Method and apparatus for scanning and recording of coordinates describing three dimensional objects of complex and unique geometry

Apparatus for scanning a 3-dimensional object and obtaining a set of surface describing coordinates for said object, comprising:

• (a) a scanning head;
• (b) means for successively positioning said scanning head and said object relative to each other through a plurality of radial scan lines;
• (c) means, active at each successive position, for scanning and recording a series of X, Y, and Z coordinates for each radial scan line;
• (d) means for filtering said set of surface describing coordinates to eliminate noise by eliminating any of said X, Y, and Z coordinates therein corresponding to points not substantially proximate to said radial scan lines;
• and
• (e) means for modifying said set of surface describing coordinates to ensure that each radial scan line has substantially the same number of said coordinates as adjacent radial scan lines.

A method of scanning a 3-dimensional object and obtaining a set of surface describing coordinates therefor, comprising:

• (a) projecting a plurality of points onto said object;
• (b) scanning each of said points and generating coordinates corresponding thereto;
• (c) recording said coordinates into said set of surface describing coordinates;
• (d) converting said coordinates to a plurality of profile lines;
• (e) filtering said set of surface describing coordinates to eliminate noise by eliminating any of said coordinates therein corresponding to points not substantially proximate to siad profile lines;
• and
• (f) modifying said set of surface describing coordinates to ensure that each of said profile lines has substantially the same number of said coordinates as adjacent profile lines.

Apparatus for scanning a 3-dimensional object and obtaining a set of surface describing coordinates therefor, comprising:

• (a) means for projecting a plurality of points onto said object;
• (b) means for scanning each of said points and generating coordinates corresponding thereto;
• (c) means for recording said coordinates into said set of surface describing coordinates;
• (d) means for converting said coordinates into a plurality of profile lines;
• (e) means for filtering said set of surface describing coordinates to eliminate noise by eliminating any of said coordinates therein corresponding to points not substantially proximate to said profile lines;
• and
• (f) means for modifying said set of surface describing coordinates to ensure that each of said profile lines has substantially the same number of said coordinates as adjacent profile lines.

A method of scanning a 3-dimensional object and obtaining a set of surface describing coordinates therefor, comprising:

• (a) projecting a plurality of profile lines onto said object;
• (b) scanning each of said profile lines and generating coordinates corresponding thereto;
• (c) recording said coordinates into said set of surface describing coordinates;
• (d) filtering said set of surface describing coordinates to eliminate noise;
• and
• (e) modifying said set of surface describing coordinates to ensure that each of said profile lines has substantially the same number of said coordinates as adjacent profile lines.

Apparatus for scanning a 3-dimensional object and obtaining a set of surface describing coordinates therefor, comprising:

• (a) means for projecting a plurality of profile lines onto said object;
• (b) means for scanning each of said profile lines and generating coordinates corresponding thereto;
• (c) means for recording said coordinates into said set of surface describing coordinates;
• (d) means for filtering said set of surface describing coordinates to eliminate noise;
• and
• (e) means for modifying said set of surface describing coordinates to ensure that each of said profile lines has substantially the same number of said coordinates as adjacent profile lines.

A method of fabricating a dental prosthesis, comprising:

• (a) digitizing and recording first coordinates from a prepared tooth surface, second coordinates from contact areas with adjacent proximal teeth, and third coordinates from contact areas with opposing teeth in an open position, a static closed position, and in paths of motion during function;
• (b) scaling a digitized generic form using gap, height, width, and margin measurements determined from said first and second coordinates, so that said digitized generic form is sized to fit said prepared tooth;
• (c) scaling said digitized generic form using mesial-distal measurements determined from said second coordinates, so that a mesial-distal distance between contact areas of said digitized generic form matches a mesial-distal distance between contact areas of said adjacent proximal teeth;
• (d) scaling said digitized generic form using occlusal measurements determined from said third coordinates, so that fossae and cusps of said digitized generic form are raised and lowered to match fossae and cusps of said opposing teeth;
• (e) resolving interferences in occlusal surfaces of said digitized generic form using relative position measurements between mandible and maxilla teeth determined from said third coordinates;
• and
• (f) fabricating said dental prosthesis based on said digitized generic form.