Mobile GPS Camera Elevation Measurement Automation
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Solution Overview
Problem
The traditional method of determining property elevation for flood insurance purposes is time-consuming, cumbersome, and prone to inaccuracies, requiring experienced surveyors and involving costly paper-based documentation processes.
Innovation Solution
A system utilizing two GPS receivers and a user device with a camera to calculate the elevation of a point of interest on a structure by determining the distance and angle, allowing for automatic generation and storage of an electronic document, such as a FEMA Elevation Certificate, without the need for a surveyor's expertise.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If traditional surveying methods are used to determine property elevation, then measurement accuracy is maintained, but the process becomes time-consuming and costly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces traditional mechanical surveying equipment (transits, levels, tripods) with a mobile computing device containing camera, GPS receiver, and processor. The system uses digital photography combined with GPS coordinates and trigonometric calculations to determine elevation, eliminating the need for complex mechanical surveying instruments while maintaining measurement accuracy.
Solution Approach 2:
The system enables non-surveyors to perform elevation measurements independently using the mobile device. The automated processing of photos and GPS data, combined with electronic document generation, allows property owners or agents to complete the measurement process without hiring professional surveyors, making the system self-sufficient for its intended purpose.
2Reliability
If professional surveyors are hired to conduct measurements, then measurement reliability is improved, but costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent utilizes a standard mobile computing device (smartphone or tablet) that is already widely owned by the public, replacing expensive professional surveying equipment. The system leverages existing consumer technology combined with freely available GPS satellite data and public flood maps to provide reliable elevation measurements at minimal cost.
Solution Approach 2:
The system replaces the need for professional surveyors and their specialized equipment with an automated mobile device system. The combination of camera photography, GPS location data, and automated trigonometric calculation eliminates human intervention in the measurement process, reducing both labor costs and equipment expenses while maintaining reliability through automated processing.
3Loss of information
If paper-based documentation is used for elevation certificates, then document completeness is ensured, but the process becomes cumbersome and prone to errors
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces manual paper-based documentation with an automated electronic system. The mobile device automatically captures photos, retrieves GPS coordinates, calculates elevation data, and generates electronic flood insurance documents. This digital workflow eliminates manual transcription, reduces errors, and ensures document completeness through automated data validation and generation.
4Measurement precision
If traditional surveying equipment is used, then measurement precision is maintained, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent utilizes a standard mobile computing device that serves multiple functions: capturing photographs, receiving GPS coordinates, processing calculations, storing data, and generating electronic documents. This multi-functional approach replaces multiple specialized surveying instruments (camera, GPS receiver, calculator, computer) with a single ubiquitous device that performs all necessary functions.
Solution Approach 2:
The system replaces complex mechanical surveying equipment with software-based processing on a mobile device. Trigonometric calculations that would traditionally require specialized computational tools are performed automatically by the device's processor, and electronic document generation replaces manual typewriter or word processing operations.
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
This method streamlines the property measurement process, reducing costs and errors by enabling non-experts to accurately determine elevations and generate necessary documentation efficiently, improving the speed and accuracy of flood risk assessments.
Implementation Method 1
receiving a second location from a second global positioning system (GPS) receiver located near the structure
Implementation Method 2
receiving a digital photograph depicting at least one side of the structure and a point of interest
Data Source
AI summary
Global positioning system (GPS) receivers, along with a user device with a camera, can be used to determine an elevation of a point of interest on or within a structure. The user device and a first GPS receiver can be located somewhere outside the structure from which the structure is clearly visible. A second GPS receiver can be located on, within, or near the structure. The user device receives location data from both GPS receivers and calculates a distance between the two. The user device then takes a digital photograph in which structure is visible and notes the photo capture angle. The user device then calculates the elevation of the point of interest trigonometrically using the calculated GPS distance and the photo angle. The user device can then automatically insert this information into associated documentation and transmit the same.