WO2019043726A1

WO2019043726A1 - Method and system to geo-tag road irregularities and alert vehicle users of potential irregularities on the path

Info

Publication number: WO2019043726A1
Application number: PCT/IN2018/050554
Authority: WO
Inventors: Manoj A. GAJENDRA
Original assignee: Gajendra Manoj A
Priority date: 2017-08-29
Filing date: 2018-08-29
Publication date: 2019-03-07

Abstract

A method and system to geo-tag road irregularities and alert vehicle users of potential irregularities on the path is disclosed. The system comprises a device mountable on a vehicle for geo-tagging road irregularities, the device comprising a GPS receiver for determining location co-ordinates of the vehicle on a navigation path at a plurality of instances, sensors configured for capturing one or more values of one or more parameters along at least one of x, y and z axis of the vehicle; and a processor for comparing the received one or more values of the one or more parameters with predefined threshold values, determining existence of the one or more road irregularities based on a result of comparison, and geo-tagging the road irregularities along with metadata for at least one of a statistical analysis and indicating the one or more road irregularities along the navigation path.

Description

METHOD AND SYSTEM TO GEO-TAG ROAD IRREGULARITIES AND ALERT VEHICLE USERS OF POTENTIAL IRREGULARITIES ON THE PATH

FIELD POF TECHNOLOGY

[001] The disclosure relates generally to a method and a system for identifying irregularities in a navigational path of a vehicle. Specifically, the disclosure relates to a method and system for identifying, tagging and alerting commuters on the navigational path of potential irregularities.

BACKGROUND

[002] Typically, the condition of roads affect the driving perception of the operator of a car, two wheeler or any other vehicle. Moreover, the easiness of driving (driving character), and safety are based on several other conditions of road such as humps, broken roads, unexpected dividers, sunken road and the like. In most of the geographical locations around the world such as under developed or developing places or even sometimes in developed places, the condition of roads may not be very good and have lot of irregularities such humps, potholes, broken road, unexpected dividers, sunken road, and the like. Such irregularities on roads are mostly unmarked or not visible due to several environmental factors such as frequent rains.

[003] Such irregularities on roads are unpredictable and may affect the normal driving of the driver. In addition, such irregularities may lead to road accidents. The last minute reaction of the driver or the rider due to an unexpected irregularity on road may cause significant damage to the vehicle leading to fatal and non-fatal accidents for people inside or outside the vehicle. It is evident to support the claim, that irregularities on the road can cause vehicle damage, accidents, injury and death. When the vehicle passes over road irregularities at a speed greater than some threshold speed, the risk of damage, accident or injury may be substantial.

[004] As a result, to avoid such accidents and to enhance the safety of driving on roads, early warning of such irregularities is necessary. A method and a system or a device to detect and build a database of such potential irregularities (location and nature of irregularities) and to send timely alerts to vehicle users with respect to such irregularities to ensure the safety of drivers and others on road is very much essential. Several existing methods utilize an Άρρ' based device (smart phone) for pre-detection of such regularities on road. However, such methods are not very reliable, as the processor of those mobile devices is mostly chocked with other smart phone applications. The other category of the attempt is on driverless cars, which has an active sensing approach based on image processing and other technologies. They are limited to network of few "smart cars".

SUMMARY

[005] In order to solve at least some of the above mentioned problems, there exists a need for a system and a method or a device that detects such potential irregularities on road, build a database of the irregularities and send timely alerts to the driver with respect to such irregularities to ensure the safety of drivers and others on roads.

[006] A method and system to geo-tag road irregularities and alert vehicle users of potential irregularities on the path is disclosed. In one embodiment, the system comprises a device mountable on a vehicle for geo-tagging road irregularities during navigation, wherein the device comprises, a GPS receiver configured for determining location co-ordinates of the vehicle on a navigation path at a plurality of instances, one or more sensors configured for capturing one or more values of one or more parameters along at least one of x, y and z axis of the vehicle, wherein the one or more parameters comprises at least one of a speed, acceleration, displacement, relative speed of the vehicle, etc., and a processor configured for, receiving the one or more values of the one or more parameters along at least one of the x, y and z axis of the vehicle, comparing the received one or more values of the one or more parameters with one or more predefined threshold values of the one or more parameters, determining existence of the one or more road irregularities based on a result of comparison, and geo-tagging the one or more road irregularities along with metadata for at least one of a statistical analysis and indicating the one or more road irregularities along the navigation path.

