Virtual 360-degree view of a telecommunications site

• US 10,334,164 B2
• Filed: 08/14/2017
• Issued: 06/25/2019
• Est. Priority Date: 04/14/2015
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Etak Systems, Llc
• Original Assignee: Etak Systems, Llc
• Inventors: Terry, Charlie, Godwin, Joshua, Bates, Jordan, Priest, Lee
• Primary Examiner(s): Lett, Thomas J
• Application Number:
  US15/675,930
• Publication Number:
  US 20170366751A1
• Time in Patent Office: 680 Days
• Field of Search: 345427
• CPC Class Codes: B64U 10/13 Flying platforms
• CPC Class Codes: B64U 2101/30 for imaging, photography or videography
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 23/67 Focus control based on electronic image sensor signals
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 23/698 for achieving an enlarged field of view, e.g. panoramic image capture
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 23/90 Arrangement of cameras or camera modules, e.g. multiple cameras in TV studios or sports stadiums
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 24/08 Testing, supervising or monitoring using real traffic
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 88/08 Access point devices

Abstract

Systems and method for creating and utilizing a virtual 360-degree view of a telecommunications site include capturing first data of a 360-degree view at multiple points around the telecommunications site; capturing second data of a 360-degree view at aerial points above the telecommunications site; capturing third data of a 360-degree view inside a shelter or cabinet at the telecommunications site, wherein each of the first data, second data, and third data comprise one or more of photos and video; stitching the first data, the second data, and the third data together with links to create a virtual 360-degree view environment of the telecommunications site, wherein the links enable virtual navigation about the telecommunications site; and displaying the virtual 360-degree view environment to a viewer over a network and adjusting the virtual 360-degree view environment based on commands received from the viewer.

Claims

1. A method for creating and utilizing a virtual 360-degree view of a telecommunications site, the method comprising:

capturing a first set of image data depicting 360-degree views at multiple points of a ground-level area around the telecommunications site, the first set of image data captured at approximately eye-level of a human standing at the ground-level area;

capturing a second set of image data depicting 360-degree views at multiple aerial points of a cell tower and cellular components above the ground-level area of the telecommunications site;

capturing a third set of image data depicting 360-degree views inside a shelter or cabinet at the telecommunications site, wherein each of the first set of image data, the second set of image data, and the third set of image data comprises one or more of photos and video;

stitching the first set of image data, the second set of image data, and the third set of image data together with links to create a virtual 360-degree view environment of the telecommunications site, wherein the links enable virtual navigation about the telecommunications site; and

displaying the virtual 360-degree view environment to a viewer over a network and adjusting the virtual 360-degree view environment based on commands received from the viewer.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the telecommunications site comprises a cell site, the first and third sets of image data are captured via a human-operated image capture device, and the second set of image data is captured via an Unmanned Aerial Vehicle.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein each of the first set of image data, the second set of image data, and the third set of image data is captured using a 360-degree camera.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the commands comprise navigation to different locations about the telecommunications site to view details of specific objects at the telecommunications site.

5. The method of claim 4, wherein viewing the details of specific objects is further based on information icons in the virtual 360-degree view environment.

6. The method of claim 5, wherein viewing the details of the specific objects further comprises enabling a user to click on the information icons to reveal additional information about the specific objects.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein the commands comprise zooming into a specific object of interest at the telecommunications site.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein the step of capturing the first set of image data comprises taking photos or video at each corner of surrounding geography of the ground-level area at the telecommunications site.

9. A server for creating and utilizing a virtual 360-degree view of a telecommunications site, the server comprising:

a network interface and a processor communicatively coupled to one another; and

memory storing instructions that, when executed, cause the processor to;

obtain a first set of image data depicting 360-degree views at multiple points of a ground-level area around the telecommunications site, the first set of image data captured at approximately eye-level of a human standing at the ground-level area;

obtain a second set of image data depicting 360-degree views at multiple aerial points of a cell tower and cellular components above the ground-level area of the telecommunications site;

obtain a third set of image data depicting 360-degree views inside a shelter or cabinet at the telecommunications site, wherein each of the first set of image data, the second set of image data, and the third set of image data comprises one or more of photos and video;

stitch the first set of image data, the second set of image data, and the third set of image data together with links to create a virtual 360-degree view environment of the telecommunications site, wherein the links enable virtual navigation about the telecommunications site; and

display the virtual 360-degree view environment to a viewer over a network and adjust the virtual 360-degree view environment based on commands received from the viewer.

10. The server of claim 9, wherein the telecommunications site comprises a cell site, the first and third sets of image data are captured via a human-operated image capture device, and the second set of image data is captured via an Unmanned Aerial Vehicle.

11. The server of claim 9, wherein each of the first set of image data, the second set of image data, and the third set of image data is captured using a 360-degree camera.

12. The server of claim 9, wherein the commands comprise navigation to different locations about the telecommunications site to view details of specific objects at the telecommunications site.

13. The server of claim 12, wherein viewing the details of specific objects is further based on information icons in the virtual 360-degree view environment.

14. The server of claim 9, wherein the commands comprise zooming into a specific object of interest at the telecommunications site.

15. The server of claim 9, wherein the instructions causing the processor to obtain the first set of image data comprises an instruction to obtain photos or video captured at each corner of surrounding geography of the ground-level area at the telecommunications site.

16. The server of claim 9, wherein the instructions causing the processor to display the virtual 360-degree view environment further comprises an instruction to cause the processor to depict doors of equipment inside the shelter or cabinet in an opened state and in a closed state.

17. A non-transitory computer readable medium includes instructions that, when executed, cause one or more processors to perform the steps of:

obtaining a first set of image data depicting 360-degree views at multiple points of a ground-level area around the telecommunications site, the first set of image data captured at approximately eye-level of a human standing at the ground-level area;

obtaining a second set of image data depicting 360-degree views at multiple aerial points of a cell tower and cellular components above the ground-level area of the telecommunications site;

obtaining a third set of image data depicting 360-degree views inside a shelter or cabinet at the telecommunications site, wherein each of the first set of image data, the second set of image data, and the third set of image data comprises one or more of photos and video;

stitching the first set of image data, the second set of image data, and the third set of image data together with links to create a virtual 360-degree view environment of the telecommunications site, wherein the links enable virtual navigation about the telecommunications site; and

displaying the virtual 360-degree view environment to a viewer over a network and adjusting the virtual 360-degree view environment based on commands received from the viewer.

18. The non-transitory computer readable medium of claim 17, wherein the instructions causing the one or more processors to display the virtual 360-degree view environment further comprises an instruction to cause the one or more processors to depict doors of equipment inside the shelter or cabinet in an opened state and in a closed state.

19. The non-transitory computer readable medium of claim 17, wherein the first set of image data captured at approximately eye-level depict one or more gates, walking paths, ground points around the base of the cell tower, areas between the cell tower and shelter or cabinet, and one or more doors into the shelter or cabinet.

20. The non-transitory computer readable medium of claim 17, wherein:

the commands comprise navigation to different locations about the telecommunications site to view details of specific objects at the telecommunications site;

viewing the details of specific objects is based on information icons in the virtual 360-degree view environment; and

viewing the details of the specific objects further comprises enabling a user to click on the information icons to reveal additional information about the specific objects.