Methods and apparatuses for capturing images used for generating 3D models of rooms

One or more processor readable storage devices having instructions encoded thereon which when executed cause one or more processors of a mobile computing device to perform a method for enabling generation of three dimensional (3D) models of one or more rooms, the method comprising:

• displaying user location indicators and image location indicators on a display of the mobile computing device, wherein the user location indicators comprise for each of a plurality of walls of each of one or more rooms, a representation of the room being imaged, an indication of which particular wall of the room is to be imaged, and a representation of where the user is to stand relative to the particular wall that is to be imaged;
• obtaining images and corresponding orientation information for each of the plurality of walls of each of the one or more rooms using a camera of the mobile computing device and at least one sensor of the mobile computing device;
• transferring the obtained images and corresponding orientation information from the mobile computing device to a remote system that is configured to generate 3D models of rooms based on images;
• and
• receiving data that enables a 3D model of the one or more rooms to be displayed on the display of the mobile computing device.

For use by a mobile computing device that includes a camera configured to obtain images and at least one sensor configured to obtain orientation information for the mobile computing device, a method for enabling generation of three dimensional (3D) models of one or more rooms, the method comprising:

• displaying user location indicators and image location indicators on a display of the mobile computing device, wherein the image location indicators comprise at least one of a first type of image location indicator including a graphical horizontal line that is to be aligned with a horizontal line that separates a wall from a floor, or a second type of image location indicator including a graphical horizontal line that is to be aligned with a horizontal line that separates a wall from a ceiling;
• capturing images and obtaining corresponding orientation information for each of a plurality of walls of each of one or more rooms using a camera of the mobile computing device and at least one sensor of the mobile computing device;
• transferring the obtained images and corresponding orientation information from the mobile computing device to a remote system that is configured to generate 3D models of rooms based on images;
• and
• receiving data that enables the mobile computing device to display a 3D model of the one or more rooms.

A mobile computing device, comprising:

• a processor;
• a camera;
• at least one sensor;
• a display;
• and
• a transceiver;
• wherein the processor causes user location indicators and image location indicators to be displayed on the display, wherein the image location indicators comprise at least one of a first type of image location indicator including a graphical horizontal line that is to be aligned with a horizontal line that separates a wall from a floor, or a second type of image location indicator including a graphical horizontal line that is to be aligned with a horizontal line that separates a wall from a ceiling;
• wherein the camera and the at least one sensor obtain images and corresponding orientation information for each of a plurality of walls of each of one or more rooms;
• and
• wherein the transceiver transfers the obtained images and corresponding orientation information to a remote system that is configured to generate 3D models of rooms based on images, and receives data that enables a 3D model of the one or more rooms to be displayed on the display.