DESCRIPTION
`
`DENTAL MEASURING AND MACHINING SYSTEM
`
`TECHNICAL FIELD
`
`The present invention relates to a dental measuring
`
`and machining system.
`
`BACKGROUND ART
`
`For producing a dental prosthesis such as an
`
`implant,
`
`inlay, bridge or crown, an apparatus, by which a
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`suitable dental prosthesis is formed by preparing three-
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`dimensional measurement data by measuring the shape of a
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`model sampled from a defective part of the teeth or jaw
`
`and so forth, and machining a block of a material optimum
`
`for a prosthesis based on the measurement data,
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`is
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`proposed; This type of apparatus uses a computer for
`
`controlling the function for numerically encoding and
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`computing data, and the function for driving a cutting
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`drill based on this computed data to machine the block by
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`grinding or cutting. Generalization and increased
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`efficiency of the computer is realized under a practical
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`level by the combination of general-purpose OS and
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`CAD/CAM software, so that the apparatus can be operated
`
`easily even if a user does not have detailed and
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`specialized knowledge in the fields of dentistry or
`
`machinery but can understand the manner of use to a
`
`certain extent.
`
`For example, an example of such an
`
`apparatus is Dental Measuring and Machining Apparatus
`
`”CADIM" (registered trademark)
`
`(made by Advance
`
`Corporation).
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`In this manner, even in the case of an apparatus by
`
`which a dental prosthesis can be produced with
`
`specialized dental knowledge as long as the manner of use
`
`can be understood to a certain extent, if the user does
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`not fully understand the use of a computer, or if the
`
`user understands the use of a computer, it is required to
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`Straumann Exhibit 1015
`Straumann Exhibit 1015
`Straumann v. Zircore
`Straumann v. Zircore
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`deal with erroneous operations or rare cases, and the
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`situation is unchanged so that the user must learn to the
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`extent necessary to overcome such problems.
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`In addition, since there are individual differences
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`in the shapes of defective parts of teeth or jaw shape
`
`and so forth,
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`the prostheses are always forced to custom-
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`made production, and automated mass production is
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`unexpected, forcing them to be handled on a case—by—case
`basis.
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`Moreover, even if the computer has a high degree of
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`universality and its operation is not that much different
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`from the operation of routinely used personal computers,
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`since a beginner still has to learn to operate the
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`computer, and that operation has the special nature of
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`measuring and machining dental prostheses,
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`there are
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`still cases in which specialized operations for adjusting
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`software or additional information is required depending
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`on the addition, revision or alteration of its functions.
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`Thus, although the support of a person having a
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`certain degree of specialized knowledge is required for
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`use, since there are many cases in which simply sending a
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`document or a floppy disk to the user and having the user
`
`perform operation are not adequate, ultimately resulting
`
`in the need to dispatch a trainer to the user's location,
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`as the area covered expands, it becomes necessary to
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`contend with a large burden in terms of both cost and
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`labor in order to accommodate this situation.
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`Moreover, although contact measurement using a probe
`
`or non—contact measurement using an optical technique
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`such as laser light are employed as methods for measuring-
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`the surface shape of a model obtained from the oral
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`cavity of a patient in order to obtain an accurate
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`prosthesis,
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`the contact type is preferable in terms of
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`seeking accuracy.
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`However,
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`in the case of the contact type, since it
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`is necessary to manipulate the probe so that is makes
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`contact with the entire surface of the model,
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`in addition
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`to requiring considerable time, it is also necessary to
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`rotate and move the model for that purpose.
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`In addition, since a conventional probe is composed
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`in the shape of a single rod positioned horizontally on
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`the so—called Z axis, and comes out at locations where
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`measurement is difficult, it becomes necessary to change
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`the position of the model more carefully.
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`This type of tedious manipulation requires a
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`considerable amount of learning by the dentist and so
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`forth that uses it.
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`In addition, since the driving parts
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`for moving the probe,
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`the grinding tool and the cutting
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`tool become large,
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`this type of measuring and machining
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`equipment takes up Space, and there is a case in which
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`its installation is difficult for a small~scale dental
`
`practitioner, etc.
