Description:FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The present invention relates to a road safety system for accident prevention and wildlife protection that is capable of preventing accidents involving wildlife on road, aimed at addressing both the needs of traffic safety and wildlife conservation, providing a solution to enhance road safety for vehicles and animals alike.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] The protection of wildlife is critically important for several reasons, ranging from ecological balance to the preservation of biodiversity, economic benefits, and ethical considerations. One of the earliest methods for preventing accidents involved simple road signs and physical barriers, such as guardrails and fences. While road signs are inexpensive and simple, they rely heavily on the awareness and behavior of drivers, who may ignore them, especially when driving at high speeds or in low visibility conditions. Over time, traffic lights, flashing lights, and road signals were installed at dangerous crossings or high-risk areas to warn drivers.

[0003] Traffic signals and lights only address human traffic concerns; they don’t respond to the presence of animals. They also require manual adjustments and rely on drivers noticing the signals and adhering to them. Thermal and infrared sensors were introduced to detect animals based on heat signatures. These sensors were particularly useful in low-light conditions, as they could detect animals even at night. These systems may have difficulty distinguishing between animals and other heat-emitting objects, leading to false alarms. They are also costly and require regular maintenance to remain accurate. Additionally, these systems may not be able to differentiate between all species of animals, leading to potential safety risks if the wrong response is triggered.

[0004] KR20170069689A relates to an animal accident prevention apparatus using a sweeping ultrasonic signal. More particularly, the present invention relates to an animal accident prevention system capable of preventing an animal from entering the road and preventing an accident by sweeping the frequency of a sound wave heard by the animal in a constant or random manner. An animal accident prevention apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention includes: a signal generating unit generating a sound wave of an audible frequency that can not be heard by human ears; And a controller for controlling the operation of the signal generator, wherein the sound wave can be a sinusoidal file sweeping within a preset frequency band.

[0005] EX2545157A1 project is based on a system designed to reduce the number of traffic accidents resulting from the intrusion of wildlife into transport and communication routes. Different technologies have been used, such as infrared, light or acoustics, which fulfill the function of detection, warning and dispersion. The detection of danger (animal) is carried out by a series of infrared sensors arranged as a barrier, said sensors are included in a protection structure in the form of a pivot, installed a few meters from the track and longitudinally to the same. Once the animal has been detected, a signal is sent to the warning system, which consists of a series of light signals installed on the road itself. Finally, an ultrasound transmitter is proposed, to scare away the greatest number of animals that are in the area and at the time of detection.

[0006] Conventionally, while several methods and systems have been developed to protect wildlife and prevent accidents, no single system has yet proven to be fully effective in all conditions. Many current systems suffer from limitations in terms of false alarms, high costs, scope, and maintenance challenges. Dynamic barriers show promise in overcoming these issues, but further development and integration of these technologies are required to create truly effective and reliable systems for road safety and wildlife protection.

[0007] In order to overcome the aforementioned drawbacks, there exists a need in the art to develop a system that is need to be capable of protecting wildlife and preventing accidents and creating truly effective and reliable systems for road safety and wildlife protection.

OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION

[0008] The principal object of the present invention is to overcome the disadvantages of the prior art.

[0009] An object of the present invention is to develop a system that is capable of detecting accidents or hazardous conditions and provide alerts to approaching drivers, helping to prevent collisions and reduce the severity of accidents.

[0010] Another object of the present invention is to develop a system that is capable of protecting wildlife from road hazards by detecting animals near or on the road and guiding them away from danger, thereby reducing wildlife road incidents.

[0011] Yet another object of the present invention is to develop a dynamic system that automatically responds to the presence of animals near roadways by deploying barricades or guiding animals away from traffic.

[0012] The foregoing and other objects, features, and advantages of the present invention will become readily apparent upon further review of the following detailed description of the preferred embodiment as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0013] The present invention relates to a road safety system for accident prevention and wildlife protection that allows safe animal crossings without obstructing traffic, providing a pathway for animals to cross without causing traffic congestion or accidents.

