  6 ) in the course of detecting the three-dimensional geometry. 
     
     
         36 . Method according to  claim 31 , characterized in that a pattern is projected onto the object with a projector ( 4 ). 
     
     
         37 . Method according to  claim 32 , characterized in that brightness profiles determined when taking the calibration images (and dependent on the distances) are recorded in a table along with empirical values of the edges of the pattern. 
     
     
         38 . Method according to  claim 33 , characterized in that brightness profiles determined when taking the calibration images (and dependent on the distances) are recorded in a table along with empirical values of the edges of the pattern. 
     
     
         39 . Method according to  claim 32 , characterized in that a pattern is projected onto the object with a projector ( 4 ). 
     
     
         40 . Method according to  claim 33 , characterized in that a pattern is projected onto the object with a projector ( 4 ). 
     
     
         41 . Method according to  claim 34 , characterized in that a pattern is projected onto the object with a projector ( 4 ). 
     
     
         42 . Method according to  claim 35 , characterized in that a pattern is projected onto the object with a projector ( 4 ).