[007] The system further comprises a server in communication with a plurality of devices, wherein the server is configured for receiving geo-tagged information for the navigation path from the plurality of devices mounted on a plurality of vehicles navigating in the said navigation path, wherein the geo-tagged information comprises the one or more road irregularities and the metadata, establishing correctness of the one or more road irregularities by comparing the received geo-tagged information, upon establishing the correctness, creating a dynamic navigation path by taking into account the one or more road irregularities; and updating the dynamic navigation path for indicating the one or more road irregularities along the navigation path for users travelling in the navigation path.

[008] The summary above is illustrative only and is not intended to be in any way limiting. Further aspects, exemplary embodiments, and features will become apparent by reference to the drawings and the following detailed description.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

[009] These and other features, aspects, and advantages of the exemplary embodiments can be better understood when the following detailed description is read with reference to the accompanying drawings in which like characters represent like parts throughout the drawings, wherein:

[0010] FIG. 1 is an example illustration of one embodiment featuring a plurality of vehicles on which a device is mounted, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure; [0011] FIG. 2 is an example illustration of one embodiment of a vehicle on which the device of FIG. 1 is mounted, the device comprising one or more sensors to log the location of the vehicle, speed of the vehicle and sudden changes in displacement, acceleration and other parameters in x, y, z axis of the vehicle, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure; [0012] FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating functional components of the device mounted on vehicles depicted in FIG.1, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0013] FIG. 4 is a flow chart illustrating a method for capturing data with respect to irregularities, analysing irregularities and geo tagging the irregularities in internal and external database, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure; [0014] FIG. 5 is a flow chart illustrating a method for manual input and verification to confirm the irregularity data in internal memory and external database, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0015] FIG. 6 is a flow chart illustrating a method for active obstruction and road irregularity sensing, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0016] FIG. 7 is a flow chart illustrating a method for live update of the irregularity data in internal and external database, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure; and

[0017] FIG. 8 is a flow chart illustrating a method for application of the irregularity data from the internal and external database, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0018] Further, skilled artisans will appreciate that elements in the figures are illustrated for simplicity and may not have necessarily been drawn to scale. Furthermore, in terms of the construction of the device, one or more components of the device may have been represented in the figures by conventional symbols, and the figures may show only those specific details that are pertinent to understanding the embodiments of the present invention so as not to obscure the figures with details that will be readily apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art having the benefit of the description herein.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION [0019] For the purpose of promoting an understanding of the principles of the invention, reference will now be made to the embodiments illustrated in the figures and specific language will be used to describe the same. It will nevertheless be understood that no limitation of the scope of the invention is thereby intended, such alterations and further modifications in the illustrated system, and such further applications of the principles of the invention as illustrated therein being contemplated as would normally occur to one skilled in the art to which the invention relates.

[0020] It will be understood by those skilled in the art that the foregoing general description and the following detailed description are exemplary and explanatory of the invention and are not intended to be restrictive thereof. [0021] The terms "comprises", "comprising", or any other variations thereof, are intended to cover a non-exclusive inclusion, such that a process or method that comprises a list of steps does not comprise only those steps but may comprise other steps not expressly listed or inherent to such process or method. Similarly, one or more devices or sub-systems or elements or structures or components proceeded by "comprises... a" does not, without more constraints, preclude the existence of other devices or other sub-systems or other elements or other structures or other components or additional devices or additional sub-systems or additional elements or additional structures or additional components. Appearances of the phrase "in an embodiment", "in another embodiment" and similar language throughout this specification may, but do not necessarily, all refer to the same embodiment.

[0022] Unless otherwise defined, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this invention belongs. The system, methods, and examples provided herein are illustrative only and not intended to be limiting. [0023] FIG. 1 is an example illustration 100 of one embodiment featuring a plurality of vehicles 104-A through 104-N on which device 102-A through 102-N is mounted, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. Each vehicle 104 comprises the device 102 mounted on it (as shown by reference numeral 105).