[0014] According to an embodiment of the present invention, a road safety system for accident prevention and wildlife protection, comprising a series of cylindrical frames have been developed to engage with multiple streetlight poles pre-installed along a roadway, an Artificial Intelligence-based Imaging Unit is installed on these frames and synchronized with a Motion Sensor to detect animal movement, determine direction, and gauge proximity to the road, a Microcontroller linked with the Imaging Unit detects the presence of animals approaching the road, the Microcontroller triggers a response, activating a Rotation Mount Mechanism integrated within each frame, which provides movement to the frames, positioning a Barricading Unit attached to the frames to block and guide animals safely along or away from the road, the Barricading Unit comprises a series of Scissor Arms with hinged pivot-point intersections that fold and unfold dynamically, a Facial Recognition Module integrated with the Imaging Unit analyzes animal facial expressions, detecting emotions such as aggression, calmness, or curiosity, based on visual data captured by the Imaging Unit and a Speaker mounted on the frames provides audio instructions, once a dangerous animal is identified.

[0015] According to another embodiment of the present invention, the proposed system further comprises of a Canopy Cover mounted on the frame moves in response, effectively trapping the animal, the Canopy Cover is mounted to move along a semi-circular Guiding Rail attached to the bottom of the frame, multiple Rods installed on the upper side of the Canopy Cover enclose dangerous animals from above when activated, a Microphone embedded with each frame picks up auditory data to detect abnormal sounds indicative of accidents, a GPS module mounted on the frame continuously tracks the location of accident sites and monitors the surrounding area within a predefined alert radius, multiple LED lights mounted on the frames warn approaching drivers of accidents or hazardous road conditions, a Thermal Sensor mounted on the frames and synced with the Imaging Unit detects variations in temperature, ensuring the presence of a living being on the road, a Holographic Projection Unit attached to the frames displays live footage of accidents, hazardous road conditions, or dangerous animals, providing early warnings to approaching drivers, a Buzzer Unit mounted on the upper side of the frame emits an audible alert when the Microcontroller detects an accident, animal presence, or abnormal noise, enhancing overall safety and efficiency of road traffic.

[0016] While the invention has been described and shown with particular reference to the preferred embodiment, it will be apparent that variations might be possible that would fall within the scope of the present invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0017] These and other features, aspects, and advantages of the present invention will become better understood with regard to the following description, appended claims, and accompanying drawings where:
Figure 1 illustrates an isometric view of a road safety system for accident prevention and wildlife protection.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0018] The following description includes the preferred best mode of one embodiment of the present invention. It will be clear from this description of the invention that the invention is not limited to these illustrated embodiments but that the invention also includes a variety of modifications and embodiments thereto. Therefore, the present description should be seen as illustrative and not limiting. While the invention is susceptible to various modifications and alternative constructions, it should be understood, that there is no intention to limit the invention to the specific form disclosed, but, on the contrary, the invention is to cover all modifications, alternative constructions, and equivalents falling within the spirit and scope of the invention as defined in the claims.

[0019] In any embodiment described herein, the open-ended terms "comprising," "comprises,” and the like (which are synonymous with "including," "having” and "characterized by") may be replaced by the respective partially closed phrases "consisting essentially of," consists essentially of," and the like or the respective closed phrases "consisting of," "consists of, the like.

[0020] As used herein, the singular forms “a,” “an,” and “the” designate both the singular and the plural, unless expressly stated to designate the singular only.

[0021] The present invention relates to a road safety system for accident prevention and wildlife protection that is capable of detecting accidents or hazardous conditions and provide alerts to approaching drivers, helping to prevent collisions and reduce the severity of accident. Additionally, the proposed system is capable of identifying dangerous animals based on their facial expressions and behavior, providing with a controlled and safe environment where they are temporarily contained and handled without posing a risk to human drivers.