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`Moreover, although computerized measuring and
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`machining is useful in terms of simplifying the
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`conventional,
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`tedious machining process and reducing
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`cost, on the other hand,
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`the noise produced during
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`machining by the machine tool portion for dental cutting
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`results in a difficult situation for performing in
`parallel with dental treatment.
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`In addition, even if operation of the machinery for
`
`measuring and machining is premised on the use of a
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`general—purpose computer, since it is necessary to learn
`
`how to operate the computer,
`
`the machinery cannot be used
`
`immediately.
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`In addition, although varying somewhat depending on
`
`the measurement technique,
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`the amount of time spent on a
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`series of measuring and machining takes about a half day
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`even if the user is familiar with the operation.
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`In addition, since there are some prostheses that
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`are made of pure titanium and so forth that cannot be
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`machined by a general—purpose machine tool,
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`there are
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`limitations on the types of prostheses that can be
`machined.
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`Therefore, by separating the measuring section and
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`machining section, and having the dentist, dental
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`technician or other user retain only the measuring
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`section, while installing the machining section at an
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`external, specialized facility,
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`together with reducing
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`the burden on the user, various other advantages are
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`obtained,
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`including being able to produce all types of
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`prostheses, and enabling the user to be freed from the
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`noise of the machine tools.
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`However,
`
`in the case of transmitting data from the
`
`measuring machinery to the machining machinery, since
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`dental prostheses inherently having defective parts of
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`irregular shapes or have large shapes such as in the case
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`of full implants,
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`there are many cases in which a large
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`amount of data is required. Consequently, a considerable
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`amount of time ends up being required for transmitting
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`all measurement data,
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`thereby resulting in the problem
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`high so—called secondary cost
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`in the form of public
`
`telephone line connection cost, equipment
`and so forth.
`
`investment cost
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`SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
`
`In consideration of the above,
`
`the present invention
`
`enables sharing the information within a dental measuring
`
`and machining apparatus or bidirectionally transmittable
`
`conditions through a communication medium, and realizes
`
`the production of a prosthesis,
`
`that allows direct and
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`practical distribution of a software for improving a
`
`measuring and machining function (version—up),
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`maintenance of software, etc., consultation for persons
`
`performing similar measuring and machining as well as the
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`provision, manipulation and handling of various other
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`information considered to be beneficial,
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`real—time
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`customer management, and the receiving and placing of
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`orders for blocks for prosthesis formation, other
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`instruments and machinery, outside measuring or outside
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`machining, while also enabling transmission and receiving
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`operations on data for reproducing measuring and
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`machining operations on the user side at a support side,
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`to thereby fully demonstrate the inherent functions of
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`the apparatus even if the user is a beginner.
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`An algorithm in the present invention refers to a
`
`program or data, which includes software, data and so
`
`forth relating to CAD/CAM software, NC software, a
`
`measuring section and machining section,
`
`including the
`
`general program for driving the equipment of the
`
`measuring section and machining section, or data obtained
`
`as a result of that, and data that contains the
`
`parameters for arbitrarily running the program, although
`not limited to those.
`
`The outside in the present invention refers to a
`
`region other than a machinery and instrument that execute
`
`measuring and machining, and covers various locations
`
`from a broad range extending to both at home and abroad
`
`to a narrow range such as within the same room.
`
`In another aspect of the present invention,
`
`the
`
`dental measuring and machining apparatus is provided with
`
`a probe having contacts that extends in the directions of
`
`a cross for contact measurement of the surface of a model
`
`for producing a prosthesis, surface shape acquisition
`
`means for obtaining the shape of the surface of the above
`
`model based on contact by the above probe, and machining
`
`means that performs machining processing by a cutting and
`
`grinding tool on a model for machining a prosthesis based
`
`on the data of the above surface shape acquisition means.
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`As a result of having this constitution,
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`the surface
`
`shape of the model can be adequately measured while
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`minimizing movement of the model,
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`thereby making it
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`possible to reduce the burden on the user.
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`Moreover,
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`the present invention realizes stable
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`measurement of the surface shape of a model while holding
`
`a probe in a stable manner on which the weight burden is
`
`increased in a complex manner by using a parallel link
`
`structure for the drive unit that drives the probe, and
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`while performing highly accurate operation extremely
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`easily and enabling the overall size to be reduced.
