Optimizing Placements of 360-degree Panoramic Cameras in Indoor Environments by Integer Programming

We propose a computational approach to find a minimal set of 360-degree camera placements that together sufficiently cover an indoor environment for the building documentation problem in the architecture, engineering, and construction (AEC) industries. Our approach, based on a simple integer programming (IP) problem formulation, solves very efficiently and globally optimally. We conducted a study of using panoramas to capture the appearances of a real-world indoor environment, in which we found that our computed solutions are better than human solutions decided by both non-professional and professional users.