U.S. patent application number 13/954832 was filed with the patent office on 2013-11-21 for aerial roof estimation system and method.
This patent application is currently assigned to Eagle View Technologies, Inc.. The applicant listed for this patent is Eagle View Technologies, Inc.. Invention is credited to David P. Carlson, Chris Pershing.
Application Number | 20130311240 13/954832 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 39873115 |
Filed Date | 2013-11-21 |
United States Patent
Application |
20130311240 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Pershing; Chris ; et
al. |
November 21, 2013 |
AERIAL ROOF ESTIMATION SYSTEM AND METHOD
Abstract
A system that allows the remote measurement of the size,
geometry, pitch and orientation of the roof sections of a building
and then uses the information to provide an estimate to repair or
replace the roof, or to install equipment thereon. The system
includes an aerial image file database that shows aerial images of
buildings in a designated area according to address. The slope and
orientation images are typically oblique perspective views and top
plan views of the buildings in the area. The system also includes
an image analysis and calibration feature that enables the viewer
to closely estimate the size, geometry and orientation of the
building's roof sections. The information can then be used to
prepare a cost estimate for the repair or replacement of the roof
or installation of roof equipment. By simply inputting the
potential customer's address, the company is able to determine the
size, geometry, pitch and orientation of the roof sections of the
building at that address, and then quickly provide an accurate
estimate to the customer.
Inventors: |
Pershing; Chris; (Redmond,
WA) ; Carlson; David P.; (Anaheim, CA) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Eagle View Technologies, Inc. |
Bothell |
WA |
US |
|
|
Assignee: |
Eagle View Technologies,
Inc.
Bothell
WA
|
Family ID: |
39873115 |
Appl. No.: |
13/954832 |
Filed: |
July 30, 2013 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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13371271 |
Feb 10, 2012 |
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13954832 |
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12148439 |
Apr 17, 2008 |
8145578 |
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13371271 |
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60925072 |
Apr 17, 2007 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
705/7.35 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G06Q 30/0206 20130101;
G06Q 50/16 20130101; G06Q 30/0283 20130101; G06Q 40/08 20130101;
G06Q 10/00 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
705/7.35 |
International
Class: |
G06Q 30/02 20060101
G06Q030/02 |
Claims
1. A roof report including: at least one line drawing of a top plan
view of a roof, the at least one line drawing showing a plurality
of roof sections of the roof; numerical values on the at least one
line drawing which are numerical values of pitch of at least some
of the plurality of roof sections; and numerical values on the at
least one line drawing which are numerical values of area of at
least some of the plurality of roof sections.
2. The roof report of claim 1 further including numerical values on
the at least one line drawing, which are numerical values of
lengths of edges of at least some of the plurality of roof
sections.
3. The roof report of claim 2 wherein at least some of the
numerical values of lengths of edges are placed adjacent to
corresponding edges of the at least some of the plurality of roof
sections in the at least one line drawing to indicate the numerical
values of lengths of edges are each lengths of the corresponding
edges to which the numerical values of lengths of edges are
adjacent.
4. The roof report of claim 1 wherein the at least one line drawing
includes a plurality of line drawings, and wherein a first line
drawing of the plurality of line drawings includes the numerical
values of pitch and a second line drawing of the plurality of line
drawings includes the numerical values of area.
5. The roof report of claim 1 wherein the roof report includes two
different indicia for different types of roof properties.
6. The roof report of claim 5 wherein the different indicia for
different types of roof properties are different colors used to
indicate different types of roof properties.
7. The roof report of claim 1 further including at least one
photographic image of the roof including a top plan view of the
roof.
8. The roof report of claim 7 further including at least one
photographic image of the roof including a perspective view of the
roof.
9. The roof report of claim 1 wherein the at least one line drawing
of a top plan view of a roof is a of a three-dimensional model of
the roof.
10. The roof report of claim 1 wherein the roof report indicates
whether each of the numerical values are either of a pitch, area or
length of an edge of a corresponding roof section of the plurality
of roof sections at least in part by where each of the numerical
values are placed in the at least one line drawing relative to the
corresponding roof section.
11. The roof report of claim 10 wherein at least one of the
numerical values of area is placed generally in a center of at
least one of the plurality of roof sections in the at least one
line drawing to indicate the at least one of the numerical values
of area is an area of the at least one of the plurality of roof
sections.
