TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present disclosure relates to technical field of monitoring and controlling vehicles based on predefined rules.

BACKGROUND

[0002] The background description includes information that may be useful in understanding the present disclosure. It is not an admission that any of the information provided herein is prior art or relevant to the presently claimed invention, or that any publication specifically or implicitly referenced is prior art.

[0003] With the growing usage of vehicles, it is becoming increasingly essential to create systems that automate the monitoring and control of vehicles based on certain predefined rules that are set by the government authorities to ensure safety and convenience of people.

[0004] The present art allows for a few mechanisms using sensors or image detectors which may monitor a specific parameter of traffic rules such as violation of speed limit and then generate an automated speeding ticket. However such systems are limited to only specific parameters of traffic rules and do not provide an intelligent mechanism to create a centralized system to map and monitor vehicles on multiple parameters simultaneously.

[0005] Further, the present art does not allow for a vehicle itself acting as one of the nodes of a centralized system for monitoring and control of vehicles. In the absence of such a system the internal functions of the vehicle cannot be controlled, these controls being such as but not limited to switching off the ignition of the vehicle in case of serious and repetitive traffic violation or turning on lights when nearing a check-post or toll booth.

[0006] The present invention addresses the above issues and provides for systems and methods for effective monitoring and controlling of vehicles.

OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION

[0007] It is an object of the present disclosure to provide systems and methods for monitoring and controlling vehicles based on pre-defined rules. [0008] It is an object of the present disclosure to provide systems and methods for controlling a vehicle.

[0009] It is an object of the present disclosure to allow systematic enablement of traffic rules and automatically charging penalties if traffic rules are broken.

[0010] It is an object of the present disclosure to allow policing and the law enforcement system to be integrated at an individual vehicle level.

[0011] It is an object of the present disclosure to make a vehicle a part of a central system so as to enable internal functions of the vehicle to be controlled by an external centralized law enforcing system.

[0012] It is an object of the present disclosure to provide an external guidance and verification facility for automated or driverless vehicles.

SUMMARY

[0013] A general summary of the working of the invention in a broad aspect would be that a set of rules shall govern and monitor vehicles through a centralized vehicle monitoring and control system that can receive data from vehicles and generate control commands based if any rule is violated. The centralized vehicle monitoring and control system is configured to receive, constantly and dynamically, real-time data from transceivers located inside a vehicle and other transceivers located outside the vehicle , determine violation of one or more rules based on the received data, and issue an appropriate action command, which can be executed by the vehicle in order to control the vehicle when violation of any of the one or more rules is determined. The one or more rules can be predefined rules that include but are not limited to traffic monitoring rules, traffic guidance rules, government rules, vehicle component working status based rules and safety rules.

[0014] An embodiment of the present disclosure relates to a central vehicle monitoring and control system for monitoring and controlling one or more vehicles registered with the system. An embodiment of the present disclosure provides a central vehicle monitoring and control system. The system can include a vehicle data collection module configured to receive real-time data associated with each of the one or more vehicles, at a central server, from one or combination of one or more onboard transducers installed on respective vehicles, one or more external transducers installed on road, and one or more observers, over a wireless communication channel, a rule based abnormality detection module configured to detect abnormality of a particular vehicle based on comparison of one or more predefined rules with the received data, an action command generation module configured to generate one or more action commands for the particular vehicle of the one or more vehicles based on the type of abnormal behavior, and a action command transmission module configured to transmit the action command over the wireless communication channel to the particular vehicle so as to control the particular vehicle.

[0015] In an exemplary implementation, each of the one or more vehicles can be configured to read data from the one or more onboard transducers, send the data from the vehicle to the central server and receive the one or more action command from the central server to be executed at the vehicle to control the vehicle. Each of the one or more vehicles registered with the central vehicle monitoring and control system can be configured to execute the control command received from the central server.

