Patent ID: 9727834
Date: 2017-08-08
CPC Classifications: G06Q

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; in response to receiving the request, dispatching to the specified location an instance of a portable flying platform that is an unmanned remote controlled vehicle capable of maneuvering around the specified location to capture measurement data for preparing the requested estimate, wherein the portable flying platform flies at low altitude less than 400 feet off of the ground; 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, wherein the measurement data includes automatically determining pitch of a roof at the specified location from the flying platform without physical contact with the roof and identifying one or more roof penetrations; analyzing the captured measurement data to process the captured measurement data into information actionable for preparing an estimate for the particular construction task at the specified location; and automatically 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.