[0024] In one embodiment, the device 102 is configured to geo-tag a plurality of irregularities (as shown by reference numeral 106-A through 106-N) existing on the surface of the roads 108. In one embodiment, when the vehicle 104 passes over the irregularities 106, the device 102 geo-tags the irregularities 106 automatically or manually including additional information such as images and other characteristics, and stores the data in the internal memory of the device 102. For example, the irregularities may be one or more of humps, potholes, broken road, unexpected dividers, sunken road, and the like.

[0025] In one embodiment, referring now to the FIG. 2, the device 102 comprises one or more sensors to log the location of the vehicle, speed of the vehicle and sudden changes in displacement, acceleration and other parameters along the x,y,z axis of the vehicle (to which the device 102 is mounted). The device 102 is configured to analyse the behaviour of the vehicle 104 for abnormal relative speed between vehicle 104 and other objects (moving or stationary) along the path.

[0026] In addition to recording of data with respect to irregularities on road, the device 102 comprises a camera which is configured to capture one or more images of the irregularity 106. The camera is installed on the device 102 for visual feedback to be used later. The data logged is captured and saved in the internal memory of the device 102 and is transmitted to the cloud database 110 through internet 114 for at least one of a statistical analysis and indicating/alerting the one or more road irregularities along the navigation path. In one embodiment, the stored data is processed on the cloud based server automatically or by the data analysis centre (manually or automatically) and is transmitted to all the road users using the device 102 mounted on their vehicles, to alert them of the potential irregularities much ahead. That is, the information about the irregularities in a given navigation path is analysed and transmitted to the users who are in the given path. The cloud database 110 could be a service provider and is synchronized with the database situated at a data management office 112. In one embodiment, the data is analysed by the data analysis centre (manually or automatically) and the database is updated with geo-tagged irregularity along with the nature of it. The system uses the behaviour pattern for self and other users to increase the accuracy of the database. The system constantly updates to the latest data. Based on the geo-tagged data and the constant N, the driver/rider alert/advise system is activated.

[0027] The analysed data is relayed back to all the road users equipped with the device 102, through internet 114. In one embodiment, the relayed data of geo-tagged irregularities would send a warning to the road user with a series of alerts when the device detects the potential pass through over an irregularity along with a picture of the irregularity. The relayed data is sent back to the plurality of road users having the device 102 installed on the vehicles 104 and is sent in the pre-determined range and path of the geo-tagged road irregularity, in the form of early warning messages with a picture. [0028] In one embodiment, additional data is also recorded by the device 102 mounted on the vehicle 104. The additional data is recorded by the road user, manually to either confirm the automatically logged data or further record any new data that has not been logged by the sensor embedded in the device 102.

[0029] In some embodiments, a manner in which the device 102 of FIG. 1 operates for providing indications or alerts to the vehicle users on the roads is described in detail further below.

[0030] FIG. 3 is a block diagram 300 illustrating functional components of the device 102 mounted on the vehicles 104- A through 104-N of FIG.1, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown, the device 102 comprises a display 302, a single board computer 304, a GPS receiver 306, one or more sensors 308, and a camera 312. As described, the device 101 is communicatively connected to an external database 318. The single board computer comprises a processor 310, a communication interface 314 and a memory 316.

[0031] The GPS receiver 306 is configured to determine the location co-ordinates of a vehicle on a navigation path at a plurality of instances. The one or more sensors 308 may include a gyroscope, an accelerometer, a light wave and radio waver sensors, etc. In one embodiment, the one or more sensors 308 are configured for capturing one or more values of one or more parameters along at least one of x, y and z axis of the vehicle, wherein the one or more parameters comprises at least one of a speed, acceleration, displacement, relative speed of the vehicle, etc. That is, the one or more sensors 308 are configured to log the location of the vehicle, speed of the vehicle and sudden changes in displacement, acceleration and other parameters in x,y,z axis of the vehicle (on which the device is mounted). The captured information is then fed to the processor 310 for further processing.

