Drone-Based 3D Site Modeling for Remote Equipment Permitting
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Solution Overview
Problem
Network operators face challenges in determining optimal equipment installation locations that comply with regulations, leading to lengthy physical inspections by permitting authorities, which are time-consuming and costly.
Innovation Solution
A virtual site inspection system using drones to capture image data, generate 3D models, and virtually install equipment, allowing permitting authorities to review and approve installations remotely, reducing the need for physical site visits.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If physical site inspections are conducted by permitting authorities, then regulatory compliance can be verified, but inspection time and costs increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a virtual copy (3D model) of the physical site that can be inspected remotely by permitting authorities. This digital replica contains all necessary geometric and spatial information to verify regulatory compliance without requiring physical presence at the site, thereby resolving the contradiction between verification reliability and inspection time
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical system of physical travel and on-site inspection with an automated digital workflow. Image data is captured by drones, processed into 3D models, and transmitted for remote review, substituting the manual mechanical inspection process with an automated computational system that maintains verification accuracy while eliminating time loss
2Measurement precision
If permitting authorities travel to physical locations for inspections, then accurate site assessment is possible, but accessibility to difficult-to-reach sites becomes problematic
Solution Approach 1:
By creating a comprehensive 3D digital model of the site, the patent enables permitting authorities to access and assess difficult-to-reach locations remotely. The virtual model preserves all spatial relationships and site characteristics, maintaining measurement precision while eliminating the accessibility challenges of physical travel to remote or hazardous locations
3Reliability
If multiple physical site visits are required for inspection and verification, then thorough compliance checking is achieved, but project timelines are extended
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary capture of complete site data through drone imaging and automated 3D modeling before the inspection process begins. This preliminary action creates a comprehensive digital record that can be reviewed multiple times without requiring additional site visits, ensuring thorough compliance checking is achieved in advance and eliminating timeline extensions from repeated travel
Data Source
AI summary
A technique is directed to methods and systems of virtual site inspections. In some embodiments, a network operator navigates a drone which captures image data of equipment and layout of a site. The image data is processed and used to generate a 3D model of the site. A network operator virtually installs new equipment in the virtual representation of the site, and presents the 3D model of the site, with the new equipment in the proposed location, to a permitting authority. The permitting authority can review the 3D model of the new equipment at the site and approve or deny authorization for the network operator to physically install the equipment at the site. After the new equipment is installed, a network operator can capture image data of the installed equipment at the site to prove to the permitting authority that the equipment was installed at the site according to regulation.