[0016] An embodiment of the present disclosure provides an onboard system for monitoring and controlling a vehicle in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. The onboard system can includes a rule database configured to store one or more predefined rules, including but not limiting to traffic monitoring rules, traffic guidance rules, government rules, vehicle component working status based rules and safety rules, a transducer module configured to collect data from one or more onboard transducers installed in the vehicle, an onboard rule based abnormality detection module configured to detect abnormality in the vehicle based on comparison of the data collected from the one or more transducers with the one or more predefined rules, and a control module configured to generate one or more action commands to be executed by hardware components of the vehicle so as to control the vehicle. In an exemplary implementation, the one or more transducers can communicate with the onboard system using short range wireless communication means, such as Bluetooth, infrared, Zigbee, and wired communication channels such as a CAN bus.

[0017] In an embodiment, the onboard system can further include an onboard transceiver module configured to send the data collected from the one or more onboard transducers to a central vehicle monitoring and control system, and receive action commands from the central vehicle monitoring and control system to the vehicle. [0018] The data can include but is not limited to information associated with speed, driving style, mechanical component failure, traffic light violation and GPS location. In an aspect of the invention, a data received from a vehicle can include unique identifier of the vehicle, in order to enable identification of that vehicle, and a location identifier for example GPS location, of that vehicle in order to determine location of that vehicle.

[0019] The one or more rules can be dynamically populated on the onboard system as well as on the central vehicle monitoring and control system. Each rule may have some conditions, and associated actions to be taken when those conditions are met. For example, a rule may comprise one or more conditions, like maximum speed greater than 100 kmph and associated action that can be action commands to reduce speed of the vehicle. In an aspect, the rules may be traffic rules of a particular location or a country. The one or more rules can be predefined rules related to the vehicle that can include but are not limited to traffic monitoring rules, traffic guidance rules, government rules and safety rules.

[0020] In an exemplary implementation, the one or more action commands can include but are not limiting to control command, penalty charge command and other such command, based on detection of said abnormality to control the vehicle.

[0021] In an exemplary implementation, the central vehicle monitoring and control system can receive real-time data associated with each of the one or more vehicles from the one or more external transducers device located outside the vehicle capable of transmitting signals.

[0022] In an aspect of the invention, the one or more external transducers can be located underneath road surface, and can be embedded in a load bearing system to bear the load or weight incident upon it. The one or more external transducers can be adapted to be protected from water, wind pressure, fog, sunlight exposure, magnetic flux, any natural calamity or any other damaging means. In an aspect of the invention, in case of more than one external transducers being used, the external transducers can be configured to communicate with each other.

[0023] In an aspect, the transducer module can include detection components comprising of or can be operationally coupled to one or more sensors, such as speed sensor, GPS sensors, jump sensor, alcohol level sensor, vehicle component status sensor and other such sensors.

[0024] In an exemplary implementation, the one or more vehicle, one or more transducers, one or more observers and the central vehicle monitoring and control system can communicate using any or combination of satellite technology, cellular communication technology, and other long range wireless technology.

[0025] In an embodiment, the onboard control module can be a vehicle function controlling component capable of controlling one or more functions, for example speed, ignition, audio system volume, dipper light etc. of the vehicle.

[0026] In an aspect of the invention, the communication between one or more components or systems in the present invention may be through any suitable means.

[0027] In an exemplary implementation, the onboard system or the central vehicle monitoring and control system can be configured to generate alert or warning which can be displayed on display device or played on audio device present in the vehicle.

[0028] In an aspect of the invention, the unique identity of a vehicle can be linked to one or more unique financial accounts such as a bank account or a credit card account, and if the execution of rule requires charging an amount or levying a penalty for the vehicle, the amount or penalty can be directly charged to the financial account by the central vehicle monitoring and control system.

