Abstract: A computer system generates an outline of a roof of a structure based on a set of lateral images depicting the structure. For each image in the set of lateral images, one or more rooflines corresponding to the roof of the structure are determined. The computer system determines how the rooflines connect to one another. Based on the determination, the rooflines are connected to generate an outline of the roof.

Abstract: A method and related software are disclosed for processing imagery related to three dimensional models. To display new visual data for select portions of images, an image of a physical structure such as a building with a façade is retrieved with an associated three dimensional model for that physical structure according to common geolocation tags. A scaffolding of surfaces composing the three dimensional model is generated and regions of the retrieved image are registered to the surfaces of the scaffolding to create mapped surfaces for the image. New image data such as texture information is received and applied to select mapped surfaces to give the retrieved image the appearance of having the new texture data at the selected mapped surface.

Abstract: Determining the scale of building objects within collected imagery is determined by identifying architectural elements within stored building object imagery, determining dimensional ratios for the identified architectural elements, matching the identified architectural element to a known industry standard architectural element based on dimensional ratio comparisons and determining a scaling factor of the building object imagery based on relative error to the determined scale of the identified architectural elements. A three dimensional model of the building object constructed from said building object imagery may be scaled by the scaling factor, and dimensions such as measurements for its components determined.

Abstract: A process for creating, responsive to a desired analysis, estimate information from received imagery by determining whether the imagery meets a minimum criterion for creating a multi-dimensional model that can address the desired analysis and building an aggregate set of images meeting the minimum criterion from which a multi-dimensional model is then built and an estimate responsive to the desired analysis is derived. The multi-dimensional model, and the responsive estimate, may be refined as additional images are provided to the aggregate set. Desired analyses may include dimensions such as square footage of a roof for building objects.

Abstract: Determining the scale of building objects within collected imagery is determined by identifying architectural elements within stored building object imagery, determining dimensional ratios for the identified architectural elements, matching the identified architectural element to a known industry standard architectural element based on dimensional ratio comparisons and determining a scaling factor of the building object imagery based on relative error to the determined scale of the identified architectural elements. A three dimensional model of the building object constructed from said building object imagery may be scaled by the scaling factor, and dimensions such as measurements for its components determined.

Abstract: A system is provided including a database that ingests data from disparate image sources, with a variety of image metadata types and qualities, and manages images geospatially through the creation and continued refinement of camera solutions for each data object included. These camera solutions are calculated and refined by the database as additional data enters the system that could affect the solutions, through a combination of the application of image metadata towards image processing methods and the use of optical-only computer vision techniques. The database continually generates data quality metrics and relevant imagery and geometry analytics, which drive future collection tasking, system analytics, and human quality control requirements.

Abstract: A system and method is provided for constructing a labeled and dimensioned multi-dimensional (e.g., 3D) building model from building object imagery (e.g., ground-level imagery). The method begins by retrieve building object imagery, the building object imagery collected based on directed capture with a mobile device. The method continues by constructing a scaled multi-dimensional building model, the scale based on sizing of at least one selected architectural feature. The method continues by identifying architectural elements within facades of the multi-dimensional building model. The method continues by determining dimensions of at least one of the architectural elements, the dimensions based on the scale. The method continues by determining dimensions (e.g., area) of at least one of the architectural elements. The method continues by labeling each identified architectural element with at least an identifier and by labeling at least one of the architectural elements with the determined dimensions.

Abstract: Systems and methods are described for creating three dimensional models of building objects by creating a point cloud from a plurality of input images, defining edges of the building object's surfaces represented by the point cloud, creating simplified geometries of the building object's surfaces and constructing a building model based on the simplified geometries. Input images may include ground, orthographic, or oblique images. The resultant model may be scaled according to correlation with select image types and textured.

Abstract: A system and method for real-time updating of three-dimensional (3D) building models includes receiving a request to analyze building imagery to detect potential physical changes in or around a first building, receiving the building imagery, the building imagery including one or more images of the building, optionally building a first 3D building model (textured or untextured) based on the building imagery, retrieving, from computer storage, a previously stored version of the first 3D building model, comparing, on a region-by-region basis, the first 3D building model against the previously stored version of the first 3D building model, cataloging in computer storage, based on the comparing, changes to the previously stored version of the first 3D building model, where the changes to the first 3D building model represent physical changes to or around the building occurring since a time of the previous stored version of the 3D building model.

