Systems and methods for obtaining accurate 3D modeling data with a multiple camera apparatus

• US 10,475,239 B1
• Filed: 02/23/2017
• Issued: 11/12/2019
• 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): Mushambo, Martin
• Application Number:
  US15/440,737
• Time in Patent Office: 992 Days
• CPC Class Codes: B64C 39/024 of the remote controlled vehicle type, i.e. RPV
• CPC Class Codes: B64D 47/08 Arrangements of cameras
• CPC Class Codes: B64U 10/13 Flying platforms
• CPC Class Codes: B64U 10/60 Tethered aircraft
• 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 2201/20 Remote controls
• CPC Class Codes: B64U 50/19 using electrically powered motors
• CPC Class Codes: B64U 50/39 Battery swapping
• CPC Class Codes: G03B 15/006 Apparatus mounted on flying objects
• CPC Class Codes: G03B 35/02 by sequential recording
• CPC Class Codes: G06T 17/05 Geographic models
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 41/145 involving simulating, designing, planning or modelling of a network
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 7/181 for receiving images from a plurality of remote sources
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 88/08 Access point devices

Abstract

Systems and methods for obtaining data capture at a cell site for developing a three dimensional (3D) thereof include obtaining or providing the multiple camera apparatus comprising a plurality of cameras at a shelter, a cabinet, or an interior of a building and positioning the multiple camera apparatus therein; causing the plurality of cameras to simultaneously take photos based on the positioning; repositioning the multiple camera apparatus at a different location in the shelter, the cabinet, or the interior of the building to take additional photos; and providing the photos taken by the multiple camera apparatus to a 3D modeling system to develop a 3D model of the shelter, the cabinet, or the interior of the building, for a virtual site survey thereof.

Claims

1. A method for obtaining image data at a cell site for developing a three dimensional (3D) model thereof, the method comprising the steps of:

obtaining or providing a multiple camera apparatus at a cell site having a cell tower configured for cellular communication, the cell site including a shelter, a cabinet, or a building configured to house cellular equipment electrically connected to the cell tower, the multiple camera apparatus including a plurality of cameras fixedly oriented with respect to each other for obtaining a different view, zoom, and/or angle;

positioning the multiple camera apparatus at a first position within an interior of the shelter, cabinet, or building;

causing the plurality of cameras of the multiple camera apparatus to simultaneously take a plurality of photos of portions of the cellular equipment based on the positioning of the multiple camera apparatus at the first position;

repositioning the multiple camera apparatus at a second position within the interior of the shelter, cabinet, or building, the second position being different from the first position;

causing the plurality of cameras of the multiple camera apparatus to simultaneously take a plurality of additional photos of portions of the cellular equipment based on the positioning of the multiple camera apparatus at the second position;

providing the photos taken by the multiple camera apparatus at the first and second positions to a 3D modeling system to develop a 3D model of the interior of the shelter, cabinet, or building; and

remotely performing a virtual site survey of the cell site with the 3D model.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the step of repositioning comprises the step of moving the multiple camera apparatus to each corner within the interior of the shelter, cabinet, or building.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the step of repositioning comprises the step of moving the multiple camera apparatus to each row of the cellular equipment within the interior of the shelter, cabinet, or building.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the multiple camera apparatus comprises a pole with the plurality of cameras disposed thereon, each of the plurality of cameras configured for a different view.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein the plurality of cameras are communicatively coupled to a control unit configured for causing the plurality of cameras to take photos.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein the plurality of cameras are communicatively coupled to a control unit configured for providing the photos and additional photos to the 3D modeling system.

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

analyzing the photos subsequent to the step of repositioning; and

determining whether the photos are suitable for the 3D model, and responsive to the photos not being suitable for the 3D model, instructing a user to retake the photos which are not suitable.

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

combining the photos of the shelter, cabinet, or building with photos of the cell tower at the cell site, to form a 3D model of the cell site.

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

performing a virtual site survey of the cell site using the 3D model.

10. The method of claim 1, wherein the step of repositioning is based on a review of the photos taken at the first position.

11. A method for obtaining image data at a cell site for developing a three dimensional (3D) model thereof, the method comprising the steps of:

obtaining or providing a multiple camera apparatus at a cell site having a cell tower configured for cellular communication, the cell site including a shelter, a cabinet, or a building configured to house cellular equipment electrically connected to the cell tower, the multiple camera apparatus including a plurality of cameras fixedly oriented with respect to each other for obtaining different views, zooms, and/or angles;

positioning the multiple camera apparatus at a first position within an interior of the shelter, cabinet, or building;

causing the plurality of cameras to simultaneously take a plurality of photos of portions of the cellular equipment based on the positioning of the multiple camera apparatus at the first position;

repositioning the multiple camera apparatus at a second position within the interior of the shelter, cabinet, or building, the second position being different from the first position;

causing the plurality of cameras to simultaneously take a plurality of additional photos of portions of the cellular equipment based on the positioning of the multiple camera apparatus at the second position;

obtaining exterior photos of the cell tower by an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV), wherein the cell tower is connected to the shelter, cabinet, or building;

providing the photos of the portions of the cellular equipment taken by the multiple camera apparatus and the exterior photos of the cell tower taken by the UAV to a 3D modeling system to develop a 3D model of the cell site; and

remotely performing a virtual site survey of the cell site with the 3D model.

12. The method of claim 11, wherein the step of repositioning comprises the step of moving the multiple camera apparatus to each corner within the interior of the shelter, cabinet, or building.

13. The method of claim 11, wherein the step of repositioning comprises the step of moving the multiple camera apparatus to each row of the cellular equipment within the interior of the shelter, cabinet, or building.

14. The method of claim 11, wherein the multiple camera apparatus comprises a pole with the plurality of cameras disposed thereon, each of the plurality of cameras configured for a different view.

15. The method of claim 11, wherein the plurality of cameras are communicatively coupled to a control unit configured for causing the plurality of cameras to take photos.

16. The method of claim 11, wherein the plurality of cameras are communicatively coupled to a control unit configured for providing the photos, additional photos, and exterior photos to the 3D modeling system.

17. The method of claim 11, further comprising the steps of:

analyzing the photos subsequent to the step of repositioning; and

determining whether the photos are suitable for the 3D model, and responsive to the photos not being suitable for the 3D model, instructing a user to retake the photos which are not suitable.

18. The method of claim 11, further comprising the step of:

combining the photos of the shelter, cabinet, or building with photos of the cell tower, to form a 3D model of the cell site.