Improving the system has been directed on two main targetrs: first the analysis itself and second the management of the analysis. Now they will be deep detrailed.
ANALYSIS
Acquiring part of the video-photographic material from a camera, part from a webcam and part from a smartphone, was soon not easy for several reasons:
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- need to transfer the captured images from the camera's SD card to the hard disk of the computer used for post-processing, results in an extension of the time associated with this operation
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- in particular for analyzes carried out by third parties, a critical point was created in maintaining the confidentiality of the data, since the SD card was not protected from unauthorized access and the transfer during the analysis was not possible due to lack of time
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- similarly, the same argument applies to the images and videos acquired via smartphone in relation to feet standing, the configuration of the dental arches and swallowing
It was therefore decided to centralize the acquisition of images and videos, introducing a webcam for the analysis of the feet standing (Fig. 1) and to replace the camera with a 4K webcam to detect both the images of the subject in the AP, PA, right lateral and left lateral views, both of the detail of the dental arches and of the swallowing. This choice consequently led to the need of improving the support of the 4K webcam, replacing the construction site tripod previously used, with a professional photographic tripod capable of rising up to approx 1,54m from the floor and equipped with a rack elevation segment for precision translations on the plane orthogonal to the floor. At the same time, the second level was also equipped with a better support, replacing analogously the construction site tripod in use, with a professional photographic tripod, with the same general characteristics as the previous one, even if slightly limited in the maximum height reduced to about 1,48m. Both systems are visible in Fig. 2.
The signals of the three webcams (top view, main view and feet standing) were brought together in a USB 3.0 hub connected to the computer (Fig. 3). The software for managing and capturing photos and videos was provided directly by the operating system used (Ubuntu 20.04)
Also the overall observation has been improved by building a set of tools that are immediately ready and available, for indoor analysis as well as at third parties ones (Fig. 4).
MANAGEMENT
Since the system has been designed to be used in different locations and therefore transportable, an improvement has been thought and realized also in this sense.
All the material needed to perform the analysis was then divided into sectors to each of which was dedicated a specific aluminum container, internally equipped with housings designed to fit the individual components, using the model of what has already been illustrated above for the instruments dedicated to the overall analysis of the subject. The series of containers obtained is visible in Fig. 5.
For the easy transport of the containers, a special flight case type container has been designed and manufactured. The result is visible in Fig. 6.
Even the transportable support for top view above has been entirely redesigned and built in order to have greater practicality in assembly / disassembly operations, greater stability and also better aesthetics. Fig. 7 shows the overall support and some details relating to the support system entirely redesigned to ensure maximum stability on any type of floor, without compromising practicality and speed in assembly.