FIELD OF INVENTION

[0001] The embodiments of the present disclosure generally relate to a smart roof. More particularly, the present disclosure relates to methods and systems for creating a pitched roof along with 3D coordinates.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] The following description of the related art is intended to provide background information pertaining to the field of disclosure. This section may include certain aspects of the art that may be related to various features of the present disclosure. However, it should be appreciated that this section is used only to enhance the understanding of the reader with respect to the present disclosure, and not as an admission of the prior art.

[0003] A smartroof can infer the internal roof structure (how different planes and roof sections intersect) just from the roof perimeter and a few inputs from the designer.

[0004] A pitched roof is designed to include the roof that slopes downwards, typically in two parts at an angle from a central ridge, but sometimes in one part, from one edge to another. The “pitch” of a roof is its vertical rise divided by its horizontal span and is a measure of its steepness.

[0005] In general, constructing three-dimensional (3D) building structures such as roofs is useful and has many applications. However, conventional approaches have limitations in constructing complex roofs. Some solutions simplify the problem by modelling only roof planes of interest, for example, by drawing an outline of a roof face and assigning a pitch and an azimuth to it. Users may also manually create three-dimensional models in CAD software. In these cases, users may manually define an outline of a roof and use tools that convert a straight skeleton of the outline to 3D representations. All of these solutions have in common that cannot model complex roof structures because they do not support roof structures where perimeter edges are at different heights or roof structures that contain pitch changes. Additionally, these systems are usually general-purpose CAD tools that are complicated to use and thus require a lot of effort and a high degree of skill. This limits their use for applications that require a fast turn-around time and its use by unsophisticated users.

[0006] Further, even though the existing solutions help in creating pitched roofs that are similar to that of US residential which can be executed to only draw the outside edges. The advantage over sketch up is that it only takes to create the outlines and the inner edges are automatically detected and created but in sketch up, all the edges are to be created and the height value has to be matched as well. The limitation is that we cannot manually move the inner edges.

[0007] Conventional methods for building an accurate smart roof are vastly faster and easier than on-site assessment, this process can still be challenging and time-consuming. Even with cutting-edge tools, there can be trade-offs between speed and accuracy. Getting every detail perfect, in spite of factors like skewed satellite imagery or irregular roof structures, can require additional time or skill, and creating a quick, simplified design might sacrifice accuracy.

[0008] There is therefore a need in art to provide a method and system that can overcome the shortcomings of the existing prior art.

OBJECTS OF THE PRESENT DISCLOSURE

[0009] Some of the objects of the present disclosure, which at least one embodiment herein satisfy are listed herein below.

[0010] An object of the present disclosure is to provide a method and a system for creating a 3D pitched roof.

[0011] Another object of the present disclosure is to provide a method and a system that results in providing clean edges, right-angled comers, and evenly tilted roof planes.

[0012] Yet another object of the present disclosure is to provide a method and a system to facilitate building the pitched roof faster and simpler along with minimum human errors.

SUMMARY

[0013] The present disclosure relates to a smart roof. More particularly, the present disclosure relates to methods and systems for creating a pitched roof along with 3D coordinates. The main objective of the present disclosure is to overcome the drawback, limitations, and shortcomings of the existing system and solution, by providing a system that results in providing clean edges, right-angled corners, and evenly tilted roof planes.

[0014] The proposed system can include a processor operatively coupled to a memory, the memory storing instructions executable by the processor to receive a set of data of a target surface. The target surface is an irregular surface, where the irregular surface is a pitched roof structure. The set of data pertaining to roof slope angle, faces of the roof, inner edges of the roof, various tilts of the roof, the pitch of the roof and any combination thereof. [0015] The processor can apply a layout algorithm to the received set of data to develop layout schemes of the target surface for the placement of a plurality of solar panels, where the layout algorithm is configured to edit, delete and move the received set of data. The layout algorithm is selected from a variant of the straight skeleton algorithm. The variant of the straight skeleton algorithm is configured to edit the rooftop of the target surface, delete the faces on the roof and perform movement of inner edges on the roof, thereby providing clean edges, right-angled corners, and evenly tilted roof planes and building the pitched roof faster and simpler with minimum human errors.

[0016] The processor can generate the 3D coordinates of the target surface by considering the received set of data of the target surface. The processor calculates the 3D coordinates based on the pitch of the roof, the 3D coordinates are calculated using the variant of the straight skeleton algorithm.