12. The roof report of claim 10 wherein the roof report indicates
whether the numerical values of pitch are numerical values of pitch
at least in part by an annotation next to each of the numerical
values of pitch in the at least one line drawing.
13. The roof report of claim 12 wherein the annotations are arrows
adjacent to the numerical values of pitch.
Description
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application is a continuation of U.S. patent
application Ser. No. 12/148,439, filed Apr. 17, 2008, now pending,
which claims benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/925,072
filed on Apr. 17, 2007, which applications are incorporated herein
by reference in their entirety.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] 1. Field of the Invention:
[0003] This invention relates to systems and methods for estimating
construction projects, and more particularly, to such systems and
methods that allow estimates involving roofs on buildings to be
created remotely.
[0004] 2. Description of the Related Art:
[0005] The information provided below is not admitted to be part of
the present invention, but is provided solely to assist the
understanding of the reader. Homeowners typically ask several
roofing contractors to provide written estimates to repair or
replace a roof on a house. Heretofore, the homeowners would make an
appointment with each roofing contractor to visit the house to
determine the style of roof, take measurements, and to inspect the
area around the house for access and cleanup. Using this
information, the roofing contractor then prepares a written
estimate and then timely delivers it to the homeowner. After
receiving several estimates from different rooting contractors, the
homeowner then selects one.
[0006] There are factors that impact the roofing contractor's
ability to provide a timely written estimate. One factor is the
size of the roof contractor's company and the location of the
roofing jobs currently underway. Most roof contractors provide
roofing services and estimates to building owners over a large
geographical area. Larger roof contractor companies hire one or
more trained individuals who travel throughout the entire area
providing written estimates. With smaller roofing contractors, the
owner or a key trained person is appointed to provide estimates.
With both types of companies, roofing estimates are normally
scheduled for buildings located in the same area on a particular
day. If an estimate is needed suddenly at a distant location, the
time for travel and the cost of commuting can be prohibitive. If
the roofing contractor is a small company, the removal of the owner
or key person on a current job site can be time prohibitive.
[0007] Another factor that may impact the roofing contractor's
ability to provide a written estimate is weather and traffic.
[0008] Recently, solar panels have become popular. In order to
install solar panels, the roof's slope, geometrical shape, and size
as well as its orientation with respect to the sun all must be
determined in order to provide an estimate of the number and type
of solar panels required. Unfortunately, not all roofs on a
building are proper size, geometrical shape, or orientation for use
with solar panels.
[0009] What is needed is a system that allows a roof to be quickly
and easily measured and that does not require the estimator to
physically travel to the building to take measurements. Such
measurements can then be used to prepare an estimate to repair or
replace the roof or install equipment thereon.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0010] These and other objects are met by the system and method
disclosed herein that allows a company that needs the sizes,
dimensions, slopes and orientations of the roof sections on a
building in order to provide a written estimate. The system
includes the use of a roof estimating software program and an
location-linked, image file database. During use, the physical
address or location information of the building is inputted into
the program which then presents aerial images of roof sections on
the building at the specific address location. An overhead
aircraft, a balloon, or satellite may produce the aerial images. An
image analysis and calibration is then performed either manually or
via a software program that determines the geometry, the slopes,
the pitch angles, and the outside dimensions of the roof sections.
The images may also include the land surrounding the roof sections
and building which the estimating company can use to factor in
additional access or clean-up costs.
[0011] In the first embodiment of the system, the roof company is
contacted by a potential customer requesting an estimate for repair
or replacement of a roof on their building. The roof company uses a
local computer with an estimating software program loaded into its
working memory to access an image file database located on the
computer or on a remote server connected via a wide area network to
the local computer. The image file database contains image files of
various buildings in the roof companies service area. When a
request for an estimate is received from a potential customer, the
roof company enters the customer's address into the software
program and aerial images of the building are then presented to the
roof company. The roof company then manually measures or uses a
roof estimation software program to determine the slopes,
dimensions, and other relevant geometric information of the roof
sections on the buildings. From these determinations, the overall
shape, slopes and square footage of the roof sections are
determined and a report is produced. After the report has been
prepared, the images are reviewed again for special access and
cleanup tasks which can be added to the final estimate before
transmission to the potential customer.
[0012] In another embodiment, the roof estimate software program
and image file database are both stored on one or more a remote
computers and accessed by the roof company via a wide area network.
