Aerial roof estimation system and method

• US 20080262789A1
• Filed: 04/17/2008
• Published: 10/23/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 04/17/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Chris Pershing, Dave Carlson
• Original Assignee: EagleView Technologies Incorporated
• Inventors: Pershing, Chris, Carlson, Dave
• Granted Patent: US 8,145,578 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 702/156
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/00 Administration; Management
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0206 Price or cost determination based on market factors
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0283 Price estimation or determination
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 40/08 Insurance
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 50/16 Real estate

Abstract

A system that allows the remote measurement of the size, geometry, pitch and orientation of the roof sections of a building and then uses the information to provide an estimate to repair or replace the roof, or to install equipment thereon. The system includes an aerial image file database that shows aerial images of buildings in a designated area according to address. The slope and orientation images are typically oblique perspective views and top plan views of the buildings in the area. The system also includes an image analysis and calibration feature that enables the viewer to closely estimate the size, geometry and orientation of the building'"'"'s roof sections. The information can then be used to prepare a cost estimate for the repair or replacement of the roof or installation of roof equipment. By simply inputting the potential customer'"'"'s address, the company is able to determine the size, geometry, pitch and orientation of the roof sections of the building at that address, and then quickly provide an accurate estimate to the customer.

Claims

1. A system for remotely determining the measurements of a roof, comprising:

a. a computer including an input means, a display means and working memory;

b. an aerial image file database containing a plurality of aerial images of roofs of buildings in a selected region;

c. a roof estimating software program able to receive location information of a building in the selected region and then present said aerial image files showing the roof sections of said building located at the location information; and

,

d. a calibration means used to determine the size, geometry, and pitch of the roof sections of said building being displayed.

2. The system as recited in claim 1, wherein said roof estimating software program is loaded into said working memory of said computer.

3. The system as recited in claim 2, wherein said aerial image file database is loaded into said working memory of said computer.

4. The system as recited in claim 1, wherein said aerial image file database is loaded into said working memory of said computer.

5. The system as recited in claim 1, wherein said aerial image file database located on a remote computer connected to a wide area network, said computer capable of connecting to said wide area network and communicating with said remote computer.

6. The system as recited in claim 1, wherein further including a telephone communication network enabling potential customers to verbally input the address of a building in the region.

7. The system as recited in claim 6, wherein said image file database is located on a remote computer connected to a wide area network.

8. The system as recited in claim 1, wherein further including a wide area network connected to said computer, wherein potential customers are able transmit via said wide area network request for an estimate to said computer from remote locations.

9. The system as recited in claim 8, wherein said image file database is located on a remote computer connected to a wide area network.

10. The system as recited in claim 1, further including a roof contractor that uses roof measurement information to produce a roof estimate.

11. The system as recited in claim 5, further including a roof contractor that uses roof measurement information to produce a roof estimate.

12. The system as recited in claim 6, further including a roof contractor that uses roof measurement information to produce a roof estimate.

13. The system as recited in claim 8, further including a roof contractor that uses roof measurement information to produce a roof estimate.

14. The system as recited in claim 1, further including a HVAC contractor that uses roof measurement information to produce a HVAC installation estimate.

15. The system as recited in claim 1, further including a solar panel contractor that uses roof measurement information to produce a solar panel installation estimate.

16. The system as recited in claim 1, further including a roof gutter contractor that uses roof measurement information to produce a roof gutter installation estimate.

17. The system as recited in claim 1, further including an insurance company that uses the roof measurement information to produce a repair or replacement estimate.

18. A method for determining the measurements of a roof comprising the following steps:

a. selecting a roof estimation system that includes a computer with a roof estimation software program loaded into its working memory, said roof estimation software uses aerial image files of buildings in a selected region and a calibration module that allows the size, geometry, and pitch of a roof section to be determined from said aerial image files;

b. submitting a request for a measurement of a roof of a building at a known location;

c. entering the location of a building with a roof that needs a roof measurement;

d. obtaining aerial image files of said roof of the building at said location; and

,

e. using said calibration module to determine the size, geometry and pitch of each said roof section.

19. The method for determining the measurements of a roof as recited in claim 18, wherein said step (b) of submitting the request for a measurement is one entity in the following group:

a building tenant, a building owner, a roofing contractor, a solar panel installation company, a gutter insulation company, a HVAC company, and an insurance company.