[0017] The processor can display the 3D coordinates of the target surface to a user for the optimal placement of the plurality of solar panels. The variant of the straight skeleton algorithm is directed to produce layout schemes for the placement of solar panels. The layout schemes produced by the variant of the straight skeleton algorithm are displayed to the user in a format that permits comparison of layout details.

[0018] Various objects, features, aspects, and advantages of the inventive subject matter will become more apparent from the following detailed description of preferred embodiments, along with the accompanying drawing figures in which like numerals represent like components.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0019] The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated herein, and constitute a part of this invention, illustrate exemplary embodiments of the disclosed methods and systems in which like reference numerals refer to the same parts throughout the different drawings. Components in the drawings are not necessarily to scale, emphasis instead being placed upon clearly illustrating the principles of the present invention. Some drawings may indicate the components using block diagrams and may not represent the internal circuitry of each component. It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the invention of such drawings includes the invention of electrical components, electronic components or circuitry commonly used to implement such components. [0020] FIG. 1 illustrates an exemplary network architecture in which or with which the proposed system of the present disclosure can be implemented, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0021] FIG. 2 illustrates an exemplary representation of the proposed system for the smart roof, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0022] FIG. 3 illustrates an exemplary block diagram representation of system architecture, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0023] FIG. 4 illustrates an exemplary computer system in which or with which embodiments of the present invention can be utilized, in accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0024] FIG. 5 illustrates an exemplary flow chart of a method for creating a smart pitched roof, in accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF INVENTION

[0025] In the following description, for the purposes of explanation, various specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of embodiments of the present disclosure. It will be apparent, however, that embodiments of the present disclosure may be practiced without these specific details. Several features described hereafter can each be used independently of one another or with any combination of other features. An individual feature may not address all of the problems discussed above or might address only some of the problems discussed above. Some of the problems discussed above might not be fully addressed by any of the features described herein.

[0026] The present disclosure relates to the smart roof. More particularly, the present disclosure relates to methods and systems for creating a pitched roof along with 3D coordinates.

[0027] The present invention provides a robust and effective solution for creating a pitched roof. The present invention receives input from the user. The present invention computes the data and generates 3D coordinates, where the 3D coordinates are calculated using a variant of the straight skeleton algorithm. Finally, the output is generated and displayed on the computing device, the output includes a set of 3D coordinates for the roof corresponding to the straight skeleton structure of the roof. This could be further used to create the complete 3D model of the rooftop for various applications like solar plant installation. [0028] The advantages achieved by the system of the present disclosure can be clear from the embodiments provided herein. The system creates 3D pitched roof effectively and results in providing clean edges, right-angled corners, and evenly tilted roof planes. Further, the system facilitates building the pitched roof faster and simpler along with minimum human errors. The description of terms and features related to the present disclosure shall be clear from the embodiments that are illustrated and described; however, the invention is not limited to these embodiments only. Numerous modifications, changes, variations, substitutions, and equivalents of the embodiments are possible within the scope of the present disclosure. Additionally, the invention can include other embodiments that are within the scope of the claims but are not described in detail with respect to the following description.

[0029] FIG. 1 is an exemplary network architecture in which or with which the proposed system of the present disclosure can be implemented, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0030] Referring to FIG. 1 illustrates an exemplary network architecture for a demand management system 100 (also referred to as system (100)) in which or with which a system 110 or simply referred to as the system 110 of the present disclosure can be implemented, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. As illustrated, the exemplary architecture 100 may be equipped with an Artificial Intelligence (Al) engine 116 for facilitating 3D pitched roofs. The users (102-1, 102-2, 102-3... 102-N) (individually referred to as the user (102) or the employer (102) and collectively referred to as the users (102) or the employers (102)) associated with one or more first computing devices (104-1, 104-2... 104- N). The system 110 may be further operatively coupled to a second computing device 108 associated with entity 114. Entity 114 may include a company, a university, a lab facility, a business enterprise, a defence facility, or any other secured facility. The system 110 may be communicatively coupled to one or more first computing devices (individually referred to as the first computing device 104 and collectively referred to as the first computing device 104.

[0031] The system 110 may be coupled to a centralized server 112. The centralized server 112 may also be operatively coupled to one or more first computing devices 104 and the second computing devices 108 through a communication network 106.

