Our patented technology saves lives.
IDP™
Integrative Directed Panoramic scanning system
IDP™ (US Patent 7303295) is a special construction of a mirror housing that takes away the blind spot in both driver and passenger side mirrors. In short, IDP™ effortlessly removes the blind spot in a unique way that would make any driver wonder how they ever lived without it.
Key Parts Highlighted
Design
The Problem
Issues caused by blind spot collisions over the past 10 years
A significant public health problem is evidenced by the large, continuing annual tallies of fatalities, injuries and property damage that result from automobile blind spot related collisions. Insufficient rear/side vision capabilities of automobiles as currently manufactured contribute substantially to this problem.
What is the blind spot?
The blind spot is any field of view you can’t see when you are driving. The image above shows all of the zones in the blind spot (zones 1-4). Most current technology only focuses on zone 1 and a fraction of zone 2. No solution other than IDP™ effortlessly removes the blind spot without distorting the field of view from all zones.
How does IDP™ work?
Panoramic Scanning
IDP™ is based on panoramic scanning of the rear/side view scene by the vehicle driver, without the hurried, over-the-shoulder glimpse which has been utilized since the automobile era began. IDP™ allows the mirror to instantaneously, or slowly (effortlessly controlled by the driver) pivot the mirror, revealing all aspects of the blind spot.
What is Scanning?
Scanning is a technique that allows you to see the entire field of view by pivoting the mirror as quickly or as slowly as the driver desires. In some situations, the driver may wish to pivot back and forth as desired. Scanning allows the driver to be completely in control of what they want to see.
Why Scanning?
The human eye gathers most of its information in a foveal view—the very central portion of your vision that allows for high-resolution viewing. Imagine reading a book. You can only read clearly the word in the center of your vision, and see blurriness besides the central word. By allowing a user controlled mirror to “scan” back and forth, an occupant can view issues foveally, which is how a person normally views objects.
Simplicity
Instead of expensive and complex high technology (with its related reliability and usability issues), simple, driver activated pivoting of exterior mirrors augmented by position feedback control is substituted for the stationary mirrors (flat for convex). When critical situations requiring partial of complete rear/side information are encountered, the driver can instantly aim the exterior mirrors(s) where needed, all the time keeping eyes forward.
Seeing the Big Picture
In addition to being better able to view the traditional “blind spot” for lane changing (particularly when three, four or more, and/or curved lanes are involved), the driver can now see the complete rear/side spectrum, always with eyes forward. This is of immense value at angular intersections, entering roadways from access ramps or driveways, backing-up in parking lots, or at curbside spaces.
Manufacturing Costs
The simplicity, reliability, usability, and extremely low manufacturing cost of IDP™ compared to other suggested high technology approaches, such as video camera and radar type systems, permits maximum penetration of the automobile population. Market penetration is critically important, if the highest amount of collision reduction is to be achieved.
Manufacturing Costs
Because IDP™ is implemented by the OEM (original equipment manufacture), costs are carefully controlled to less than $1, depending on the precise implementation. IDP™ can be incorporated into automobiles and activated in a variety of ways, including electronically or mechanically. Some high end models of IDP™ can use facial recognition technology to be activated by glances.
IDP™ is the Perfect Safety Innovation for Your Vehicle
Sherlock Solutions is looking for an automotive or mirror manufacture to partner with us to bring this life saving mirror into production and into the hands of consumers. Have any thoughts or suggestions, or want to try our prototype? Shoot us an email!
Can be implemented without changing the exterior design, look, or feel, of the mirror housing.
Costs less than $1 to manufacture.
Based on statistical data accumulated by the National Highway Traffic and Safety Administration (NHTSA), this invention will dramatically reduce fatalities, injuries and property damage.