[0022] Referring to Figure 1, an isometric view of a road safety system for accident prevention and wildlife protection is illustrated, comprising plurality of cylindrical frames 101, an artificial intelligence-based imaging unit 102 is installed on the frames 101, a rotation mount mechanism 103 integrated within each of the frames 101, a barricading unit 104 attached with the frames 101, the barricading unit 104 comprises of a series of scissor arms 105 with hinged pivot-point intersection 106, a speaker 107 mounted on the frames 101, a canopy 108 cover mounted on the frame 101, a semi-circular guiding rail 109 attached to bottom of frame 101, a microphone 110 embedded with each of the frames 101, multiple LED (Light Emitting Diode) light 111 mounted on the frames 101, multiple rods 112 are installed on upper side of the canopy 108, a holographic projection unit 113 is attached with the frames 101 and a buzzer unit 114 is mounted on a upper side of frame 101.

[0023] The developed system disclosed herein, comprises of a series of cylindrical frames 101 specifically designed to be attached to existing streetlight poles along a roadway or road. The frames 101 serve as the foundation for the road safety, providing a sturdy base. Each of the cylindrical frames 101 are installed with an artificial intelligence-based imaging unit 102. The imaging unit 102 is equipped with artificial intelligence vision capabilities, allowing it to capture and analyze visual data from the surrounding environment. By utilizing artificial intelligence and machine learning protocols, the imaging unit 102 accurately detects and identifies objects, including animals, within its field of view.

[0024] The artificial intelligence based imaging unit 102 is constructed with a camera lens and a processor, wherein the camera lens is adapted to capture a series of images of the surrounding. The processor carries out a sequence of image processing operations including pre-processing, feature extraction, and classification. The image captured by the imaging unit 102 is real-time images of the surrounding. The artificial intelligence based imaging unit 102 in communication with a microcontroller, wherein the microcontroller used herein is an Arduino Uno microcontroller. The artificial intelligence based imaging unit 102 transmits the captured image signal in the form of digital bits to the microcontroller. The microcontroller upon receiving the image signals compares the received image signal with the pre-fed data stored in a database and constantly determines objects, including animals, within its field of view.

[0025] To further enhance the microcontroller's ability to detect animal movement, the imaging unit 102 is synchronized with a motion sensor. The motion sensor continuously monitors the environment, detecting even the slightest movements. When the motion sensor detects movement, it triggers the imaging unit 102 to capture and analyze visual data from the scene. By combining data from both the motion sensor and the imaging unit 102, the microcontroller accurately determine the direction and proximity of an animal relative to the road, thereby prevents accidents and ensure road safety.

[0026] When the imaging unit 102 and motion sensor detect the presence of an animal approaching the road, the microcontroller actuates a rotation mount mechanism 103. Upon receiving instructions from the microcontroller, the rotation mount mechanism 103 integrated within each frame 101 get activated. This mechanism 103 consists of a series of gears, motors, and bearings that work together to provide smooth and precise movement to the frames. The rotation mount mechanism 103 allows the frames 101 to rotate and position a barricading unit 104 attached with the frames 101 in a way that optimally blocks and guides the approaching animal. This mechanism 103 is designed to operate quickly and efficiently, ensuring that the animal is safely guided away from the road.

[0027] The barricading unit 104 comprises of a series of scissor arms 105 with hinged pivot-point intersection 106 that fold/ unfolds dynamically. The hinged pivot-point intersection 106 is a key feature of the scissor arms 105, allowing them to fold and unfold smoothly and efficiently. This intersection point is designed to withstand stress and wear, ensuring that the scissor arms 105 operate reliably over time. As the scissor arms 105 move, the hinged pivot-point intersection 106 enables them to adjust to different angles and widths, providing a safe and effective barrier to guide the animal away from the road. The scissor arms are connected with a motorized lead screw mechanism that helps in extension and retraction of the scissor arms, i.e. clockwise rotation for extension of scissor arms and vice versa for retraction.

