TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure relates to warning systems for providing safety at a construction site. Moreover, the present disclosure also relates to methods for providing safety at the construction site.

BACKGROUND

Construction sites, ports, and similar sites usually have one or more construction equipment such as tower cranes or other cranes to move heavy loads. For example, tower cranes are employed on construction sites for moving and lifting of steel rods for construction of towers in high rise buildings. Such activities may be dangerous, and thus precautions need to be taken to prevent accidents and damages at such sites.

Workers on the construction site are usually present in the vicinity of a load to be lifted or moved and there is a risk of a worker being present and going unnoticed under the load, while the load is being lifted. Lifting over people is therefore generally not allowed due to safety concerns. For example, when the load is being lifted over people and the load falls down suddenly due to malfunctioning of the tower crane, failure of an attachment of the load and the like, the people may be seriously or fatally injured. Hence, a crane operator is typically entrusted with the responsibility of moving the load in a suitable manner to prevent lifting above the people. However, human judgment and actions are prone to errors, and accidents on construction sites are prevalent. Therefore, in light of the foregoing discussion, there exists a need to overcome the aforementioned drawbacks associated with existing solutions for providing safety on construction sites.

SUMMARY

The present disclosure seeks to provide a warning system for providing safety at a construction site. The present disclosure also seeks to provide a method for providing safety at the construction site. An aim of the present disclosure is to provide a solution that overcomes at least partially the problems encountered in prior art.

In one aspect, an embodiment of the present disclosure provides a warning system for providing safety at a construction site, the warning system comprising: a first device comprising a first geo-spatial positioning receiver for receiving, in operation, first signals from a geo-spatial positioning system, the first geo-spatial positioning receiver being configured to calculate a first position of a load based on the first signals; at least one second device comprising a second geo-spatial positioning receiver for receiving, in operation, second signals from the geo-spatial positioning system, the second geo-spatial positioning receiver being configured to calculate a second position of the at least one second device based on the second signals, the at least one second device being communicably coupled to the first device; a base station comprising a third geo-spatial positioning receiver for receiving, in operation, third signals from the geo-spatial positioning system, the third geo-spatial positioning receiver being configured to calculate a third position of the base station based on the third signals, the base station being configured to generate a first correction signal and a second correction signal based on the third position, wherein the base station is communicably coupled to the first device and the at least one second device; and a third device for enabling operation of a construction equipment to move the load, wherein the third device is communicably coupled to the first device and the at least one second device, wherein, the base station is configured to send the first correction signal and the second correction signal to the first device and the at least one second device, respectively; the first device is configured to determine a fourth position of the load, based on the first position and the first correction signal; the at least one second device is configured to determine a fifth position of the at least one second device, based on the second position and the second correction signal; the third device is configured to send, to the first device, load information of the load; the first device is configured to define a danger area surrounding the load, based at least on the fourth position of the load and the load information; the first device is configured to send danger area information, to the at least one second device, wherein the danger area information pertains to the danger area; the at least one second device is configured to determine whether an alert condition is present, based on the fifth position and the danger area information; and when it is determined that the alert condition is present, the at least one second device is configured to activate a first alarm on the at least one second device.

In another aspect, an embodiment of the present disclosure provides a method for providing safety at a construction site using a warning system, the method comprising: receiving first signals from a geo-spatial positioning system for calculating a first position of a load based on the first signals; receiving second signals from the geo-spatial positioning system for calculating a second position of the at least one second device based on the second signals; receiving third signals from the geo-spatial positioning system for calculating a third position of the base station based on the third signals; generating a first correction signal and a second correction signal based on the third position, and sending the first correction signal and the second correction signal from the base station to a first device and the at least one second device, respectively; determining a fourth position of the load, based on the first position and the first correction signal; determining a fifth position of the at least one second device, based on the second position and the second correction signal; sending, from a third device to the first device, load information of the load; defining a danger area surrounding the load, based at least on the fourth position of the load and the load information; sending danger area information, from the first device to the at least one second device, wherein the danger area information pertains to the danger area; determining whether an alert condition is present, based on the fifth position and the danger area information; and when it is determined that the alert condition is present, activating a first alarm on the at least one second device.

Embodiments of the present disclosure substantially eliminate or at least partially address the aforementioned problems in the prior art and provide safety at the construction site by accurately ascertaining presence of an alert condition by data processing and activating the first alarm when the alert condition is present. Additional aspects, advantages, features, and objects of the present disclosure would be made apparent from the drawings and the detailed description of the illustrative embodiments construed in conjunction with the appended claims that follow.

It will be appreciated that features of the present disclosure are susceptible to being combined in various combinations without departing from the scope of the present disclosure as defined by the appended claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The summary above, as well as the following detailed description of illustrative embodiments, is better understood when read in conjunction with the appended drawings. For the purpose of illustrating the present disclosure, exemplary constructions of the disclosure are shown in the drawings. However, the present disclosure is not limited to specific methods and instrumentalities disclosed herein. Moreover, those skilled in the art will understand that the drawings are not to scale. Wherever possible, like elements have been indicated by identical numbers.

