Methods and systems for three dimensional modeling of infrastructure elements
Inventors
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Assignees
Member
University of Nevada, Las VegasThe University of Nevada, Las Vegas is a public research university offering comprehensive undergraduate, graduate, and professional programs. The institution is recognized for research initiatives, interdisciplinary curriculum, community partnerships, and diverse student support. UNLV provides resources spanning financial assistance, technology, career development, outreach, and research, advancing individual achievement and community engagement in a multicultural environment.
The University of Nevada, Las Vegas is a public research university offering comprehensive undergraduate, graduate, and professional programs. The institution is recognized for research initiatives, interdisciplinary curriculum, community partnerships, and diverse student support. UNLV provides resources spanning financial assistance, technology, career development, outreach, and research, advancing individual achievement and community engagement in a multicultural environment.
Publication Number
US-10431009-B2
Publication Date
2019-10-01
Expiration Date
Abstract
Methods and systems for modeling infrastructure elements in three dimensions are disclosed. An example method can comprise a computer receiving information from a database. The received information can comprise structural information describing a form of a structure and condition information describing a condition of the structure. The computer can create a graphical model of the structure based on the structural information. The computer can further determine, based on the condition information, a condition of one or more portions of the structure, and can color the one or more portions of the structure based on the determined condition.
Core Innovation
A system and method perform three-dimensional (3D) modeling of infrastructure elements using structural information and condition information. A graphical 3D model is generated by separately modeling structure components as primitive shapes positioned in a Cartesian coordinate system. The modeling uses default values when structural information is missing and estimates omitted dimensions when necessary to create a complete graphical representation.
Condition information is used to determine component condition and to apply condition-based color coding to the components depicted by the 3D model. Numerical condition ratings associated with structure portions are mapped to visual colors, including a green-to-red color gradient. The approach uses condition guidance, including AASHTO/NBI-based guidance, to support the interpretation of the numerical condition ratings.
The workflow includes generating alerts and outputs based on condition thresholds. Another variation provides a map interface where a user selects a geographic region of interest, and the system retrieves vectors and attributes for structures in that region, generates the 3D graphical model, colors components based on condition, and generates alerts associated with portions in the geographic region.
Claims Coverage
The partial content identifies three independent claims: clm-00001 (method), clm-00008 (method with map interface and geographic region), and clm-00016 (system). Across these independent claims, the inventive features include retrieving vector data with numerical condition ratings, generating a graphical model, determining condition from the ratings, modifying a color associated with depicted portions based on the ratings and determined condition, and generating an alert message when the numerical rating associated with a portion meets a condition threshold.
Generating a graphical model from vectors with numerical ratings and condition-based color modification
receiving, from a database, a plurality of vectors indicative of a form of a structure and a condition of one or more portions of the structure, wherein each vector of the plurality of vectors is associated with a given portion of the one or more portions of the structure and comprises a numerical rating indicative of the condition of the given portion; generating, based on the plurality of the vectors, a graphical model of the structure; determining, based on the numerical rating of the given portion of the one or more portions of the structure, a condition of the given portion; and modifying, based on the numerical rating of the given portion and the determined condition, a color associated with the given portion depicted by the graphical model
Generating an alert message based on numerical ratings exceeding a condition threshold
generating, based on the numerical rating associated with the given portion exceeding a condition threshold, an alert message
Map interface driven region selection for graphical model generation and threshold alerts
providing a map interface to a user device; receiving input indicating a geographic region of interest; determining a structure present in the geographic region of interest; retrieving, for the structure in the geographic region of interest from a database, a plurality of vectors indicative of a form of the structure, wherein each vector of the plurality of vectors is associated with a given portion of one or more portions of the structure and comprises a numerical rating indicative of a condition of the given portion; generating, based on the plurality of the vectors, a graphical model of the structure; and generating, based on the numerical rating associated with the given portion exceeding a condition threshold, an alert message, wherein the given portion is associated with the geographic region of interest
System configured to generate condition-based colors and threshold alert messages
receive, from a database, a plurality of vectors indicative of a form of one or more portions of a structure, wherein each vector of the plurality of vectors is associated with a given portion of the one or more portions of the structure and comprises a numerical rating indicative of a condition of the given portion; generate, based on the plurality of the vectors, a graphical model of the structure; determine, based on the numerical rating of the given portion of the one or more portions of the structure, a condition of the given portion; modify, based on the numerical rating of the given portion and the determined condition, a color associated with the given portion depicted by the graphical model; and generate, based on the numerical rating associated with the given portion exceeding a condition threshold, an alert message
Across the independent claims, the claim coverage centers on converting database-provided vectors, each with a numerical condition rating for a structure portion, into a graphical model where the depicted portion color is modified based on the determined condition, and where an alert message is generated when the numerical rating associated with a portion exceeds a condition threshold. The map-interface independent claim further ties the retrieval and alerting to a user-selected geographic region of interest, while the system claim recites the same core processing steps as processor instructions.
Stated Advantages
Enables condition-based color coding of components depicted in a graphical model using numerical condition ratings and determined condition.
Generates alert messages when a numerical condition rating for a structure portion exceeds a condition threshold.
Supports map interface interaction for selecting a geographic region of interest and generating associated graphical models and alerts.
Documented Applications
3D modeling of infrastructure elements such as bridges and culverts from structural/geometric information and condition information, including graphical modeling and condition-based color coding.
Workflow variation where condition thresholds trigger alert messages tied to structure portions.
Map-interface use case where a user selects a geographic region of interest, structures in that region are determined, vectors are retrieved for those structures, a graphical model is generated, components are colored based on condition, and alerts are generated for portions in the selected region.
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