[0029] In an aspect, the system and method of present discosure can help an automated vehicle to understand roads, traffic ( human traffic and vehicle traffic ) , vehicles speed and speed limit of roads, traffic rules and regulations, signals, and based on dynamically changing situation, the system will send a action command to be executed by the vehicle. For example, if there is a traffic and ambulance is behind the vehicle in 1 ^st lane , the vehicle can get a message to clear the 1 ^st lane and drive in 2 ^nd lane. In another example, due to an accident suddenly a vehicle has been stopped then system will update all nearby or processing vehicles on the same lane besides the lane to reduce the speed and control vehicle to avoid other accidents. In another example, if due to violation of traffic rule, one vehicle in 2 ^nd lane is been told to pull over then other vehicles which are in same lane behind and other lane vehicle will reduce speed and take alternate lane to go further and give a side to park rule violated vehicle a side.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0030] The diagrams are for illustration only and are not limitations of the present disclosure, and wherein: [0031] FIG. 1 illustrates an exemplary architecture of central vehicle monitoring and control system configured to monitor vehicles based on received data from different sources, determine abnormality in any vehicle and control the vehicle in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0032] FIG. 2A illustrates logical modules of a central vehicle monitoring and control system 104 in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0033] FIG. 2B illustrates logical modules of an onboard system 200 for monitoring and controlling a vehicle in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0034] FIG. 3 illustrates an exemplary database having rule table defining conditions based on which abnormal behavior of a vehicle can be determined and associated action that can be taken on detection of abnormal behavior of the vehicle in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0035] FIG. 4A illustrates exemplary steps of method for centralized vehicle monitoring and control in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0036] FIG. 4B illustrates steps of a method to be executed onboard a vehicle for monitoring and controlling the vehicle in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.

DESCRIPTION

[0037] The following is a description of embodiments of the disclosure. However, the amount of detail offered is not intended to limit the anticipated variations of embodiments; on the contrary, the intention is to cover all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling within the spirit and scope of the present disclosure as defined by the appended claims.

[0038] Depending on the context, all references below to the "invention" may in some cases refer to certain specific embodiments only. In other cases it will be recognized that references to the "invention" will refer to subject matter recited in one or more, but not necessarily all, of the claims or embodiments.

[0039] Various terms as used herein are shown below. To the extent a term used in a claim is not defined below, it should be given the broadest definition possible in the pertinent art have given that term as reflected in printed publications and issued patents at the time of filing. [0040] In an aspect, the present disclosure relates to central vehicle monitoring and control system comprising a vehicle data collection module configured to receive, at a computing device, over a wireless communication channel, real-time data associated with at least one vehicle from any or a combination of at least one onboard transducer configured in the at least one vehicle, at least one external transducer, and at least one observer; a rule based abnormality detection module configured to detect, at the computing device, abnormal behavior of the at least one vehicle based on comparison of one or more predefined rules with the received real-time data; an action command generation module configured to, at the computing device, generate at least one action command for the at least one vehicle based on type of the detected abnormal behavior; and an action command transmission module configured to transmit, from the computing device, the at least one action command to the particular vehicle so as to control at least one mechanical or electrical component of the at least one vehicle.

[0041] In an aspect, the at least one vehicle is configured to execute the at least one action command received from the computing device, and enable controlling of the at least one mechanical or electrical component. In another aspect, the real-time data is any or a combination of data pertaining to speed, driving style, driver identifier, mechanical component failure, traffic light violation, vehicle identifier, and location of the at least one vehicle. In yet another aspect, the one or more predefined rules are any or a combination of traffic rules, government rules, vehicle component working status based rules, vehicle identifier based rules, driver identifier based rules, and safety rules.

[0042] In an aspect, the at least one action command is any or a combination of vehicle control command, penalty charge command, and action commands for vehicle/driver of the at least one vehicle. In an aspect, the at least one onboard transducer and the at least one external transducer are selected from any or a combination of speed sensor, GPS sensor, jump sensor, alcohol level sensor, load sensor, and vehicle component status sensor.

[0043] The present disclosure further relates to an onboard system for monitoring and controlling a vehicle, the system comprising a rule database configured to store one or more predefined rules; a transducer module configured to collect data from at least one onboard transducer installed in the vehicle; an onboard rules based abnormality detection module configured to detect abnormal behavior of the vehicle based on comparison of the data collected from the at least one onboard transducer with the one or more predefined rules; and a control module configured to generate one or more action command to be executed by at least one mechanical or electrical component so as to control the vehicle.