Embodiments of the present disclosure will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the following diagrams wherein:

FIGs. 1A, IB and 1C are block diagrams of a warning system for providing safety at a construction site, in accordance with different embodiments of the present disclosure;

FIG. 2 is an exemplary schematic implementation of the warning system for providing safety at the construction site, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 3 is a top view of a danger area of FIG. 2, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure; and FIGs. 4A and 4B illustrate a flowchart depicting steps of a method for providing safety at the construction site using the warning system, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.

In the accompanying drawings, an underlined number is employed to represent an item over which the underlined number is positioned or an item to which the underlined number is adjacent. A non-underlined number relates to an item identified by a line linking the non-underlined number to the item. When a number is non-underlined and accompanied by an associated arrow, the non-underlined number is used to identify a general item at which the arrow is pointing.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

The following detailed description illustrates embodiments of the present disclosure and ways in which they can be implemented. Although some modes of carrying out the present disclosure have been disclosed, those skilled in the art would recognize that other embodiments for carrying out or practising the present disclosure are also possible.

In one aspect, an embodiment of the present disclosure provides a warning system for providing safety at a construction site, the warning system comprising: a first device comprising a first geo-spatial positioning receiver for receiving, in operation, first signals from a geo-spatial positioning system, the first geo-spatial positioning receiver being configured to calculate a first position of a load based on the first signals; at least one second device comprising a second geo-spatial positioning receiver for receiving, in operation, second signals from the geo-spatial positioning system, the second geo-spatial positioning receiver being configured to calculate a second position of the at least one second device based on the second signals, the at least one second device being communicably coupled to the first device; a base station comprising a third geo-spatial positioning receiver for receiving, in operation, third signals from the geo-spatial positioning system, the third geo-spatial positioning receiver being configured to calculate a third position of the base station based on the third signals, the base station being configured to generate a first correction signal and a second correction signal based on the third position, wherein the base station is communicably coupled to the first device and the at least one second device; and a third device for enabling operation of a construction equipment to move the load, wherein the third device is communicably coupled to the first device and the at least one second device, wherein, the base station is configured to send the first correction signal and the second correction signal to the first device and the at least one second device, respectively; the first device is configured to determine a fourth position of the load, based on the first position and the first correction signal; the at least one second device is configured to determine a fifth position of the at least one second device, based on the second position and the second correction signal; the third device is configured to send, to the first device, load information of the load; the first device is configured to define a danger area surrounding the load, based at least on the fourth position of the load and the load information; the first device is configured to send danger area information, to the at least one second device, wherein the danger area information pertains to the danger area; the at least one second device is configured to determine whether an alert condition is present, based on the fifth position and the danger area information; and when it is determined that the alert condition is present, the at least one second device is configured to activate a first alarm on the at least one second device.

In another aspect, an embodiment of the present disclosure provides a method for providing safety at a construction site using a warning system, the method comprising: receiving first signals from a geo-spatial positioning system for calculating a first position of a load based on the first signals; receiving second signals from the geo-spatial positioning system for calculating a second position of the at least one second device based on the second signals; receiving third signals from the geo-spatial positioning system for calculating a third position of a base station based on the third signals; generating a first correction signal and a second correction signal based on the third position, and sending the first correction signal and the second correction signal from the base station to a first device and the at least one second device, respectively; determining a fourth position of the load, based on the first position and the first correction signal; determining a fifth position of the at least one second device, based on the second position and the second correction signal; sending, from a third device to the first device, load information of the load; defining a danger area surrounding the load, based at least on the fourth position of the load and the load information; sending danger area information, from the first device to the at least one second device, wherein the danger area information pertains to the danger area; determining whether an alert condition is present, based on the fifth position and the danger area information; and when it is determined that the alert condition is present, activating a first alarm on the at least one second device.

The present disclosure provides the aforementioned warning system and the aforementioned method. The warning system and the method prevents occurrence of accidents on account of workers from being left under the load to be lifted, by accurately finding the fourth position of the load and the fifth position of the at least one second device (that is associated with such workers). The first alarm is timely activated when a given person carrying the at least one second device or a given vehicle having the at least one second device attached thereon, is dangerously close to the load. In this way, the system and method utilize data processing to accurately ascertain presence of the alarm condition, and efficiently activate the first alarm when the alarm condition is present, for reliably ensuring safety at the construction site. This prevents accidents at the construction site. Also, the at least one second device does not require internet connection for communication with other devices. The warning system and the method does not require that persons should register online for being provided safety by way of activation of the first alarm on the at least one second device. Hence, the warning system and the method beneficially provide safety for an unlimited number of persons, at construction sites. Furthermore, the at least one second device does not necessarily need to send any data, as accurate determination of positions and activation of the first alarm can be done with a one-way data connection. Hence, in the system, radiation is minimized.

