Autonomous Building Imaging for Window and Balcony Exterior Views
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing technologies for real estate property transactions fail to provide complete information to buyers, particularly for high-rise buildings, as they do not offer exterior views from every window and balcony, limiting the buyer's ability to make informed decisions.
Innovation Solution
A system and method utilizing an autonomous vehicle to capture and process both interior and exterior environments of high-rise buildings, providing perspective views from varied heights by receiving location details, elevation plans, and floor plans, and using image mapping plans to align captured images with the building's floor plan.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of information
If a buyer physically visits each floor and apartment of a high rise building to examine the property, then complete information about interior structure and features is obtained, but considerable time and effort are required and construction delays prevent access
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates virtual copies of the physical property through photogrammetry technology. Multiple photographs taken from different angles and elevations are processed to generate accurate 3D models and virtual tours that replicate the interior structure, exterior views, and spatial relationships, allowing buyers to examine the property remotely without physical presence
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary capture and processing of property data during construction phases. By collecting photographs and generating virtual models before completion, the property information is prepared in advance, allowing potential buyers to view and evaluate the property prior to final construction completion
2Loss of information
If traditional image capture techniques are used to show virtual tours, then interior views are provided to buyers, but exterior views from every window and balcony from varied heights are not captured
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the exterior capture task into multiple segments by capturing images from different elevations and angles. The system collects photographs from ground level, intermediate heights, and upper floors, processing each segment separately to reconstruct comprehensive exterior views from every window and balcony perspective
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary processing system that bridges the gap between captured photographs and final exterior view reconstruction. Photogrammetry algorithms and computational processing act as intermediaries to automatically generate accurate 3D models and virtual representations of exterior views from multiple photographs taken at various elevations
3Reliability
If construction takes more than 12 months to complete, then property features are developed, but buyer access to the property is delayed until construction reaches certain stage
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary data collection and virtual model generation during construction phases. By capturing photographs and processing them into virtual tours before completion, the property information is made available in advance, allowing buyers to evaluate and make decisions without waiting for full construction completion
Data Source
AI summary
A system and a method of capturing and processing exterior environment of a structure via an autonomous vehicle are disclosed. The system receives location details, an elevation plan and a floor plan of a structure. The system prepares an image mapping plan for collecting images of the structure at each level. The system identifies a direction orientation for setting a Ground Control Point (GCP) at a base of the structure for operating an autonomous vehicle. The system employs the autonomous vehicle for capturing images of interior and exterior of the structure at each level by an image sensor of the autonomous vehicle. The system places icons mapping the images captured with the image mapping plan. The system accesses the images of the interior and exterior of the structure upon selecting the icons placed on the image mapping plan.