[0044] In an aspect, the vehicle can be operatively coupled with an external computing device, and wherein the at least one onboard transceiver is configured to send the data to the external computing device, and wherein the vehicle is configured to receive at least one action command from the external computing device to control the at least one mechanical or electrical component.

[0045] The present disclosure further relates to a method for vehicle monitoring and controlling comprising the steps of receiving, at a computing device, over a wireless communication channel, real-time data associated with at least one vehicle from any or a combination of at least one onboard transducer configured in the at least one vehicle, at least one external transducer, and at least one observer; detecting, at the computing device, abnormal behavior of the at least one vehicle based on comparison of one or more predefined rules with the received real-time data; generating, at the computing device, at least one action command for the at least one vehicle based on type of the detected abnormal behavior; and transmitting, from the computing device, the at least one action command to the particular vehicle so as to control at least one mechanical or electrical component of the at least one vehicle.

[0046] In an aspect, the real-time data can be any or a combination of data pertaining to speed, driving style, driver identifier, mechanical component failure, traffic light violation, vehicle identifier, and location of the at least one vehicle, and wherein the at least one action command is any or a combination of vehicle control command, penalty charge command, and action commands for vehicle/driver of the at least one vehicle.

[0047] In an aspect, the system and method of present discosure can help an automated vehicle to understand roads, traffic ( human traffic and vehicle traffic ) , vehicles speed and speed limit of roads, traffic rules and regulations, signals, and based on dynamically changing situation, the system will send a action command to be executed by the vehicle. For example, if there is a traffic and ambulance is behind the vehicle in 1 ^st lane , the vehicle can get a message to clear the 1 ^st lane and drive in 2 ^nd lane. In another example, due to an accident suddenly a vehicle has been stopped then system will update all nearby or processing vehicles on the same lane besides the lane to reduce the speed and control vehicle to avoid other accidents. In another example, if due to violation of traffic rule, one vehicle in 2 ^nd lane is been told to pull over then other vehicles which are in same lane behind and other lane vehicle will reduce speed and take alternate lane to go further and give a side to park rule violated vehicle a side.

[0048] FIG. 1 illustrates an exemplary architecture of central vehicle monitoring and control system configured to monitor vehicles based on received data from different sources, determine abnormality in any vehicle and control the vehicle in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown in FIG. 1, each of the vehicle 102a-n may have a transducer module configured to receive data from one or more onboard transdu ^ce rs, and an onboard transceiver module configured to ^co mmunicate the receiv ^ed data to a central vehicle monitoring and control system 104 over a long ranger wireless communication channel. In an exemplary implementation, the central vehicle monitoring and control system 104 can be configured to receive the data from each of the vehicle 102a-n, which are registered with the system 104, an^or from other sources, such as from traffic observer 106, or from external transducer 108. Though for simplicity of the explanation, only one traffic observer 106 and one external transducer 108 has been shown, in different implementations, there may be plurality of traffic observers and plurality of transducers configured to send data related to one or more vehicle along with vehicle identifier to the system 104. The system 104 can include a rule database storing plurality of rules, which may be associated with traffic rules, driving behavior rules, government rules, vehicle working condition based rules and other such rules. In an exemplary implementation, each rule may have certain conditions and associated actions to be taken if that condition is met. On receiving the data, the system 104 can determine if any of the registered vehicle 102a-n is showing abnormal behavior based on comparison of received data with the one or more rules, and generate an action command associated with the rule or rules. In an exemplary implementation, the system 104 can transmit the action command to a vehicle that shows abnormal behavior, for example violation of traffic rules. In an exemplary implementation, the transceiver module of each of the vehicle 102a-n can be configured to receive the action command from the system 104. Each of the vehicle 102a-n may have an onboard control module configured to control one or more hardware components of the respective vehicle based on the action command received from the system 104.

[0049] In an exemplary embodiment, each of the vehicle 102a-n may have a local rule database configured to store one or more predefined rules, an onboard rules based abnormality detection module configured to detect abnormality in the vehicle based on comparison of received data from the one or more transducers with one or more predefined rules, and an onboard control module configured to generate an appropriate action command based on the determined abnormality and control hardware components of the vehicle based on the appropriate action command.

