Building Internal Framework Detection from Exterior IR Imagery
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional methods for determining a building's internal framework from exterior imagery are inaccurate and error-prone, relying on translating interior measurements to the exterior using visible structures like windows, which is inefficient and imprecise.
Innovation Solution
A method and system that utilize infrared (IR) thermography and red-green-blue (RGB) images captured from external aerial or ground level equipment to process and correct distortions, stitch images, and identify building internal framework features like studs and beams from exterior imagery.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If conventional interior-based detection methods are used to determine framework location, then the framework location can be detected, but the accuracy is poor and errors are frequent when translating interior measurements to exterior
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of translating interior measurements to exterior (conventional approach), the patent inverts the process by directly detecting framework location from exterior imagery using infrared thermography. This eliminates the translation step that causes accuracy loss and errors, allowing direct measurement of framework positions from the building exterior.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces manual interior-based detection and measurement translation with automated infrared thermographic imaging and image processing. The thermal imaging system automatically captures, processes, and analyzes framework locations from exterior images, substituting manual measurement methods with automated optical-thermal detection.
2Productivity
If interior-based detection methods are used, then framework location can be determined, but the process is inefficient and labor-intensive
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces manual interior detection and measurement translation processes with automated infrared imaging and digital image processing. The system automatically captures thermal images, processes them through algorithms, and directly outputs framework location data, eliminating manual measurement and translation work.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a thermal image copy of the building exterior that contains framework information, allowing analysis without physical interior access. The infrared imagery serves as a copy that reveals framework locations directly, eliminating the need for interior measurement and translation processes.
3Adaptability or versatility
If interior-based detection is used, then framework information can be obtained, but it requires access to the interior of the building
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of requiring interior access to detect framework (conventional approach), the patent inverts the detection direction by using exterior infrared imaging to reveal framework locations from the building exterior. This eliminates the requirement for interior access while maintaining detection capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces physical interior access requirements with remote infrared thermographic imaging. The thermal imaging system can capture framework information from the exterior without requiring personnel to enter the building, substituting physical access with remote sensing.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Provides accurate and efficient determination of building internal framework dimensions and locations from external imagery, reducing errors and labor associated with traditional interior-based detection methods.
Implementation Method 1
receiving a number of raw images of the building; processing the number of raw images of the building to establish a number of facades
Implementation Method 2
the number of raw images includes: a number of infrared (IR) thermography images
Data Source
AI summary
Methods for defining a building internal framework from external imagery are presented, the method including: receiving a number of raw images of a building; processing the number of raw images of the building to establish a number of facades; and determining the building internal framework for each of the number of facades. In some embodiments, the processing the number of raw images includes: for each of the number of façades, selecting a façade; selecting all IR thermography images corresponding with the selected façade; removing distortion from the selected IR thermography images; stitching the selected IR thermography images corresponding with the selected façade together to form a single façade image corresponding with the selected facade; correcting perspective distortion of the single facade image; cropping the single façade image; and receiving dimensions of an actual façade corresponding with the single façade image.