US 7,069,186 B2 · Method for remotely controlling a spectral measurement device utilizing predicted service life or a remotely provided software upgrade including color reference or shade guide data

Abstract

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.

Claims33

Dependent claims

A method for remotely controlling through an electronic connection one or more systems that include a spectral measurement device, comprising the steps of:

providing at least a first system at a first location;
at a second location remote from the first location, generating one or more operational commands for the first system;
transmitting, via the electronic connection, the one or more operational commands to at least the first system;
receiving the one or more operational commands with the first system;
operating the first system in accordance with the one or more operational commands, wherein spectral measurements are made in one or a plurality of locations remote from the second location in accordance with the one or more operational commands transmitted from the second location;
wherein the one or more operational commands transmitted to at least the first system include a software upgrade for the first system, wherein after receipt of the software upgrade the first system operates based on the software upgrade;
wherein the software upgrade includes updated color reference data, wherein the first system takes one or more spectral measurements of an object or material and outputs one or more closest matches to colors or shades based on the updated color reference data.

4 more elements

A method for remotely controlling through an electronic connection one or more systems that include a spectral measurement device, comprising the steps of:

providing at least a first system at a first location;
at a second location remote from the first location, generating one or more operational commands for the first system;
transmitting, via the electronic connection, the one or more operational commands to at least the first system;
receiving the one or more operational commands with the first system;
operating the first system in accordance with the one or more operational commands, wherein spectral measurements are made in one or a plurality of locations remote from the second location in accordance with the one or more operational commands transmitted from the second location;
wherein the one or more commands initiate a diagnostic or test mode of operation in at least the first system;
wherein the diagnostic or test mode of operation is initiated periodically;
wherein the diagnostic or test mode of operation is initiated periodically based on time, numbers of hours of operation of the first system or a lamp in the first system, number of spectral measurements made with the first system, or upon initialization or boot-up of the first system;
wherein a system at the second location stores data indicative of a history of operation of at least the first system,
wherein the system at the second location statistically processes the data indicative of the history of operation of at least the first system;
wherein the system at the second location predicts the needs for servicing of at least the first system.

8 more elements

A method for remotely controlling through an electronic connection one or more systems that include a spectral measurement device, comprising the steps of:

providing at least a first system at a first location;
at a second location remote from the first location, generating one or more operational commands for the first system;
transmitting, via the electronic connection, the one or more operational commands to at least the first system;
receiving the one or more operational commands with the first system;
operating the first system in accordance with the one or more operational commands, wherein spectral measurements are made in one or a plurality of locations remote from the second location in accordance with the one or more operational commands transmitted from the second location;
wherein a system at the second location receives and stores operational data for the at least first system, wherein the operational data for the at least first system includes normalization or calibration data generated by the at least first system;
wherein the system at the second location receives and stores operational data periodically, wherein the normalization or calibration data stored in the system at the second location is indicative of a qualitative capability of the first system to make spectral measurements;
wherein the system at the second location stores operational data indicative of a history of operation of at least the first system;
wherein the system at the second location statistically processes the operational data indicative of the history of operation of at least the first system;
wherein the system at the second location predicts the needs for servicing of at least the first system.

7 more elements

A method for remotely controlling through an electronic connection one or more systems that include a spectral measurement device, comprising the steps of:

providing at least a first system at a first location;
at a second location remote from the first location, generating one or more operational commands for the first system;
transmitting, via the electronic connection, the one or more operational commands to at least the first system;
receiving the one or more operational commands with the first system;
operating the first system in accordance with the one or more operational commands, wherein spectral measurements are made in one or a plurality of locations remote from the second location in accordance with the one or more operational commands transmitted from the second location;
wherein the one or more operational commands transmitted to at least the first system include a software upgrade for the first system, wherein after receipt of the software upgrade the first system operates based on the software upgrade;
wherein the software upgrade includes color normalization or calibration data, wherein the first system operates to make one or more spectral measurements after color normalization or calibration based on the color normalization or calibration data generated at the second location remote from the first location.

4 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Method for remotely controlling a spectral measurement device utilizing predicted service life or a remotely provided software upgrade including color reference or shade guide data

Life of this patent

Method for remotely controlling a spectral measurement device utilizing predicted service life or a remotely provided software upgrade including color reference or shade guide data

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims33