Determining transceiver height
View Patent ↗An electronic device that determines a height of a transceiver in a structure is described. During operation, the electronic device acquires an image of the structure. Then, the electronic device receives user-input information that specifies lines on the surface of the structure, and receives second user-input information that specifies an approximate vertical location on an exterior of the structure of a transceiver in the structure. Moreover, the electronic device obtains a second image from above the structure from an imaging service, and receives third user-input information that specifies at least one of the lines on the surface in the second image. Next, the electronic device provides information to the imaging service, and in response receives a distance between end points of at least one of the lines. Furthermore, the electronic device provides second information to a computer, and in response receives the determined height of the transceiver.
1. A method for determining a height of a transceiver in a structure, comprising:
by an electronic device:
acquiring an image of a surface of the structure;
displaying the image;
receiving user-input information that specifies a first line and a second line on the surface of the structure, wherein the first line and the second line are vertically offset from each other;
receiving second user-input information that specifies an approximate vertical location on an exterior of the structure of the transceiver in the structure;
providing, to an output node of the electronic device, a query for a second image of the structure;
receiving, from an input node of the electronic device, the second image, wherein the second image includes a view of the structure from a position above the structure;
displaying the second image;
receiving third user-input information that specifies at least one of the first line and the second line on the surface in the second image;
providing, to the output node and based on the third user-input information, information that specifies at least locations of end points of at least one of the first line and the second line;
receiving, from the input node, a distance between the end points;
providing, to the output node, the distance, the approximate vertical location and a geometry of the first line and a second line; and
receiving, from the input node, the determined height of the transceiver.
2. The method of claim 1 , wherein the method further comprises transmitting, to the output node, the determined height for the transceiver.
3. The method of claim 1 , wherein the first line and the second line are horizontal lines with slopes of zero.
4. The method of claim 1 , wherein pairs of end points of the first line and the second line are vertically aligned.
5. The method of claim 1 , wherein the image includes a two-dimensional view of the structure.
6. The method of claim 1 , wherein the view includes an oblique perspective of the structure that includes two surfaces of the structure.
7. The method of claim 1 , wherein the first line and the second line at least partially overlap in the second image.
8. The method of claim 1 , wherein the query includes a location of the structure.
9. The method of claim 1 , wherein the height has an uncertainty that is less than a predefined value.
10. An electronic device, comprising:
an imaging sensor configured to acquire an image;
an interface circuit configured to communicate with other electronic devices;
a display configured to display information;
a processor coupled to the imaging sensor, the interface circuit, the display and memory; and
the memory configured to store a program module, wherein, when executed by the processor, the program module causes the electronic device to:
acquire, using the imaging sensor, an image of a surface of a structure;
display, on the display, the image;
receive user-input information that specifies a first line and a second line on the surface of the structure, wherein the first line and the second line are vertically offset from each other;
receive second user-input information that specifies an approximate vertical location on an exterior of the structure of a transceiver in the structure;
provide, to an output node of the electronic device, a query for a second image of the structure;
receive, from an input node of the electronic device, the second image, wherein the second image includes a view of the structure from a position above the structure;
display, on the display, the second image;
receive third user-input information that specifies at least one of the first line and the second line on the surface in the second image;
provide, to the output node and based on the third user-input information, information that specifies at least locations of end points of at least one of the first line and the second line;
receive, from the input node, a distance between the end points;
provide, to the output node, the distance, the approximate vertical location and a geometry of the first line and a second line; and
receiving, from the input node, the determined height of the transceiver.
11. The electronic device of claim 10 , wherein, when executed by the processor, the program module causes the electronic device to transmit, to the output node, the determined height for the transceiver.
12. The electronic device of claim 10 , wherein the first line and the second line are horizontal lines with slopes of zero.
13. The electronic device of claim 10 , wherein pairs of end points of the first line and the second line are vertically aligned.
14. The electronic device of claim 10 , wherein the query includes a location of the structure.
15. The electronic device of claim 10 , wherein the height has an uncertainty that is less than a predefined value.
16. A non-transitory computer-readable storage medium for use in conjunction with an electronic device, the computer-readable storage medium storing a program module that, when executed by the electronic device, causes the electronic device to determine a height of a transceiver in a structure by performing at least the operations of:
acquiring an image of a surface of the structure;
displaying the image;
receiving user-input information that specifies a first line and a second line on the surface of the structure, wherein the first line and the second line are vertically offset from each other;
receiving second user-input information that specifies an approximate vertical location on an exterior of the structure of the transceiver in the structure;
providing, to an output node of the electronic device, a query for a second image of the structure;
receiving, from an input node of the electronic device, the second image, wherein the second image includes a view of the structure from a position above the structure;
displaying the second image;
receiving third user-input information that specifies at least one of the first line and the second line on the surface in the second image;
providing, to the output node and based on the third user-input information, information that specifies at least locations of end points of at least one of the first line and the second line;
receiving, from the input node, a distance between the end points;
providing, to the output node, the distance, the approximate vertical location and a geometry of the first line and a second line; and
receiving, from the input node, the determined height of the transceiver.
17. The computer-readable storage medium of claim 16 , wherein, when executed by the electronic device, the program module causes the electronic device to transmit, to the output node, the determined height for the transceiver.
18. The computer-readable storage medium of claim 16 , wherein the first line and the second line are horizontal lines with slopes of zero.
19. The computer-readable storage medium of claim 16 , wherein pairs of end points of the first line and the second line are vertically aligned.
20. The computer-readable storage medium of claim 16 , wherein the query includes a location of the structure.