X-ray vision for buildings

A non-transitory computer-readable storage medium comprising a plurality of computer-readable instructions tangibly embodied on the computer-readable storage medium, which when executed by a data processor, provide a skeletal view of an existing building in view of a computing device having a camera, the skeletal view being a representation of hidden structural components and visible structural components of the existing building, the plurality of instructions comprising:

• instructions that cause the data processor to receive location information associated with the computing device, the location information identifying a physical location of the computing device;
• instructions that cause the data processor to receive spatial orientation information for the computing device, the spatial orientation information identifying a physical orientation of the computing device;
• instructions that cause the data processor to determine a field of view for the computing device, based on the location information and spatial orientation information, the field of view including a three-dimensional (3D) location of the computing device and a direction of view from the camera of the computing device;
• instructions that cause the data processor to receive three-dimensional (3D) model information representing construction details of the existing building, the existing building being at a location proximate to the computing device, and the 3D model information including the hidden structural components and the visible structural components;
• instructions that cause the data processor to compare the field of view with the 3D model information;
• instructions that cause the data processor to identify a hidden structural component based on the comparison between the field of view and the 3D model information, the hidden structural component being hidden within at least one of a wall, a ceiling or a floor of the existing building;
• instructions that cause the data processor to, generate a composite representation including visible structural components of the existing building and the hidden structural component;
• and
• instructions that cause the data processor to display the composite representation on the computing device.

A system for generating a skeletal view of an existing building in view of a computing device having a camera, the skeletal view being a representation of hidden structural components and visible structural components of the existing building, the system comprising:

• a processor;
• and
• a memory disposed in communication with the processor and storing processor executable instructions, the instructions comprising instructions for:
• receiving location information associated with the computing device, the location information identifying a physical location of the computing device;
• receiving spatial orientation information for the computing device, the spatial orientation information identifying a physical orientation of the computing device;
• determining a field of view for the computing device using the location information and the spatial orientation information, the field of view including a three-dimensional (3D) location of the computing device and a direction of view from the camera of the computing device;
• receiving three-dimensional (3D) model information representing construction details of the existing building, the existing building being at a location proximate to the computing device;
• comparing the field of view with the 3D model information;
• identifying a hidden structural component based on the comparison between the field of view and the 3D model information, the hidden structural component being hidden within at least one of a wall, a ceiling or a floor of the existing building;
• preparing a composite representation including a visible structural component and the hidden structural component;
• and
• displaying the composite representation on a display of the system.