IP Library Granted Patent US 10,475,239
Granted Patent B1
US 10,475,239 · App. 15/440,737 · Granted Nov 12, 2019

Systems and methods for obtaining accurate 3D modeling data with a multiple camera apparatus

Inventor: Lee Priest (Charlotte, NC)
Assignee: ETAK Systems, LLC
G06T17/05B64C39/024B64D47/08G03B15/006H04L41/145H04N7/181H04W88/08B64C2201/127B64C2201/141B64C2201/146
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 10,475,239
App. No.
15/440,737
Granted
Nov 12, 2019
Kind
B1
Abstract

Systems and methods for obtaining data capture at a cell site for developing a three dimensional (3D) thereof include obtaining or providing the multiple camera apparatus comprising a plurality of cameras at a shelter, a cabinet, or an interior of a building and positioning the multiple camera apparatus therein; causing the plurality of cameras to simultaneously take photos based on the positioning; repositioning the multiple camera apparatus at a different location in the shelter, the cabinet, or the interior of the building to take additional photos; and providing the photos taken by the multiple camera apparatus to a 3D modeling system to develop a 3D model of the shelter, the cabinet, or the interior of the building, for a virtual site survey thereof.

Claims (40)

1. A method for obtaining image data at a cell site for developing a three dimensional (3D) model thereof, the method comprising the steps of:

obtaining or providing a multiple camera apparatus at a cell site having a cell tower configured for cellular communication, the cell site including a shelter, a cabinet, or a building configured to house cellular equipment electrically connected to the cell tower, the multiple camera apparatus including a plurality of cameras fixedly oriented with respect to each other for obtaining a different view, zoom, and/or angle;

positioning the multiple camera apparatus at a first position within an interior of the shelter, cabinet, or building;

causing the plurality of cameras of the multiple camera apparatus to simultaneously take a plurality of photos of portions of the cellular equipment based on the positioning of the multiple camera apparatus at the first position;

repositioning the multiple camera apparatus at a second position within the interior of the shelter, cabinet, or building, the second position being different from the first position;

causing the plurality of cameras of the multiple camera apparatus to simultaneously take a plurality of additional photos of portions of the cellular equipment based on the positioning of the multiple camera apparatus at the second position;

providing the photos taken by the multiple camera apparatus at the first and second positions to a 3D modeling system to develop a 3D model of the interior of the shelter, cabinet, or building; and

remotely performing a virtual site survey of the cell site with the 3D model.

2. The method of claim 1 , wherein the step of repositioning comprises the step of moving the multiple camera apparatus to each corner within the interior of the shelter, cabinet, or building.

3. The method of claim 1 , wherein the step of repositioning comprises the step of moving the multiple camera apparatus to each row of the cellular equipment within the interior of the shelter, cabinet, or building.

4. The method of claim 1 , wherein the multiple camera apparatus comprises a pole with the plurality of cameras disposed thereon, each of the plurality of cameras configured for a different view.

5. The method of claim 1 , wherein the plurality of cameras are communicatively coupled to a control unit configured for causing the plurality of cameras to take photos.

6. The method of claim 1 , wherein the plurality of cameras are communicatively coupled to a control unit configured for providing the photos and additional photos to the 3D modeling system.

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

analyzing the photos subsequent to the step of repositioning; and

determining whether the photos are suitable for the 3D model, and responsive to the photos not being suitable for the 3D model, instructing a user to retake the photos which are not suitable.

8. The method of claim 1 , further comprising the step of:

combining the photos of the shelter, cabinet, or building with photos of the cell tower at the cell site, to form a 3D model of the cell site.

9. The method of claim 1 , further comprising the step of:

performing a virtual site survey of the cell site using the 3D model.

10. The method of claim 1 , wherein the step of repositioning is based on a review of the photos taken at the first position.

11. A method for obtaining image data at a cell site for developing a three dimensional (3D) model thereof, the method comprising the steps of:

obtaining or providing a multiple camera apparatus at a cell site having a cell tower configured for cellular communication, the cell site including a shelter, a cabinet, or a building configured to house cellular equipment electrically connected to the cell tower, the multiple camera apparatus including a plurality of cameras fixedly oriented with respect to each other for obtaining different views, zooms, and/or angles;

positioning the multiple camera apparatus at a first position within an interior of the shelter, cabinet, or building;

causing the plurality of cameras to simultaneously take a plurality of photos of portions of the cellular equipment based on the positioning of the multiple camera apparatus at the first position;

repositioning the multiple camera apparatus at a second position within the interior of the shelter, cabinet, or building, the second position being different from the first position;

causing the plurality of cameras to simultaneously take a plurality of additional photos of portions of the cellular equipment based on the positioning of the multiple camera apparatus at the second position;

obtaining exterior photos of the cell tower by an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV), wherein the cell tower is connected to the shelter, cabinet, or building;

providing the photos of the portions of the cellular equipment taken by the multiple camera apparatus and the exterior photos of the cell tower taken by the UAV to a 3D modeling system to develop a 3D model of the cell site; and

remotely performing a virtual site survey of the cell site with the 3D model.

12. The method of claim 11 , wherein the step of repositioning comprises the step of moving the multiple camera apparatus to each corner within the interior of the shelter, cabinet, or building.

13. The method of claim 11 , wherein the step of repositioning comprises the step of moving the multiple camera apparatus to each row of the cellular equipment within the interior of the shelter, cabinet, or building.

14. The method of claim 11 , wherein the multiple camera apparatus comprises a pole with the plurality of cameras disposed thereon, each of the plurality of cameras configured for a different view.

15. The method of claim 11 , wherein the plurality of cameras are communicatively coupled to a control unit configured for causing the plurality of cameras to take photos.

16. The method of claim 11 , wherein the plurality of cameras are communicatively coupled to a control unit configured for providing the photos, additional photos, and exterior photos to the 3D modeling system.

17. The method of claim 11 , further comprising the steps of:

analyzing the photos subsequent to the step of repositioning; and

determining whether the photos are suitable for the 3D model, and responsive to the photos not being suitable for the 3D model, instructing a user to retake the photos which are not suitable.

18. The method of claim 11 , further comprising the step of:

combining the photos of the shelter, cabinet, or building with photos of the cell tower, to form a 3D model of the cell site.

Assignments (4)
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Mar 24, 2026
From: KEYBANK NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, AS AGENT
To: ETAK SYSTEMS, LLC
Reel/Frame 074818/0664 →
PATENT SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded Mar 20, 2026
From: ETAK SYSTEMS, LLC
To: AQUARIAN CREDIT FUNDING LLC, AS ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT AND COLLATERAL AGENT
Reel/Frame 075246/0859 →
PATENT SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded Apr 22, 2021
From: ETAK SYSTEMS, LLC
To: KEYBANK NATIONAL ASSOCIATION
Reel/Frame 056003/0641 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Feb 23, 2017
From: PRIEST, LEE
To: ETAK SYSTEMS, LLC
Reel/Frame 041360/0680 →
Cited By (14)
US 12,307,908 US 12,430,850 US 12,461,505 US 12,462,668 US 12,485,551 US 12,491,643 US 12,491,992 US 12,536,793 US 12,570,401 US 12,573,287 US 12,686,135 US 12,691,590 US 12,697,735 US 12,700,298