IP Library Granted Patent US 10,354,441
Granted Patent B2
US 10,354,441 · App. 15/815,786 · Granted Jul 16, 2019

Augmented reality systems and methods for telecommunications site modeling

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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 10,354,441
App. No.
15/815,786
Granted
Jul 16, 2019
Kind
B2
Abstract

Systems and method for augmented reality to visualize a telecommunications site for planning, engineering, and installing equipment include creating a three-dimensional (3D) model of a virtual object representing the equipment; providing the 3D model of the virtual object to an augmented reality server; providing a virtual environment representing the telecommunications site; obtaining the virtual object from the augmented reality server; and selectively inserting the virtual object in the virtual environment for one or more of planning, engineering, and installation associated with the telecommunications site.

Claims (48)

1. A method using augmented reality to visualize a telecommunications site for planning, engineering, and installing equipment, the method comprising:

creating a three-dimensional (3D) model of a virtual object representing the equipment that includes any of a cell tower, a shelter, cell site components on the cell tower, antennas, cabinets, small cell equipment, power equipment, and batteries;

providing the 3D model of the virtual object to an augmented reality server;

providing a virtual environment representing the telecommunications site that already exists;

obtaining the virtual object from the augmented reality server; and

selectively inserting the virtual object in the virtual environment for one or more of planning, engineering, and installation associated with the telecommunications site including any of determining cable lengths, component dimensions, component placement options, rack placement, and construction approval.

2. The method of claim 1 , wherein the 3D model is created through steps of:

obtaining data capture of a particular object for the virtual object;

processing the captured data to create a 3D point cloud and generating a 3D mesh object; and

providing multiple files to represent the 3D model to the augmented reality server.

3. The method of claim 2 , wherein the data capture is via an Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV).

4. The method of claim 2 , wherein the captured data is processed by editing one or more of the 3D point cloud and the 3D mesh object.

5. The method of claim 2 , wherein the multiple files comprise an object file, a material library file, and a texture file.

6. The method of claim 1 , wherein the 3D model is created through steps of:

creating the virtual object utilizing Computer Aided Design (CAD) software.

7. The method of claim 1 , wherein the virtual environment is provided via a Web browser and the virtual object is selected and virtually inserted in the Web browser.

8. The method of claim 1 , wherein the virtual environment is provided via a camera on a mobile device and the virtual object is selected and placed in the camera field of view.

9. A server configured for augmented reality to visualize a telecommunications site for planning, engineering, and installing equipment, 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

create a three-dimensional (3D) model of a virtual object representing the equipment that includes any of a cell tower, a shelter, cell site components on the cell tower, antennas, cabinets, small cell equipment, power equipment, and batteries;

provide the 3D model of the virtual object to an augmented reality server;

provide a virtual environment representing the telecommunications site that already exists;

obtain the virtual object from the augmented reality server; and

selectively insert the virtual object in the virtual environment for one or more of planning, engineering, and installation associated with the telecommunications site including any of determining cable lengths, component dimensions, component placement options, rack placement, and construction approval.

10. The server of claim 9 , wherein the 3D model is created through instructions that, when executed, cause the processor to:

obtain data capture of a particular object for the virtual object;

process the captured data to create a 3D point cloud and generating a 3D mesh object; and

provide multiple files to represent the 3D model to the augmented reality server.

11. The server of claim 10 , wherein the data capture is via an Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV).

12. The server of claim 10 , wherein the captured data is processed by editing one or more of the 3D point cloud and the 3D mesh object.

13. The server of claim 10 , wherein the multiple files comprise an object file, a material library file, and a texture file.

14. The server of claim 9 , wherein the 3D model is created through instructions that, when executed, cause the processor to:

create the virtual object utilizing Computer Aided Design (CAD) software.

15. The server of claim 9 , wherein the virtual environment is provided via a Web browser and the virtual object is selected and virtually inserted in the Web browser.

16. The server of claim 9 , wherein the virtual environment is provided via a camera on a mobile device and the virtual object is selected and placed in the camera field of view.

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

creating a three-dimensional (3D) model of a virtual object representing the equipment that includes any of a cell tower, a shelter, cell site components on the cell tower, antennas, cabinets, small cell equipment, power equipment, and batteries;

providing the 3D model of the virtual object to an augmented reality server;

providing a virtual environment representing the telecommunications site that already exists;

obtaining the virtual object from the augmented reality server; and

selectively inserting the virtual object in the virtual environment for one or more of planning, engineering, and installation associated with the telecommunications site including any of determining cable lengths, component dimensions, component placement options, rack placement, and construction approval.

18. The non-transitory computer readable medium of claim 17 , wherein the 3D model is created through steps of:

obtaining data capture of a particular object for the virtual object;

processing the captured data to create a 3D point cloud and generating a 3D mesh object; and

providing multiple files to represent the 3D model to the augmented reality server.

19. The non-transitory computer readable medium of claim 18 , wherein the captured data is processed by editing one or more of the 3D point cloud and the 3D mesh object.

20. The non-transitory computer readable medium of claim 18 , wherein the multiple files comprise an object file, a material library file, and a texture file.

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 Nov 17, 2017
From: GODWIN, JOSHUA; TERRY, CHARLIE; PRIEST, LEE
To: ETAK SYSTEMS, LLC
Reel/Frame 044157/0962 →
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