[0032] In an embodiment, system 110 may forecast 3D coordinates, where the 3D coordinates are calculated using a variant of the straight skeleton algorithm. Finally, the output is generated and displayed on the computing device, the output includes a set of 3D coordinates for the roof corresponding to the straight skeleton structure of the roof. [0033] In an exemplary embodiment, a communication network 106 may include, by way of example but not limitation, at least a portion of one or more networks having one or more nodes that transmit, receive, forward, generate, buffer, store, route, switch, process, or a combination thereof, etc. one or more messages, packets, signals, waves, voltage or current levels, some combination thereof, or so forth. A network may include, by way of example but not limitation, one or more of a wireless network, a wired network, an internet, an intranet, a public network, a private network, a packet- switched network, a circuit-switched network, an ad hoc network, an infrastructure network, a Public-Switched Telephone Network (PSTN), a cable network, a cellular network, a satellite network, a fiber optic network, some combination thereof.

[0034] In another exemplary embodiment, the centralized server 112 may include or comprise, by way of example but not limitation, one or more of a stand-alone server, a server blade, a server rack, a bank of servers, a server farm, hardware supporting a part of a cloud service or system, a home server, hardware running a virtualized server, one or more processors executing code to function as a server, one or more machines performing serverside functionality as described herein, at least a portion of any of the above, some combination thereof.

[0035] In an embodiment, the one or more first computing devices 104, the one or more second computing devices 108 may communicate with the system 110 via a set of executable instructions residing on any operating system, including but not limited to, Android TM, iOS TM, Kai OS TM and the like. In an embodiment, one or more first computing devices 104, and the one or more second computing devices 108 may include, but are not limited to, any electrical, electronic, electro-mechanical or equipment or a combination of one or more of the above devices such as mobile phone, smartphone, Virtual Reality (VR) devices, Augmented Reality (AR) devices, laptop, a general-purpose computer, desktop, personal digital assistant, tablet computer, mainframe computer, or any other computing device, wherein the computing device may include one or more in-built or externally coupled accessories including, but not limited to, a visual aid device such as camera, audio aid, a microphone, a keyboard, input devices for receiving input from a user such as a touchpad, touch-enabled screen, electronic pen, receiving devices for receiving any audio or visual signal in any range of frequencies and transmitting devices that can transmit any audio or visual signal in any range of frequencies. It may be appreciated that the one or more first computing devices 104, and the one or more second computing devices 108 may not be restricted to the mentioned devices and various other devices may be used. A smart computing device may be one of the appropriate systems for storing data and other private/sensitive information.

[0036] In an embodiment, system 100 can include a processor 302 operatively coupled to a memory 304, the memory 304 storing instructions executable by the processor 302 to receive a set of data of a target surface. In an exemplary embodiment, the target surface is an irregular surface, where the irregular surface is a pitched roof structure. The set of data pertaining to roof slope angle, faces of the roof, inner edges of the roof, various tilts of the roof, the pitch of the roof and any combination thereof.

[0037] The processor 302 can apply a layout algorithm to the received set of data to develop layout schemes of the target surface for the placement of a plurality of solar panels, where the layout algorithm is configured to edit, delete and move the received set of data. The layout algorithm is selected from a variant of the straight skeleton algorithm. The variant of the straight skeleton algorithm is configured to edit the rooftop of the target surface, delete the faces on the roof and perform movement of the inner edges of the roof.

[0038] The processor 302 can generate the 3D coordinates of the target surface by considering the received set of data of the target surface. The processor 302 calculates the 3D coordinates based on the received set of data, the 3D coordinates are calculated using the variant of the straight skeleton algorithm.

[0039] The processor 302 can display the 3D coordinates of the target surface to a user for the optimal placement of the plurality of solar panels. The variant of the straight skeleton algorithm is directed to produce layout schemes for the placement of solar panels. The layout schemes produced by the variant of the straight skeleton algorithm are displayed to the user in a format that permits comparison of layout details.

[0040] Thus, the present invention overcomes the drawbacks, shortcomings, and limitations associated with existing solutions, and provides a system that creates 3D pitched roofs effectively and results in providing clean edges, right-angled comers, and evenly tilted roof planes. Further, the system facilitates building the pitched roof faster and simpler along with minimum human errors.

[0041] FIG. 2 illustrates an architecture of a system to illustrate its overall working in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0042] According to an embodiment, a system for creating the pitched roof 200 comprises an input unit 202, a processing unit 206 and an output unit 204. The input unit 202 may comprise one or more image sensors or cameras configured in the roof to capture images/data. The processing unit 206 may comprise a processor and a memory and/or may be integrated with existing systems and computes 3D coordinates for the pitched roof which corresponds to the skeleton structure. The output unit 204 may be a display device that provides displays the 3D coordinates for the pitched roof to the user.

