Remote measurement via on-site portable platform

Abstract

A portable measurement system is described herein that provides accurate real-time data for a subject object at a job site. The acquired data may include photos, laser mapping, thermal images, sonar imaging, electronic measurements, or other types of measurement data. The system leverages commonly available remote control helicopters or other flying vehicles mounted with a camera or other equipment to acquire images or other measurement data that would be difficult to obtain without climbing onto a target structure or placing personnel in other dangerous situations. A portable platform is described herein that can include helicopters as well as other types of portable measurement devices that can fly or otherwise maneuver to capture measurement data at a job site. In many cases, these connected devices can provide near instant availability of captured data to a processing center or other remote location, reducing delays that are typical today.

I/We claim: 
     
         1 . A computer-implemented method to operate a portable platform to capture information for preparing a work estimate, the method comprising:
 receiving a request to prepare an estimate for a particular construction task at a specified location;   dispatching an instance of a portable platform that is a remote controlled vehicle capable of maneuvering around the specified location to capture measurement data for preparing the requested estimate;   controlling the portable platform through maneuvers at the received location;   capturing measurement data at the specified location using one or more sensors mounted to the portable platform;   analyzing the captured data to process the captured measurement data into information actionable for preparing an estimate for the particular construction task at the specified location; and   generating an estimate for the construction task at the specified location and delivering the estimate to a user,   wherein the preceding steps are performed by at least one processor.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1  wherein receiving the request to prepare the estimate comprises receiving a request from a homeowner or contractor through a website that includes an interface for submitting orders for estimates for particular types of construction work. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1  wherein receiving the request to prepare the estimate comprises receiving a street address, client name, or other identification of a proposed job site so that an operator can be dispatched to the location to use the portable platform to capture measurement data. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1  wherein dispatching the instance of the portable platform comprises delivering the vehicle by preparing shipping information for a worker to ship the portable platform to a recipient. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1  wherein dispatching the instance of the portable platform comprises sending an instruction to an operator to personally take the portable platform to the specified location. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1  wherein controlling the platform through maneuvers comprises specifying a flight path that carries the vehicle to points around the specified location where one or more sensors of the portable platform can capture data related to preparing the requested estimate. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 1  wherein controlling the platform through maneuvers comprises receiving input from a controller operated by an operator. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 7  wherein the controller comprises a smartphone running a software application that uses communication hardware of the smartphone to communicate with the portable platform. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 1  wherein controlling the platform through maneuvers comprises control of the portable platform automatically using a preset flight plan or sensor-based navigation on the vehicle itself. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 1  wherein controlling the platform through maneuvers comprises receiving remote control instructions from an operator in a remote datacenter connected to the portable platform via a network. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 1  wherein capturing measurement data comprises capturing at least one of data selected from the group consisting of photos, distance measurements, and angular measurements. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 1  wherein capturing measurement data comprises capturing measurement data from a perspective not obtainable from the ground, and that keeps the operator safe by traveling to perspectives of the job site that would normally be unavailable without the operator getting on a ladder, roof, or other hazardous location. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 1  wherein capturing measurement data comprises capturing measurement data that is more up-to-date and high resolution than that available from previously taken satellite imagery or high altitude flyovers of the job site. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 1  wherein analyzing the captured data comprises recognizing objects in a captured image to identify obstructions that increase the cost of the construction task. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 1  wherein generating and delivering the estimate comprises determining an estimate of cost of labor and materials of the task using regional cost information based on the specified location. 
     
     
         16 . A computer system for remote measurement via an on-site portable platform, the system comprising:
 a portable platform that is a physical device that is delivered on-site to a potential job site to maneuver around the job site to capture measurement data for estimating a cost of a task to be performed at the job site;   a measurement capture component that includes one or more sensors attached to the portable platform for capturing measurement data at the job site;   a platform control component that controls the operation of the portable platform to direct the portable platform through a particular navigation path and the operation of the measurement capture component to capture measurement data;   a control communication component that includes hardware and software for establishing a link between the portable platform and platform control component and subsequently communicating control instructions;   a data communication component that includes hardware and software for establishing a link between the measurement capture component and the measurement analysis component;   a measurement analysis component that processes measurement data captured at the job site to identify one or more characteristics of the job site and elements in the data that affect pricing of the task to be performed; and   an estimate delivery component that generates an estimate for the cost of the task to be performed at the job site from the measurement analysis and delivers the estimate to a user of the system.   
     
     
         17 . The system of  claim 15  wherein the system provides a comprehensive solution that eliminates manual data entry and paperwork traditionally involved in the estimation process. 
     
     
         18 . The system of  claim 15  wherein the measurement capture component captures information that can show causation to an insurer as the cause of damage at the job site. 
     
     
         19 . A computer-readable storage device comprising instructions for controlling a computer system to receive control information for a portable flying platform from a mobile device, wherein the instructions, upon execution, cause a processor to perform actions comprising:
 establishing a communication link between the portable flying platform and the mobile device;   displaying a control user interface on the mobile device that includes flight controls for the portable flying platform;   receiving control instructions from a user that interacts with the mobile device to control the portable flying platform to capture measurement data at a potential job site;   guiding the portable flying platform based on the received control instructions; and   receiving visual data captured by the portable platform and displaying the captured visual data on the mobile device.   
     
     
         20 . The device of  claim 19  wherein the mobile device includes a smartphone or other computing device that runs a software application selected by the operator for controlling the portable flying platform.