Enabling use of three-dimensonal locations of features with two-dimensional images

Abstract

Systems, methods, and apparatus fur enabling use of three-dimensional locations of features within two-dimensional images are disclosed. An example apparatus includes memory storing instructions that, when executed by at least one processor, cause the at least one processor to access an image from a set of images of an environment. Metadata associated with the image is accessed to identify a set of features in the set of images. The metadata includes a set of three-dimensional (3D) locations of the features and a set of two-dimensional (2D) locations of the features. The 3D model is based on the set of images. The metadata excludes a portion of the 3D model. A geometric characteristic associated with one or more points in the image is determined using the 3D locations and the 2D locations. The at least one processor causes the geometric characteristic to be displayed.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . An apparatus comprising:
 at least one processor; and   memory including instructions that, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the at least one processor to:
 access an image from a set of images, the image of an environment having a set of features; 
 access metadata associated with the image to identify the set of features, the metadata including a set of three-dimensional (3D) locations of the features and a set of two-dimensional (2D) locations of the features, the 3D locations and the 2D locations present in a 3D model, the 3D model based on the set of images, the metadata excluding a portion of the 3D model; 
 determine a geometric characteristic associated with one or more points in the image using the 3D locations and the 2D locations; and 
 cause the geometric characteristic to be displayed in a user interface. 
   
     
     
         2 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one processor is to cause the 2D locations of the features in the image to be displayed in the user interface. 
     
     
         3 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one processor is to cause a graphical object identifying at least one of the features to be displayed as an overlay over the 2D locations of the features in the image to be displayed in the user interface. 
     
     
         4 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one processor is to obtain a selection of the one or more points, via the user interface, prior to determining the geometric characteristic. 
     
     
         5 . The apparatus of  claim 4 , wherein the at least one processor is to obtain the one or more points in response to a user at least one of:
 tapping or clicking on the feature;   specifying a region containing the feature; or   specifying the one or more points within at least one of a line, plane, or shape defined by points in the image.   
     
     
         6 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one processor is to generate the 3D model. 
     
     
         7 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the geometric characteristic represents at least one of:
 a distance;   an area;   a volume; or   a dimension.   
     
     
         8 . A computer-readable storage disk or storage device comprising instructions that, when executed, cause at least one processor to at least:
 access an image from a set of images, the image of an environment having a set of features;   access metadata associated with the image to identify the set of features, the metadata including a set of three-dimensional (3D) locations of the features and a set of two-dimensional (2D) locations of the features, the 3D locations and the 2D locations present in a 3D model, the 3D model based on the set of images, the metadata excluding a portion of the 3D model;   determine a geometric characteristic associated with one or more points in the image using the 3D locations and the 2D locations; and   cause the geometric characteristic to be displayed in a user interface.   
     
     
         9 . The computer-readable storage disk or storage device of  claim 8 , wherein the instructions, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the 2D locations of the features in the image to be displayed in the user interface. 
     
     
         10 . The computer-readable storage disk or storage device of  claim 8 , wherein the instructions, when executed by the at least one processor, cause a graphical object identifying at least one of the features to be displayed as an overlay over the 2D locations of the features in the user interface. 
     
     
         11 . The computer-readable storage disk or storage device of  claim 8 , wherein the instructions, when executed, cause the at least one processor to access, via the user interface, a selection of the one or more points in the image prior to calculating the value. 
     
     
         12 . The computer-readable storage disk or storage device of  claim 11 , wherein the instructions, when executed, cause the at least one processor to access the selection in response to a detection of a user at least one of:
 tapping or clicking on the feature;   specifying a region containing the feature; or   specifying the one or more points within at least one of a line, plane, or shape defined by the set of features in the image.   
     
     
         13 . The computer-readable storage disk or storage device of  claim 8 , wherein the instructions, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the at least one processor to generate the 3D model. 
     
     
         14 . The computer-readable storage disk or storage device of  claim 8 , wherein the geometric characteristic represents at least one of:
 a distance;   an area;   a volume; or   a dimension.   
     
     
         15 . An apparatus comprising:
 means for accessing an image from a set of images, the image of an environment having a set of features;   means for accessing metadata associated with the image to identify the set of features, the metadata including a set of three-dimensional (3D) locations of the features and a set of two-dimensional (2D) locations of the features, the 3D locations and the 2D locations present in a 3D model, the 3D model based on the set of images, the metadata excluding a portion of the 3D model;   means for determining a geometric characteristic associated with one or more points in the image using the 3D locations and the 2D locations; and   means for causing the geometric characteristic to be displayed in a user interface.   
     
     
         16 . The apparatus of  claim 15 , wherein the means for causing is further to cause the 2D locations of the features in the image to be displayed in the user interface. 
     
     
         17 . The apparatus of  claim 15 , wherein the means for causing is further to cause a graphical object identifying at least one of the features over the 2D locations of the features in the image to be displayed in the user interface. 
     
     
         18 . The apparatus of  claim 15 , wherein the means for causing is further to access, via the user interface, a selection of the one or more points in the image prior to calculating the value. 
     
     
         19 . The apparatus of  claim 15 , wherein the means for causing is to access the selection in response to a detection of a user at least one of:
 tapping or clicking on the feature;   specifying a region containing the feature; or   specifying the one or more points within at least one of a line, plane, or shape defined by the set of features in the image.   
     
     
         20 . The apparatus of  claim 15 , further including means for generating the 3D model.