[0032] In one embodiment of the present disclosure, the processor 310 compares the received one or more values of the one or more parameters with one or more predefined threshold values of the one or more parameters. Then, the processor 310 determines existence of the one or more road irregularities based on a result of comparison and geo-tags the one or more road irregularities along with metadata for at least one of a statistical analysis and indicating the one or more road irregularities along the navigation path. The metadata comprises at least one of a type of the one or more road irregularities, location co-ordinates, the one or more values of the one or more parameters and one or more images of the one or more road irregularities.

[0033] Further, the camera 312 is configured to capture one or more images of the irregularities 106 (of FIG.l). The camera is installed on the device 102 for visual feedback to be used later. The external database 318 is the cloud database 110 as described in FIG. 1. The cloud database 110 is situated at a data management office 112. In one embodiment, the external database 318 is configured to store the geo-tagged information comprising one or more geo-tagged road irregularities and the metadata. In one embodiment, the external database 318 is configured to store live update of the irregularity data and application of the irregularity data.

[0034] The single board computer 306 comprises the memory 316 configured to store automatically or manually (along with the nature of it, including a picture). In one embodiment, the device 102 is configured to geo-tag a plurality of irregularities existing on the surface of the roads 108. In one embodiment, when the vehicle 104 passes over the irregularities 106, the device 102 geo-tags the irregularities 106 automatically or manually (along with the nature of it, including a picture), and stores the data in the internal memory 316 of the device 102. [0035] The device 102 is configured to transmit the data stored in internal memory 316 to the external database 318 situated in the cloud based server through internet. This data in the cloud is stored in the centralized database and is further processed and relayed back to the all road users having this device and in the pre-determined range and path of the geo-tagged road irregularity, in the form of early warning messages with a picture. In one embodiment, the display 302 is configured to alert the vehicle users by displaying timely alerts and pictures with respect to such irregularities to ensure the safety of drivers and others on road.

[0036] In one embodiment of the present disclosure, the server performs statistical analysis on the geo-tagged information tagged by the plurality of devices installed on the plurality of vehicles traveling in a same navigation path for establishing correctness of the one or more road irregularities. Accordingly, in one embodiment of the present disclosure, the server receives the geo-tagged information for the navigation path from the plurality of devices mounted on a plurality of vehicles navigating in the said navigation path, wherein the geo-tagged information comprises the one or more road irregularities and the metadata. Then the server establishes correctness of the one or more road irregularities by comparing the received geo-tagged information. For example, if a device installed on a vehicle tags a road hump in a given geo-coordinate, the server compares the received geo-tagged information from other devices to make sure the existence of the road hump in that particular geo- coordinate. This ensures false tagging by any of the devices due to various driving conditions. Upon establishing the correctness, the server creates a dynamic navigation path by taking into account the one or more road irregularities and the metadata associated with the one or more irregularities. Then the server updates the dynamic navigation path for indicating the one or more road irregularities along the navigation path for alerting or indicating the one or more road irregularities to the other users (through the device installed on their vehicles) traveling in the same navigation path. The creation and the process of updating of the dynamic navigation path is done is real-time or near-real-time for indicating/alerting the one or more road irregularities to the users of the system.

[0037] In one embodiment of the present disclosure, the one or more road irregularities are indicated by the device mounted on the vehicle, wherein the one or more road irregularities are indicated based on a first criterion and a second criterion. The first criterion is indicating the one or more road irregularities when the vehicle approaches the geo- coordinates associated with the one or more road irregularities. The second criterion comprises, determining speed by distance ratio for the one or more road irregularities, comparing the speed by distance ratio with a predetermined constant for safe pass-over associated with the one or more road irregularities, indicating the one or more road irregularities if the speed by distance ratio is greater the predetermined constant for safe pass- over. That is, the device may alert the user when the user approaches the geo-tagged location. Alternatively, the device is configured to alert the user if the user is driving the vehicle beyond an acceptable speed limit.

