Blind spot visualization system and method

A method of eliminating a blind spot for an operator of a vehicle caused by an obstruction comprising:

• (a) detecting a steering angle of the vehicle;
• (b) generating at least a first image and a second image of an area on a side of the obstruction opposite the operator;
• wherein the first and the second images representing different frequency ranges of radiation from the area;
• (c) decomposing the first image and the second image into a plurality of pixels;
• (d) combining the first image and the second images by interspersing pixels of each of the first image and the second image to create a composite image using a fusion algorithm;
• wherein each pixel in the composite image is taken directly from the first image and the second image to be fused;
• wherein a first pixel block of the first image and a second pixel block of the second image have different sizes;
• and
• (e) displaying the at least the first image and/or the second image on a display adjacent to the obstruction only when the detecting indicates that the vehicle is turning in a direction that corresponds to the side of the vehicle that the obstruction is on.

A system for eliminating a blind spot for an operator of a vehicle caused by an obstruction using a manual mode and an automatic mode comprising:

• (a) one or more processors;
• (b) a first sensor and a second sensor coupled to the one or more processors, the first sensor and the second sensor being on a side of the obstruction opposite the operator and being configured to generate a first image and a second image of an area on a side of the obstruction opposite the operator, the first and the second images representing different frequency ranges of radiation received from the area and each comprised of a plurality of pixels;
• (c) a display coupled to the one or more processors and visible to the operator;
• and, wherein, the one or more processors:
• (i) combine the first image and the second images by interspersing pixels of each of the first image and the second image to create a composite image using a fusion algorithm;
• wherein each pixel in the composite image is taken directly from the first image and the second image to be fused;
• wherein a first pixel block of the first image and a second pixel block of the second image have different sizes;
• and
• (ii) transmit the composite image to the display so the operator sees the area on the other side of the obstruction on the display;
• and
• wherein one or more processors are configured to actuate the automatic mode when a sensor signal of at least one steering wheel sensor is more than a predetermined threshold value and does not actuate the automatic mode when the obstruction is in an opposite direction to a turning of the vehicle.

A system for eliminating a blind spot for an operator of a vehicle caused by an obstruction comprising:

• (a) one or more processors;
• (b) a steering sensor configured to transmit a signal to one or more processors;
• (c) a sensor coupled to one or more processors, the sensor being on a side of the obstruction opposite the operator and being configured to generate a first image and a second image representing different frequency ranges of radiation from an area on a side of the obstruction opposite the operator;
• (d) a display visible to the operator and coupled to the one or more processors;
• and, wherein the one or more processors:
• (i) determine a direction of turn of the vehicle based on the signal;
• (ii) generate at least a first image and a second image of the area on the side of the obstruction opposite the operator;
• wherein the first and the second images representing different frequency ranges of radiation from the area;
• (iii) decomposing the first image and the second images into a plurality of pixels;
• (iv) combining the first image and the second images by interspersing pixels of each of the first image and the second image to create a composite image using a fusion algorithm;
• wherein each pixel in the composite image is taken directly from the first image and the second image to be fused;
• wherein the first size of the first pixel block and the second size of the second pixel block change during the repeated combination process;
• wherein a first pixel block of the first image and a second pixel block of the second image have different sizes;
• (v) transmit that at least one image to the display;
• (vi) display that at least one image on the display at any time to allow the operator to view the object behind the obstruction;
• and
• wherein one or more processors are configured to actuate an automatic mode of the system when a sensor signal of the direction of turn of the vehicle is more than a predetermined threshold value.