Systems and Methods for Extending Physical Sensor Range Using Virtual Sensors

A system comprising:

• a physical sensor configured to output a physical output value;
• a virtual sensor network configured to output a virtual output value;
• and
• an electronic control module configured to:
• receive the physical output value from the physical sensor;
• receive the virtual output value from the virtual sensor;
• determine a trust level of the physical sensor based on the physical output value;
• determine that the trust level of the physical sensor is below a first threshold trust value;
• and
• control a machine based on the virtual output value responsive to determining that the trust level of the physical sensor is below the first threshold trust value.

A computer-implemented method for extending a range of a physical sensor comprising:

• receiving a physical output value from a physical sensor;
• receiving a virtual output value from a virtual sensor;
• comparing the physical output value to a trusted range;
• and
• responsive to determining that the physical output value is outside of the trusted range, generating a combined output value that is a combination of the physical output value and the virtual output value.