阅读说明：本技术 具有水平校正的显示装置 (Display device with horizontal correction ) 是由 S·A·博格斯特罗姆 于 2018-06-06 设计创作，主要内容包括：本发明公开了一种用于车辆的显示系统,所述显示系统包括显示装置,该显示装置包括设置在车辆的乘客隔室中的屏幕。所述显示装置被配置成相对于所述车辆倾斜,并且包括被配置成输出加速度信号的惯性传感器。控制器与所述显示装置和成像器通信,所述成像器被配置成捕获在相对于所述车辆后方的视场中的图像数据。所述控制器可操作以接收所述加速度信号并从所述加速度信号识别重力方向。所述控制器还被配置成从所述图像数据识别参考方向,并生成调整后的图像数据,所述调整后的图像数据校正所述重力方向与所述显示装置的竖直轴线之间的所述显示装置的角偏移。(A display system for a vehicle includes a display device including a screen disposed in a passenger compartment of the vehicle. The display device is configured to tilt relative to the vehicle and includes an inertial sensor configured to output an acceleration signal. A controller is in communication with the display device and an imager configured to capture image data in a field of view rearward relative to the vehicle. The controller is operable to receive the acceleration signal and identify a direction of gravity from the acceleration signal. The controller is further configured to identify a reference direction from the image data and generate adjusted image data that corrects for an angular offset of the display device between the direction of gravity and a vertical axis of the display device.)

1. A display system for a vehicle, comprising:

a display device including a screen disposed in a passenger compartment of the vehicle, wherein the display device is configured to tilt relative to the vehicle and includes an inertial sensor configured to output an acceleration signal;

a controller in communication with the display device and an imager configured to capture image data in a field of view rearward relative to the vehicle, wherein the controller is configured to:

receiving the acceleration signal;

identifying a direction of gravity from the acceleration signal;

identifying a reference direction from the image data;

generating adjusted image data that corrects for angular offset of the display device between the direction of gravity and the reference direction; and

displaying the adjusted image data on the display device.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the controller is further configured to:

identifying a horizon direction in the image data, wherein the reference direction is identified relative to the horizon direction.

3. The system of claim 2, wherein the controller is further configured to:

detecting at least one lane line in the image data based on a gradient threshold of the image data.

4. The system of claim 3, wherein the horizon is identified based on vanishing points of the lane lines detected in the image data.

5. The system of any of claims 2-4, wherein a horizon direction in the image data is identified based on a change in contrast between a ground portion and a sky portion identified in the image data.

6. The system of any of claims 2-5, wherein the reference direction is identified perpendicular to the horizon direction.

7. The system of claim 6, wherein the angular offset is identified by comparing the reference direction to the direction of gravity.

8. The display system of claim 7, wherein the adjusted view is generated by rotating the image data by the angular offset.

9. The display system of claim 6, wherein the adjusted image data is calculated by adjusting the reference direction to align with the direction of gravity.

10. The display system of any of claims 1-9, wherein the display device corresponds to a rear view display device.

11. A method for displaying image data on a vehicle display:

detecting an angular orientation of the vehicle display relative to a vehicle;

capturing image data in a field of view proximate to the vehicle;

detecting at least one feature in the image data;

identifying a reference direction based on the at least one feature;

comparing the reference direction to an angular orientation of the vehicle display to generate a display offset;

shifting a display orientation of the image data by the display shift to generate shifted image data; and

displaying the offset image data on the vehicle display.

12. The method of claim 11, wherein the angular orientation of the vehicle display is identified by detecting a direction of gravity with an inertial sensor.

13. The method of any of claims 11-12, wherein the at least one feature comprises a horizon direction in the image data.

14. The method of claim 13, further comprising:

detecting at least one lane line in the image data; and

and calculating a vanishing point of the at least one lane line.

15. The method of claim 14, wherein the horizon direction is identified based on a vanishing point of the lane line.

16. The method of claim 15, wherein the at least one lane line comprises a plurality of lane lines, and wherein the vanishing point is calculated based on intersection points of the lane lines.

17. The method of claim 16, wherein the intersection point is calculated based on a polynomial model estimate of the intersection point of the lane lines.