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`Moreover,
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`the present invention enables highly
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`accurate models to be formed at high speed and without
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`taking up space while also allowing the obtaining of
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`highly accurate prostheses by employing a constitution in
`
`which the compact measuring section and the machining
`
`section are separated, data of the measuring section is
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`transmitted to the outside, and the prosthesis is formed
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`based on this transmitted data, and a constitution that
`
`combines a cross probe with a parallel link drive unit
`that drives it.
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`The cross probe in the present invention refers to a
`
`constitution in which, for example, contacts or so—called
`
`styluses are extended in the positive and negative
`
`directions of the X axis and Y axis centering about the Z
`axis within three—dimensional coordinates.
`
`Each of the contacts,
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`in addition to presenting a
`
`rod shape extending linearly, may also be formed into a
`
`curves shape or composed in the shape of an acute angle.
`
`Although the example of the contacts shows a
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`vibrating type provided with a vibrator composed of a
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`piezoelectric material that vibrates a vibrator at the
`
`site where the contact is connected, and a detector also
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`composed of a piezoelectric material that detects changes
`
`in the resulting vibrations when the contact has
`
`contacted a model,
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`there are also cases in which other
`
`techniques are used.
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`Preferable examples of this cross—type probe can be
`
`referred to in the technologies described in Japanese
`Unexamined Patent Publication No. 10~4794l and Japanese
`Unexamined Patent Publication No.
`lO—l76902.
`
`The parallel link structure in the present invention
`
`is preferably used by, for example,
`
`a so—called robot
`
`manipulator as described in the Journal of the Japan
`
`Robot Society, Vol.
`
`10 (1992) pp. 757-763.
`
`A parallel link has a composition in which,
`
`for
`
`example, both ends of two sets each of a total of six
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`serial link drivers, which extend and contract by the
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`driving of a linear motor, are connected in parallel at
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`three locations on a drive side support plate and support
`
`base (Stewart platform type), or a composition of a
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`three—shaft or six—shaft type, and has a composition in
`
`which a potentiometer, which obtains angle information
`
`and other positional information of a so—called joint
`
`section composed on the link end,
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`is respectively
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`connected to each drive side support plate on the driving
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`end side.
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`A parallel link allows high—speed movement simply by
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`driving the motor of each drive member to expand and
`
`contract, and has an extremely simple composition.
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`In
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`addition, since a parallel link drives as a result of
`
`being supplemented by a plurality of driving parts, it is
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`suitable for driving heavy objects, and in addition to
`
`being able to be used preferably in the case of using a
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`cross—type probe having a complex structure and being
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`somewhat heavy as in the present
`
`invention, since control
`
`of
`
`the parallel link can be performed simply by
`
`controlling the motor, it is capable of performing
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`extremely high—speed movement of the probe.
`
`Although preferable examples of the composition of a
`
`parallel link can be referred to in the technologies
`
`described in Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No.
`
`5—l3856O and Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No.
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`8—28l58l,
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`the composition is not
`
`limited to these, but
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`rather is only required to have a composition in which
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`driving members are linked in so—called parallel.
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`Furthermore, since a three—shaft
`
`type of parallel link is
`
`composed by only using three serial links, it is
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`preferable in terms of costs.
`
`In still another aspect of the present invention, it
`has been made possible to produce a dental prosthesis
`
`that is capable of withstanding prosthetics by extracting
`
`data of its characteristic site and then performing
`
`supplementary work.
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`In this manner, since only data of
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`the characteristic site is required to be sent,
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`shortening of transmission time can be realized,
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`thereby
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`realizing a system that does not place a burden on users.
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`The characteristic site in the present invention,
`
`in
`
`the case of a crown for example,
`
`indicates three pieces
`
`of data consisting of data on the occlusal surface of the
`
`model for producing the prosthesis, data on the site from
`
`the occlusal surface to the maximum lateral projection,
`
`and data on the contact line between the abutment and
`
`crown (margin line), or data on sections of the
`
`prosthesis having sudden projections, or data indicating
`
`the oral cavity environment such as height, width and so
`
`forth during occlusion in the case of partial or full
`dentures.