[0028] If animals are detected far from the road, the barricading unit 104 moves to form a barrier alongside the road. This barrier prevents animals from approaching the road, while also sending an alert signal to warn approaching drivers. The barricading unit 104’s movement is designed to be swift and effective, ensuring that animals are kept at a safe distance from the road. By forming a barrier, the barricading unit 104 helps to prevent animals from entering the road and causing accidents, while also providing an additional layer of safety for human road users.

[0029] A facial recognition module embedded with the imaging unit 102, designed to analyze animal facial expressions and detect various emotions. This facial recognition module employs artificial intelligence and machine learning protocols to identify and interpret the subtlest changes in an animal's facial features. By analyzing the visual data captured by the imaging unit 102, the facial recognition module accurately detects emotions such as aggression, calmness, or curiosity.

[0030] Once the facial recognition module detects an animal's emotional state, the microcontroller processes this information and determines the appropriate response. If a dangerous animal is identified, the microcontroller sends a signal to a speaker 107 mounted on the frames 101, providing audio instructions to warn approaching drivers or pedestrians. The speaker 107 is capable of producing clear and natural sound and is capable of adjusting its volume based on ambient noise levels. The speaker 107 consists of audio information, which is in the form of recorded voice, synthesized voice, or other sounds, generated or stored as digital data.

[0031] This data is often in the form of an audio file. The digital audio data is sent to a digital-to-analog converter (DAC). The DAC converts the digital data into analog electrical signals. The analog signal is often weak and needs to be amplified. An amplifier boosts the strength to a level so that the speaker 107 drives it effectively. The amplified audio signal is then sent to the speaker 107. The core of the speaker 107 is an electromagnet attached to a flexible cone. These sound waves travel through the air as pressure waves and are picked by the user’s ear, thereby enable it to make rapid decisions, ensuring a timely and effective response to potential threats.

[0032] A canopy 108 cover installed on the frame 101, designed to trap dangerous animals that approach the barricade. When the microcontroller identifies a threat, the canopy 108 cover is triggered to move, effectively trapping the animal within the barricade area to ensure that the animal is safely contained, preventing it from causing harm to itself or others. The canopy 108 cover is mounted to move along a semi-circular guiding rail 109 attached to the bottom of the frame 101. This guiding rail 109 enables the canopy 108 cover to move laterally, allowing it to trap any detected dangerous animal within the barricade area.

[0033] The semi-circular design of the guiding rail 109 provides a smooth and stable movement path for the canopy 108 cover, ensuring that it moves quickly and efficiently in response to a potential threat. When the canopy 108 cover is triggered to move, it quickly and smoothly glides along the guiding rail 109, trapping the detected dangerous animal within the barricade area. The canopy 108 cover is designed to provide a safe and secure containment area, preventing the animal from escaping or causing harm to itself or others, wherein multiple rods 112 are mounted on upper side of the canopy 108 cover, designed to enclose a dangerous animal from above when activated, ensuring complete containment of animal within the barricade.

[0034] Each frame 101 is equipped with a microphone 110 that picks up auditory data from the surrounding environment. The microphone 110 is designed to detect abnormal sounds that is indicative of accidents, such as screeching tires, crashing metal, or shattering glass. The microphone 110 is strategically positioned to capture a wide range of frequencies, ensuring that even faint or distant sounds are detected. By analyzing the auditory data, the microcontroller quickly identify potential accidents and trigger a response to alert approaching drivers.

[0035] A GPS module is mounted to each frame 101, providing accurate location data and enabling the microcontroller to track the location of accident sites. The GPS module continuously monitors the surrounding area within a predefined alert radius, allowing the microcontroller to detect potential hazards and alert approaching drivers. By combining GPS data with auditory data from the microphone 110, the microcontroller pinpoint the exact location of an accident and provide precise warnings to drivers.

[0036] Upon successful detection of an accident or hazardous road conditions, the microcontroller activates multiple LED light 111s mounted on the frames. These LED light 111s are designed to provide a clear and visible warning to approaching drivers, alerting them to potential dangers ahead. The microcontroller controls the LED light 111s, adjusting their intensity and pattern to optimize visibility and effectiveness. By providing a clear and timely warning, the microcontroller helps to prevent accidents and ensure driver safety. The LED warning light 111s are strategically positioned on the frames 101 to provide maximum visibility to approaching drivers. These light 111s are designed to be highly visible, even in low-light conditions.