18. The method of claim 13, wherein a horizon direction in the image data is identified based on a change in contrast between a ground portion and a sky portion identified in the image data.

19. A display system for a vehicle, comprising:

a display device including a screen disposed in a passenger compartment of the vehicle, wherein the display device is configured to rotate relative to the vehicle and includes an inertial sensor configured to output an acceleration signal;

a controller in communication with the display device and an imager configured to capture image data in a field of view rearward relative to the vehicle, wherein the controller is configured to:

receiving the acceleration signal;

identifying a direction of gravity based on the acceleration signal;

identifying a plurality of lane lines in the image data;

calculating the intersection point of the lane lines;

identifying a horizon direction based on the intersection of the lane lines;

generating adjusted image data that corrects for angular offset of the display device between the direction of gravity and the reference direction; and

displaying the adjusted image data on the display device.

20. The system of claim 19, wherein the controller is further configured to:

simulating each of the lane lines based on a best fit polynomial estimate, wherein intersection points of the lane lines are calculated based on the polynomial estimates.

Technical Field

The present disclosure relates generally to a display system for a vehicle, and more particularly to a display system that provides a rear view relative to a vehicle.

Disclosure of Invention

According to one aspect of the present disclosure, a display system for a vehicle is disclosed. The system includes a display device including a screen disposed in a passenger compartment of the vehicle. The display device is configured to tilt relative to the vehicle and includes an inertial sensor configured to output an acceleration signal. A controller is in communication with the display device and an imager configured to capture image data in a field of view rearward relative to the vehicle. The controller is operable to receive the acceleration signal and identify a direction of gravity from the acceleration signal. The controller is further configured to identify a reference direction from the image data and generate adjusted image data that corrects for an angular offset of the display device between the direction of gravity and a vertical axis of the display device. The controller controls the display device to display the adjusted image data.

In accordance with another aspect of the present disclosure, a method for displaying image data on a vehicle display is disclosed. The method includes detecting an angular orientation of the vehicle display relative to a vehicle and capturing image data in a field of view proximate to the vehicle. The method also includes detecting at least one feature in the image data and identifying a reference direction based on the at least one feature. Comparing the reference direction to an angular orientation of the vehicle display to generate a display offset. Then, the display orientation of the image data is offset by the display offset to generate offset image data. Displaying the offset image data on the vehicle display.

In accordance with yet another aspect of the present disclosure, a display system for a vehicle is disclosed. The system includes a display device including a screen disposed in a passenger compartment of the vehicle. The display device is configured to rotate relative to the vehicle and includes an inertial sensor configured to output an acceleration signal. A controller is in communication with the display device and an imager configured to capture image data in a field of view rearward relative to the vehicle. The controller is configured to receive the acceleration signal and identify a direction of gravity from the acceleration signal. The controller is further configured to identify a plurality of lane lines in the image data and calculate intersections of the lane lines. Based on the intersection of the lane lines, the controller identifies a horizon direction in the image data. The controller generates adjusted image data that corrects for an angular offset of the display device between a direction of gravity and a vertical axis of the display device, and displays the adjusted image data on the display device.

These and other features, advantages, and objects of the present disclosure will be further understood and appreciated by those skilled in the art by reference to the following specification, claims, and appended drawings.

Drawings

The present disclosure will become more fully understood from the detailed description and the accompanying drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a projection view showing the interior of a vehicle including a display system;

FIG. 2 is a top view schematic diagram showing the field of view of the imager of the display system;

FIG. 3A is a schematic diagram of a display device of a display system;

FIG. 3B is a diagram of image data captured in a field of view of an imager of a display system;

fig. 3C is a diagram of the display device displaying image data that corrects the tilt of the display device; and

fig. 4 is a block diagram of a display system according to the present disclosure.

Detailed Description

The presently illustrated embodiments reside primarily in combinations of method steps and apparatus components related to image sensor systems and methods thereof. Accordingly, the apparatus components and method steps have been represented where appropriate by conventional symbols in the drawings, showing only those specific details that are pertinent to understanding the embodiments of the present disclosure so as not to obscure the disclosure with details that will be readily apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art having the benefit of the description herein. Further, in the specification and drawings, like numerals denote like elements.

