Subterranean 3D modeling at cell sites

{
  "publication_number": "US10382975B2",
  "country": "US",
  "kind": "B2",
  "title": "Subterranean 3D modeling at cell sites",
  "abstract": "Systems and method for creating a three-dimensional (3D) model of a cell site for one or more of a cell site audit, a site survey, and cell site planning and engineering include obtaining first data capture for above ground components including a cell tower, associated cell site components on the cell tower, one or more buildings, and surrounding geography around the cell site; obtaining second data capture for subterranean geography associated with the surrounding geography; utilizing the first data capture and the second data capture to develop the 3D model which includes both the above ground components and the subterranean geography; and utilizing the 3D model to perform the one or more of the site audit, the site survey, and the cell site planning and engineering.",
  "claims": [
    "1. A method for creating a three-dimensional (3D) model of a cell site associated with a cell tower, the method comprising the steps of: obtaining a first set of data captured with respect to above-ground components, the above-ground components comprising the cell tower and surrounding geography of or around the cell site; obtaining a second set of data captured with respect to subterranean geography associated with the surrounding geography; utilizing the first set of data and the second set of data to develop the 3D model to include both the above-ground components and the subterranean geography; and utilizing the 3D model to perform one or more of a cell site audit, a site survey, and a cell site planning and engineering process.",
    "2. The method of claim 1, further comprising the steps of: obtaining a third set of data captured with respect to interiors of one or more buildings; and utilizing the third set of data to develop the 3D model to include the interiors of the one or more buildings.",
    "3. The method of claim 1, wherein the step of obtaining the second set of data is performed with a data capture device using one of sonar, ultrasound, and LIDAR (Light Detection and Ranging).",
    "4. The method of claim 3, wherein the step of obtaining the first set of data is performed with an Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) flying about the cell tower, and wherein the step of obtaining the second set of data is performed with the data capture device positioned on the UAV.",
    "5. The method of claim 1, wherein the step of obtaining first set of data is performed with an Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) flying about the cell tower.",
    "6. The method of claim 5, wherein the first set of data comprises a plurality of photos or video subject to a plurality of constraints, wherein the plurality of photos are obtained by a plurality of cameras which are coordinated with one another.",
    "7. The method of claim 1, further comprising the step of: presenting the 3D model in a Graphical User Interface (GUI) to perform the one or more of the cell site audit, the site survey, and the cell site planning and engineering process.",
    "8. The method of claim 1, wherein the subterranean geography in the 3D model illustrates support structures of the cell tower and utility constructions in the surrounding geography.",
    "9. The method of claim 1, further comprising the step of: utilizing an external data source to verify utility constructions in the second set of data for the subterranean geography.",
    "10. The method of claim 1, wherein the above-ground components further comprise associated cell site components supported by the cell tower and one or more buildings in the vicinity of the cell tower.",
    "11. An apparatus adapted to create a three-dimensional (3D) model of a cell site associated with a cell tower, the apparatus comprising: a network interface; a processor communicatively coupled to the network interface; and memory configured for storing instructions that, when executed, cause the processor to obtain a first set of data captured with respect to above-ground components, the above-ground components comprising the cell tower and surrounding geography of or around the cell site; obtain a second set of data captured with respect to subterranean geography associated with the surrounding geography; utilize the first set of data and the second set of data to develop the 3D model to include both the above-ground components and the subterranean geography; and present the 3D model to a user for performing one or more of a cell site audit, a site survey, and a cell site planning and engineering process.",
    "12. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein the instructions, when executed, further cause the processor to: obtain a third set of data captured with respect to interiors of one or more buildings; and utilize the third set of data to develop the 3D model to include the interiors of the one or more buildings.",
    "13. The apparatus of claim 11, further comprising a data capture device configured to capture the second set of data, the data capture device using one of sonar, ultrasound, and LIDAR (Light Detection and Ranging).",
    "14. The apparatus of claim 13, further comprising an Unnmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) configured to fly about the cell tower to capture the first set of data, wherein the second set of data is captured with the data capture device positioned on the UAV.",
    "15. The apparatus of claim 11, further comprising an Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) configured to fly about the cell tower to capture the first set of data.",
    "16. The apparatus of claim 15, wherein the first set of data comprises a plurality of photos or video subject to a plurality of constraints, wherein the plurality of photos are obtained by a plurality of cameras which are coordinated with one another.",
    "17. The apparatus of claim 11, further comprising a Graphical User Interface (GUI) configured to present the 3D model to perform the one or more of the cell site audit, the site survey, and the cell site planning and engineering process.",
    "18. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein the subterranean geography in the 3D model illustrates support structures of the cell tower and utility constructions in the surrounding geography.",
    "19. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein the instructions, when executed, further cause the processor to: utilize an external data source to verify utility constructions in the second set of data for the subterranean geography.",
    "20. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein the above-ground components further comprise associated cell site components supported by the cell tower and one or more buildings in the vicinity of the cell tower."
