Patents by Inventor Dale R. Thornberry

Dale R. Thornberry has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Publication number: 20240144403
    Abstract: Methods and systems for roof estimations are disclosed, including a method comprising analyzing, with a computer processor, pixels of at least two images of the roof taken from different perspectives a roof having a plurality of roof portions, the at least two images taken from different perspectives, at least one of the images being an oblique image; determining, based on the analysis of the pixels, a footprint of the roof, comprising an outer boundary of the roof, utilizing two-dimensional or three-dimensional information regarding edges of the roof to determine line segments of the footprint; and a predominant pitch of the roof; determining an estimated roofing area of the roof based on the predominant pitch and the footprint of the roof; and generating a roof report, wherein the roof report includes at least one image showing the roof and the estimated roofing area of the roof.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 15, 2023
    Publication date: May 2, 2024
    Inventors: Chris T. Thornberry, Dale R. Thornberry
  • Publication number: 20210341285
    Abstract: The present disclosure describes systems and processes, including a computer process, comprising: determining, with one or more computer processors, attributes of a roof of a real-world three-dimensional building by: creating, with the one or more computer processors, a first electronic line drawing of a first plane of a roof of a building in a first drawing layer overlaid on an image depicting the roof of the building; creating, with the one or more computer processors, a second electronic line drawing of a second plane of the roof of the building in a second drawing layer on the image depicting the roof of the building, the first electronic line drawing and the second electronic line drawing having one or more overlapping lines; and assigning, with the one or more computer processors, one or more non-dimensional attributes to the overlapping lines, the non-dimensional attributes identifying one or more types of roof structures.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 12, 2021
    Publication date: November 4, 2021
    Inventors: Dale R. Thornberry, Chris T. Thornberry, Mark F. Garringer
  • Publication number: 20210232988
    Abstract: Using remote image acquisition, image processing, and computational systems and methods, it has become possible to obtain actual building dimensions that can be used to generate construction estimates for repairing or maintaining buildings. For example, actual roof dimensions can be used to provide a computer-based estimate of materials and/or materials overage needed. Instead of simply applying a generic overage percentage based on roof shape, a computer-based approach can take into account cut lines as a percentage of total roof area. The resulting computer-generated estimate is shown to be more accurate, less expensive, and faster than using a human on-site estimator.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 1, 2021
    Publication date: July 29, 2021
    Inventors: Dale R. Thornberry, Christopher T. Thornberry, Thom S. Salter
  • Patent number: 11060857
    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. Subsequent to receiving the user-acceptance confirming the designation of the building roof structure location, a report of the roof structure is provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 2020
    Date of Patent: July 13, 2021
    Assignee: Pictometry International Corp.
    Inventors: Dale R. Thornberry, Chris T. Thornberry, Mark F. Garringer
  • Patent number: 10909482
    Abstract: Using remote image acquisition, image processing, and computational systems and methods, it has become possible to obtain actual building dimensions that can be used to generate construction estimates for repairing or maintaining buildings. For example, actual roof dimensions can be used to provide a computer-based estimate of materials and/or materials overage needed. Instead of simply applying a generic overage percentage based on roof shape, a computer-based approach can take into account cut lines as a percentage of total roof area. The resulting computer-generated estimate is shown to be more accurate, less expensive, and faster than using a human on-site estimator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 2, 2021
    Assignee: Pictometry International Corp.
    Inventors: Dale R. Thornberry, Christopher T. Thornberry, Thom S. Salter
  • Publication number: 20200386543
    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. Subsequent to receiving the user-acceptance confirming the designation of the building roof structure location, a report of the roof structure is provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 11, 2020
    Publication date: December 10, 2020
    Inventors: Dale R. Thornberry, Chris T. Thornberry, Mark F. Garringer
  • Patent number: 10648800
    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. Subsequent to receiving the user-acceptance confirming the designation of the building roof structure location, a report of the roof structure is provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 12, 2020
    Assignee: Pictometry International Corp.
    Inventors: Dale R. Thornberry, Chris T. Thornberry, Mark F. Garringer
  • Publication number: 20200003554
    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. Subsequent to receiving the user-acceptance confirming the designation of the building roof structure location, a report of the roof structure is provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 1, 2019
    Publication date: January 2, 2020
    Inventors: Dale R. Thornberry, Chris T. Thornberry, Mark F. Garringer
  • Publication number: 20190325539
    Abstract: Methods and systems for roof estimations are disclosed, including a method comprising analyzing, with a computer processor, pixels of at least two images of the roof taken from different perspectives a roof having a plurality of roof portions, the at least two images taken from different perspectives, at least one of the images being an oblique image; determining, based on the analysis of the pixels, a footprint of the roof, comprising an outer boundary of the roof, utilizing two-dimensional or three-dimensional information regarding edges of the roof to determine line segments of the footprint; and a predominant pitch of the roof; determining an estimated roofing area of the roof based on the predominant pitch and the footprint of the roof; and generating a roof report, wherein the roof report includes at least one image showing the roof and the estimated roofing area of the roof.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 3, 2019
    Publication date: October 24, 2019
    Inventors: Chris T. Thornberry, Dale R. Thornberry
  • Patent number: 10346935
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 9, 2019
    Assignee: Pictometry International Corp.
    Inventors: Chris T. Thornberry, Dale R. Thornberry
  • Patent number: 10197391
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 5, 2019
    Assignee: Pictometry International Corp.