The roof company uses an assigned user name and password to log
onto the website and accessed the computer. After logging on, the
roof company logs then submits the new customer's address, other
relevant job related information, and a request for a report from
the roof estimation service. An estimation service associated with
the website uses the address information to obtain the images of
the roof sections on the building(s) and uses the roof estimation
software program and calibration module to determine the relevant
geometry, pitch angles, dimensions, and surface areas of the
building's roof. The service then produces and sends a report to
the roof company. The company then uses the report to prepare a
final estimate that is then delivered to the potential
customer.
[0013] In another embodiment of the system, a roof estimating
website is created designed to receive requests for roof estimates
directly from potential customers in a region. The estimation
service that owns and operates the website is associated with
various roof companies that provide roof-related services in the
region serviced by the website. When a potential customer contacts
the website and requests an estimate for a roof repair, replacement
or installation of equipment, the potential's customer's name,
address, and contact information is first submitted on the website.
The estimation service representative enters the address of the
building into the roof estimation software program. The aerial
images of the buildings are then obtained and analyzed by the
service representative to extract the relevant geometric
information about the structures. A report containing the geometric
information obtained from the aerial images and other relevant
project related information supplied by the potential customer are
transmitted to roof companies associated with the estimation
service. The roof company reviews the information then prepares an
estimate which then can be uploaded to the roof estimating website
server which then forwards the estimate to the potential customer,
or sent from the roof company directly via email, fax or mail to
the potential customer.
[0014] In another embodiment, a service associated with the roof
estimate website uses the image file database and roof estimate
software to pre-emptively calculate and store the dimensions,
areas, pitch angles, and other relevant geometric information about
the buildings and structures located within a geographic region.
This pre-calculated information can then be used by any of the
previously mentioned embodiments to accelerate the process of
obtaining roof estimates within that geographic region.
[0015] It should be understood, that the system and method
described herein may be used by any individual or company that
would find the calculation of the size, geometry, pitch and
orientation of the roof of a building from aerial images of the
building useful. Such companies may include roofing companies,
solar panel installers, roof gutter installers, awning companies,
HVAC contractors, general contractors and insurance companies.
DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0016] FIG. 1 is an illustration showing the system and method
being used by a new customer requesting a roof estimate from a roof
contractor who uses his or her computer to access a local or remote
image database or from a roof contractor who contacts a remote
aerial image or estimate provider and then provides a written
estimate to the customer.
[0017] FIG. 2 is an illustration showing the system and method
being used by a new customer requesting roof estimates from a
plurality of roof contractors which are part of a referral service
provided by a remote aerial image or estimate provider that
transmits images or an intermediate report to all of the roof
contractors who then individually prepare and transmit an estimate
to the customer.
[0018] FIG. 3 is an illustration showing the top and perspective
view of a house for a particular address.
[0019] FIG. 4 is an aerial image of the home shown in FIG. 3
showing the areas and structures around the home.
[0020] FIGS. 5A-F are consecutive pages from a preliminary or final
report sent to a potential customer prepared by the roofing
company.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT(S)
[0021] Referring to the accompanying Figs, there is described a
system 10 and method that allows a roof company 70 to provide a
final estimate 102 to a potential customer 90 to install equipment
or to repair or replace the roof on a building 92 using aerial
images of the building 92. The system 10 includes an estimating
software program 50 designed to receive an address for the building
92. The software program 50 is linked to an aerial image file
database 52 that contains aerial images files 54 of various
building 92 in a region. The aerial image files 54 may be taken any
available means, such as an aircraft, balloon, a satellite, etc. As
shown in FIG. 3, the image files 54 typically include at least one
a top plan view 65 and a perspective view 66 of the building 92.
The image files 54 may also include a wide angle image file 67
showing the building 92 and the surrounding areas 93 around the
building 92. In one embodiment, an image analysis and calibration
module 52 is linked to the software program 50 that enables the
roof company 70 to closely estimate the dimensions and slopes of
the roofs of the buildings 92 shown in the views 65, 66. By simply
inputting the customer's address into the software program 50, the
roof company 70 is able view the customer's roof from the aerial
image files 54 using a remote computer 72, determine the dimensions
and slopes of the roof sections that make up the roof, and prepare
a preliminary report 101 which is then used to prepare a final
estimate 102 that is then delivered to the potential customer
90.