[0050] In an exemplary implementation, the system 104 can be configured to have an active bank account or credit card or mobile wallet details associated with each of the vehicle 102a-n. In case the system 104 detects an abnormal behavior which is violation of traffic rules or national laws, the system 104 can generate an action command to deduct penalty charges from associated bank account or credit card or mobile wallet of the vehicle for which the abnormal behavior has been detected.

[0051] In an exemplary implementation, if the abnormal behavior of the vehicle is of serious type, the system can generate an action command to completely stop the vehicle at a safe distance. The vehicle on receiving such command can automatically stop at safe distance without any input of the driver. In another exemplary implementation, the abnormal behavior can be over speeding, drunken driving, component failure, and violation of traffic signals etc. In an aspect system 104 can be configured to generate different action commands depending of the types of abnormal behavior. For example, if the abnormal behavior is over speeding, the system 104 can generate an action command to automatically slow-down the vehicle. In an exemplary implementation, if the system 104 detects repeated violation of a particular rule within a defined time unit, the system can generate action command to completely stop the vehicle. Different hardware components, such as break, ignition, audio system and other vehicle control systems etc .can be controlled based on the action command.

[0052] In an exemplary implementation, the vehicles 102a-n, or external transducer 108 or traffic observer, while transmitting the data, can also add unique identifier of the respective vehicle and GPS location of the vehicle.

[0053] In an exemplary implementation, system 104 can also help the vehicle in navigation when the system 104 detects that the vehicle has lost its way or is stuck in traffic.

[0054] In an aspect, the system 104 can keep recording data of each vehicle over a period of time, which can be used for different purposes, for example by law enforcement agencies, or by vehicle maintenance person. [0055] In an aspect, the external transducer 108 can be a load sensor that can detect load of a particular vehicle, which can be used to determine abnormal behavior based on comparison of load data with a rule that relates to load limit associated with that category of the vehicle. The load sensor can be placed on road and can take a pressure of more than 50 tons. The load sensor can be designed to work submerged in waters up to 10 meters deep, in case of heavy rains, flood, fog, storm or any other natural calamity.

[0056] In an aspect, the system 104 can be configured to detect crossing of a toll booth by a particular vehicle using the load sensor and image taken from a camera and automatically charge road tax or toll tax and collect the tax from registered account of the vehicle.

[0057] The systems of the present invention in an embodiment are made accessible through a portal or an interface which is a part of, or may be connected to, the internet or World Wide Web or any similar portal, wherein the portals or interfaces are accessed by one or more of users through an electronic device, whereby the user may send and receive data to the portal or interface, data being stored in at least one memory device or at least one data storage device or at least one server, and utilizes at least one processing unit. The portal or interface in combination with one or more of memory device, data storage device, processing unit and servers, forms an embedded computing setup, and may be used by, or used in, one or more of a computer program product. In an aspect of the invention, the embedded computing setup and optionally one or more of a computer program product, in relation with, and in combination with the said portal or interface forms one of the systems of the invention. Typical examples of a portal or interface may be selected from but are not limited to a website, an executable software program or a software application.

[0058] Certain examples of Rules, Input Parameter and Output Activity, without limitation, are provided below:

Example 1

Rule If the vehicle speeds beyond 80 kilometers per hour in a particular locality, USD 10 will be charged to the designated bank account linked to the SIM card of the vehicle

Input Vehicle is moving at a speed of 90 kilometers per hour in the particular locality as Parameter detected by the detection component Output USD 10 is charged to the bank account by the rule execution system Activity

Example 2

Rule If the vehicle is nearing a Police Check Post, the internal lights of the vehicle are to be switched on

Input The vehicle is 200 meters away from a Police Check Post as detected by the Parameter detection component

Output The internal lights of the vehicle will be 'switched on' enabled by the rule execution Activity system and controlled by the vehicle function controlling component

Example 3

Rule If the vehicle jumps three traffic signal continuously, the vehicle's ignition is to be switched off

