Remote measurement via on-site portable platform
First Claim
1. A computer-implemented method to operate a portable platform to capture information for preparing a work estimate, the method comprising:
- receiving a request to prepare an estimate for a particular construction task at a specified location;
in response to receiving the request, dispatching to the specified location an instance of a portable flying platform that is an unmanned remote controlled vehicle capable of maneuvering around the specified location to capture measurement data for preparing the requested estimate, wherein the portable flying platform flies at low altitude less than 400 feet off of the ground;
controlling the portable platform through maneuvers at the received location;
capturing measurement data at the specified location using one or more sensors mounted to the portable platform, wherein the measurement data includes automatically determining pitch of a roof at the specified location from the flying platform without physical contact with the roof and identifying one or more roof penetrations;
analyzing the captured measurement data to process the captured measurement data into information actionable for preparing an estimate for the particular construction task at the specified location; and
automatically generating an estimate for the construction task at the specified location and delivering the estimate to a user,wherein the preceding steps are performed by at least one processor.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A portable measurement system is described herein that provides accurate real-time data for a subject object at a job site. The acquired data may include photos, laser mapping, thermal images, sonar imaging, electronic measurements, or other types of measurement data. The system leverages commonly available remote control helicopters or other flying vehicles mounted with a camera or other equipment to acquire images or other measurement data that would be difficult to obtain without climbing onto a target structure or placing personnel in other dangerous situations. A portable platform is described herein that can include helicopters as well as other types of portable measurement devices that can fly or otherwise maneuver to capture measurement data at a job site. In many cases, these connected devices can provide near instant availability of captured data to a processing center or other remote location, reducing delays that are typical today.
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Citations
20 Claims
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1. A computer-implemented method to operate a portable platform to capture information for preparing a work estimate, the method comprising:
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receiving a request to prepare an estimate for a particular construction task at a specified location; in response to receiving the request, dispatching to the specified location an instance of a portable flying platform that is an unmanned remote controlled vehicle capable of maneuvering around the specified location to capture measurement data for preparing the requested estimate, wherein the portable flying platform flies at low altitude less than 400 feet off of the ground; controlling the portable platform through maneuvers at the received location; capturing measurement data at the specified location using one or more sensors mounted to the portable platform, wherein the measurement data includes automatically determining pitch of a roof at the specified location from the flying platform without physical contact with the roof and identifying one or more roof penetrations; analyzing the captured measurement data to process the captured measurement data into information actionable for preparing an estimate for the particular construction task at the specified location; and automatically generating an estimate for the construction task at the specified location and delivering the estimate to a user, wherein the preceding steps are performed by at least one processor. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15)
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16. A computer system for remote measurement via an on-site portable platform, the system comprising:
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a portable flying platform that is a remote controlled physical device that is delivered in response to an estimate request on-site to a potential job site to maneuver around the job site to capture measurement data for estimating a cost of a task to be performed at the job site, wherein the portable flying platform flies at low altitude less than 400 feet off of the ground; a measurement capture component that includes one or more sensors attached to the portable platform for capturing measurement data at the job site; a platform control component that controls the operation of the portable platform to direct the portable platform through a particular navigation path and the operation of the measurement capture component to capture measurement data; a control communication component that includes hardware and software for establishing a link between the portable platform and platform control component and subsequently communicating control instructions; a data communication component that includes hardware and software for establishing a link between the measurement capture component and the measurement analysis component; a measurement analysis component that processes measurement data captured at the job site to identify one or more characteristics of the job site and elements in the data that affect pricing of the task to be performed, wherein processing the measurement data includes automatically determining pitch of a roof at the job site from the portable flying platform without physical contact with the roof and identifying one or more roof penetrations; and an estimate delivery component that automatically generates an estimate for the cost of the task to be performed at the job site from the measurement analysis and delivers the estimate to a user of the system. - View Dependent Claims (17, 18)
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19. A non-transitory computer-readable storage device comprising instructions for controlling a computer system to receive control information for a remote controlled portable flying platform from a mobile device, wherein the instructions, upon execution, cause a processor to perform actions comprising:
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establishing a communication link between the portable flying platform and the mobile device; displaying a control user interface on the mobile device that includes flight controls for the portable flying platform; receiving control instructions from a user that interacts with the mobile device to control the portable flying platform to capture measurement data at a potential job site, wherein the portable flying platform is delivered to the potential job site in response to receiving an estimate request for work at the potential job site, wherein the portable flying platform flies at low altitude less than 400 feet off of the ground, and wherein the measurement data includes automatically determining pitch of a roof at the specified location from the portable flying platform without physical contact with the roof and identifying one or more roof penetrations; guiding the portable flying platform based on the received control instructions; receiving visual data captured by the portable platform and displaying the captured visual data on the mobile device; and automatically generating an estimate for the work at the potential job site. - View Dependent Claims (20)
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Specification