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`More specifically, since the neck is obtained
`
`numerically from the sum of the margin and projection,
`
`the characteristic site consists of margin line data and
`
`projection line data, and this portion is transmitted.
`
`Since the cement space and coping shape are obtained
`
`the portion of the
`numerically from the abutment surface,
`abutment surface data is transmitted as the
`
`characteristic site.
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`Furthermore, since the abutment surface data is also
`
`obtained from the apex and bottom line data, only this
`
`portion may also be transmitted as characteristic section
`
`data.
`
`Since intraconal crown shape data and other double
`
`crown data and so forth are also obtained numerically
`
`from margin line data, conus angle data and conus height
`
`data, margin line data, conus angle data and conus height
`
`data may also be transmitted as characteristic sections.
`
`Supplementary work refers to supplementing missing
`
`shape data obtained with characteristic site data and
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`“parameters with straight lines, planes, curved lines and
`
`curved planes. Bezier, spline and other curve processing
`
`means are used as specific supplementation techniques.
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`There are cases in which prostheses produced on the
`
`basis of this degree of transmission data are superior to
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`prostheses produced by transmitting all data in terms of
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`compatibility, stress diffusion and durability.
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`BRIEF EXPLANATION OF THE DRAWINGS
`
`Fig.
`
`1 is a view showing an embodiment of a
`
`measuring and machining system according to the present
`invention.
`
`Fig.
`
`2 is a View showing the displays of the server
`
`and the measuring and machining terminal of Fig. 1.
`
`Fig.
`
`3 is a view showing a more detailed example of
`
`the measuring and machining system according to the
`
`present invention.
`
`Fig.
`
`4 is a view showing a variation of the
`
`measuring and machining system according to the present
`invention.
`
`Fig.
`
`5 is a view showing another embodiment of the
`
`present invention including a parallel link and a cross
`
`probe.
`
`Fig.
`
`6 is a view showing a drive unit of Fig. 5.
`
`Fig.
`
`7 is a view explaining the operation of the
`
`apparatus of Figs.
`
`5 and 6.
`
`Fig.
`
`8 is a view showing an arrangement similar to
`
`that of Fig.
`
`5
`
`including a parallel link and drill.
`
`Fig.
`
`9 is a View showing the overall arrangement of
`
`the apparatus of Figs.
`
`5 through 8.
`
`Fig.
`
`10 is an exploded view showing another
`
`embodiment of the present invention in the case of
`
`producing a conus type of prosthesis.
`
`Fig. 11 is a cross—sectional View with the elements
`
`of Fig. 10 being combined.
`
`Fig.
`
`12 is a cross—sectional view in the case of
`
`producing a metal coping type of prosthesis.
`
`Fig.
`
`13 is a cross—sectional view with the elements
`
`of Fig.
`
`12 being combined.
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`BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
`
`In Fig. 1, a measuring section 11 is provided with a
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`probe to measure the shape of a model as an object for
`
`measurement such as a prosthesis,
`
`to prepare data from
`
`the measurement, and to output the data.
`
`A machining
`
`section 12 is provided with a machining device such as a
`
`drill, a rotary cutter and so on to machine a work such
`
`as a block as an object of prosthetics, by grinding or
`
`cutting, based on the input data.
`
`Control section 13 is primarily composed by a
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`computer, and has peripheral terminals for
`
`interconnecting internal and external devices such as a
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`monitor 15,
`
`a memory 14,
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`a modem, a network card and so
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`on various other internal and external devices,
`
`to
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`interconnect and control these devices. Moreover,
`
`the
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`control section 13 controls the driving of the probe of
`
`measuring section 11, and controls the function for
`
`converting data obtained by the measuring section 11 into
`
`machining data and the driving of the machining device in
`
`the machining section.
`
`These elements compose a
`
`measuring and machining terminal 1.
`
`Reference numeral 16 indicates a server which is
`
`primarily composed by a computer and controls the input
`
`and output of a memory 17 and the output to a monitor 18.
`
`Server 16 is also provided with various other interfaces
`
`such as a modem and a network card. Data of measuring
`
`and machining terminal 15 for every user are recorded in
`
`the memory 17 of the server 16, and the data are
`
`preferably depicted in the form of icons as shown in Fig.
