3D building model construction tools

• US 9,330,504 B2
• Filed: 04/30/2013
• Issued: 05/03/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 04/30/2013
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Hover Inc. (Tucows Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: Hover Inc. (Tucows Incorporated)
• Inventors: Ege, Christopher David
• Primary Examiner(s): McDowell, Jr., Maurice L
• Application Number:
  US13/874,435
• Publication Number:
  US 20140320488A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,099 Days
• Field of Search: 345/629, 345/420, 345/581, 345/419, 345/619, 345/649, 345/652, 345/662
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: G06T 17/05 Geographic models
• CPC Class Codes: G06T 19/20 Editing of 3D images, e.g. changing shapes or colours, aligning objects or positioning parts
• CPC Class Codes: G06T 2210/04 Architectural design, interior design
• CPC Class Codes: G06T 2219/2021 Shape modification

Abstract

A method for correcting 3D building objects is provided. Construction tools available within the visualization tool provide edge squaring and edge snapping of the 3D building objects, correcting incoherent angles and planes resulting from errors formed during the construction of the building model. Specified angular thresholds for perpendicular axis and parallel planes are provided in the construction tools to identify inaccuracies within selected buildings and new buildings are redrawn.

Claims

1. A method of correcting incoherencies in three-dimensional (3D) building objects, comprising:

analyzing the 3D building object for at least one incoherent angle or plane, the analyzing including establishing main axis grouping planes as determined by one or more angular thresholds, wherein at least one of the main axis grouping planes is used to generate a weighted edge plane for each plane edge, the weighted edge plane being generated for each edge that is a distance of a new edge from an initial edge plane multiplied by a grouping normal minus the initial edge plane multiplied by a weighted edge length;

correcting the at least one incoherent angle or plane;

iteratively recalculating additional building angle or plane positions to support the corrected at least one incoherent angle or planes; and

redrawing the selected 3D building object according to the recalculated building angles and plane positions.

2. A method of correcting incoherencies in three-dimensional (3D) building objects, as per claim 1, wherein the 3D building object is a physical building corresponding to an object captured in an image.

3. A method of correcting incoherencies in three-dimensional (3D) building objects, as per claim 2, wherein the 3D building object is constructed from an oblique image.

4. A method of correcting incoherencies in three-dimensional (3D) building objects, as per claim 3, wherein the oblique image is captured from a ground based imaging system.

5. A method of correcting incoherencies in three-dimensional (3D) building objects, as per claim 1, wherein the at least one of the grouping planes is maintained as a sum of the weighted edge planes divided by a weighted edge length SUM.

6. A method of correcting incoherencies in three-dimensional (3D) building objects, as per claim 1, wherein the one or more angular thresholds are determined based on minimizing building vertex movement.

7. A method of correcting incoherencies in three-dimensional (3D) building objects, as per claim 1, wherein the at least one incoherent plane is analyzed by determining nonparallel planes.

8. A method of correcting incoherencies in three-dimensional (3D) building objects, as per claim 1, wherein architectural faç

ades associated with specific sides of the 3D building object that are within a threshold of being parallel and near the same plane will be identified and snapped to the redrawn 3D building object.

9. A method of correcting incoherencies in three-dimensional (3D) building objects, as per claim 1, wherein the 3D building object selected was selected using a user interface by any of:

entering in an address;

automatically using a location of a user;

by clicking the location on a map;

or touching a location on a map.

10. A method of correcting incoherencies in three-dimensional (3D) building objects, comprising:

analyzing the 3D building object for at least one incoherent angle or plane, the analyzing including establishing main axis grouping planes as determined by one or more angular thresholds, wherein at least one of the main axis grouping planes is used to generate a weighted edge plane for each plane edge, the weighted edge plane being generated for each edge that is a distance of a new edge from an initial edge plane multiplied by a grouping normal minus the initial edge plane multiplied by a weighted edge length, wherein at least one of the main axis grouping planes is maintained as a sum of the weighted edge planes divided by a weighted edge length sum;

correcting the at least one incoherent angle or plane;

iteratively recalculating additional building angle or plane positions to support the corrected at least one incoherent angle or planes; and

redrawing the selected 3D building object according to the recalculated building angles and plane positions.

11. A method of correcting incoherencies in three-dimensional (3D) building objects, as per claim 10, wherein the 3D building object is a physical building corresponding to an object captured in an image.

12. A method of correcting incoherencies in three-dimensional (3D) building objects, as per claim 10, wherein the 3D building object is constructed from an oblique image.

13. A method of correcting incoherencies in three-dimensional (3D) building objects, as per claim 12, wherein the oblique image is captured from a ground based imaging system.

14. A method of correcting incoherencies in three-dimensional (3D) building objects, as per claim 10, wherein the one or more angular thresholds are determined based on minimizing building vertex movement.

15. A method of correcting incoherencies in three-dimensional (3D) building objects, as per claim 10, wherein the at least one incoherent plane is analyzed by determining nonparallel planes.

16. A method of correcting incoherencies in three-dimensional (3D) building objects, as per claim 10, wherein architectural faç

ades associated with specific sides of the 3D building object that are within a threshold of being parallel and near the same plane will be identified and snapped to the redrawn 3D building object.

17. A method of correcting incoherencies in three-dimensional (3D) building objects, as per claim 10, wherein the 3D building object selected was selected using a user interface by any of:

entering in an address;

automatically using a location of a user;

by clicking the location on a map;

or touching a location on a map.

18. A system correcting incoherencies in three-dimensional (3D) building objects constructed from ground based oblique imagery, comprising:

a processor configured to;

analyze the 3D building object for at least one incoherent angle or plane, the analyzing including establishing main axis grouping planes as determined by one or more angular thresholds, wherein at least one of the main axis grouping planes is used to generate a weighted edge plane for each plane edge, the weighted edge plane being generated for each edge that is a distance of a new edge from an initial edge plane multiplied by a grouping normal minus the initial edge plane multiplied by a weighted edge length;

correct the at least one incoherent angle or plane;

iteratively recalculate additional building angle or plane positions to support the corrected at least one incoherent angle or planes; and

redraw the selected 3D building object according to the recalculated building angles and plane positions.

19. A system correcting incoherencies in three-dimensional (3D) building objects constructed from ground based oblique imagery, as per claim 18, wherein the ground based oblique imagery is captured from a ground based imaging system.