Roof Shape Segmentation from Single Nadir Aerial Images
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing systems for determining roof structures from aerial images are computationally expensive, require multiple image types and views, lack camera parameter information, and necessitate manual inspection for accurate modeling, failing to provide high-resolution estimates and efficient automatic roof shape determination.
Innovation Solution
A computer vision system using segmentation networks processes a single nadir aerial image to automatically determine roof structure shapes and ratios, employing neural networks for pixel and line classification without manual intervention, generating a report on roof structure geometry and features.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If multiple image types and views are used for processing, then measurement precision of roof structure is improved, but device complexity and processing time increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and utilizes only the essential nadir aerial image data, removing the requirement for multiple image types and views. The system processes a single nadir image to determine roof structure characteristics, thereby reducing system complexity while maintaining measurement precision through focused processing of critical image regions.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies segmentation techniques to divide the roof structure into distinct geometric regions within the single nadir image. By segmenting the roof into planar regions and analyzing their characteristics, the system achieves accurate measurement precision without requiring multiple image views, thus resolving the contradiction between precision and complexity.
2Measurement precision
If manual inspection is performed to determine roof structure geometries, then measurement precision is improved, but productivity decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces manual inspection with an automated computer vision system that processes nadir aerial images. The system uses image processing algorithms to automatically determine roof structure geometries, classifications, and measurements, eliminating the need for manual modeler intervention while maintaining high measurement precision and significantly improving processing productivity.
Solution Approach 2:
The system enables self-service processing by automatically analyzing roof structures from nadir images without requiring manual inspection. The automated algorithms perform geometric determination, classification, and measurement extraction independently, achieving both high precision and improved productivity simultaneously.
3Measurement precision
If high-resolution estimate of aerial image position is provided, then measurement precision is improved, but use of energy and computational cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies partial processing by focusing computational resources only on determining the position and orientation of the single nadir image rather than processing multiple images. This partial action approach achieves sufficient position precision for roof structure analysis while significantly reducing computational energy requirements compared to processing multiple image types with full resolution position estimates.
Data Source
AI summary
Computer vision systems and methods for determining roof shapes from imagery using segmentation networks are provided. The system obtains an image of a structure from an image database, and determines a flat roof structure ratio and a sloped roof structure ratio of the roof structure using a neural network. Based on segmentation processing by the neural network, the system determines a flat roof structure ratio and a sloped roof structure ratio based on a portion of the roof structure classified as being flat and a portion of the roof structure classified as being sloped. Then, the system determines a ratio of each shape type of the roof structure using a neural network. The system generates a roof structure shape report indicative of a predominant shape of the roof structure and ratios of each shape type of the roof structure.