IP Library Granted Patent US 8,531,472
Granted Patent B2
US 8,531,472 · App. 11/998,974 · Granted Sep 10, 2013

Systems and methods for rapid three-dimensional modeling with real façade texture

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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 8,531,472
App. No.
11/998,974
Granted
Sep 10, 2013
Kind
B2
Abstract

Methods are described for automatically generating a three-dimensional model of a structure including real façade textures obtained from geo-referenced oblique images. The geographical position of at least one real façade texture is located. Geo-referenced images containing the real façade texture are located. A base image having the real façade texture is selected from the geo-referenced images by analyzing image raster content. The real façade texture of the base image is applied to the three-dimensional model. Systems for generating the three-dimensional model are also described herein.

Claims (44)

1. A method for automatically generating a three-dimensional model of a structure including real façade textures obtained from geo-referenced oblique images, comprising the steps of:

using a computer system to perform the steps of:

analyzing wire-frame data of the three-dimensional model of the structure to locate geographical positions of at least one real façade texture of the structure;

for each of plural geographical positions:

locating multiple oblique images containing the real façade texture of the structure for the geographical position;

selecting a base oblique image from the multiple oblique images by analyzing, with selection logic, image raster content of the real façade texture of the multiple oblique images, the selection logic using factorial analysis of the image raster content; and,

applying the real façade texture of the base oblique image to the three-dimensional model.

2. The method of claim 1 , further comprising the steps of:

using the computer system to perform the steps of:

analyzing the real façade texture to locate geographical positions of at least one occlusion;

locating at least one oblique image having an unoccluded image characteristic of the occlusion in the real façade texture; and,

applying the unoccluded image characteristic to the real façade texture forming a mosaic image.

3. The method of claim 2 , wherein the occlusion is located using pixel pattern recognition of the real façade texture.

4. The method of claim 2 , wherein the oblique images are geo-referenced solved oblique images.

5. The method of claim 2 , further comprising the step of removing the occlusion from the real façade texture.

6. The method of claim 1 , further comprising the step of extracting the real façade texture from the base oblique image, the real façade texture having geo-referenced information.

7. The method of claim 1 , further comprising the steps of:

using the computer system to perform the steps of:

analyzing wire-frame data to locate the geographical position of a roof of the structure;

locating images containing the roof;

selecting a base image from the images containing the roof by analyzing image raster content; and,

applying the roof to the three-dimensional model.

8. The method of claim 7 , wherein the images containing the roof are nadir images.

9. The method of claim 7 , wherein the images containing the roof are oblique images.

10. The method of claim 7 , wherein the images containing the roof are nadir images and oblique images.

11. The method of claim 7 , wherein the base image contains a greater proportion of pixels associated with the roof as compared with other oblique images.

12. The method of claim 1 , wherein the oblique images are geo-referenced solved oblique images.

13. The method of claim 1 , further comprising the step of correcting misalignment of the real façade texture.

14. The method of claim 13 , wherein the misalignment is corrected using an edge-detection algorithm.

15. The method of claim 1 , further comprising the step of aligning the real façade texture to the wire-frame data of the three-dimensional model.

16. The method of claim 1 , further comprising the step of aligning the wire-frame data to the façade.

17. A method for automatically generating a three-dimensional model of structures including real façade textures obtained from geo-referenced aerial oblique images, comprising the steps of:

using a computer system to perform the steps of:

analyzing wire-frame data to locate geographical positions of real façade textures of the structures within a geographical area;

choosing an oblique image showing the real façade texture, comprising the steps of:

for each of plural geographical positions:

locating multiple oblique images containing the real façade texture of the structure for the geographical position;

selecting a base oblique image from the multiple oblique images by analyzing, with selection logic, image raster content of the real façade texture of the multiple oblique images, the selection logic using factorial analysis of the image raster content; and,

applying the real façade texture of the base oblique image to the three-dimensional model;

identifying an occlusion within the part of the real façade texture;

automatically correcting the occlusion within the part of the real façade texture by the steps of:

determining a geographical position of the occlusion;

locating at least one image having an unoccluded image characteristic; and

applying the unoccluded image characteristic to the real façade texture to form a mosaic image.

Assignments (14)
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Apr 14, 2025
From: HPS INVESTMENT PARTNERS, LLC
To: PICTOMETRY INTERNATIONAL CORP.
Reel/Frame 070828/0266 →
RELEASE OF FIRST LIEN SECURITY INTEREST IN PATENTS Recorded Apr 9, 2025
From: MORGAN STANLEY SENIOR FUNDING, INC.
To: PICTOMETRY INTERNATIONAL CORP.; EAGLE VIEW TECHNOLOGIES, INC.; OMNIEARTH, INC.
Reel/Frame 070786/0022 →
FIRST LIEN SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded Mar 28, 2025
From: EAGLE VIEW TECHNOLOGIES, INC.; PICTOMETRY INTERNATIONAL CORP.
To: MORGAN STANLEY SENIOR FUNDING, INC.
Reel/Frame 070671/0078 →
RELEASE OF FIRST LIEN SECURITY INTEREST IN PATENTS Recorded Aug 29, 2018
From: MORGAN STANLEY SENIOR FUNDING, INC., AS COLLATERAL AGENT
To: PICTOMETRY INTERNATIONAL CORP.; EAGLE VIEW TECHNOLOGIES, INC.; OMNIEARTH, INC.
Reel/Frame 046970/0875 →
FIRST LIEN PATENT SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded Aug 23, 2018
From: PICTOMETRY INTERNATIONAL CORP.
To: MORGAN STANLEY SENIOR FUNDING, INC., AS COLLATERAL AGENT
Reel/Frame 046919/0065 →
SECOND LIEN PATENT SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded Aug 14, 2018
From: PICTOMETRY INTERNATIONAL CORP.
To: HPS INVESTMENT PARTNERS, LLC,
Reel/Frame 046823/0755 →
RELEASE OF SECOND LIEN SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Sep 22, 2017
From: MORGAN STANLEY SENIOR FUNDING, INC.
To: PICTOMETRY INTERNATIONAL CORP.; EAGLE VIEW TECHNOLOGIES, INC.; OMNIEARTH, INC.
Reel/Frame 043955/0128 →
SECOND LIEN PATENT SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded Jul 20, 2015
From: PICTOMETRY INTERNATIONAL CORP.; EAGLE VIEW TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
To: MORGAN STANLEY SENIOR FUNDING, INC.
Reel/Frame 036130/0873 →
FIRST LIEN PATENT SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded Jul 20, 2015
From: PICTOMETRY INTERNATIONAL CORP.; EAGLE VIEW TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
To: MORGAN STANLEY SENIOR FUNDING, INC.
Reel/Frame 036130/0899 →
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Jul 2, 2015
From: JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, N.A.
To: PICTOMETRY INTERNATIONAL CORPORATION
Reel/Frame 035972/0938 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Jan 9, 2014
From: IDAN COMPUTERS ENGINEERING (1979) LTD.
To: PICTOMETRY INTERNATIONAL CORP.
Reel/Frame 031929/0343 →
NOTICE OF SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Jan 21, 2011
From: PICTOMETRY INTERNATIONAL CORP.
To: JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, N.A.
Reel/Frame 025674/0723 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Jun 26, 2008
From: IDAN COMPUTER ENGINEERING (1979) LTD.
To: PICTOMETRY INTERNATIONAL CORPORATION
Reel/Frame 021154/0704 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Jun 24, 2008
From: FREUND, JOSEPH G.; GAL, RAN
To: IDAN COMPUTER ENGINEERING (1979) LTD.
Reel/Frame 021141/0935 →