Input The detection component detects that the vehicle has jumped a signal and checks Parameter with the central server to check if it has on the two previous signals jumped the signal as detected by the two previous detection components, and as per server feedback the input is that third traffic signal has been continuously jumped by the vehicle

Output The ignition of the vehicle will be 'switched off enabled by the rule execution Activity system and controlled by the vehicle function controlling component

Example 4

Rule If the vehicle is stationary in a public place for more than two days, the local police station is to be informed regarding the vehicle's location and status

Input The vehicle has been stationary near a public park for more than 48 hours and five Parameter minutes The location of the vehicle is transmitted by the first signal transceiver device to an external signal transceiver device which further transmits it to a centralized server which sends information to the local police station regarding the vehicle's location and status

[0059] FIG. 2A illustrates logical modules of a central vehicle monitoring and control system 104 in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown in FIG. 2 A, the system 104 can include a vehicle data collection module 202 configured to receive real-time data associated with each of the one or more vehicles, at a central server, from one or combination of one or more onboard transducers of respective vehicle, one or more external transducers, and one or more traffic observers, over a wireless communication channel, a rule based abnormality detection module 204 configured, at the central server, to detect abnormal behavior of a particular vehicle based on comparison of one or more predefined rules with the received data, an action command generation module 206 configured, at the central server, to generate one or more action commands for the particular vehicle of the one or more vehicles based on the type of abnormal behavior, and an action command transmission module 208 configured to transmit the one or more action commands over the wireless communication channel, from the central server to the particular vehicle so as to control the particular vehicle.

[0060] In an exemplary implementation, each of the one or more vehicles can be configured to read the data from the one or more onboard transducers, send data from the vehicle to the central server and receive the one or more action command from the central server to be executed at the vehicle to control hardware components and/or electrical components of the vehicle. Each of the one or vehicle registered with the central vehicle monitoring and control system can be configured to execute the control command received from the central system.

[0061] FIG. 2B illustrates logical modules of an onboard system 200 for monitoring and controlling a vehicle in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. The onboard system 200 can includes a rule database configured to store one or more predefined rules, including but not limiting to traffic rules, vehicle parts working status based rules and other such rules, a transducer module 252 configured to collect data from one or more onboard transducers installed in the vehicle, an onboard rule based abnormality detection module configured to detect abnormal behavior of the vehicle based on comparison of the data collected from the one or more transducers with the one or more predefined rules, and an onboard control module configured to generate one or more action commands to be executed by hardware components of the vehicle so as to control the vehicle.

[0062] The onboard system 200 can further include an onboard transceiver module configured to send the data collected from the one or more onboard transducer to a central vehicle monitoring and control system, and receive action command, also referred interchangeably as control command, from the central vehicle monitoring and control system to control the vehicle.

[0063] The data may include but are not limited to information associated with speed, driving style, mechanical component failure, traffic light violation and GPS location. In an aspect of the invention, a data received from a vehicles can include unique identifier, for that vehicle in order to enable identification of that vehicle, and a location identifier, for example GPS location, of that vehicle in order to determine it's location.

[0064] The one or more rules can be dynamically populated for the onboard system as well as on the central vehicle monitoring and control system. Each rule may have some conditions, and associated actions to be taken when that condition is met. For example, a rule may be a condition of maximum speed greater than 100 kmph and associated action can be control command to reduce speed of the vehicle. In an aspect of the invention, the rules may be traffic rules of a particular location or a country. The one or more rules can be predefined rules related to the vehicle that include but are not limited to traffic monitoring rules, traffic guidance rules, government rules and safety rules.

[0065] In an exemplary implementation, the one or more action command can include but not be limited to control command, penalty charge command and other such command, based on detection of said abnormality to control the vehicle.

[0066] In an exemplary implementation, the central vehicle monitoring and control system can receive real-time data associated with each of the one or more vehicles from the one or more external transducers devices located outside the vehicle and capable of transmitting signals.