[0037] The thermal sensor is mounted on the frames 101 and is synchronized with the imaging unit 102 to detect variations in temperature. The thermal sensor uses thermopile process to measure the temperature differences between objects in its field of view. By detecting these temperature variations, the thermal sensor identify the presence of a living being on the road, such as an animal or a person. The thermal sensor's high sensitivity and accuracy enable it to detect even slight changes in temperature, ensuring reliable detection of living beings.

[0038] The imaging unit 102 analyzing the thermal data captured by the thermal sensor. The imaging unit 102 process the thermal data and identify signs of injury in the detected living being. By analyzing the thermal patterns and temperature distributions, the imaging unit 102 detects anomalies that might indicate injury or distress.

• For example, an animal with a broken limb might exhibit abnormal thermal patterns due to inflammation or reduced blood flow. The imaging unit 102's analysis capabilities enable it to detect these subtle changes and provide critical information for animal welfare and traffic safety.

[0039] The microcontroller is responsible for continuously monitoring the animal's movement patterns. This processing data from various sensors, including the thermal sensor and imaging unit 102. The microcontroller analyze the animal's movement patterns, detecting any abnormalities or anomalies. If the animal exhibits abnormal movement, such as erratic behavior or unusual posturing, the microcontroller sends a notification to the traffic control center. This enables traffic authorities to take appropriate action, such as dispatching emergency services or adjusting traffic flow to ensure animal safety.

[0040] A holographic projection unit 113 is attached to the frames 101, providing a visual warning for approaching drivers. The holographic projection unit 113 is configured to display live footage of accidents, hazardous road conditions, or dangerous animals, giving drivers a clear and vivid warning of potential hazards ahead. The holographic projection unit 113 uses laser method to project high-definition images into space, creating a holographic display that appears to float in mid-air.

[0041] The holographic projection unit 113 displays live footage of accidents, hazardous road conditions, or dangerous animals, providing a real-time warning for approaching drivers. This live footage is captured by cameras installed along the road or by drones flying overhead, and is transmitted to the holographic projection unit 113 in real-time. The unit then projects this footage as a holographic image, giving drivers a clear and detailed view of the hazard ahead.

[0042] A buzzer unit 114 is mounted on the upper side of the frame 101, serving as an audible alert solution that enhances the overall safety and efficiency of road traffic. This buzzer unit 114 is designed to emit a loud and clear audible alert when the microcontroller detects an accident, animal presence, or abnormal noise. The buzzer unit 114's audible alert is attention-grabbing and easily recognizable, even in noisy environments, ensuring that drivers and pedestrians are promptly alerted to potential hazards.

[0043] The buzzer unit 114 is actuated by the microcontroller, which continuously monitors accidents, animal presence, or abnormal noise. When the microcontroller detects any of these conditions, it sends a signal to the buzzer unit 114, which then emits the audible alert, thereby ensures that the buzzer unit 114 only sounds when necessary, minimizing false alarms and reducing distractions for drivers and pedestrians.

