Subterranean 3D modeling at cell sites

• US 10,382,975 B2
• Filed: 04/06/2017
• Issued: 08/13/2019
• Est. Priority Date: 04/14/2015
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Etak Systems, Llc
• Original Assignee: Etak Systems, Llc
• Inventors: Priest, Lee
• Primary Examiner(s): Lett, Thomas J
• Application Number:
  US15/480,792
• Publication Number:
  US 20170215086A1
• Time in Patent Office: 859 Days
• Field of Search: 345427
• CPC Class Codes: B64C 39/024 of the remote controlled vehicle type, i.e. RPV
• CPC Class Codes: B64U 10/13 Flying platforms
• CPC Class Codes: B64U 2101/30 for imaging, photography or videography
• CPC Class Codes: B64U 2201/10 autonomous, i.e. by navigating independently from ground or air stations, e.g. by using inertial navigation systems [INS]
• CPC Class Codes: B64U 80/70 in containers B64U80/60 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 15/89 for mapping or imaging
• CPC Class Codes: G06T 17/00 Three dimensional [3D] modelling, e.g. data description of 3D objects
• CPC Class Codes: G06T 17/05 Geographic models
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 12/4625 Single bridge functionality, e.g. connection of two networks over a single bridge
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 7/185 from a mobile camera, e.g. for remote control
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 16/18 Network planning tools

Abstract

Systems and method for creating a three-dimensional (3D) model of a cell site for one or more of a cell site audit, a site survey, and cell site planning and engineering include obtaining first data capture for above ground components including a cell tower, associated cell site components on the cell tower, one or more buildings, and surrounding geography around the cell site; obtaining second data capture for subterranean geography associated with the surrounding geography; utilizing the first data capture and the second data capture to develop the 3D model which includes both the above ground components and the subterranean geography; and utilizing the 3D model to perform the one or more of the site audit, the site survey, and the cell site planning and engineering.

Claims

1. A method for creating a three-dimensional (3D) model of a cell site associated with a cell tower, the method comprising the steps of:

obtaining a first set of data captured with respect to above-ground components, the above-ground components comprising the cell tower and surrounding geography of or around the cell site;

obtaining a second set of data captured with respect to subterranean geography associated with the surrounding geography;

utilizing the first set of data and the second set of data to develop the 3D model to include both the above-ground components and the subterranean geography; and

utilizing the 3D model to perform one or more of a cell site audit, a site survey, and a cell site planning and engineering process.

2. The method of claim 1, further comprising the steps of:

obtaining a third set of data captured with respect to interiors of one or more buildings; and

utilizing the third set of data to develop the 3D model to include the interiors of the one or more buildings.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the step of obtaining the second set of data is performed with a data capture device using one of sonar, ultrasound, and LIDAR (Light Detection and Ranging).

4. The method of claim 3, wherein the step of obtaining the first set of data is performed with an Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) flying about the cell tower, and wherein the step of obtaining the second set of data is performed with the data capture device positioned on the UAV.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein the step of obtaining first set of data is performed with an Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) flying about the cell tower.

6. The method of claim 5, wherein the first set of data comprises a plurality of photos or video subject to a plurality of constraints, wherein the plurality of photos are obtained by a plurality of cameras which are coordinated with one another.

7. The method of claim 1, further comprising the step of:

presenting the 3D model in a Graphical User Interface (GUI) to perform the one or more of the cell site audit, the site survey, and the cell site planning and engineering process.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein the subterranean geography in the 3D model illustrates support structures of the cell tower and utility constructions in the surrounding geography.

9. The method of claim 1, further comprising the step of:

utilizing an external data source to verify utility constructions in the second set of data for the subterranean geography.

10. The method of claim 1, wherein the above-ground components further comprise associated cell site components supported by the cell tower and one or more buildings in the vicinity of the cell tower.

11. An apparatus adapted to create a three-dimensional (3D) model of a cell site associated with a cell tower, the apparatus comprising:

a network interface;

a processor communicatively coupled to the network interface; and

memory configured for storing instructions that, when executed, cause the processor to

obtain a first set of data captured with respect to above-ground components, the above-ground components comprising the cell tower and surrounding geography of or around the cell site;

obtain a second set of data captured with respect to subterranean geography associated with the surrounding geography;

utilize the first set of data and the second set of data to develop the 3D model to include both the above-ground components and the subterranean geography; and

present the 3D model to a user for performing one or more of a cell site audit, a site survey, and a cell site planning and engineering process.

12. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein the instructions, when executed, further cause the processor to:

obtain a third set of data captured with respect to interiors of one or more buildings; and

utilize the third set of data to develop the 3D model to include the interiors of the one or more buildings.

13. The apparatus of claim 11, further comprising a data capture device configured to capture the second set of data, the data capture device using one of sonar, ultrasound, and LIDAR (Light Detection and Ranging).

14. The apparatus of claim 13, further comprising an Unnmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) configured to fly about the cell tower to capture the first set of data, wherein the second set of data is captured with the data capture device positioned on the UAV.

15. The apparatus of claim 11, further comprising an Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) configured to fly about the cell tower to capture the first set of data.

16. The apparatus of claim 15, wherein the first set of data comprises a plurality of photos or video subject to a plurality of constraints, wherein the plurality of photos are obtained by a plurality of cameras which are coordinated with one another.

17. The apparatus of claim 11, further comprising a Graphical User Interface (GUI) configured to present the 3D model to perform the one or more of the cell site audit, the site survey, and the cell site planning and engineering process.

18. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein the subterranean geography in the 3D model illustrates support structures of the cell tower and utility constructions in the surrounding geography.

19. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein the instructions, when executed, further cause the processor to:

utilize an external data source to verify utility constructions in the second set of data for the subterranean geography.

20. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein the above-ground components further comprise associated cell site components supported by the cell tower and one or more buildings in the vicinity of the cell tower.