Abstract: A process for graphically guiding a user of a capture device (e.g., smartphone) to more accurately and completely capture a series of ground-level images of a building. Ground-level images are captured as the picture taker moves around the building—taking a plurality (e.g., 4-16 for an entire building) of ground level images from multiple angles and/or distances. The series of captured ground level images may be uploaded to an image processing system to create a 3D building model and returned to the user or processed locally. 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 or doors.

Abstract: A system and method is provided for identifying error and rescaling and constructing or reconstructing a multi-dimensional (e.g., 3D) building model using street-level imagery. Street-level imagery is used to identify architectural elements that have known architectural standard dimensions. Dimensional measurements of architectural elements in the multi-dimensional building model (poorly scaled) are compared with known architectural standard dimensions to rescale and construct/reconstruct an accurate multi-dimensional building model.

Abstract: A system and method is provided for measurements of building façade elements by combining ground-level (201) and orthogonal imagery (906). The measurements of the dimension of building façade elements are based on ground-level imagery that is scaled and geo-referenced using orthogonal imagery (209). The method continues by creating a tabular dataset (1002) of measurements for one or more architectural elements such as siding (e.g., aluminum, vinyl, wood, brick and/or paint), windows or doors. The tabular dataset can be part of an estimate report (1002).

Abstract: A system and method is provided for generating textured 3D building models from ground-level and orthogonal imagery. Ground-level images for the sides of building objects are collected to form a 3D dense point cloud for identification of key architectural features, corresponding key façade geometry planes, and generation of a 3D building façade geometry. Orthogonal images are correlated to the 3D building model providing a properly geo-positioned, scaled and textured 3D building model.

Abstract: A method and system is provided for automatic generation and navigation of optimal views of facades of 3D building models in an interactive three-dimensional (3D) map system. The system and method allows for navigation and visualization of facades of building models in a 3D building model visualization system through optimal views of facades.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention relate to the visualization of geographical information and the combination of image information to generate geographical information. Specifically, embodiments of the invention relate to a process and system for correlating oblique images data and terrain data without extrinsic information about the oblique imagery. Embodiments include a visualization tool to allow simultaneous and coordinated viewing of the correlated imagery. The visualization tool may also provide distance and measuring, three-dimensional lens, structure identification, path finding, visibility and similar tools to allow a user to determine distance between imaged objects.

Abstract: A system and method is provided for scaling and constructing a multi-dimensional (e.g., 3D) building model using ground-level imagery. Ground-level imagery is used to identify architectural elements that have known architectural standard dimensional ratios. Dimensional ratios of architectural elements in the multi-dimensional building model (unscaled) are compared with known architectural standard dimensional ratios to scale and construct an accurate multi-dimensional building model.

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.

Abstract: Imagery is used to identify architectural elements that have known architectural patterns. Feature sets associated with a surface and architectural elements in a building model image are compared with known architectural standards of materials to determine the surface building materials and architectural details of a textured building model. In addition, specific texture patterns can assist final material selections for a repair/replacement.

Abstract: A system and method is provided for identifying error and rescaling and constructing or reconstructing a multi-dimensional (e.g., 3D) building model using street-level imagery. Street-level imagery is used to identify architectural elements that have known architectural standard dimensions. Dimensional measurements of architectural elements in the multi-dimensional building model (poorly scaled) are compared with known architectural standard dimensions to rescale and construct/reconstruct an accurate multi-dimensional building model.

Abstract: A method and system is provided for automatic generation and navigation of optimal views of facades of 3D building models in an interactive three-dimensional (3D) map system. The system and method allows for navigation and visualization of facades of building models in a 3D building model visualization system through optimal views of facades.

Abstract: A system and method is provided for generating textured 3D building models from ground-level and orthogonal imagery. Ground-level images for the sides of building objects are collected to form a 3D dense point cloud for identification of key architectural features, corresponding key façade geometry planes, and generation of a 3D building façade geometry. Orthogonal images are correlated to the 3D building model providing a properly geo-positioned, scaled and textured 3D building model.

Abstract: A geospatially accurate 3D model of a building or collection of buildings is used to communicate any type of geo-specific information by way of uniquely recognizable visual or non-visual highlighting such as color or texture coded building visualizations on rooftops or other objects within the 3D model.

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 method of operating a three-dimensional (3D) map system including: receiving an image and a geo-location tag of the image; determining a building model for a physical building corresponding to an object captured in the image based on the geo-location tag; mapping, on a region-by-region basis, the image to a stored facade of the building model; and mapping, on a pixel-by-pixel basis, the image to the stored facade of the building model for displaying the image as a new facade of the building.

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.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention relate to the visualization of geographical information and the combination of image information to generate geographical information. Specifically, embodiments of the invention relate to a process and system for correlating oblique images data and terrain data without extrinsic information about the oblique imagery. Embodiments include a visualization tool to allow simultaneous and coordinated viewing of the correlated imagery. The visualization tool may also provide distance and measuring, three-dimensional lens, structure identification, path finding, visibility and similar tools to allow a user to determine distance between imaged objects.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention relate to the visualization of geographical information and the combination of image information to generate geographical information. Specifically, embodiments of the invention relate to a process and system for correlating oblique images data and terrain data without extrinsic information about the oblique imagery. Embodiments include a visualization tool to allow simultaneous and coordinated viewing of the correlated imagery. The visualization tool may also provide distance and measuring, three-dimensional lens, structure identification, path finding, visibility and similar tools to allow a user to determine distance between imaged objects.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention relate to the visualization of geographical information and the combination of image information to generate geographical information. Specifically, embodiments of the invention relate to a process and system for correlating oblique images data and terrain data without extrinsic information about the oblique imagery. Embodiments include a visualization tool to allow simultaneous and coordinated viewing of the correlated imagery. The visualization tool may also provide distance and measuring, three-dimensional lens, structure identification, path finding, visibility and similar tools to allow a user to determine distance between imaged objects.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention relate to the visualization of geographical information and the combination of image information to generate geographical information. Specifically, embodiments of the invention relate to a process and system for correlating oblique images data and terrain data without extrinsic information about the oblique imagery. Embodiments include a visualization tool to allow simultaneous and coordinated viewing of the correlated imagery. The visualization tool may also provide distance and measuring, three-dimensional lens, structure identification, path finding, visibility and similar tools to allow a user to determine distance between imaged objects.