[0038] In some other embodiments, a manner in which the road irregularities are geo- tagged and the data associated with the irregularities are captured to alert the vehicle users on the path is described in detail further below. [0039] FIG. 4 is a flow chart illustrating a method 400 for capturing data with respect to irregularities, analysing irregularities and geo tagging the irregularities in internal memory and external database, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 4 may be described from the perspective of a processor 310 that is configured to execute computer- readable instructions to carry out the functionalities of the above described modules of the system 300 of FIG. 3. In particular, the steps as described in FIG. 4 may be executed for capturing data with respect to irregularities, analysing irregularities and geo tagging the irregularities in internal memory and external database. Each step is described in detail below.

[0040] At step 402, the data (one or more values of the one or more parameters) with respect to the irregularity on surface of road, the position of a vehicle on a particular path is captured. In one embodiment, the map and the GPS input is utilized to estimate the location of the vehicle, speed of the vehicle and path/route of the vehicle. In another embodiment, one or more sensors are used to log the location of the vehicle, speed of the vehicle and sudden changes in displacement, acceleration and other parameters in x,y,z axis of the vehicle (to which a device is mounted). In addition, a camera is used to capture the pictures of the irregularities. The device 102 of FIG 1 is configured to analyse the behaviour of the vehicle 104 for abnormal relative speed between vehicle and other objects (moving or stationary) along the path. In one embodiment, the device 102 is mounted on a plurality of vehicles. The device is configured to geo-tag the irregularities (along with the nature of the irregularities.) For example, the irregularities may be in form of humps, potholes, broken road, unexpected dividers, sunken road, and the like

[0041] At step 404, the captured data is analysed. In one embodiment, the acceleration of the vehicle is analysed. At this step, it is determined whether the vehicle is accelerating or braking. In another embodiment, the sensor data (one or more values) is analysed for road irregularities. In one example embodiment, the acceleration data is analysed based on below:

Where Lmax & Lmin, Mmax & Mmin are safe bands. Amax & Amin are normal acceleration bands

[0042] In one embodiment, the acceleration value is checked along the X axis (as shown above) to determine if the vehicle is moving smoothly without any disturbances on the surface of road. The acceleration value may vary i.e., if the acceleration value is between A max or A min, the driving is considered to be in normal driving conditions. Sometimes the acceleration may be more than A max or less than A min, which means there is a rapid acceleration or rapid de-acceleration and is a result of some irregularity or obstruction ahead and an unusual driving/riding behaviour is sensed. Thus based on the variation in the acceleration, the device geo-tags that location of irregularity/obstruction with the details from the sensors. [0043] In one embodiment, the irregularity is checked along the Y- direction (as shown above). If the irregularities along the Y direction, is between L max and L min, then it is considered as normal driving. This values along the Y-direction outside of the L max and L min are detected, for example, when the vehicle is drifting or skidding sideways abnormally on a wet stretch of road. Further, the irregularity is checked along the Z- direction to determine if there is a projection or depression on the road (like unpaved road, humps, potholes, cracks and other such irregularities) on which the vehicle is being driven. Thus the abnormal changes in the acceleration (along the Y axis and Z axis) of the vehicle which is captured and the sensor data is used to geo tag the location. For example, when there is hard braking, or sharp 90 degree bend, the system considers the acceleration data and sensor data to geo tag the location.

[0044] Based on the Acceleration, Y axis and Z axis value, the processor is configured to execute the next step 406 or return back to step 402 when the Acceleration, Y axis and Z axis values are within the normal acceleration bands.

[0045] At step 406, geo-tag location along with sensor data is stored in internal memory of the device 102. In one embodiment, the additional data is recorded by the road user, manually to either confirm the automatically logged data or further record any new data that has not been logged by the sensor embedded in the device 102.

[0046] At step 408, the data in the internal memory of the device is transmitted to the external database. In one embodiment, the device 102 is configured to transmit the data to a cloud based server through internet. This data transmitted to the cloud based server is stored in a centralized database (external database). [0047] FIG. 5 is a flow chart illustrating a method 500 for manual input and verification to confirm the irregularity data in internal memory and external database, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 5 may be described from the perspective of a processor that is configured to execute computer-readable instructions to carry out the functionalities of the above described modules of the system 300 of FIG. 3. In particular, the steps as described in FIG. 5 may be executed for manual input and verification to confirm the irregularity data in internal database and external database. Each step is described in detail below.