`2. Reference numeral 19 indicates a telecommunication
`
`line, examples of which are a wired line such as the
`
`Internet or telephone line, and a wireless line such as a
`
`portable telephone (although not limited to these).
`
`Server 16 and the measuring and machining terminal
`
`1 have
`
`equipment that enables connection with communication line
`19.
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`Furthermore, when using public communication such as
`
`the Internet, it is preferable that at least transmitted
`
`and received data be processed, by coding,
`
`for example,
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`STRAUMANN EXHIBIT 1015 - Page 10
`STRAUMANNEXHBHWO15—Rme1O
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`_ 11 _
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`so that they cannot be viewed by a third person, and
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`processing is preferably performed on the terminal 1 so
`
`that data other than the required data are not received
`
`so that the data and the program in the terminal
`
`1 are
`
`not destroyed.
`Server 16 may also be provided with a
`measuring section and a machining section in the same
`manner as the terminal 1.
`
`The following provides an explanation of Fig. 2.
`
`Reference numeral 21 indicates the display of the monitor
`
`10
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`18 of the server 16. Reference numeral 22 indicates a
`
`window for the measuring and machining terminal 1, while
`
`reference numeral 23 indicates an icon group indicating
`
`more detailed functions.
`
`For example,
`
`they are
`
`measurement data, measurement execution data, machining
`
`progress data and machining execution data, and, by
`
`double—clicking on any of these, for example, a window 22
`
`opens and the measuring and machining terminal
`
`1 can be
`
`executed according to the purpose in the window.
`
`Reference numeral 24 indicates the state in which a
`
`portion of the window is opened. Reference numeral 25
`
`indicates a file contained therein which contains
`
`previously executed old version data and other data.
`
`Distinction between new and old data is selected
`
`according to,
`
`for example, file names or update times.
`
`Reference numeral 26 indicates a newly created
`
`execution file, reference numeral 27 indicates the state
`
`after a new execution file has been moved by a drag—and—
`
`drop procedure by a cursor 28.
`
`Reference numeral 31 indicates a display of the
`
`monitor 15 in the measuring and machining terminal 1,
`
`while reference numeral 32 indicates a shared file with
`
`the server 16.
`
`Icon group 33 corresponding to the
`
`previously mentioned icon group 23 of the server 16 is
`
`formed therein. Reference numeral 34 indicates a window
`
`corresponding to the window 24 of the server, and an icon
`
`35 is formed corresponding to the icon 27 dropped on the
`
`server side 16. Reference numeral 36 indicates a display
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`_ 12 _
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`area that is also called a task bar, and the input of a
`
`new file can be notified by flashing this area on and
`
`off, for example,
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`The data of the individual measuring and machining
`
`terminal contain the kind of the machine,
`
`the production
`
`information,
`
`the maintenance record,
`
`the data
`
`transmission and receipt record,
`
`the software Version
`
`information and so forth, and the program data for
`
`measuring and machining that is stored in the individual
`
`measuring and machining device is also stored.
`
`Moreover,
`
`the server 16 is able to exchange data
`
`synchronous to each measuring and machining terminal 1.
`
`This information is layered in the form of icons,
`
`and the window is in a synchronous state with control
`
`unit 13 within each measuring and machining terminal,
`
`namely,
`
`in the state in which the data are stored
`
`directly in the memory 14 of control unit 13, for
`
`example, by dragging and dropping data to a window like
`
`that shown in Fig.
`
`2 displayed on the monitor 18 of the
`
`server 16. This function can be realized easily by the
`
`web sharing of one of the functions (using browser
`
`software),
`
`the remote access sharing, or the network
`
`sharing such as by using an FTP (file transfer protocol)
`
`function and so forth,
`
`if a computer such as a GUI
`
`controlled by the current window operation is used for
`
`the control unit 13 and the server 16.
`
`Moreover,
`
`in addition to sharing of the data,
`
`the
`
`present invention also has a function for monitoring the
`
`actual operation of the measuring and machining terminal
`
`1. Namely, server 16 is able to acquire output
`
`from the
`
`measuring section 11 and the machining section 12 during
`
`driving thereof, on nearly a real—time basis or at least
`
`at a speed corresponding to the situation, enabling the
`
`server 16 to directly control the driving of the
`
`measuring section 11 and the machining section 12.