[0044] The present invention works best in following manner, where the Artificial Intelligence-based imaging unit 102 begins to capture visual data of the surrounding area. The Motion Sensor detects animal movement, and the imaging unit 102 captures images of the animal. The Facial Recognition Module analyzes the animal's facial expressions to detect emotions such as aggression, calmness, or curiosity. The microcontroller identifies the animal and assesses the risk it poses to road traffic. If the animal is deemed hazardous, the microcontroller triggers a response. The Rotation Mount mechanism 103 is activated, positioning the barricading unit 104 to block and guide the animal safely along or away from the road. The scissor arms 105 of the barricading unit 104 fold and unfold dynamically to enclose the animal. If the animal is deemed extremely hazardous, the canopy 108 Cover is activated to trap the animal. The canopy 108 Cover moves along a semi-circular guiding rail 109 attached to the bottom of the frame 101. The speaker 107 mounted on the frames 101 provides audio instructions to approaching animals. Multiple LED light 111s mounted on the frames 101 warn approaching drivers of accidents or hazardous road conditions. The GPS module continuously tracks the location of accident sites and monitors the surrounding area within a predefined alert radius. The microcontroller transmits data to authorities and emergency services in real-time. The microphone 110 embedded in each frame 101 picks up auditory data to detect abnormal sounds indicative of accidents. The microcontroller triggers a response, activating the buzzer unit 114 to emit an audible alert. In the event of an accident, the Holographic projection unit 113 displays live footage of accidents, hazardous road conditions, or dangerous animals, providing early warnings to approaching drivers. The microcontroller’s multi-faceted approach ensures a comprehensive response to potential threats, prioritizing road safety and efficiency.

[0045] Although the field of the invention has been described herein with limited reference to specific embodiments, this description is not meant to be construed in a limiting sense. Various modifications of the disclosed embodiments, as well as alternate embodiments of the invention, will become apparent to persons skilled in the art upon reference to the description of the invention. , Claims:1) A road safety system for accident prevention and wildlife protection, comprising:

i) plurality of cylindrical frames 101 developed to be engaged with plurality of streetlight poles pre-installed along a roadway or road, wherein an artificial intelligence-based imaging unit 102 is installed on said frames 101, and synchronized with a motion sensor to detect animal movement and determine direction and proximity of animal relative to said road;

ii) a microcontroller linked with said imaging unit 102 upon detecting presence of animal(s) approaching towards said road, said microcontroller actuates a rotation mount mechanism 103 integrated within each of said frames 101 to provide movement to said frames 101 to position a barricading unit 104 attached with said frames 101 to block and guide animals safely along or away from road, said barricading unit 104 comprises of a series of scissor arms 105 with hinged pivot-point intersection 106 that fold/ unfolds dynamically;

iii) a facial recognition module integrated with said imaging unit 102 to analyze animal facial expressions and detect various emotions such as aggression, calmness, or curiosity, based on visual data captured by said imaging unit 102, wherein said microcontroller provides audio instructions through a speaker 107 mounted on said frames 101, once an aggressive animal is identified;

iv) a canopy 108 cover mounted on said frame 101 to move in response to detection of dangerous animals near said barricade, effectively trapping said animal, wherein said canopy 108 cover is mounted to move along a semi-circular guiding rail 109 attached to bottom of frame 101, enabling canopy 108 to move laterally and trap any detected dangerous animal within said barricade area;

v) a microphone 110 embedded with each of said frames 101 which picks up auditory data to detect abnormal sounds indicative of accidents, wherein a GPS (Global Positioning System) module is mounted to frame 101, that continuously tracks location of accident site and monitors surrounding area within a predefined alert radius, and upon successful detection said microcontroller activates multiple LED (Light Emitting Diode) light 111 mounted on said frames 101 to warn approaching drivers of accident or hazardous road conditions.

2) The system as claimed in claim 1, wherein if animal(s) are detected near said road, said barricade moves to create a safe pathway alongside of road, allowing animals to cross or move safely without obstructing traffic, and if animals are detected far from said road, said rotating barricade moves to form a barrier alongside of road, preventing animals from approaching road while simultaneously sending an alert signal to warn approaching drivers.

3) The system as claimed in claim 1, wherein multiple rods 112 are installed on upper side of said canopy 108 cover, designed to enclose a dangerous animal from above when activated, ensuring complete containment of animal within said barricade.

4) The system as claimed in claim 1, wherein a holographic projection unit 113 is attached with said frames 101, configured to display live footage of accidents, hazardous road conditions, or dangerous animal(s), providing early warnings to approaching drivers.

5) The system as claimed in claim 1, wherein a buzzer unit 114 is mounted on a upper side of frame 101 that emits an audible alert when said microcontroller detects an accident, animal presence, or abnormal noise, enhancing overall safety and efficiency of road traffic.