[0067] In an aspect of the invention, the one or more external signal transceiver devices can be located underneath road surface, and can be embedded in a load bearing system to bear the load or weight incident upon them. The one or more external signal transceiver device can be adapted to be protected from water, wind pressure, fog, sunlight exposure, magnetic flux, any natural calamity or any other damaging means. In an aspect of the invention, in case of more than one external signal transceiver devices, the external signal transceiver devices can communicate with each other.

[0068] In an aspect, the transducer module can include detection components comprising of or can be operationally coupled to one or more sensors, such as speed sensors, GPS sensors, jump sensors, alcohol level sensors, vehicle component status sensors and other such sensors.

[0069] In an exemplary implementation, the one or more vehicle and the central vehicle monitoring and control system can communicate using any or combination of satellite technology, cellular communication technology, and other long range wireless technology.

[0070] In an embodiment, the onboard control module can be a vehicle function controlling component capable of controlling one or more functions, for example speed, ignition, audio system volume, dipper light etc. of the vehicle.

[0071] In an exemplary implementation, the one or more transducers can communicate with the onboard system using short range wireless communication means, such as Bluetooth, infrared, Zigbee, and wired communication channels, such as a CAN bus. In an aspect of the invention, the communication between one or more components or systems in the present invention may be through any suitable means.

[0072] In an exemplary implementation, the onboard system or the central vehicle monitoring and control system can be configured to generate alert or warning which can be displayed on display device or played on audio device present in the vehicle.

[0073] In an aspect of the invention, the unique identity of a vehicle can be linked to one or more unique financial accounts such as a bank account or credit card account, and if the execution of rule requires charging an amount or levying a penalty for the vehicle, the amount or penalty can be directly charged to the financial account by the central vehicle monitoring and control system.

[0074] FIG. 3 illustrates an exemplary database having rule table defining conditions based on which abnormal behavior can be determined and associated action that can be taken on detection of abnormal behavior in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown in FIG. 3, the rule table 302 can include identification of vehicle as vehicle ID 304, rules 306, actions 408 and location information 310. In an exemplary implementation, a rule table 302 can define some generic rules as well as some vehicle specific rules. For example, traffic rules can be generic for all the vehicles. In an exemplary implementation, each rule can be combination of one or more conditions. For example a rule can include a condition associated with speed and location, like maximum allowed speed is 100 KMPH, if vehicle location indicates that the vehicle is on an expressway. There may be one or more associated actions to be taken for when conditions of a particular rule is satisfied. For example, when a vehicle traveling on expressway exceeds speed limit of 100 KMPH, abnormal behavior of over speeding can be determined and hence appropriate commands associated with the action item defined in the database can be generated. In present example, an action command can be charging a penalty of 2000/- and another action command for controlling speed of the vehicle. The vehicle can be configured to execute the commands and reduce speed of the vehicle.

[0075] FIG. 4A illustrates exemplary steps of method for centralized vehicle monitoring and control in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. The method 400 includes steps of receiving real-time data associated with each of the one or more vehicles, at a central server, from one or combination of one or more onboard transducers of the respective vehicles, one or more external transducers, and one or more observers, over a wireless communication channel, as shown at step 402, detecting abnormality of a particular vehicle based on comparison of one or more predefined rules with the received data, as shown at step 404, generating one or more action command for that particular vehicle of the one or more vehicles based on the type of abnormal behavior as shown at step 406, and transmitting the action command over wireless communication channel to that particular vehicle so as to control that particular vehicle, as shown at step 408.

[0076] In an exemplary implementation, each of the one or more vehicles can be configured to sense data from the one or more onboard transducers, send data from the vehicle to the central vehicle monitoring and control system and receive the one or more action command from the central vehicle monitoring and control system to be executed at the vehicle to control the vehicle. Each of the one or more vehicles registered with the central vehicle monitoring and control system can be configured to execute the control command received from the central system.

[0077] FIG. 4B illustrates steps of a method to be executed onboard a vehicle for monitoring and controlling the vehicle in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. The method 450 can include a step of collecting data from one or more onboard transducers installed in the vehicle as shown at step 452, detecting abnormality in the vehicle based on comparison of onboard data collected from the one or more transducers with the one or more predefined rules as shown at step 454 and generating one or more action commands to be executed by hardware component so as to control the vehicle as shown at step 458.

