Abstract: Computer systems and methods are described for automatically generating a 3D model, including identifying wire-frame data of a structure within an area of interest; obtaining, using a geographical location of the structure, multiple geo-referenced images representing the geographic location of the structure and containing one or more real façade texture of the structure; locating a geographical position of one or more real façade texture of the structure; selecting one or more base oblique image from the multiple geo-referenced images by analyzing image raster content of the real façade texture depicted in the multiple geo-referenced images with selection logic, the selection logic analyzing at least two factors of each of the multiple geo-referenced images; and, applying the real façade texture of the one or more base oblique image to the wire-frame data of the structure to create a three dimensional model providing a real-life representation of physical characteristics of the structure.

Abstract: Automated methods and systems are disclosed, including a method comprising: capturing images and three-dimensional LIDAR data of a geographic area with an image capturing device and a LIDAR system, the images depicting an object of interest and the three-dimensional LIDAR data including the object of interest, the image capturing device capturing the images of a vertical surface of the object of interest at one or more oblique angle, and the LIDAR system capturing the three-dimensional LIDAR data of a horizontal surface of the object of interest at a nadir angle; analyzing the images with a computer system to determine three dimensional locations of points on the object of interest; and updating the three-dimensional LIDAR data with the three dimensional locations of points on the object of interest determined by analyzing the images to create a 3D point cloud having a resolution greater than a resolution of the three-dimensional LIDAR data.

Abstract: LiDAR scanning methods are disclosed, including a method comprising forming a first scan path with a light detection and ranging (LiDAR) scanning system on an aircraft flying above the ground, the first scan path at a first angle in relation to the aircraft toward the ground; forming a second scan path with the LiDAR scanning system, the second scan path at a second angle in relation to the aircraft, the second angle toward the ground and different relative to the first angle; and creating a digital elevation map of the ground, and vertical and horizontal surfaces above the ground, using the first and second scan paths.

Abstract: A computer system running image processing software receives an identification of a desired scene of a geographical area for which an oblique-mosaic image is desired including one or more geometry parameters of a virtual camera; creates a mathematical model of the virtual camera having mathematical values that define the camera geometry parameters that configure the model to capture the geographical area, and looking down at an oblique angle; creates a ground elevation model of the ground and vertical structures within the oblique-mosaic pixel map, wherein source images were captured at an oblique angle and compass direction similar to the oblique angle and compass direction of the virtual camera; and reprojects, with the mathematical model, source oblique image pixels of the overlapping source images for pixels included in the oblique-mosaic pixel map using the ground elevation model to thereby create the oblique-mosaic image of the geographical area.

Abstract: The present disclosure describes a method for transmitting sensor data and positional data for geo-referencing oblique images from a moving platform to a ground station system in real-time. The method involves the aid of a moving platform system to capture sensor data and positional data for the sensor data, save the sensor data and positional data to one or more directories of one or more computer readable medium, monitor the one or more directories of the one or more computer readable medium for sensor data and positional data, and transmit the sensor data and positional data from the moving platform system to the ground station system over a wireless communication link responsive to the sensor data and positional data being detected as within the one or more directories.

Abstract: Systems and methods for creating a ground confidence map of a geographic area, comprising the steps of creating a ground confidence map of a geographic area, the ground confidence map having a plurality of pixels with each pixel corresponding to a particular geographic location; assigning the pixels in the ground confidence map with pixel values indicative of composite ground confidence scores; and storing pixel values indicative of a statistical probability that the geographical location represented by the particular pixels represent the ground.

Abstract: An automated method performed by at least one processor running computer executable instructions stored on at least one non-transitory computer readable medium, comprising: classifying first data points identifying at least one man-made roof structure within a point cloud and classifying second data points associated with at least one of natural structures and ground surface to form a modified point cloud; identifying at least one feature of the man-made roof structure in the modified point cloud; and generating a roof report including the at least one feature.

Abstract: Methods and systems for roof estimations are disclosed, including a method comprising receiving, by at least one computer processor, a roof report order including a geographic location of a roof; providing imagery of the roof based on the geographic location of the roof; receiving, from a user, identification of features of the roof; determining and providing an estimated roofing area based at least on a predominant pitch and a footprint of the roof by analyzing one or more image showing the roof, the footprint of the roof determined at least in part using at least one image of the roof and the identified features of the roof; and generating a roof report for determination of an amount of materials needed for a construction project, wherein the roof report includes at least one image showing the roof and the estimated roofing area of the roof.

Abstract: Automated methods and systems are disclosed, including a method comprising: capturing images and three-dimensional LIDAR data of a geographic area with an image capturing device and a LIDAR system, as well as location and orientation data for each of the images corresponding to the location and orientation of the image capturing device capturing the images, the images depicting an object of interest and the three-dimensional LIDAR data including the object of interest; storing the three-dimensional LIDAR data on a non-transitory computer readable medium; analyzing the images with a computer system to determine three dimensional locations of points on the object of interest; and updating the three-dimensional LIDAR data with the three dimensional locations of points on the object of interest determined by analyzing the images to create a 3D point cloud.

Abstract: Image capture systems and methods may include one or more video capture devices capable of capturing one or more video frames. The video frames may include geographic position data and orientation data associated therewith, and may be stored on one or more non-transient computer readable medium. The computer system may marshal each video frame to one or more processors from a bank of processors for geo-referencing and overlaying of geographic information system (GIS) data on the video frames in real time.

