Four-dimensional augmented reality models for interactive visualization and automated construction progress monitoring

A computer-implemented method comprising:

• storing in memory multiple unordered images obtained from photographs taken at a site;
• melding, with a processor connected with the memory, the multiple images to reconstruct a dense three-dimensional (3D) as-built point cloud model (“as built-model”) comprising merged pixels from the multiple images in 3D space of the site;
• rectifying and transforming, with the processor, the 3D as-built model to a site coordinate system existing within a 3D as-planned building information model (“as-planned model”);
• and
• overlaying, with the processor in a display connected with the processor, the 3D as-built model with the 3D as-planned model for joint visualization thereof to display progress towards completion of a structure shown in the 3D as-planned model.

A computer-readable storage medium comprising a set of instructions for configuring a construction progress monitoring system executable by a computing device having a processor and memory, the computer-readable medium comprising;

• instructions to store in the memory multiple unordered images obtained from photographs taken at a site in response to user inputs requesting to store the photographs;
• instructions to direct the processor to meld the multiple images together from memory to reconstruct a dense three-dimensional (3D) as-built point cloud model (“as built-model”) comprising merged pixels from the multiple images in 3D space of the site;
• instructions to direct the processor to rectify and transform the 3D as-built model to a site coordinate system existing within a 3D as-planned building information model (“as-planned model”);
• and
• instructions to direct the processor to overlay, in a display connected with the processor, the 3D as-built model with the 3D as-planned model for joint visualization thereof to display progress towards completion of a structure shown in the 3D as-planned model.