The present disclosure relates to the warning system for providing safety at the construction site. Herein, the construction site may include any area on which construction works such as, construction of buildings, bridges, and the like, are carried out. It may be appreciated that heavy construction equipment may be deployed on the construction site to lift or move loads for carrying out the construction work. Herein, the load may be construction materials such as, building modular part, fitting, furniture, bricks, concrete, steel rods, shuttering materials, and rebars. More generally, the load may be any kind of load that need to be lifted and/or moved from one position to other on the construction site. In addition to construction sites, the warning system can be used in ports and at any other place where loads are lifted.

The warning system comprises the first device comprising the first geospatial positioning receiver for receiving, in operation, first signals from the geo-spatial positioning system, the first geo-spatial positioning receiver being configured to calculate the first position of the load based on the first signals. The geo-spatial positioning system may be, for example, a Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS), a Global Positioning System (GPS), or any other satellite constellation providing signals from space that transmit positioning and timing data to GNSS receivers. The geo-spatial positioning receiver calculates its position by precisely timing signals sent by geo-spatial positioning system high above the Earth. Each satellite of the geo-spatial positioning system may continually transmit signals that include a time the signal was transmitted and a satellite position at the time of signal transmission. The geo-spatial positioning system may send the first signals to the first geo-spatial positioning receiver in real time, periodically, intermittently, or in another specified manner. The first geo-spatial positioning may then calculate the first position of the load based on the first signals. Optionally, the first device is attached with the load. The first device may be attached to the load by any attachment means, for example, by using a magnet, a collar, a tape, a wire, a band, bolts and/or screws. The attachment means may be easily detachable (i.e., removable) and/or may facilitate quick locking. Alternatively, optionally, the first device is attached to any part of the construction equipment such as, a crane hook, a pulley above the crane hook, a trolley on a jib, and the like. In such a case, the first geo-spatial positioning receiver receives, in operation, a given first signal from the geo-spatial positioning system to determine a given position of the first device, wherein the first position of the load is determined based on the given position and a pre-known offset between the load and the part of the construction equipment to which the first device is attached.

The warning system comprises the at least one second device comprising the second geo-spatial positioning receiver for receiving, in operation, second signals from the geo-spatial positioning system, the second geospatial positioning receiver being configured to calculate the second position of the at least one second device based on the second signals, the at least one second device being communicably coupled to the first device. Herein, a given second device may be a device having processing capabilities. Optionally, the given second device is carried by persons visiting or working on the construction site. Herein, a given person carries the given second device with him/her when he/she moves on the construction site and/or when he/she does work on the construction site. The given second device can be with the given person continuously during working/moving hours on the construction site. The second device is preferably lightweight and easy to carry. As an example, the given second device may be associated with an employee of an entity undertaking construction activities at the construction site (and may be thus understood to be an employee module). For example, the given second device may be attached to the employee's equipment, such as a protective jacket, belt, or helmet. Optionally, the given second device is arranged on a vehicle present in the construction site, such as an earthmoving machine, all-terrain vehicle (ATV), excavator, forklift, a crane, and the like. The at least one second device may communicate with the geo-spatial positioning system to receive the second signals for determining the second position of the at least one second device. It may be noted that the at least one second device does not require internet connection. The warning system also does not require that persons should register online by for example, entering a user id, a password and other credentials, before using the at least one second device for safety. That is, the persons present on the construction site may directly use the at least one second device. Any of the persons on the construction site may be provided with the at least one second device, and the number of the at least one second device is not limited anyhow by the warning system. For example, around hundred persons may be present on the construction site and each person may be provided with the at least one second device that may be used for ensuring safety of each person. Optionally, the at least one second device is moved and its display shows a measured horizontal distance to the first device.

The warning system comprises the a base station comprising the third geo-spatial positioning receiver for receiving, in operation, third signals from the geo-spatial positioning system, the third geo-spatial positioning receiver being configured to calculate the third position of the base station based on the third signals, the base station being configured to generate a first correction signal and a second correction signal based on the third position, wherein the base station is communicably coupled to the first device and the at least one second device. The base station is communicably coupled to the first device and the at least one second device. The base station may be mobile or stationary. The base station may be arranged on a given hook module or a given crane hook. The third geo-spatial positioning receiver of the base station may determine its own location, which is considered to be a known position of the basestation herein and may receive correction data from the geo-spatial positioning system. The base station is configured to determine a difference between the third position and the known position of the base station, and to generate a base correction signal based on the determined difference. Next, the base station is configured to generate the first correction signal and the second correction signal, based on the base correction signal. Optionally, the first correction signal and/or the second correction signal are equal to the base correction signal.

Optionally, the base station comprises a processor configured to compare the known position of the base station with the third position by employing a Real-time kinematic positioning technique, to generate the first correction signal and the second correction signal. The Real-time kinematic (RTK) positioning technique is known in the art, and typically employs an antenna, a given geo-spatial positioning receiver (such as a GNSS receiver), and radio link to provide RTK correction signals. It will be appreciated that using the RTK positioning technique, the base station may determine its own position by carrier phase measurement technique of a signal received by the GNSS receiver. The RTK positioning technique is more accurate than timing based GNSS techniques or GPS techniques. The base station generates the first correction signal and the second correction signal by comparing its own known position with the third position to identify any error between said positions and then determines the correction data according to such error.