[0022] FIG. 1 is an illustration showing the system 10 used by a
potential customer 90 requesting a roof estimate from a roof
company 70 that uses the system 10 described above. The potential
customer 90 may be the building tenant, owner or insurance company.
The roof company 70 uses a computer 72 which may connect to a wide
area network 60. The customer 90 contacts the roof company 70 via
his or her computer 91 and the wide area network 60 or by a
telecommunication network 96, and requests a roof estimate 100 for
his building 92 located at a public address 93. (i.e. 23 W.
3.sup.rd St). The roof company 70 then processes the request 100
which leads to a final estimate 102 being delivered to the
potential customer's computer 91 or via email, fax or postal
service to the potential customer 90.
[0023] There are several different ways the system 10 can be setup.
FIG. 1 shows a first embodiment of the system 10 where the roof
company 70 operates a remote computer 72 with a display 74 and a
keyboard 75 or similar input means. A roof estimating software
program 50 is loaded into the working memory 73 of the remote
computer 72. The software program 50 is able to retrieve aerial
images of buildings from the database 52 containing aerial images
files 54 of buildings located in the region served by the roof
company 70. In the first embodiment shown in FIG. 1, the remote
computer 72 is linked or connected to a database 52 containing
aerial images files 54 of the buildings. The software program 50
includes a calibration module 56 that enables the roof company 70
to determine the angles and dimensions of various roof sections
shown in the images files 54. After the angles and dimensions are
determined, the combined square footage of the building 92 can be
determined which is then used to create a preliminary report 101.
The roof company 70 then reviews the wide angle image file 67 (see
FIG. 4) to determine if the building 92 has special access and
clean up factors that may impact the final estimate 102.
[0024] Once the preliminary report 101 or the final estimate 102 is
prepared by the roof company 70, one or both can be transmitted to
the customer 90 via the wide area network 60, the telecommunication
network 96, or by postal service.
[0025] Also shown in FIG. 1 is an alterative setup of the system 10
wherein a preliminary report 101 is prepared by a separate roof
estimating entity 105 which is then forwarded to the roof company
70 who then prepares the final estimate 102 and sends it to the
customer 90. The entity 105 includes a computer 106 with a roof
estimating software program 50' loaded into the working memory 107.
Like the software program 50 loaded into the roof contractor's
computer 72 in the previous embodiment the software program 50' is
also able to retrieve aerial images of houses from a database 52'
containing aerial images files 54' of houses located in the region
served by the roof company 70. An optional calibration module 56'
may be provided which enables the entity 105 to determine the
angles and linear dimensions of various roof sections on the house
92.
[0026] When the system 10 is setup to include the estimating entity
105, the customer contacts the roofing company 70. The roof company
70 then contacts the estimating entity 105 and forwards the address
of the building 92 thereto. The estimating entity 105 then prepares
the preliminary report 101 that is transmitted to the roof company
70. The roof company 70 then prepares the final report 102 and
sends it to the customer 90.
[0027] FIG. 2 shows a third embodiment of the system 10 where the
customer 90 contacts a roof estimating entity 130 who receives a
request 100 from the customer 90 via the wide area network 60 or
telecommunication network 96. The roof estimating entity 130
prepares a preliminary report 101 which is then transmitted to
various roof companies 70, 70', 70''associated with the entity 130.
Accompanying the preliminary report 101 may be the name and contact
telephone number(s) or email address of the customer 90. Each roof
company 70, 70', 70'' reviews the preliminary report 101 and any
associated images sent therewith and then prepares a final estimate
102, 102', 102''. The final estimate 102, 102', 102''is then
mailed, emailed or faxed to the customer 90 or back to the
estimating entity 130. The estimating entity 130 then sends the
final estimate 102, 102', 102'' to the customer 90. In this
embodiment, the estimating entity 130 includes a computer 135 in
which the roof estimating software program 50'' is loaded into its
working memory 136 loaded and linked to the aerial image database
52''containing image files 54''. An optional calibration module
56'' may be loaded into the working memory 136 of the computer 135.
FIGS. 5A-5F are individual pages that make up a representative
report. In
[0028] FIG. 5A, a cover page 103 that lists the address of the
building and an overhead aerial image of the building. In FIG. 5B,
a second page 104 of the report is shown that shows wide overhead
perspective view of the building at the address with the
surrounding areas more clearly shown. FIG. 5C is the third page 105
of the report which shows a line drawing of the building showing
ridge and valley lines, dimensions and a compass indicator. FIG. 5D
is an illustration of the fourth page 106 of the report showing the
pitch angle of each roof section along with a compass indicator.