[0043] In an embodiment, a data extraction 210 is used for extracting the data which can be used by a data computation 212 for computing the 3D pitched roof. Finally, data generation 214 creates 3D pitched roof.

[0044] The processing unit(s) 206 may be implemented as a combination of hardware and programming (for example, programmable instructions) to implement one or more functionalities of the processing unit 206. In the examples described herein, such combinations of hardware and programming may be implemented in several different ways. For example, the programming for the processing unit(s) 206 may be processor-executable instructions stored on a non-transitory machine-readable storage medium and the hardware for the processing unit(s) 206 may comprise a processing resource (for example, one or more processors), to execute such instructions. In the present examples, the machine-readable storage medium may store instructions that, when executed by the processing resource, implement the processing unit(s)206. In such examples, the processing unit 104 may comprise the machine -readable storage medium storing the instructions and the processing resource to execute the instructions, or the machine-readable storage medium may be separate but accessible to processing unit 104 and the processing resource. In other examples, the processing unit(s) 206 may be implemented by electronic circuitry.

[0045] FIG. 3 illustrates exemplary modules of a processing unit in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0046] As illustrated, in an embodiment, the system architecture 300 includes modules/units, but is not limited to, a processor 302, a memory 304, interface 306, a processing engine 308, a data extraction unit 312, a computation unit 314, a data generation unit 316 and database 310 and the like.

[0047] In an aspect, processing unit 206 may comprise one or more processor(s) 302. The one or more processor(s) 302 may be implemented as one or more microprocessors, microcomputers, microcontrollers, digital signal processors, central processing units, logic circuitries, and/or any devices that manipulate data based on operational instructions. Among other capabilities, one or more processor(s) 302 are configured to fetch and execute computer-readable instructions stored in memory 304 of the processing unit 206. The memory 304 may store one or more computer-readable instructions or routines, which may be fetched and executed to create or share the data units over a network service. The memory 304 may comprise any non-transitory storage device including, for example, volatile memory such as RAM, or non-volatile memory such as EPROM, flash memory, and the like.

[0048] The processing unit 206 may also comprise an interface(s) 306. The interface(s) 306 may comprise a variety of interfaces, for example, interfaces for data input and output devices, referred to as VO devices, storage devices, and the like. The interface(s) 306 may facilitate communication of processing unit 206 with various devices coupled to the processing unit 206 such as the input unit 202 and the output unit 204. The interface(s) 306 may also provide a communication pathway for one or more components of the processing unit 206. Examples of such components include, but are not limited to, processing engine(s) 308 and database310.

[0049] The processing uniVengine(s) 308 may be implemented as a combination of hardware and programming (for example, programmable instructions) to implement one or more functionalities of the processing engine(s) 310. In the examples described herein, such combinations of hardware and programming may be implemented in several different ways. For example, the programming for the processing engine(s) 3O8may be processor-executable instructions stored on a non-transitory machine-readable storage medium and the hardware for the processing engine(s) 3O8may comprise a processing resource (for example, one or more processors), to execute such instructions. In the present examples, the machine -readable storage medium may store instructions that, when executed by the processing resource, implement the processing engine(s) 308. In such examples, the systeml lO/centralized server 112 may comprise the machine-readable storage medium storing the instructions and the processing resource to execute the instructions, or the machine -readable storage medium may be separate but accessible to the system 110/centralized server 112 and the processing resource. In other examples, the processing engine(s) 308 may be implemented by electronic circuitry.

[0050] The processing engine 308 may include one or more units selected from any of the data extraction units 312, the computation unit314, and data generation unit 316. The processing engine 3O8may further edge-based micro service event processing but is not limited to the like.

[0051] In an embodiment, the data extraction unit 312 extracts the data which is captured by the sensors. The skeleton structure is captured by the sensors and a set of signals is transmitted as input signals.

[0052] In an embodiment, the computation unit 314 computes the 3D pitched roof which corresponds to the skeleton structure of the roof. [0053] In an embodiment, the generation unit 316 creates 3D pitched roof and displays it on the computing device for the user.