The warning system comprises the third device for enabling operation of the construction equipment to move the load, wherein the third device is communicably coupled to the first device and the at least one second device. The third device may be a telephone, a smart phone, a portable digital device, a computer, a tablet, or the like. The third device may be referred as an operator's device that may act like a remote control by means of which an operator controls the construction equipment. The operator may use the third device to define operational settings (for example, the operator may command the first device remotely, or may set different settings for the load).

The base station is configured to send the first correction signal and the second correction signal to the first device and the at least one second device. Such sending may be performed in real time, or after a specified time interval from the generation of the first and second correction signals. The first device is configured to determine the fourth position of the load, based on the first position and the first correction signal. The at least one second device is configured to determine the fifth position of the at least one second device, based on the second position and the second correction signal. It may be appreciated that the first position and the second position may include varying degrees of errors. To mitigate the aforesaid errors, the first correction signal and the second correction signal are applied to the first position and the second position, to obtain the fourth position and the fifth position, respectively. The fourth position and the fifth position are more accurate than the first position and the second position, respectively, and this enables in accurately determining whether alert conditions are present. Optionally, when determining the fourth position and/or the fifth position, at least one mathematical formula is employed.

The third device is configured to send, to the first device, load information of the load. It will be appreciated that the construction site may include a plurality of loads and the construction equipment may need to lift or move a particular load from amongst the plurality of loads. The load information may help in identifying the load from the plurality of load that need to be lifted or moved. Moreover, the load information may indicate specifications of a way the load is to be lifted.

Optionally, the load information comprises at least one of: a size of the load, a weight of the load, a width of the load, a lifting height of the load, a direction of lifting the load, a speed of lifting the load, a path of lifting the load, a swing of the load, a quality of the load, a purpose of lifting the load, a time of lifting the load, a duration of lifting the load. Herein, the size of the load may include dimension of load such as, a length, a breadth, and a height of the load. The lifting height of the load may be the height to which the load may need to be lifted. The direction of lifting the load may be the direction in which the load may be lifted. The speed of lifting the load may be a rate at which the load may be lifted to the lifting height. The path of lifting the load may be the path to be followed when the construction equipment lifts the load. The swing of the load may be an angle by which the load may swing on either side of its mean position when the load is being lifted up or down. The quality of the load may determine a measure indicating a standard of what is to be lifted such as, concrete, steel rods, slabs, and the like. Loads that are harder to lift may have a low quality, and vice versa. The purpose of lifting the load may indicate an intent with which the load is lifted. For example, steel rods may need to be lifted for construction of towers, whereas gravel may be lifted for loading in a concrete mixer. The time of lifting the load may be a time instant at which the load needs to be lifted. The duration of lifting the load may be a time period in which the load may be lifted.

The first device is configured to define the danger area surrounding the load, based at least on the fourth position of the load and the load information. In an embodiment, the danger area may be defined using a function or an algorithm that may take the fourth position of the load and the load information as an input. For example, an exponential function that takes factors such as, the fourth position, the size of load, the weight of load, and the lifting height of the load as the input, may be used for defining the danger area. As the aforesaid factors change, the danger area also changes dynamically. It may be appreciated that when the load is being lifted or moved, persons near that area may get hurt in case of accidents such as, swift unloading of the load being lifted due to malfunctioning of the construction equipment that is employed to lift the load, slippage of the load, breaking off the load from a hook module, and the like. Hence, the danger area may be defined as a region surrounding the given load wherein there is likelihood of danger to safety of the persons. The danger area is defined so that no persons may come in the vicinity of the given load when the given load is being lifted or moved. The first device is configured to send the danger area information, to the at least one second device, wherein the danger area information pertains to the danger area. Once the danger area is defined, the danger area information may be sent to the at least one second device so that the at least one second device may process and interpret the danger area information to know about the danger area that needs to be avoided by the persons/vehicle(s) carrying the at least one second device.

