Surveying and measurement methods and devices

Abstract

The present invention relates to devices and methods for generating surveys of interior and exterior locations using image capture devices associated with image processing techniques suitable to allow survey and measurement information and where such survey and measurement information can optionally be further processed. Such survey and measurement information relating to interior and exterior locations can be used in applications such as construction/remodeling estimation, 3D model generation, insurance policy underwriting and adjusting, interior design efforts, landscaping, real estate marketing, inventory management and other areas where it can be desirable to obtain information about features and dimensions of one or more features or objects present in the location

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 ) A method of generating measurement information comprising:
 a) receiving a plurality of 2D images including at least one building element of interest, wherein:
 i) the plurality of 2D images are generated from a single passive image capture device; 
 ii) at least a portion of the plurality of 2D images are overlapping with regard to the at least one building element of interest; and 
 iii) the at least one building element of interest comprises an actual measurement value; 
   b) processing at least a portion of the plurality of overlapping 2D digital images that includes the at least one building element of interest using a 3D reconstruction process, thereby generating a 3D digital representation of the at least one building element of interest;   c) extracting measurement data for the at least one building element of interest from the 3D digital representation; and   d) processing the extracted measurement data to provide one or more extracted measurement values for the at least one building element of interest, wherein each of the one or more extracted measurement values of the at least one building element of interest is, independently, within about 5% of a corresponding actual measurement value.   
     
     
         2 ) The method of  claim 1 , further comprising generating takeoff information from the one or more extracted measurement values. 
     
     
         3 ) The method of  claim 1 , wherein the one or more measurement values are extracted for a plurality of building elements of interest, thereby generating a plurality of extracted measurement values. 
     
     
         4 ) The method of  claim 3 , wherein the plurality of extracted measurement values are used to generate one or more of a wireframe building image, a CAD drawing, a site plan, an architectural drawing, a building information model, a scale drawing of a building, a landscape plan, or an interior design plan. 
     
     
         5 ) The method of  claim 1 , wherein the single passive image capture device is a video camera. 
     
     
         6 ) The method of  claim 1 , wherein the one or more extracted measurement values are generated directly from the 3D digital representation. 
     
     
         7 ) The method of  claim 1 , wherein the one or more extracted measurement values are not first generated from wireframe building image, a CAD drawing, a site plan, an architectural drawing, a building information model, a scale drawing of a building, a landscape plan, or an interior design plan. 
     
     
         8 ) The method of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one building element of interest is present in a substantially interior location, and comprises one or more of a room, a floor, a staircase, a wall, a doorway or a window. 
     
     
         9 ) The method of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one building element of interest is present in a substantially exterior location, and comprises a one or more of a building, a roof, a doorway, a window, a yard, a landscape area, a driveway, or a fence. 
     
     
         10 ) The method of  claim 1 , further comprising inputting the one or more extracted measurement values into construction estimation software, thereby providing a construction estimate. 
     
     
         11 ) The method of  claim 1 , further comprising providing an identification of the at least one building element of interest.