  ],
  "description_excerpt": "Filing Date Ser. No. Title Mar. 27, 2017 15/469,841 CELL SITE AUDIT AND SURVEY VIA PHOTO STITCHING Jan. 25, 2017 15/415,040 SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR OBTAINING ACCURATE 3D MODELING DATA USING MULTIPLE CAMERAS Oct. 31, 2016 15/338,700 SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR OBTAINING ACCURATE 3D MODELING DATA USING UAVS FOR CELL SITES Oct. 3, 2016 15/283,699 OBTAINING 3D MODELING DATA USING UAVS FOR CELL SITES Aug. 19, 2016 15/241,239 3D MODELING OF CELL SITES TO DETECT CONFIGURATION AND SITE CHANGES Jul. 15, 2016 15/211,483 CLOSE-OUT AUDIT SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR CELL SITE INSTALLATION AND MAINTENANCE May 31, 2016 15/168,503 VIRTUALIZED SITE SURVEY SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR CELL SITES May 20, 2016 15/160,890 3D MODELING OF CELL SITES AND CELL TOWERS WITH UNMANNED AERIAL VEHICLES Apr. 14, 2015 14/685,720 UNMANNED AERIAL VEHICLE-BASED SYSTEMS AND METHODS ASSOCIATED WITH CELL SITES AND CELL TOWERS\n\nThe present disclosure relates generally to cell site modeling systems and methods. More particularly, the present disclosure relates to systems and methods for cell site modeling including subterranean modeling of the area associated with the cell site.\n\nDue to the geographic coverage nature of wireless service, there are hundreds of thousands of cell towers in the United States. For example, in 2014, it was estimated that there were more than 310,000 cell towers in the United States. Cell towers can have heights up to 1,500 feet or more.",
  "cpc": [
    "H04W 16/18",
    "B64C 2201/027",
    "B64C 2201/123",
    "B64C 2201/127",
    "B64C 2201/141",
    "B64C 2201/201",
    "B64C 39/024",
    "B64U 2101/30",
    "B64U 2201/10",
    "B64U 80/70",
    "G01S 13/89",
    "G01S 15/89",
    "G01S 17/89",
    "G06T 17/00",
    "G06T 17/05",
    "G06T 17/20",
    "H04L 12/4625",
    "H04N 7/185"
  ],
  "ipc": [
    "G05D 1/00",
    "G06T 17/20",
    "H04W 16/18",
    "G06T 17/05",
    "H04N 7/18"
  ],
  "assignees": [
    "Etak Systems LLC"
  ],
  "inventors": [
    "Lee Priest"
  ],
  "filing_date": "2017-04-06",
  "publication_date": "2019-08-13",
  "grant_date": "2019-08-13",
  "priority_date": "2015-04-14",
  "application_number": "US-201715480792-A",
  "family_id": "59359582",
  "cited_by_count": 9,
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}