`
`At that time,
`
`the status may be displayed on a
`
`specific window on the display of the server 16 as shown
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`_ 13 _
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`in Fig. 2, and in this case,
`
`the operation of each
`
`measuring and machining terminal
`
`1 is monitored by this
`
`server 16, and can be remote controlled by dragging and
`
`dropping of files and so forth.
`
`On the other hand,
`
`the exchange with the server in
`
`each measuring and machining terminal
`
`1 is carried out in
`
`a minimally layered data area. Namely, this area is,
`
`limited to one window of the monitor 15, for example, and
`the transfer of data to there is such that the data move
`
`to the area of the corresponding terminal of the server
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`16, and may have an execution area that operates
`
`automatically,
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`if data is transmitted from server 16 and
`
`in the case of new data that has not been used, according
`
`to identification by the type of file, namely the file
`
`name.
`
`Thus,
`
`the server manages the terminals in the
`
`state in which the user is not particularly required to
`
`view that area, resulting in a preferable state
`
`particularly for beginners.
`A more concrete case is now described.
`
`When the user is a beginner and is not familiar with
`
`the manner of use,
`
`the user calls up the server 16
`
`directly.
`
`In this case, both may have a videophone
`
`function, and in that case, questions and responses can
`
`be made on a real—time basis and may be terminated in the
`
`case when the user understands. This may also be in the
`
`form of transmission and reception by written documents
`
`using electronic mail.
`
`In the case if this is inadequate, a display for
`
`operation may be shown on the monitor 15 of measuring and
`
`machining terminal 1.
`
`In other words,
`
`the display shows
`
`where the user should actually click on the screen or
`
`what the next step is.
`
`In this case as well, it is
`
`preferably that this be carried out via a certain shared
`
`data area, and execution is selectively carried out
`
`according to the file name or window area.
`
`Server 16 first moves the file showing the first
`
`step (e.g.,
`
`image file (and containing audio data
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`STRAUMANN EXHIBIT 1015 - Page 13
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` flflfii
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`_ 14 _
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`depending on the case)) to the user's own monitor 18. At
`
`that point, it is temporarily stored in the control
`
`section 13 and the memory 14 of the measuring and
`
`machining terminal
`
`1 together with the execution status.
`
`Furthermore,
`
`in this case,
`
`the user may at least perform
`
`an operation so as to allow file transmission in order to
`
`form the execution state. Thus,
`
`the server 16 allows
`
`execution by each measuring and machining terminal.
`
`Namely, execution may be made to be allowed only in the
`
`case windows and icons have been made active (by single-
`
`clicking,
`
`for example).
`
`This type of operating method guidance is
`
`particularly preferable for users having no prior
`
`experience of use, when at least the use of help software
`
`contained in advance by the terminal is not adequate.
`
`Furthermore, since costs become a problem in the case of
`
`using a network on a real—time basis in this manner, all
`
`required files may be initially dropped to the window in
`
`response to a request from the user.
`
`In this case,
`
`the
`
`file names may be ordered and then executed in order at
`
`the request of the user or automatically.
`
`in the case of providing an upgraded program
`Next,
`from the server 16 to the control section 13 of each
`
`measuring and machining terminal 1, updating may be
`
`executed simply by dragging and dropping (26 to 27)
`
`that
`
`file to a predetermined file name or window using a mouse
`
`(such as 110 in Fig. 3) corresponding to the cursor 28 so
`
`that the program is updated.
`
`Furthermore, since the size
`
`of such a program itself becomes large, file transmission
`
`may be carried out either by compressing or replacing
`
`only those locations that change.
`
`In addition,
`
`in the case a new file is transmitted
`
`by the server 16,
`
`the display area 36 on the window,
`
`the
`
`icon or the task bar may be made to flash so as to notify
`
`the user.
`
`In addition,
`
`a simple message may be displayed
`
`on the image by specifying such as by single—clicking or
`
`using a shortcut key in response to that flashing.
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`In the case when the user is unable to measure well
`
`or machine well,
`
`the user informs this situation to the
`
`server 16.