Optionally, the danger area information comprises at least one of: the fourth position of the load, the load information, a size of the danger area, a shape of the danger area, a function indicating a way the size and/or the shape of the danger area varies according to the fourth position and the load information, a number of sub-areas within the danger area, sizes and relative arrangements of the sub-areas. The size of the danger area may be defined by at least one dimension of the danger area and may depend on the load information (and especially, on the size of the load and the lifting height of the load). The shape of the danger area may define a form and contours of the danger area. In an embodiment, the danger area may be defined as a two-dimensional (2D) shape. For example, the danger area may be defined as a circle on the ground, under the load. In an alternative embodiment, the danger area may be defined as a three-dimensional (3D) shape. For example, the danger area may be defined as a cone projecting upwards from the ground, under the load. The size of the danger area in each lateral direction is preferably greater than the dimensions of the load in the given lateral direction. As, the load is being lifted, the load may swing in the given lateral direction to a maximum distance. Hence, apart from the persons who are just below the load, the safety of persons presents up till maximum distance in the given lateral direction may be compromised. Therefore, to take the effect of swing into account, the size of the danger area is made greater than the load in the lateral direction. The danger area is preferably defined to extend below the load to be lifted, outward from a center of gravity of the load. The danger area can extend radially, vertically, or laterally outwards from edges of the load to be lifted or from a desired point defined by the third device. The function indicating the way the size and/or the shape of the danger area varies according to the fourth position and the load information may also define the danger area. For example, the danger area is preferably dynamically defined in such a way that the size of the danger area changes as the load is moved at different speeds. The size of the danger area also changes as a function of the lifting height of the load and as a function of the speed of lifting the load. For example, as the lifting height of the load and/or the speed of lifting the load increases, the danger area also increases. The size of the danger area may also change as a function of the path of lifting the load. The size of the danger area can change linearly, non-linearly, or stepwise as a function of speed of lifting the load and/or lifting height of the load, or the path of lifting the load. For example, as a given lateral speed of lifting the load increases, the size (area) of the danger area increases exponentially. In some embodiments, the danger area may include a plurality of sub-areas with different levels of danger severity. Each sub-area may have different size and may be relatively arranged with respect to each other, for forming the danger area.

The at least one second device is configured to determine whether the alert condition is present, based on the fifth position and the danger area information. The alert condition is present when the person carrying the at least one second device or when the vehicle on which the at least one second device is arranged, is in danger. Presence of the alert condition is undesirable and poses a safety risk. Therefore, the system reliably and efficiently determines whether the alert condition is present in a timely manner, so that corrective steps to ensure safety can be taken when the alert condition is present.

Optionally, the alert condition is at least one of: the fifth position lies in the danger area; the fifth position is in proximity of the danger area and the fifth position lies along a path of movement of the load; the fifth position is in proximity of the danger area and the fifth position is changing in a manner that the at least one second device is approaching the load to be moved; the fifth position is in proximity of the danger area, and an actual weight of the load is greater than the weight of the load; and a given fifth position of one of the at least one second device lies in or is in proximity of the danger area.

In this regard, when the fifth position lies in the danger area, it means that the at least one second device is in the danger area and hence, the person carrying the at least one second device or the vehicle on which the at least one second device is arranged, is in danger. In such a case, the person or the vehicle have a high safety risk as they may get hurt by the load due to accidental dropping of the load being lifted. When the fifth position is in proximity of the danger area and the fifth position lies along the path of movement of the load, the at least one second device would be in danger when the load is lifted over the at least one second device. When the fifth position is in proximity of the danger area and the fifth position is changing in the manner that the at least one second device is approaching the load to be moved, the at least one second device may enter the danger area and may eventually even collide with the load. When the fifth position is in proximity of the danger area and the actual weight of the load is greater than the weight of the load (i.e., over-lifting occurs), the actual weight of the load may be too high and may hamper the construction equipment from lifting the load and/or lifting the load may hurt the person or the vehicle in the fifth position if parts of the load break off while lifting. When it is determined that the alert condition is present, the at least one second device is configured to activate the first alarm on the at least one second device. In an embodiment, the first alarm may be activated manually. Herein, the operator may switch on an alarm button for activating the first alarm. Since, herein, human input is needed for activating the first alarm, a delay may be observed between determination of the presence of the alert condition and the activation of the first alarm. Thus, the safety of the persons on the construction site may be compromised for a time duration equivalent to the delay. In another embodiment, the first alarm may be activated automatically on determining that the alert condition is present. The automatic activation of the first alarm may prevent delay between determination of the presence of the alert condition and the activation of the first alarm. Hence, they are more accurate and may ensure safety of the persons efficiently. The first alarm may notify (i.e., alert) the person carrying the at least one second device about presence of the alarm condition to enable the person to protect themself or may notify the driver of the vehicle on which the at least one second device is arranged about presence of the alarm condition so as to enable the driver to protect the vehicle (and optionally, himself). For example, when the person carrying the at least one second device is in the danger area, the first alarm may notify the person to quickly move out to a safer region on the construction site. It may be noted that a type and severity of alarms may vary depending on a severity of the alert condition that is present. It may also be possible that a given person (for example, a given employee) will be alerted when at least one other person (for example, his or her co- employee(s)) is in the vicinity of or in the danger area.

