Intraoral image sensor

An intraoral sensor, comprising:

• a first subsystem that includes an x-ray sensitive sensor array that captures a still image upon the presence of incident x-rays;
• a second subsystem that includes a transmitter that transmits via a wireless link signals representing the still image captured by the sensor array;
• a third subsystem that includes a power source that provides power to said first subsystem and second subsystem;
• and
• a fourth subsystem that includes a controller that selectively controls the provision of power by said third subsystem to said first subsystem and said second subsystem during a time period while said intraoral sensor is being utilized to capture and transmit multiple still images without requiring that said sensor be removed from a patient's oral cavity.

An intraoral sensor, comprising:

• means for capturing a still image upon the presence of incident x-rays;
• means for transmitting via a wireless link signals representing the still image captured by said capturing means;
• means for providing electrical power to said capturing means and said transmitting means;
• and
• means for selectively controlling the provision of power to said capturing means and said transmitting means during a time period while said intraoral sensor is being utilized to capture and transmit multiple still images without requiring that said sensor be removed from a patient's oral cavity.

An intraoral sensor, comprising:

• a first subsystem that includes an x-ray sensitive sensor array that captures a still image upon the presence of incident x-rays;
• a second subsystem that includes
• an analog-to-digital converter that converts analog signals representing the still image captured by the sensor array into digital image signals;
• a logic circuit that conditions the digital image signals into a format suitable for transmission via a wireless link;
• and
• a transmitter that transmits via the wireless link the conditioned digital image signals;
• a third subsystem that includes a power source that provides power to said first subsystem and said second subsystem;
• and
• a fourth subsystem that includes a controller that selectively controls the provision of power by said third subsystem to said first subsystem and said second subsystem during a time period while said intraoral sensor is being utilized to capture and transmit multiple still images without requiring that said sensor be removed from a patient's oral cavity.

A system for capturing intraoral images, comprising:

• an intraoral sensor including
• an x-ray sensitive sensor array,
• a transmitter, and
• a power source that provides power to the sensor array and the transmitter, said intraoral sensor configured to be inserted into a patient's oral cavity, capture a still image upon the presence of incident x-rays and transmit from within the oral cavity to a base station via a wireless link electrical signals representing the still image;
• and
• a controller that selectively controls a provision of power to the sensor array and the transmitter during a time period while said intraoral sensor is being utilized to capture and transmit to the base station electrical signals representing multiple still images without requiring that said sensor be removed from the oral cavity.