FIG. 5E is an illustration of the fifth page 107 of the report
showing the square footage of each roof section along with the
total square foot area value. FIG. 5F is an illustration of a sixth
page 108 of the report showing an overall, aerial line drawing of
the building where notes or written comments may be written.
[0029] Using the above system, a detailed description of how the
system is used is now provided.
[0030] First, a property of interest is identified by a potential
customer of the service. The customer contacts the service with the
location of the property. Typically, this will be a street address.
The service then uses a geo-coding provider to translate the
location information (such as a street address) into a set of
coordinates that can be used to query an aerial or satellite image
database. Typically, the geo-coding provider will be used to
translate the customer supplied street address into a set of
longitude-latitude coordinates.
[0031] Next, the longitude-latitude coordinates of the property are
then used to query an aerial and/or satellite imagery database in
order to retrieve one or more images of the property of interest.
It is important to note that flat roofs only require a single image
of the property. Roofs containing one or more pitched sections
typically require two or more photographs in order to identify and
measure all relevant sections and features of the roof
[0032] Once the images of the roof section of the building are
obtained, at least one of the images needs to be calibrated. During
calibration, the distance in pixels between two points on the image
is converted into a physical length. This calibration information
is typically presented as a scale marker on the image itself, or as
additional information supplied by the image database provider
along with the requested image.
[0033] The image(s) and calibration information returned by the
imagery database is entered or imported into the service's
measurement software.
[0034] A set of reference points are identified in each of the
images. The service's measurement software then uses these
reference points and some proprietary algorithms to co-register the
images and reconstruct the three dimensional geometry of the object
identified by the reference points. There are a variety of
photo-grammetric algorithms that can be utilized to perform this
reconstruction. One such algorithm used by the service uses
photographs taken from two or more view points to `trangulate`
points of interest on the object in 3D space. This triangulation
can be visualized as a process of projecting a line originating
from the location of the photograph's observation point that passes
through a particular reference point in the image. The intersection
of these projected lines from the set of observation points to a
particular reference point identifies the location of that point in
3D space. Repeating the process for all such reference points
allows the software to build a 3D model of the structure. The
optimal choice of reconstruction algorithm depends on a number of
factors such as the spatial relationships between the photographs,
the number and locations of the reference points, and any
assumptions that are made about the geometry and symmetry of the
object being reconstructed. Several such algorithms are described
in detail in textbooks, trade journals, and academic
publications.
[0035] Once the reconstruction of the building is complete, the
results are reviewed for completeness and correctness. If
necessary, a user of the service's software will make corrections
to the reconstructed model.
[0036] Information from the reconstructed model is used to generate
a report containing information relevant to the customer. If the
report is meant for delivery to a roofing company, the information
in the report may include total square footage, square footage and
pitch of each section of roof, linear measurements of all roof
segments, identification and measurement of ridges and valleys, and
different elevation views rendered from the 3D model (top, side,
front, etc).
[0037] the above description, a method for estimating the size and
the repair or replacement costs of a roof comprising the following
steps:
[0038] a. selecting a roof estimation system that includes a
computer with a roof estimation software program loaded into its
working memory, said roof estimation software uses aerial image
files of buildings in a selected region and a calibration module
that allows the size, geometry, and orientation of a roof section
to be determined from said aerial image files;
[0039] b. submitting a request for a measurement of a roof of a
building at a known location;
[0040] c. submitting the location information of a building with a
roof that needs a size determination, a repair estimate, or
replacement estimate;
[0041] d. entering the location information of said building and
obtaining aerial image files of one or more roof sections used on a
roof; and,
[0042] e. using said calibration module to determine the size,
geometry and pitch of each said roof section.
[0043] In the above method, the entity requesting the measurement
is the building tenant, the building owner, or the insurance
request.
[0044] In compliance with the statute, the invention described
herein has been described in language more or less specific as to
structural features. It should be understood however, that the
invention is not limited to the specific features shown, since the
means and construction shown, is comprised only of the preferred
embodiments for putting the invention into effect. The invention is
therefore claimed in any of its forms or modifications within the
legitimate and valid scope of the amended claims, appropriately
interpreted in accordance with the doctrine of equivalents.
* * * * *