[0054] FIG. 4 illustrates an exemplary computer system in which or with which embodiments of the present invention can be utilized in accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure. As shown in FIG. 4, computer system 400can include an external storage device 410, a bus 420, a main memory 430, a read only memory 440, a mass storage device 450, communication port 460, and a processor 470. A person skilled in the art will appreciate that the computer system may include more than one processor and communication ports. Examples of processor 470 include, but are not limited to, an Intel® Itanium® or Itanium 2 processor(s), or AMD® Opteron® or Athlon MP® processor(s), Motorola® lines of processors, FortiSOC™ system on chip processors or other future processors. Processor 430 may include various modules associated with embodiments of the present invention. Communication port 460 can be any of an RS -232 port for use with a modem based dialup connection, a 10/100 Ethernet port, a Gigabit or 10 Gigabit port using copper or fiber, a serial port, a parallel port, or other existing or future ports. Communication port 460 may be chosen depending on a network, such a Local Area Network (LAN), Wide Area Network (WAN), or any network to which computer system connects. Memory 430 can be Random Access Memory (RAM), or any other dynamic storage device commonly known in the art. Readonly memory 440 can be any static storage device(s) e.g., but not limited to, a Programmable Read Only Memory (PROM) chips for storing static information e.g., start-up or BIOS instructions for processor 470. Mass storage 450 may be any current or future mass storage solution, which can be used to store information and/or instructions. Exemplary mass storage solutions include, but are not limited to, Parallel Advanced Technology Attachment (PATA) or Serial Advanced Technology Attachment (SATA) hard disk drives or solid-state drives (internal or external, e.g., having Universal Serial Bus (USB) and/or Firewire interfaces), e.g. those available from Seagate (e.g., the Seagate Barracuda 782 family) or Hitachi (e.g., the Hitachi Deskstar 13K8OO), one or more optical discs, Redundant Array of Independent Disks (RAID) storage, e.g. an array of disks (e.g., SATA arrays), available from various vendors including Dot Hill Systems Corp., LaCie, Nexsan Technologies, Inc. and Enhance Technology, Inc.

[0055] Bus 420 communicatively couples processor(s) 470 with the other memory, storage and communication blocks. Bus 1320 can be, e.g. a Peripheral Component Interconnect (PCI) / PCI Extended (PCI-X) bus, Small Computer System Interface (SCSI), USB or the like, for connecting expansion cards, drives and other subsystems as well as other buses, such a front side bus (FSB), which connects processor 13130 to software system.

[0056] Optionally, operator and administrative interfaces, e.g. a display, keyboard, and a cursor control device, may also be coupled to bus 420 to support direct operator interaction with a computer system. Other operator and administrative interfaces can be provided through network connections connected through communication port 460. The external storage device 410 can be any kind of external hard-drives, floppy drives, IOMEGA® Zip Drives, Compact Disc - Read Only Memory (CD-ROM), Compact Disc-Re- Writable (CD-RW), Digital Video Disk-Read Only Memory (DVD-ROM). Components described above are meant only to exemplify various possibilities. In no way should the aforementioned exemplary computer system limit the scope of the present disclosure.

[0057] FIG. 5 illustrates an exemplary flow chart of a method for creating a smart pitched roof, in accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0058] Referring to FIG. 5, method 500 can include block 502, the processor can receive the set of data of the target surface. The target surface is an irregular surface, where the irregular surface is a pitched roof structure. The set of data pertaining to roof slope angle, faces of the roof, inner edges of the roof, various tilts of the roof, the pitch of the roof and any combination thereof

[0059] At block 504, the processor can apply a layout algorithm to the received set of data to develop layout schemes of the target surface for the placement of the plurality of solar panels, wherein the layout algorithm is configured to edit, delete and move the received set of data.

[0060] At block 506, the processor can generate the 3D coordinates of the target surface by considering the received set of data of the target surface and at block 508, the processor can display the 3D coordinates of the target surface to a user for the optimal placement of the plurality of solar panels.

[0061] While considerable emphasis has been placed herein on the preferred embodiments, it will be appreciated that many embodiments can be made and that many changes can be made in the preferred embodiments without departing from the principles of the invention. These and other changes in the preferred embodiments of the invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art from the disclosure herein, whereby it is to be distinctly understood that the foregoing descriptive matter is to be implemented merely as illustrative of the invention and not as a limitation. ADVANTAGES OF THE PRESENT DISCLOSURE

[0062] The present disclosure provides a robust and effective solution for creating a 3D-pitched roof.

[0063] The present disclosure is to provide a method and a system for creating the 3D pitched roof.

[0064] The present disclosure is to provide a method and a system that results in providing clean edges, right-angled corners, and evenly tilted roof planes.

[0065] The present disclosure is to provide a method and a system to facilitate building the pitched roof faster and simpler along with minimum human errors.