[0048] At step 502, the data with respect to the location of a vehicle on a particular path/route is estimated. In one embodiment, the map and the GPS input is utilized to estimate the location of the vehicle, speed of the vehicle and path/route of the vehicle. At step 504, the irregularities are estimated based on the manual input. For example, the irregularities may be in form of humps, potholes, broken road, unexpected dividers, sunken road, and the like and the driver/rider may be able to avoid (or partially avoid) them, resulting in the sensors not being able to record the data or there could be a dangerously parked/broken vehicle on the road. In one embodiment, the additional data with respect to irregularities are recorded by the road user, manually to either confirm the automatically logged data or record any new data that has not been logged by the sensor embedded in the device 102.

[0049] At step 506, the irregularities are confirmed from other users or self in subsequent passes. If the irregularities are confirmed at step 506, then the next step 508 is executed. If the irregularities are not confirmed at step 506, the processor executes the step 502.

[0050] At step 508, the irregularity data is confirmed and the location is geo-tagged with the details of the irregularity in the internal database of the device. At step 510, the data in the internal memory of the device is transmitted to the external database. In one embodiment, the device 102 is configured to transmit the data to a cloud based server through internet. This data transmitted to the cloud based server is stored in a centralized database (external database).

[0051] FIG. 6 is a flow chart illustrating a method 600 for active obstruction and road irregularity sensing, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 6 may be described from the perspective of a processor that is configured to execute computer-readable instructions to carry out the functionalities of the above described modules of the system 300 of FIG. 3. In particular, the steps as described in FIG. 6 may be executed for active obstruction and road irregularity sensing. Each step is described in detail below.

[0052] At step 602, the data with respect to the location of a vehicle on a particular path/route is estimated. In one embodiment, the map and the GPS input is utilized to estimate the location of the vehicle, speed of the vehicle and path/route of the vehicle. At step 604, the behaviour of self and the objects moving or stationary along the path are analysed.

[0053] At step 604, the behaviour of objects moving or stationery along the path of the vehicle on which the device (102) is mounted is analysed. In one embodiment, the behaviour of objects moving or stationery along the path is analysed by the light wave reflection input. In another embodiment, the behaviour of objects moving or stationery along the path is analysed by the sound wave reflection input.

[0054] At step 606, the relative speed (speed of the equipment divided by speed of the object) is >R max or <R min is determined, where R max and R min are limits of predetermined "normal" band. In one embodiment, the speed of the device is the speed of the vehicle and the speed of the object (still or stationary) is speed of objects in front of the vehicle. Thus, based on the relative speed determined at step 606, the step 608 or step 602 is executed. If the relative speed (speed of the equipment divided by speed of the object) is >R max or <R min, the potential issues are anticipated or else the step 602 is executed.

[0055] At step 608, potential issues are anticipated and alert/advise system is activated. The road irregularities are analysed and confirmed after the pass-over, from the sensor data. In one embodiment, the sudden change in speed of the other vehicles along the path and the huge difference in relative speed, is also a behavioural (of self and other road user along the path) input to anticipate potential issue. [0056] At step 610, geo-tagged location along with sensor data is stored in internal memory. At step 612, the data in the internal memory of the device is transmitted to the external database. In one embodiment, the device 102 is configured to transmit the data to a cloud based server through internet. This data transmitted to the cloud based server is stored in a centralized database (external database). [0057] FIG. 7 is a flow chart illustrating a method 700 for live update of the irregularity data in internal and external database, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 7 may be described from the perspective of a processor that is configured to execute computer-readable instructions to carry out the functionalities of the above described modules of the system 300 of FIG. 3. In particular, the steps as described in FIG. 7 may be executed for live update of the irregularity data in internal and external database. Each step is described in detail below.

[0058] At step 702, the data with respect to the location of a vehicle on a particular path/route is estimated. In one embodiment, the map and the GPS input is utilized to estimate the location of the vehicle, speed of the vehicle and path/route of the vehicle. [0059] At step 704, geo-tagged data along the path is analysed. In one embodiment, the geo-tagged location data from internal memory and the external database is analysed. The geo-tagging of location is explained in detail in FIG, 4 (step 406), in FIG. 5 (step 508) and in FIG. 6 (step 610).