Optionally, the first alarm is at least one of: a text message, a light indication, a sound, a vibration, a radio signal. A given text message may be displayed on the at least one second device, based on the first alert condition for notification. For example, the given text message may be 'move away immediately' when the at least one second device is in the danger area. For light indication, the at least one second device may include one or more light sources such as light emitting diodes (LEDs), displays, bulbs, and the like. In some embodiments, the one or more light sources may blink for some duration for light indication. In some other embodiments, the one or more light sources may glow continuously for light indication of the alert condition until the alert condition ceases to exist. For example, if the fifth position is in the danger area, the one or more light sources may glow continuously until the at least one second device moves away from the danger area. The first alarm may be a given sound such as a buzzer sound, a beep sound, a verbal warning, a music, and the like, of fixed or varying sound intensity depending on the alert condition. For example, if the fifth position is in danger area the buzzer sound may indicate the person to move away from the danger area swiftly and if the fifth position is in proximity of the danger area, the beep sound may indicate the person to change his/her path. Herein, sound intensity of the buzzer sound may be higher than that of the beep sound. The first alarm may be vibration. Similar to the sound, the vibration may be also of fixed or varying intensity. Herein, the at least one second device may include a vibration motor that may vibrate according to the determined alert condition. For example, if a given second device is attached to an apparel worn by the person and the fifth position of the given second device is in the danger area, the given second device may vibrate profusely to notify the person to move out of the danger area.

Optionally, the danger area comprises a plurality of sub-areas, and wherein the at least one second device is further configured to activate different first alarms for alarm conditions pertaining to different subareas amongst the plurality of sub-areas. It will be understood that the entirety of the danger area may not have a constant danger severity level. The areas that are just below the load may have a higher danger severity level than the areas that are farther away from the load. The areas just below the load may be more dangerous. Thus, the entirety of the danger area may be divided into the plurality of sub-areas according to their danger level. Each sub-area may be associated with different first alarms to give an idea of different danger severity levels to the person or the driver (depending on the sub-area of the plurality of sub-areas in which the fifth position is situated).

Optionally, the different first alarms are different from each other in respect of at least one of: a type of a given first alarm, an intensity of a given first alarm, a frequency of activating a given first alarm, a duration of activating a given first alarm. For example, if the danger area includes three sub-areas, the different first alarms may be a given text message, a given light indication, and a given sound for a first sub-area, a second sub-area, and a third sub-area, respectively. Herein, the first sub-area may have lowest danger severity level, the second sub-area may have greater danger severity level than the first sub-area and the third subarea may have highest danger severity level.

Optionally, the at least one second device is configured to send, to the third device, alert information pertaining to the alert condition. Herein, the alert information may help the operator of the third device to prevent accidents. For example, if in spite of activating the first alarm, the at least one second device remains in the danger area, the third device may automatically stop the construction equipment from lifting the load. Optionally, the alert information is sent by at least one of: an ultrasonic communication link, a light indication, a radio link. In an embodiment, the alert information may be first converted to ultrasonic waves by a transmitter of the at least one second device and the said ultrasonic waves may be sent over the ultrasonic communication link to a receiver of the third device. The third device may decode the said ultrasonic waves to obtain the alert information. In another embodiment, the alert information is sent to the at least one second device by light indication. Herein, light sources such as, LEDs, bulbs, displays and the like of the at least one second device may emit some light that may be detected by the third device to receive the alert information. In another embodiment, the alert information may be sent via the radio link. Herein, a transmitter of the at least one second device may transmit alert information over radio waves via the radio link to the third device. Therefore, although it is possible for the at least one second device to communicate on the radio link, it is not a necessary feature, thus enabling radiation to be minimized.

Optionally, the at least one second device and the third device have at least one first radiotelephone and a second radiotelephone, respectively, and wherein the at least one first radiotelephone and the second radiotelephone enable in providing a voice-directed telephone connection between the at least one second device and the third device. Herein, the person associated with the at least one second device and the operator of the third device may communicate directly over voice to provide information apart from the alert information via a least one first radiotelephone and a second radiotelephone. That is, the operator operating the third device and a given driver or a given person associated with the at least one second device may directly talk to each other for sharing some extra information about the alert condition. For example, the operator may directly talk to the person who is associated with at least one second device and is in the danger area, to move away quickly. Moreover, if there are multiple second devices, then voice-directed telephone connection between them may be established using their corresponding first radio telephones for exchanging information and/or instructions between persons present on the construction site.

Optionally, the first device further comprises at least one first sensor, wherein the first device is further configured to: process sensor data of the at least one first sensor, to detect whether the first alarm is activated; and when it is detected that the first alarm is activated, send a warning signal to the third device.

In this regard, the first sensor may depend on the first alarm. For example, if the first alarm is the sound, then the first sensor may be an audio detector that may detect the sound. If the first alarm is the light indication, then the first sensor may be a light detector. Similarly, if the first alarm is the vibration, then the first sensor may be a vibration detector that may detect the presence of vibrations. Optionally, the warning signal is sent by at least one of: an ultrasonic communication link, a light indication, a radio link. Based on the received warning signal, the third device may control the construction equipment to prevent any safety hazards such as, overhead lifting of the load.

