IP Library Granted Patent US 10,334,164
Granted Patent B2
US 10,334,164 · App. 15/675,930 · Granted Jun 25, 2019

Virtual 360-degree view of a telecommunications site

View Patent ↗
Loading inventors, assignments & file history…
Monitor This Case
Get email alerts when status or documents change.
Order Certified Copies
Most orders are placed with the USPTO same day — all within 24 business hours.
Order via The Patent Place →
Pre-filled with this patent's details
Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 10,334,164
App. No.
15/675,930
Granted
Jun 25, 2019
Kind
B2
Abstract

Systems and method for creating and utilizing a virtual 360-degree view of a telecommunications site include capturing first data of a 360-degree view at multiple points around the telecommunications site; capturing second data of a 360-degree view at aerial points above the telecommunications site; capturing third data of a 360-degree view inside a shelter or cabinet at the telecommunications site, wherein each of the first data, second data, and third data comprise one or more of photos and video; stitching the first data, the second data, and the third data together with links to create a virtual 360-degree view environment of the telecommunications site, wherein the links enable virtual navigation about the telecommunications site; and displaying the virtual 360-degree view environment to a viewer over a network and adjusting the virtual 360-degree view environment based on commands received from the viewer.

Claims (40)

1. A method for creating and utilizing a virtual 360-degree view of a telecommunications site, the method comprising:

capturing a first set of image data depicting 360-degree views at multiple points of a ground-level area around the telecommunications site, the first set of image data captured at approximately eye-level of a human standing at the ground-level area;

capturing a second set of image data depicting 360-degree views at multiple aerial points of a cell tower and cellular components above the ground-level area of the telecommunications site;

capturing a third set of image data depicting 360-degree views inside a shelter or cabinet at the telecommunications site, wherein each of the first set of image data, the second set of image data, and the third set of image data comprises one or more of photos and video;

stitching the first set of image data, the second set of image data, and the third set of image data together with links to create a virtual 360-degree view environment of the telecommunications site, wherein the links enable virtual navigation about the telecommunications site; and

displaying the virtual 360-degree view environment to a viewer over a network and adjusting the virtual 360-degree view environment based on commands received from the viewer.

2. The method of claim 1 , wherein the telecommunications site comprises a cell site, the first and third sets of image data are captured via a human-operated image capture device, and the second set of image data is captured via an Unmanned Aerial Vehicle.

3. The method of claim 1 , wherein each of the first set of image data, the second set of image data, and the third set of image data is captured using a 360-degree camera.

4. The method of claim 1 , wherein the commands comprise navigation to different locations about the telecommunications site to view details of specific objects at the telecommunications site.

5. The method of claim 4 , wherein viewing the details of specific objects is further based on information icons in the virtual 360-degree view environment.

6. The method of claim 5 , wherein viewing the details of the specific objects further comprises enabling a user to click on the information icons to reveal additional information about the specific objects.

7. The method of claim 1 , wherein the commands comprise zooming into a specific object of interest at the telecommunications site.

8. The method of claim 1 , wherein the step of capturing the first set of image data comprises taking photos or video at each corner of surrounding geography of the ground-level area at the telecommunications site.

9. A server for creating and utilizing a virtual 360-degree view of a telecommunications site, the server comprising:

a network interface and a processor communicatively coupled to one another; and

memory storing instructions that, when executed, cause the processor to:

obtain a first set of image data depicting 360-degree views at multiple points of a ground-level area around the telecommunications site, the first set of image data captured at approximately eye-level of a human standing at the ground-level area;

obtain a second set of image data depicting 360-degree views at multiple aerial points of a cell tower and cellular components above the ground-level area of the telecommunications site;

obtain a third set of image data depicting 360-degree views inside a shelter or cabinet at the telecommunications site, wherein each of the first set of image data, the second set of image data, and the third set of image data comprises one or more of photos and video;

stitch the first set of image data, the second set of image data, and the third set of image data together with links to create a virtual 360-degree view environment of the telecommunications site, wherein the links enable virtual navigation about the telecommunications site; and

display the virtual 360-degree view environment to a viewer over a network and adjust the virtual 360-degree view environment based on commands received from the viewer.

10. The server of claim 9 , wherein the telecommunications site comprises a cell site, the first and third sets of image data are captured via a human-operated image capture device, and the second set of image data is captured via an Unmanned Aerial Vehicle.

11. The server of claim 9 , wherein each of the first set of image data, the second set of image data, and the third set of image data is captured using a 360-degree camera.

12. The server of claim 9 , wherein the commands comprise navigation to different locations about the telecommunications site to view details of specific objects at the telecommunications site.

13. The server of claim 12 , wherein viewing the details of specific objects is further based on information icons in the virtual 360-degree view environment.

14. The server of claim 9 , wherein the commands comprise zooming into a specific object of interest at the telecommunications site.

15. The server of claim 9 , wherein the instructions causing the processor to obtain the first set of image data comprises an instruction to obtain photos or video captured at each corner of surrounding geography of the ground-level area at the telecommunications site.

16. The server of claim 9 , wherein the instructions causing the processor to display the virtual 360-degree view environment further comprises an instruction to cause the processor to depict doors of equipment inside the shelter or cabinet in an opened state and in a closed state.

17. A non-transitory computer readable medium includes instructions that, when executed, cause one or more processors to perform the steps of:

obtaining a first set of image data depicting 360-degree views at multiple points of a ground-level area around the telecommunications site, the first set of image data captured at approximately eye-level of a human standing at the ground-level area;

obtaining a second set of image data depicting 360-degree views at multiple aerial points of a cell tower and cellular components above the ground-level area of the telecommunications site;

obtaining a third set of image data depicting 360-degree views inside a shelter or cabinet at the telecommunications site, wherein each of the first set of image data, the second set of image data, and the third set of image data comprises one or more of photos and video;

stitching the first set of image data, the second set of image data, and the third set of image data together with links to create a virtual 360-degree view environment of the telecommunications site, wherein the links enable virtual navigation about the telecommunications site; and

displaying the virtual 360-degree view environment to a viewer over a network and adjusting the virtual 360-degree view environment based on commands received from the viewer.

18. The non-transitory computer readable medium of claim 17 , wherein the instructions causing the one or more processors to display the virtual 360-degree view environment further comprises an instruction to cause the one or more processors to depict doors of equipment inside the shelter or cabinet in an opened state and in a closed state.

19. The non-transitory computer readable medium of claim 17 , wherein the first set of image data captured at approximately eye-level depict one or more gates, walking paths, ground points around the base of the cell tower, areas between the cell tower and shelter or cabinet, and one or more doors into the shelter or cabinet.

20. The non-transitory computer readable medium of claim 17 , wherein:

the commands comprise navigation to different locations about the telecommunications site to view details of specific objects at the telecommunications site;

viewing the details of specific objects is based on information icons in the virtual 360-degree view environment; and

viewing the details of the specific objects further comprises enabling a user to click on the information icons to reveal additional information about the specific objects.

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 Aug 14, 2017
From: TERRY, CHARLIE; GODWIN, JOSHUA; BATES, JORDAN; PRIEST, LEE
To: ETAK SYSTEMS, LLC
Reel/Frame 043279/0443 →
Cited By (11)
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 12,570,401 US 12,573,287 US 12,686,135 US 12,691,590 US 12,697,735