[0060] At step 706, latest irregularity of the pass-over path is checked. In one embodiment, the inputs from sensors and manual update is used to check the latest irregularity of the pass-over path. At step 708, latest irregularity data is matched with the saved data. The saved data is present in the external database (centralized database). If the data is matched then the irregularly data is confirmed with the latest date and timestamp in the internal database (at step 716). If the data is not matched then the irregularly data is checked from other users or self in subsequent passes (at step 710) and updated in the internal memory.

[0061] At step 710, changes in irregularities are confirmed from other users or self in subsequent passes. If the changes in irregularities are not confirmed from other users at step 710, then original irregularly data is confirmed with the latest date and timestamp in the internal database (at step 716). If the changes in irregularities are confirmed from other users at step 712, then the changed irregularity data is updated with the latest date and time stamp in the internal database at step 712. At step 714, the data in the internal memory of the device is transmitted to the external database. In one embodiment, the device 102 is configured to transmit the data to a cloud based server through internet. This data transmitted to the cloud based server is stored in a centralized database (external database). [0062] FIG. 8 is a flow chart illustrating a method 800 for application of the irregularity data from the internal and external database, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 8 may be described from the perspective of a processor that is configured to execute computer-readable instructions to carry out the functionalities of the above described modules of the system 300 of FIG. 3. In particular, the steps as described in FIG. 8 may be executed for application of the irregularity data from the internal and external database. Each step is described in detail below.

[0063] At step 802, the data with respect to the location of a vehicle on a particular path/route is estimated. In one embodiment, the map and the GPS input is utilized to estimate the location of the vehicle, speed of the vehicle and path/route of the vehicle. [0064] At step 804, geo-tagged data along the path is analysed. In one embodiment, the geo-tagged location data from internal memory and the external database is analysed. The geo-tagging of location is explained in detail in FIG, 4 (step 406), in FIG. 5 (step 508) and in FIG. 6 (step 610).

[0065] At step 806, the device determines whether the geo-tagged location is in the pass- over path. If the geo-tagged location is in the pass-over path, then the speed and distance from the nearest pass over location is analysed at step 808. If the geo-tagged location is not in the pass-over path, the GPS input is used to estimate the location of the vehicle. At step 810, the nature of geo-tagged irregularities is analysed for the nearest pass over location. For example, this steps analyses whether the irregularities is in the form of humps, potholes, broken road, unexpected dividers, sunken road, and the like

[0066] At step 812, the device checks if the speed by distance ratio for the nature of irregularity is more than N, where N is equal to predetermined constant for safe Passover. If the speed by distance ratio for the nature of irregularity is not more than N, where N is equal to predetermined constant for safe Passover, then there will not be any warning and further the GPS/map input is used to estimate the next location of the vehicle. The system depends on this constant 'N' to alert the driver/rider. If the speed by distance ratio for the nature of irregularity is more than N, where N is equal to predetermined constant for safe Passover, then the Driver or the Rider is warned ahead of the geo-tagged irregularities along the nature of it and the location of such irregularity. The system also advices safe driving options including speed required for safe Passover at step 814. [0067] For example, the speed of the vehicle is 40 km per hour and the distance from the vehicle to the irregularities is 40 meters, therefore ratio is 1, the device indicates the driver of the vehicle to maintain safe driving constant Ί', i.e., to reduce the speed of the vehicle to 20 km per hour at the distance 20 meters from the irregularity and to reduce the speed of the vehicle to 10 km per hour at the distance 10 meters from the irregularity and so on. In one embodiment, every Passover will have a pre-determined constant and as a result the ratio will vary depending on the many factors. For example, if the speed is very high, then alerts are sent much earlier to the driver, if the speed is lower (driver is driving in city traffic), the device alerts the vehicle when then vehicle is very close to the irregularity. And if the speed is at an acceptable constant, there may be no warning, but just an indication of some sort. [0068] Thus the device 102 as disclosed herein detects such potential irregularities on road and sends timely alerts to the driver with respect to such irregularities to ensure the safety of drivers and others on roads.