`
`In this case,
`
`the details are sent to the
`
`window in the sharing state.
`
`server 16 views the content
`
`and in the case when the reason is unknown, it peruses
`
`measurement record data by selecting from the window and
`
`analyzes that data, and.also the server 16 directly
`
`drives the measurement section 11 of measuring and
`
`machining terminal 1.
`
`The manner of this driving may be
`
`performed by,
`
`for example, dropping the file to a
`
`specific window. Although measurement data and progress
`
`data are formed by this driving,
`
`this data is also
`
`automatically placed in the shared area, after which the
`
`server 16 confirms the data by arbitrarily viewing the
`file.
`
`In the case when the data can be used directly as
`
`machining data,
`
`the server 16 drops the file to the area
`
`for its execution.
`
`As a result of this dropping,
`
`the
`
`measuring and machining terminal
`
`1 is informed that data
`
`has been transmitted and after the message is
`
`transmitted,
`
`the preparation such as the attaching the
`
`block, and the machining are executed.
`
`The data on the
`
`execution of the machining is preserved in the shared
`
`file, and the server 16 may then examine the cause of the
`
`problem by viewing that file.
`
`In addition,
`
`in the case when the cause of the
`
`trouble is on the machining side, operation may be
`
`performed by dropping the measurement data obtained in
`
`advance or the measurement data sent from the measuring
`
`and machining terminal
`
`1 into that window, and the server
`
`16 may be allowed to gather the progress and result data
`from the window and to examine the data.
`
`Furthermore, it is possible to reduce the labor of
`
`the user, and to reliably form the prostheses, by
`
`operating the measuring and machining terminal
`
`1 by
`
`remote control in this manner by the server 16.
`
`Maintenance is also placed in the shared area, and the
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`server 16 may be made to be able to refer to this shared
`
`area as necessary.
`
`Furthermore,
`
`in the case when the server 16 and the
`
`individual measuring and machining terminals 1 share a
`
`file, cost of a prescribed amount may be charged per unit
`
`time at least for shared execution and operation in the
`
`case when there is a request from a user, and account
`
`transfer and so forth may be used to make payment.
`
`Moreover,
`
`the present invention is made such that a
`
`10
`
`user possesses a measuring section 11 only, and
`
`measurement data is created by compressing and organizing
`
`measurement data to an area suitable for communication,
`
`after which a machining facility that also serves as the‘
`
`server 16 is accessed from a user site to transmit this
`
`15
`
`measurement data.
`
`Server 16 then performs a series of machining,
`
`including adjustment and finishing, based on said
`
`measurement data, and then sends this by mail and so
`
`forth.
`
`Although this type of mode is realized with the
`
`constitution shown in Fig. 4, since a user does not have
`
`to have a machining section in this method,
`
`reduced size,
`
`lower cost, reduced learning of CAD and other special
`
`techniques, and lower noise level are achieved,
`
`thereby
`
`reducing the burden on the user, which is more preferable
`
`for installation at dental clinics and so forth operated
`
`by individuals.
`
`Next, explanation is provided of a more specific
`
`embodiment for carrying out the present invention as
`
`shown in Fig. 3. Fig.
`
`3 shows a more specific example of
`
`the measuring and machining terminal
`
`1 and so forth shown
`
`in Fig. 1. Measuring and machining unit 1 is a main body
`
`of a dental measuring and cutting apparatus providing
`
`with a section for measuring the shape of an object, and
`
`a cutting section for managing the shape data obtained by
`
`said measuring, and cutting a block composed of a
`
`prosthetic material based on said data.
`
`In the measuring
`
`section 41, a model M is placed on a measuring stage 43
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`STRAUMANN EXHIBIT 1015 - Page 16
`STRAUMANNEXHBHWO15—Rme16
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`that manually or automatically rotates, and preferably
`
`slides, a measuring probe 44 is in Contact with the model
`
`M, and the surface shape of the model M is measured based
`
`on the amount of displacement of the measuring probe 44.
`
`Machining section 42 is provided with a vertically
`
`and horizontally slidable rotary drill 45 and has a
`
`support stage 46, which is capable of rotating or sliding
`
`either manually or automatically depending on the case,
`
`and which supports block B comprised of a material that
`
`can