Abstract: A computerized system, comprising: a computer system having an input unit, a display unit, one or more processors and one or more non-transitory computer readable medium, the one or more processors executing image display and analysis software to cause the one or more processors to: receive an identification of a structure from the input device, the structure having multiple sides, an outline, and a height; obtain characteristics of a camera mounted onto an unmanned aircraft; generate unmanned aircraft information including: flight path information configured to direct the unmanned aircraft to fly a flight path around the structure that is laterally and vertically offset from the structure, the lateral and vertical offset being dependent upon the height of the structure, an orientation of the camera relative to the unmanned aircraft, and the characteristics of the camera; and, store the unmanned aircraft information on the one or more non-transitory computer readable medium.

Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed for early access to captured images including receiving a request for at least one image of a geographic area from a client application of an operator user device; querying records within a geospatial database to locate one or more records of images accessible by the geospatial database and depicting at least a portion of the geographic area; reading information within the one or more records depicting at least a portion of the geographic area to determine a status of an image within the one or more records, the status of the image indicating that the image is an in process captured image in which the image has not been fully processed; and presenting at least a portion of the image to the client application of the operator user device with a status indicator indicating the stage in processing of the geographic area.

Abstract: Methods and systems are disclosed including dividing a sensitive geographic region into three or more work regions; selecting geo-referenced aerial images for each particular work region such that at least a portion of the particular work region is depicted; transmitting, without information indicative of the geographic location depicted, a first of the images for a first of the work regions to an operator user device; receiving, from the device, at least one image coordinate selected within the first image by the operator, wherein the image coordinate is a relative coordinate based on a unique pixel location within the image raster content of the first image; and transmitting, without information indicative of the geographic location depicted, a second of the images for a second of the work regions to the operator user device, wherein the first and second work regions are not geographically contiguous.

Abstract: Apparatuses, systems, and methods are disclosed including an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV), comprising: a collision detection and avoidance system comprising at least one active distance detector; and one or more processors configured to: receive a flight path with instructions for the UAV to travel from its current location to at least one other location; determine direction priorities for the collision detection and avoidance system based at least in part on the flight path; determine an obstacle for avoidance by the UAV based on the flight path going through the obstacle; receive distance data generated by the collision detection and avoidance system concerning the obstacle; process the distance data based at least in part on the determined direction priorities; and execute a target path for traveling around the obstacle and to the at least one other location based at least in part on the flight path and the distance data.

Abstract: The present disclosure describes systems and processes, including processes in which first location data is received. Visual access to a first image corresponding to the first location data is provided, the first image including a roof structure of a building. A first computer input capable of signaling a designation from the user of a building roof structure location within the first image is provided. A designation of the building roof structure location within the first image is received. Responsive to receiving the designation of the building roof structure location, a second computer input capable of signaling user-acceptance of the building roof structure location within the first image is provided. Responsive to receiving the user-acceptance confirming the designation of the building roof structure location, visual access to one or more second images corresponding to geographic location coordinates of the building roof structure location is provided.

Abstract: Image capture systems including a moving platform; an image capture device having a sensor for capturing an image, the image having pixels, mounted on the moving platform; and a detection computer executing an abnormality detection algorithm for detecting an abnormality in the pixels of the image immediately after the image is captured by scanning the image utilizing predetermined parameters indicative of characteristics of the abnormality and then automatically and immediately causing a re-shoot of the image.

Abstract: A method of automatically transforming a computerized 3D model having regions of images utilized as textures on one or more physical objects represented in the 3D model (such as building sides and roofs, walls, landscapes, mountain sides, trees and the like) to include material property information for one or more regions of the textures of the 3D model. In this method, image textures applied to the 3D model are examined by comparing, utilizing a computer, at least a portion of each image texture to entries in a palette of material entries. The material palette entry that best matches the one contained in the image texture is assigned to indicate a physical material of the physical object represented by the 3D model. Then, material property information is stored in the computerized 3D model for the image textures that are assigned a material palette entry.

Abstract: Methods and systems are disclosed including a computer storage medium, comprising instructions that when executed by one or more processors included in an Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV), cause the UAV to perform operations, comprising: receiving, by the UAV, a flight plan configured to direct the UAV to fly a flight path having a plurality of waypoints adjacent to and above a structure and to capture sensor data of the structure from a camera on the UAV while the UAV is flying the flight path; adjusting an angle of an optical axis of the camera mounted to a gimbal to a predetermined angle within a range of 25 degrees to 75 degrees relative to a downward direction, and capturing sensor data of at least a portion of a roof of the structure with the optical axis of the camera aligned with at least one predetermined location on the structure.

Abstract: A computerized system, comprising: a computer system having an input unit, a display unit, one or more processors and one or more non-transitory computer readable medium, the one or more processors executing image display and analysis software to cause the one or more processors to: receive an identification of a structure from the input device, the structure having multiple sides, an outline, and a height; obtain characteristics of a camera mounted onto an unmanned aircraft; generate unmanned aircraft information including: flight path information configured to direct the unmanned aircraft to fly a flight path around the structure that is laterally and vertically offset from the structure, the lateral and vertical offset being dependent upon the height of the structure, an orientation of the camera relative to the unmanned aircraft, and the characteristics of the camera; and, store the unmanned aircraft information on the one or more non-transitory computer readable medium.

Abstract: A computerized method performed by an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV), comprising: receiving, by the UAV, a flight plan comprising a plurality of inspection locations for a structure, wherein the plurality of inspection locations each comprise a waypoint having a geospatial reference; navigating to ascend to a first altitude above the structure; conducting an inspection for an object of interest in at least one of the plurality of inspection locations according to the flight plan, the inspection comprising: navigating to a position above a surface of the structure associated with the object of interest based on monitoring an active sensor, and obtaining, while within a particular distance from the surface of the structure, information from one or more sensors describing the structure such that obtained information includes at least a particular level of detail; navigating to another inspection location of the plurality of inspection locations; and navigating to a landing location.