Method and Device with Regard to Data Transmission in the Production of Denture Parts

Abstract

The invention relates to a method in which at a first location (A), such as a dental technician's laboratory or a dentist's surgery, digital image data ( 18 ) in the form of single images and/or image sequences are generated and these are transmitted to a second location (B), such as a production centre for denture parts, wherein the digital image data ( 18 ) and/or image sequences relate to information on the manufacture of denture parts ( 15 ). Furthermore, the invention relates to a scanning device for obtaining data records of dental models with a scanning appliance, such as a scanning head and with a camera, wherein remote data transmission means ( 8 ) are provided for transmitting digital image data ( 18 ) from the camera in the form of single images and/or image sequences to another location (B), such as a production centre.

1 - 41 . (canceled) 
     
     
         42 . A method, comprising:
 generating, using a digital camera, digital image data at a first location in the form of at least one of single images and image sequences,   transmitting the digital image data, before manufacture of a denture part, from the first location to a second location,   monitoring, from the second location, generation of data records that present a shape of a dental model,   wherein   a scanning device comprises a scanning appliance and the digital camera, and   the digital image data relate to information on manufacture of denture parts.   
     
     
         43 . The method according to  claim 42 , wherein the first location is a dental technician's laboratory or a dentist's surgery. 
     
     
         44 . The method according to  claim 42 , wherein the second location is a production center for denture parts. 
     
     
         45 . The method according to  claim 42 , wherein the digital image data show one of a dental model together with the denture part and a residual dental region together with the denture part. 
     
     
         46 . The method according to  claim 42 , wherein the digital image data comprise images of at least one of denture parts and dental models. 
     
     
         47 . The method according to  claim 46 , wherein the images of at least one of denture parts and dental models are at least one of plaster models and residual dental regions. 
     
     
         48 . The method according to  claim 42 , wherein transmitting the digital image data takes place via one of the Internet, a telephone line, DSL, and mobile radio. 
     
     
         49 . The method according to  claim 42 , wherein the camera is linked to a computer connected to the scanning device. 
     
     
         50 . The method according to  claim 49 , wherein the camera is permanently connected to the scanning device. 
     
     
         51 . The method according to  claim 49 , wherein
 the camera is removably coupled to the scanning device and is adapted to communicate with at least one of the scanning appliance and a computer via one of a cable and wireless means, and   the wireless means includes one of radio frequency communication and an infrared interface.   
     
     
         52 . The method according to  claim 42 , further comprising displaying the transmitted digital image data at the second location on at least one of a monitor and a hardcopy printout. 
     
     
         53 . The method according to  claim 42 , further comprising transmitting audio signals between the first location and the second location. 
     
     
         54 . The method according to  claim 53 , further comprising saving at least one of the digital image data and the audio signals at the second location. 
     
     
         55 . The method according to  claim 53 , further comprising transmitting at least one of the digital image data and the audio signals to a third location, to enable a tripartite conference connection among the third location, the first location, and the second location. 
     
     
         56 . The method according to  claim 55 , wherein the third location is defined by a location of at least one of a dentist and a dental technician. 
     
     
         57 . The method according to  claim 42 , further comprising:
 making a decision about a new manufacture of denture parts, and   recording the decision in a production planning department at the second location,   wherein the decision is made at the second location at least one of automatically and according to data entry by an operating person.   
     
     
         58 . The method according to  claim 42 , further comprising automatically evaluating the digital image data at one of the first location and the second location. 
     
     
         59 . The method according to  claim 42 , further comprising manufacturing a denture part prior to generating the digital image data. 
     
     
         60 . The method according to  claim 42 , further comprising manufacturing a denture part after transmitting the digital image data, wherein the digital image data includes images of a dental model of a residual dental region. 
     
     
         61 . The method according to  claim 42 , further comprising transmitting at least one of instructions for operation of the scanning device and control commands from the second location to the scanning device, wherein the at least one of instructions and control commands relate to generation of a data record of a dental model. 
     
     
         62 . The method according to  claim 42 , further comprising at least one of the following:
 scanning the shape of a dental model, at the first location,   modeling a data record for a denture part, at the first location, and   transmitting the data record of the denture part from the first location to the second location, and   further comprising manufacturing a denture part at the second location by automated means, and dispatching the denture part from the second location to the first location.   
     
     
         63 . The method according to  claim 42 , further comprising providing assistance at the first location from the second location. 
     
     
         64 . The method according to  claim 42 , further comprising providing control commands from the second location to the scanning device at the first location.