[0078] The method 450 can further include steps for sending the data collected from the one or more onboard transducers to a central vehicle monitoring and control system, and receiving action command, also referred interchangeably as control command, from the central vehicle monitoring and control the vehicle.

[0079] In an aspect of the invention, the systems and methods of the invention may simultaneously involve more than one user or more than one data storage device or more than one host server or any combination thereof.

[0080] The term 'predefined' with respect to a rule means that a particular rule is defined at an instant prior to the instant of being stored in the rule storage device.

[0081] Also, as used in the description herein, the meaning of "in" includes "in" and "on" unless the context clearly dictates otherwise.

[0082] The recitation of ranges of values herein is merely intended to serve as a shorthand method of referring individually to each separate value falling within the range. Unless otherwise indicated herein, each individual value is incorporated into the specification as if it were individually recited herein. All methods described herein can be performed in any suitable order unless otherwise indicated herein or otherwise clearly contradicted by context. The use of any and all examples, or exemplary language (e.g. "such as") provided with respect to certain embodiments herein is intended merely to better illuminate the invention and does not pose a limitation on the scope of the invention otherwise claimed. No language in the specification should be construed as indicating any non-claimed element essential to the practice of the invention.

[0083] Groupings of alternative elements or embodiments of the invention disclosed herein are not to be construed as limitations. Each group member can be referred to and claimed individually or in any combination with other members of the group or other elements found herein. One or more members of a group can be included in, or deleted from, a group for reasons of convenience and/or patentability. When any such inclusion or deletion occurs, the specification is herein deemed to contain the group as modified thus fulfilling the written description of all Markush groups used in the appended claims.

[0084] The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of the invention. As used herein, the singular forms "a", "an" and "the" are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. It will be further understood that the terms "comprises" or "comprising," when used in this specification, specify the presence of stated features, integers, steps, operations, elements, or components, but do not preclude or rule out the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, operations, elements, components, or groups thereof.

[0085] The process steps, method steps, protocols, algorithms or the like may be described in a sequential order, such processes, methods, protocol and algorithms may be configured to work in alternate orders. In other words, any sequence or order of steps that may be described does not necessarily indicate a requirement that the steps be performed in that order. The steps of processes described herein may be performed in any order practical. Further, some steps may be performed simultaneously, in parallel, or concurrently.

[0086] Furthermore, this invention may, however, be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein. Rather, these embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will be thorough and complete, and will fully convey the scope of the invention to those skilled in the art. Like reference numerals refer to like elements throughout the description of the figures. It will be understood that when an element is referred to as being "connected" or "coupled" to another element, it can be directly connected or coupled to the other element or intervening elements may be present. In contrast, when an element is referred to as being "directly connected or coupled" to another element, there are no intervening elements present. Furthermore, "connected" or "coupled" as used herein may include wirelessly connected or coupled. As used herein, the term "and/or" includes any and all combinations of one or more of the associated listed items.

[0087] The aim of this specification is to describe the invention without limiting the invention to any one embodiment or specific collection of features. Person skilled in the relevant art may realize the variations from the specific embodiments that will nonetheless fall within the scope of the invention. [0088] It may be appreciated that various other modifications and changes may be made to the embodiment described without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.

ADVANTAGES OF THE INVENTION

[0089] The present disclosure provides systems and methods for monitoring and controlling vehicles based on pre-defined rules.

[0090] The present disclosure provides systems and methods for controlling the vehicle.

[0091] The present disclosure allows systematic enablement of traffic rules and automatically charging penalties if the rules are broken.

[0092] The present disclosure enables policing and the law enforcement system to be integrated at an individual vehicle level.

[0093] The present disclosure makes a vehicle a part of a central system so as to enable internal functions of the vehicle to be controlled by an external centralized law enforcing system.

[0094] The present disclosure provides external guidance and verification facility for automated or driverless vehicles.