Processing of 2d images to generate 3d digital representations from which accurate building element measurement information can be extracted

Abstract

The present disclosure relates to generation of accurate measurement information for a structure including a building of interest. A single passive image capture device (e.g., hand held devices such as cellular telephones and tablets) can generate two-dimensional (2D) images that overlap with regard to a building element of interest. Processing the 2D images can generate a three-dimensional (3D) digital representation from which accurate building element measurement information can be extracted. The extracted information 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 accurate measurement information for a structure including a building element of interest, the method comprising:
 a) selecting a structure including one or more building elements;   b) identifying at least one building element in the structure, thereby providing at least one building element of interest;   c) obtaining a plurality of 2D images including the at least one building element of interest, where:
 i) the plurality of 2D images are generated using 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; 
 iii) the plurality of 2D images are generated by a user substantially from a point substantially at or below the highest point of the structure; and 
 iv) the at least one building element of interest comprises one or more actual dimensions of the at least one building element of interest; 
   d) processing at least a portion of the overlapping 2D images that include the at least one building element of interest to derive a 3D digital representation of the at least one building element of interest; and   e) extracting measurement data for the at least one building element of interest directly from the 3D digital representation, thereby providing one or more measurement values for the at least one building element of interest, where a difference between each of the one or more provided measurement values of the at least one building element of interest and a corresponding actual dimension of the at least one building element of interest is, independently, less than 1% of the corresponding actual dimension for the at least one building element of interest.