Controller, operator assistance system, and method of assisting operator of work machine

An operator assistance system associated with a work machine, the operator assistance system comprising:

• an imaging device mounted on the work machine and facing a work implement of the work machine, the imaging device being configured to capture an input image containing a first pictorial view that includes a first portion of the work implement;
• a controller communicably coupled with the imaging device, the controller including one or more processors configured to:
• receive the input image from the imaging device;
• and
• generate an output image containing a second pictorial view and an indication element superimposed on the second pictorial view,
• wherein the second pictorial view is at least in part derived from the first pictorial view and includes the first portion of the work implement,
• wherein the indication element includes at least one reference line, and
• wherein an alignment of the first portion of the work implement with the at least one reference line indicates that a second portion of the work implement which is not visible in the second pictorial view and which is outside of an area of the second pictorial view is positioned at a desired height from a ground surface, the desired height being outside of the second pictorial view;
• and
• a user interface configured to receive the output image from the one or more processors,
• wherein the user interface is configured to display the output image thereon to assist an operator in positioning the second portion of the work implement at the desired height.

A method of assisting an operator of a work machine, the method comprising:

• capturing, by an imaging device mounted on the work machine and facing a work implement of the work machine, an input image containing a first pictorial view that includes a portion of the work implement;
• receiving, by a controller communicably coupled with the imaging device, the input image from the imaging device;
• generating, by the controller, an output image containing a second pictorial view and an indication element superimposed on the second pictorial view,
• wherein the second pictorial view is at least in part derived from the first pictorial view and includes the portion of the work implement,
• wherein the indication element includes at least one reference line, and
• wherein an alignment of the portion of the work implement with the at least one reference line indicates that another portion of the work implement, which is not visible in either the first or second pictorial view because the another portion of the work implement is blocked from view by the portion of the work implement, and which is configured to engage a ground surface, is positioned at a desired height from a ground surface;
• and
• displaying the output image on a user interface to assist the operator in positioning the another portion of the work implement at the desired height, wherein the user interface is configured to receive the output image from the controller, and wherein the output image does not display the another portion of the work implement.