Abstract: An image capture system provides automated prompts for aiding a user in capturing images for use in 3D model creation. While a user is preparing to capture an image, the system provides visual indications that indicate whether a quality-based condition is satisfied. Based on the visual indications, a user can determine whether an image, if captured, would likely be suitable for use in creating a 3D model. Determining if the quality-based condition is satisfied may include monitoring output generated by one or more sensors and comparing the output against a threshold value. Additionally, the system may analyze the visual content or metadata associated with an image to determine if the quality-based condition is satisfied and request user input to further identify certain image features that were identified by the system.

Abstract: A process for receiving, from a computing device, a series of captured building images. The process continues by processing, in real-time, each building image in the series of captured building images to determine if each building image meets a minimum criterion, wherein the minimum criteria includes applicability to be used in constructing a specific digital multi-dimensional building model. The process continues by aggregating each image meeting the minimum criteria, determining when a base set of building images has been aggregated, wherein the base set of building images includes a threshold number images to model at least a partial multi-dimensional building model representing the series of captured building images, determining one or more facades present in the partial multi-dimensional building model, determining preliminary dimensions for one or more architectural features of the one or more facades and returning, incrementally (in real-time), the preliminary dimensions to the computing device.

Abstract: A system and method is provided for generating textured 3D building models from ground-level imagery. Ground-level images for the sides/corners of building objects are collected for identification of key architectural features, corresponding key façade geometry planes, and generation of a 3D building façade geometry. The 3D building model is properly geo-positioned, scaled and textured.

Abstract: Systems and methods are described for adjusting planar geometry derived from point cloud data associated with a building object by identifying major aspects like vertices and edges of the underlying structure within the point cloud and adjusting an average planar fit for simplified geometries created from the point cloud. Combining the planar geometry or point cloud with orthogonal or street level views improves accuracy and use cases of the planar geometry.

Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed for adjusting plane positions in multi-dimensional models. Disclosed is moving planes associated with an architectural element based on detecting edge position(s) for an architectural element relative to a given plane and reconstructing the model based on the adjusted position(s).

Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed for directed image capture of a subject of interest, such as a home. Directed image capture can produce higher quality images such as more centrally located within a display and/or viewfinder of an image capture device, higher quality images have greater value for subsequent uses of captured images such as for information extraction or model reconstruction. Graphical guide(s) facilitate content placement for certain positions and quality assessments for the content of interest can be calculated such as for pixel distance of the content of interest to a centroid of the display or viewfinder, or the effect of obscuring objects. Quality assessments can further include instructions for improving the quality of the image capture for the content of interest.

Abstract: Visualizing three dimensional content is complicated by display platforms capable of more degrees of freedom to display the content than interface tools have to navigate that content. Disclosed are methods and systems for displaying select portions of the content and generating virtual camera positions with associated look angles for the select portions, such as planar geometries of a three dimensional building, thereby constraining the degrees of freedom for improved navigation through views of the content. Look angles can be associated with axes of the content and fields of view.

Abstract: Systems and methods are described for adjusting planar geometry derived from point cloud data associated with a building object by identifying major aspects like vertices and edges of the underlying structure within the point cloud and adjusting an average planar fit for simplified geometries created from the point cloud. Combining the planar geometry or point cloud with orthogonal or street level views improves accuracy and use cases of the planar geometry.

Abstract: A process for receiving, from a computing device, a series of captured building images by overlaying, on a capture device display, a selected graphical guide from a set of sequentially related graphical guides. The process continues by capturing, by a capture device, a building image, wherein the capturing is performed during substantial alignment of an image of a selected building object with a corresponding orientation of the selected graphical guide. The process continues by receiving acknowledgement of the building image being captured for the selected graphical guide and the selected building object. The process is repeated for a plurality of building images.

Abstract: A process is provided for graphically guiding a user of a capture device (e.g., smartphone) to more accurately capture a series of images of a building. Images are captured as the picture taker moves around the building—taking a plurality (e.g., 4-16) of images from multiple angles and distances. Before capturing an image, a quality of the image may be determined to prevent low quality images from being captured or to provide instructions on how to improve the quality of the image capture. The series of captured images are uploaded to an image processing system to generate a 3D building model that is returned to the user. The returned 3D building model may incorporate scaled measurements of building architectural elements and may include a dataset of measurements for one or more architectural elements such as siding (e.g., aluminum, vinyl, wood, brick and/or paint), windows, doors or roofing.

Abstract: A method and system is provided for automatic generation and navigation of optimal views of facades of multi-dimensional building models based on where and how the original images were captured. The system and method allows for navigation and visualization of facades of individual or multiple building models in a multi-dimensional building model visualization system.