    Inventors: Dale R. Thornberry, Chris T. Thornberry, Mark F. Garringer
  • Publication number: 20180224271
    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.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 2, 2018
    Publication date: August 9, 2018
    Inventors: Dale R. Thornberry, Chris T. Thornberry, Mark F. Garringer
  • Patent number: 9933254
    Abstract: Processes and systems including providing at least one computer input field for a user to input location data generally corresponding to the location of the building; providing visual access to a first aerial image of a region including a roof structure of a building corresponding to said location data, the first aerial image having a first resolution; providing a computer input capable of signaling user-acceptance of a final location within the aerial image; and providing visual access to one or more second aerial images of an aerial imagery database corresponding to location coordinates of the final location, the one or more second aerial images having a second resolution that is higher resolution than the first resolution.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2018
    Assignee: Pictometry International Corp.
    Inventors: Dale R. Thornberry, Chris T. Thornberry, Mark F. Garringer
  • Publication number: 20180075550
    Abstract: One form of the present application is directed to a terminal in communication with at least one server via an Internet based communication network, wherein the terminal is associated with a user, and wherein the terminal is structured to execute an estimation and visualization application which, when executed: receives client contact information and a work description, receives a set of measurements for the work to be performed, retrieves at least one photograph depicting a portion of the structure on which exterior work is to be performed, generates a visualization depicting the structure as it will appear after the work is performed thereon, and generates a cost estimate of work to be performed, based at least in part on the work description and the measurements.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 11, 2017
    Publication date: March 15, 2018
    Applicant: Remote Sales Force, LLC
    Inventors: Christopher T. Thornberry, Mark F. Garringer, Dale R. Thornberry, Michael J. Damora
  • Publication number: 20170018095
    Abstract: Processes and systems including providing at least one computer input field for a user to input location data generally corresponding to the location of the building; providing visual access to a first aerial image of a region including a roof structure of a building corresponding to said location data, the first aerial image having a first resolution; providing a computer input capable of signaling user-acceptance of a final location within the aerial image; and providing visual access to one or more second aerial images of an aerial imagery database corresponding to location coordinates of the final location, the one or more second aerial images having a second resolution that is higher resolution than the first resolution.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 25, 2016
    Publication date: January 19, 2017
    Inventors: Dale R. Thornberry, Chris T. Thornberry, Mark F. Garringer
  • Patent number: 9329749
    Abstract: The present disclosure shows creating a first layer and a second layer, in computer memory and substantially overlapping at least a segment of line from said first layer with at least a segment of another line from said second layer. A first non-dimensional attribute is different from said second non-dimensional attribute of the two lines. A user length field enabling a client with said interactive file to override at least one of said length numeric values, where said area operator may automatically recalculate area based on said length field override is shown. Also, providing a visual marker that is moveable on said computer monitor around said aerial imagery region, which may be moved, to more precisely identify the location of the building roof structure is shown.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2016
    Assignee: Pictometry International Corp.
    Inventors: Dale R. Thornberry, Chris T. Thornberry, Mark F. Garringer
  • Publication number: 20160063654
    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.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 6, 2015
    Publication date: March 3, 2016
    Inventors: Chris T. Thornberry, Dale R. Thornberry
  • Patent number: 9244589
    Abstract: Processes and systems are disclosed for determining attributes of a roof structure of real-world three-dimensional building(s), including providing computer input field(s) for a user to input location data generally corresponding to the location of the building, providing visual access to a nadir image of a region including the roof structure of the building; on the nadir image of the region, providing a visual marker that is moveable on the computer monitor around the region, the visual marker initially corresponding to the location data but which may be moved to a final location, having location coordinates, on top of the building to more precisely identify the location of the building roof structure; providing a computer input capable of signaling user-acceptance of the final location of the marker; and, providing visual access to one or more oblique images of an aerial imagery database corresponding to location coordinates of the final location.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 5, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 26, 2016
    Assignee: Pictometry International Corp.
    Inventors: Dale R. Thornberry, Chris T. Thornberry, Mark F. Garringer
  • Patent number: 9183538
    Abstract: A set of instructions stored on one or more computer readable medium for running on one or more computer systems is described herein. The set of instructions generally may include instructions for identifying a geographic location of a roof, instructions for determining contact information of one or more contractors within a region of interest of the geographic location of the roof, instructions for determining a footprint of the roof, instructions for determining predominant pitch of the roof, and/or instructions for determining an estimated roofing area based on the predominant pitch and the footprint of the roof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 10, 2015
    Assignee: Pictometry International Corp.
    Inventors: Chris T. Thornberry, Dale R. Thornberry
  • Patent number: 8938090
    Abstract: The present disclosure shows creating a first layer and a second layer, in computer memory and substantially overlapping at least a segment of line from said first layer with at least a segment of another line from said second layer. A first non-dimensional attribute is different from said second non-dimensional attribute of the two lines. A user length field enabling a client with said interactive file to override at least one of said length numeric values, where said area operator may automatically recalculate area based on said length field override is shown. Also, providing a visual marker that is moveable on said computer monitor around said aerial imagery region, which may be moved, to more precisely identify the location of the building roof structure is shown.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 20, 2015
    Assignee: Picometry International Corp.
    Inventors: Dale R. Thornberry, Chris T. Thornberry, Mark F. Garringer