[0069] While specific language has been used to describe the disclosure, any limitations arising on account of the same are not intended. As would be apparent to a person skilled in the art, various working modifications may be made to the method in order to implement the inventive concept as taught herein.

[0070] The figures and the foregoing description give examples of embodiments. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that one or more of the described elements may well be combined into a single functional element. Alternatively, certain elements may be split into multiple functional elements. Elements from one embodiment may be added to another embodiment. For example, orders of processes described herein may be changed and are not limited to the manner described herein. Moreover, the actions of any flow diagram need not be implemented in the order shown; nor do all of the acts necessarily need to be performed. Also, those acts that are not dependent on other acts may be performed in parallel with the other acts. The scope of embodiments is by no means limited by these specific examples. Numerous variations, whether explicitly given in the specification or not, such as differences in structure, dimension, and use of material, are possible. The scope of embodiments is at least as broad as given by the following claims.

Claims

I Claim: 1. A device mountable on a vehicle for geo-tagging road irregularities during navigation, the device comprising:

a GPS receiver configured for determining location co-ordinates of the vehicle on a navigation path at a plurality of instances;

one or more sensors configured for capturing one or more values of one or more parameters along at least one of x, y and z axis of the vehicle, wherein the one or more parameters comprises at least one of a speed, acceleration, displacement, relative speed of the vehicle, etc.; and

a processor configured for:

receiving the one or more values of the one or more parameters along at least one of the x, y and z axis of the vehicle;

comparing the received one or more values of the one or more parameters with one or more predefined threshold values of the one or more parameters;

determining existence of the one or more road irregularities based on a result of comparison; and

geo-tagging the one or more road irregularities along with metadata for at least one of a statistical analysis and indicating the one or more road irregularities along the navigation path.

2. A server in communication with a plurality of devices of claim 1, wherein the server is configured for:

receiving geo-tagged information for the navigation path from the plurality of devices mounted on a plurality of vehicles navigating in the said navigation path, wherein the geo-tagged information comprises the one or more road irregularities and the metadata;

establishing correctness of the one or more road irregularities by comparing the received geo-tagged information;

upon establishing the correctness, creating a dynamic navigation path by taking into account the one or more road irregularities and the metadata; and

updating the dynamic navigation path for indicating the one or more road irregularities along the navigation path for users travelling in the navigation path.

3. The device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the one or more sensor comprises at least one of an accelerometer, gyroscope, light wave sensor, radio wave sensor and a camera.

4. A method for geo-tagging road irregularities during navigation, the method comprises:

determining location co-ordinates of a vehicle on a navigation path at a plurality of instances;

capturing one or more values of one or more parameters along at least one of x, y and z axis of the vehicle, wherein the one or more parameters comprises at least one of a speed, acceleration, displacement, relative speed of the vehicle, etc.;

comparing the captured one or more values of the one or more parameters with one or more predefined threshold values of the one or more parameters;

5. The method as claimed in claim 4, wherein the method further comprises:

receiving geo-tagged information for the navigation path from a plurality of devices mounted on a plurality of vehicles navigating in the said navigation path, wherein the geo-tagged information comprises the one or more road irregularities and the metadata;

updating the dynamic navigation path for indicating the one or more road irregularities along the navigation path for user travelling in the navigation path.

6. The method as claimed in claim 5, wherein the metadata comprises at least one of a type of the one or more road irregularities, location co-ordinates, the one or more values of the one or more parameters and one or more images of the one or more road irregularities.

7. The method as claimed in claim 5, wherein the one or more road irregularities are indicated by the device mounted on the vehicle, wherein the one or more road irregularities are indicated based on a first criterion and a second criterion.

8. The method as claimed in claim 7, wherein the first criterion is indicating the one or more road irregularities when the vehicle approaches the geo-coordinates associated with the one or more road irregularities.

9. The method as claimed in claim 7, wherein the second criterion comprises:

determining speed by distance ratio for the one or more road irregularities; comparing the speed by distance ratio with a predetermined constant for safe pass-over associated with the one or more road irregularities;

indicating the one or more road irregularities if the speed by distance ratio is greater the predetermined constant for safe pass-over.