Optionally, the at least one second device comprises a plurality of second devices, the plurality of second devices being arranged on a plurality of construction equipment, and wherein a given second device is configured to activate the first alarm when a given fifth position of the given second device lies within a predefined distance from at least one other fifth position of at least one other second device. It may be noted that the plurality of construction equipment may be present on the construction site. In some undesirable instances, a given construction equipment of the plurality of construction equipment may collide with at least one other construction equipment, thus, hampering the working of the plurality of construction equipment and posing a safety risk for persons using or in proximity of such construction equipment. Collisions may also damage a given construction equipment. To prevent the collision of the given construction equipment with the at least one other construction equipment, each construction equipment of the plurality of construction equipment may include a second device. The given second device may activate the first alarm when the given second device lies in the predefined distance of the at least one other second device. The predefined distance may lie in a predefined range. For example, the predefined distance may lie in the range of 1 meter to 200 meters. Herein, the predefined distance may be from 1 meter, 10 meters, 20 meters, 30 meters, 40 meters, 50 meters, 60 meters, 70 meters, 80 meters, 90 meters, 100 meters, 110 meters, 120 meters, 130 meters, 140 meters, 150 meters, 160 meters, 170 meters, 180 meters, and 190 meters up to 10 meters, 20 meters, 30 meters, 40 meters, 50 meters, 60 meters, 70 meters, 80 meters, 90 meters, 100 meters, 110 meters, 120 meters, 130 meters, 140 meters, 150 meters, 160 meters, 170 meters, 180 meters, 190 meters, and 200 meters.

Optionally, the warning system further comprises a second sensor communicably coupled to the third device, wherein the third device is further configured to: receive, from the second sensor, sensor data indicative of a weight lifted by the construction equipment; activate a second alarm when the weight lifted by the construction equipment is greater than or equal to a predefined threshold; and deactivate the second alarm when the weight lifted by the construction equipment is less than the predefined threshold.

In this regard, the second sensor may be a weight sensor arranged in the construction equipment to sense the presence/absence of the load and to measure the weight of the load lifted by the construction equipment. It may be appreciated that if the weighted lifted by the construction equipment is higher than the predefined threshold, it poses a threat to the construction equipment and to the person near the load. Hence, the second alarm is activated to notify the crane operator and the persons that the weight lifted by the construction equipment is greater than or equal to the predefined threshold so that the crane operator and the persons may take corrective measures. Moreover, the present description also relates to the method for providing safety at the construction site using the warning system as described above. The various embodiments and variants disclosed above apply mutatis mutandis to the warning system. Optionally, the method further comprises comparing a known position of the base station with the third position by employing a Real- time kinematic positioning technique for generating the first correction signal and the second correction signal.

Optionally, wherein the danger area comprises a plurality of sub-areas, and wherein the method further comprises activating different first alarms for alarm conditions pertaining to different sub-areas amongst the plurality of sub-areas.

Optionally, the least one second device comprises a plurality of second devices, and wherein the method further comprises: arranging the plurality of second devices on a plurality of construction equipment; and activating the first alarm when a given fifth position of a given second device lies within a predefined distance from at least one other fifth position of at least one other second device.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Referring to FIGs. 1A, IB, and 1C, illustrated are block diagrams of a warning system 1OOA, 1OOB, and 1OOC, respectively, for providing safety at a construction site, in accordance with various embodiments of the present disclosure. A warning system (such as the warning systems 1OOA, 1OOB, and 1OOC) comprises: a first device 102 comprising a first geo-spatial positioning receiver 104 that receives, in operation, first signals for determining a first position of a load from a geo-spatial positioning system 106; at least one second device 108 comprising a second geo-spatial positioning receiver 110 that receives, in operation, second signals for determining a second position of the at least one second device 108 from the geo-spatial positioning system 106; a base station 112 comprising a third geo-spatial positioning receiver 114 that receives, in operation, third signals for determining a third position of the base station 112 from the geo-spatial positioning system 106; and a third device 116. The at least one second device 108 is communicably coupled to the first device 102. The base station 112 is configured to generate a first correction signal and a second correction signal, wherein the base station 112 is communicably coupled to the first device 102 and the at least one second device 108. The third device 116 enables operation of a construction equipment (not shown) to move the load, wherein the third device 116 is communicably coupled to the first device 102 and the at least one second device 108. In FIG. IB, the warning system 100B comprises the at least one second device 108 (depicted as the second device 108', and a second device 108") comprising a second geo-spatial positioning receiver 110' and a second geo-spatial positioning receiver 110" respectively. The first device 102 comprises a first sensor 118. The base station 112 comprises a processor 120.

In FIGs. IB and 1C, the at least one second device 108 has a first radiotelephone 122 (depicted as the second device 108' having a first radiotelephone 122' and the second device 108" having a first radiotelephone 122") and the third device 116 has a second radiotelephone 124.

In FIG. 1C, the third device 116 is shown to comprise the second radiotelephone 124, a microcontroller 126, and a battery or a power supply 128 received from a construction equipment (such as a crane). The first device 102 is arranged on a load 130. The first device 102 comprises the first geo-spatial positioning receiver 104, a radio transceiver 132, a microcontroller 134, and a battery or a power supply 136 from the construction equipment. The base station 112 comprises the third geo-spatial positioning receiver 114, a radio transceiver 138, a microcontroller 140, a battery or power supply 142 from the construction equipment. The at least one second device 108 comprises the second geo-spatial positioning receiver 110, the first radiotelephone 122, a microcontroller 144 and a battery 146. At 148, the third device 116 is configured to send, to the first device 102, load information of the load 130 and the first device 102 sends, to the third device 116 alert information pertaining to an alert condition. Moreover at 148, a voice- directed telephone connection is established between the first device 102 and the third device 116. At 150, the base station 112 is configured to send a first correction signal to the first device 102. At 152, the base station 112 is configured to send a second correction signal to the at least one second device 108. At 154, the first device 102 is configured to send danger area information, to the at least one second device 108. At step 156, the at least one second device 108 is configured to send, to the first device 106 alert information pertaining to the alert condition. At step 158, a voice-directed telephone connection is established between the at least one second device 108 and the first device 106.

FIG. 2 is an exemplary schematic implementation of a warning system for providing safety at the construction site, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. Herein, a first device 202 is positioned on a load 230 to be moved. A second device 208' is carried by first personnel 260' and a second device 208" is carried by second personnel 260". A base station 212 is arranged at a distance from the first device 202. A construction equipment 262, which is a tower crane having a tower 264 arranged in and supported on the ground, is used to move (i.e., lift) the load 230. The tower 264 extends upwards from the ground. The construction equipment 262 has an operator's cab 266 arranged at the top of the tower 264. The operator's cab 266 has a third device 216 for operating the construction equipment 262. The third device 216 enables operation of the construction equipment 262 to move the load 230, wherein the third device 216 is communicably coupled to the first device 202 and the second devices 208', 208". The third device 216 is not necessarily connected in any way to a control of the construction equipment 262 such as the crane, but is only intended for communication with the first device 202. The construction equipment 262 further comprises a jib 268 arranged in the tower 264, and a trolley 270 arranged in the jib 268 so that the trolley 270 can be moved parallel to the jib 268 from the operator's cab 266 when the construction equipment 262 is operated. Attached to the jib 268 is a hook module 272 provided with a crane hook that allows the construction equipment 262 to raise and lower the load 230 with respect to the ground or a level from which the load 230 is to be lifted when the construction equipment 262 is operated. During operation, the load 230 can be moved by the trolley 270, by an operator. The first device 202 is configured to define a danger area 274 surrounding the load 230, based at least on a fourth position of the load 230 and load information. FIG. 2 shows a perspective view of the danger area 274. The danger area 274 is shown to be three- dimensional and extends radially, vertically or laterally outwards from edges of the load 230.

FIG. 3 is a top view of the danger area of FIG. 2, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. Herein, a danger area 374 comprises a plurality of sub-areas 374', 374", and 374'", wherein a given second device (such as, the second device 208' and/or the second device 208" of FIG. 2) is further configured to activate different first alarms for alarm conditions pertaining to different sub-areas amongst the plurality of sub-areas 374', 374", and 374'". The sub-area 374'" is closest to the load (shown in FIG. 3), while the sub-area 374' is farthest from the load. These sub-areas 374', 374", and 374'" may have different shapes and/or extents.

FIGs. 4A and 4B illustrate a flowchart depicting steps of a method for providing safety at a construction site using a warning system, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. The method includes, at step 402, receiving first signals from a geo-spatial positioning system for calculating a first position of a load based on the first signals. The method includes, at step 404 receiving second signals from the geo-spatial positioning system for calculating a second position of the at least one second device based on the second signals. The method includes, at step 406, receiving third signals from the geo-spatial positioning system for calculating a third position of the base station based on the third signals. The method includes, at step 408, generating a first correction signal and a second correction signal based on the third position, and sending the first correction signal and the second correction signal from the base station to a first device and the at least one second device, respectively. The method includes, at step 410, determining a fourth position of the load, based on the first position and the first correction signal. The method includes, at step 412, determining a fifth position of the at least one second device, based on the second position and the second correction signal. The method includes, at step 414, sending, from a third device to the first device, load information of the load. The method includes, at step 416, defining a danger area surrounding the load, based at least on the fourth position of the load and the load information. The method includes, at step 418, sending danger area information, from the first device to the at least one second device, wherein the danger area information pertains to the danger area. The method includes, at step 420, determining whether an alert condition is present, based on the fifth position and the danger area information. When it is determined that the alert condition is present, the method includes activating a first alarm on the at least one second device at step 422. When it is determined that the alert condition is not present, the first alarm on the at least one second device is not activated at step 424.

The steps 402, 404, 406, 408, 410, 412, 414, 416, 418, 420, 422, and 424 are only illustrative and other alternatives can also be provided where one or more steps are added, one or more steps are removed, or one or more steps are provided in a different sequence without departing from the scope of the claims herein. For example, the steps 402, 404, and 406 may be performed concurrently.

Modifications to embodiments of the present disclosure described in the foregoing are possible without departing from the scope of the present disclosure as defined by the accompanying claims. Expressions such as "including", "comprising", "incorporating", "have", "is" used to describe, and claim the present disclosure are intended to be construed in a nonexclusive manner, namely allowing for items, components or elements not explicitly described also to be present. Reference to the singular is also to be construed to relate to the plural.