In this document, relational terms such as first and second, top and bottom, and the like may be used solely to distinguish one entity or action from another entity or action without necessarily requiring or implying any actual such relationship or order between such entities or actions. The terms "comprises," "comprising," or any other variation thereof, are intended to cover a non-exclusive inclusion, such that a process, method, article, or apparatus that comprises a list of elements does not include only those elements but may include other elements not expressly listed or inherent to such process, method, article, or apparatus.

Referring to fig. 1 and 2, a vehicle 10 equipped with a display system 12 is shown. The display system 12 includes an imager 14 configured to capture a field of view 16 including a rearward pointing scene 18. The imager 14 is configured to capture image data 44 corresponding to the field of view 16 and display the image data 44 on the display device 22. In an exemplary embodiment, display system 12 is operable to detect the tilt 24 or angular offset δ of device 22 relative to gravity. As shown in fig. 1, the display device 22 may include an inertial sensor 40 configured to detect the gravity vector 26 relative to the vertical display axis 28 of the display device 22. Thus, display system 12 may be configured to measure the angular offset δ of display device 22. Based on the angular offset δ, the controller of display system 12 may orient image data 44 to display adjusted back view 30 (shown in fig. 3C) for the angular offset δ correction. Image data 44 shown in fig. 1 is uncorrected to show an example of the appearance of image data 44 on display device 22 without correction. As discussed further herein, system 12 may correct image data 44 for display flush with gravity, thereby correcting for tilt 24.

The inertial sensor 40 may correspond to or include an accelerometer. The accelerometer may comprise a 3-axis accelerometer and may be configured to measure a range of approximately +/-4g with a resolution of approximately 16 bits. The accelerometer may also be operable to operate in a wide range of temperatures and have an effective sampling rate of approximately 25 Hz. Accordingly, inertial sensor 40 may output an acceleration signal to a controller of display system 12. Based on the acceleration signal, the controller may identify a gravity vector 26 and calculate a direction of gravity relative to a vertical display axis 28 of the display device 22. Thus, although described herein as a gravity vector 26, the controller may utilize the gravity vector 26 to identify a direction of gravity relative to a vertical display axis 28 or any other reference direction of the display device 22. Although specific performance characteristics corresponding to accelerometers are discussed herein, various accelerometers may be utilized depending on the particular accuracy of the controller, operating parameters, and operating conditions/environments of the vehicle 10.

In an exemplary embodiment, the display device 22 may correspond to a rear-view display device configured to provide a rear-pointing view with respect to the vehicle 10. In this configuration, the display system 12 is operable to display a series of captured images corresponding to a scene behind the vehicle 10. The imager 14 is in communication with the controller and includes a pixel array configured to capture image data 44 in the form of pixel information. In various embodiments discussed herein, display system 12 is configured to process image data 44 captured by imager 14 and apply at least one image analysis technique to identify and display a corrected view.

Referring to FIG. 2, a top view of the vehicle 10 is shown illustrating the field of view 16. As previously described, the field of view 16 may be directed in the rearward direction 32 relative to the forward operating direction 34 of the vehicle 10. In this configuration, a series of images captured by the imager 14 may be displayed to provide a digital representation of the field of view 16. The digital representation of the field of view 16 may be adjusted to simulate the operation of a conventional rearview mirror. For example, a conventional mirror may maintain the horizontal appearance of the horizon and various features reflected from the rearward direction 32 when tilted or angled relative to the rearward direction 32. Thus, to improve the appearance of image data 44 on display device 22, display system 12 may process and manipulate image data 44 to maintain a relationship with gravity such that image data 44 appears to be level with the horizon.

Referring to fig. 3A and 3B, diagrams of the display device 22 and the field of view 16 are shown, respectively. In operation, a controller of the system 12 may communicate with the inertial sensor 40. The inertial sensor 40 may be disposed in or otherwise incorporated as part of the display device 22. The inertial sensor 40 may be configured to detect the gravity vector 26 relative to the vertical display axis 28 of the display device 22. Similarly, the inertial sensor 40 may also measure the gravity vector 26 of the horizontal display axis 42 relative to any other reference direction. Accordingly, display system 12 may be configured to measure the angular offset δ of display device 22 relative to gravity.

In response to receiving the angular offset δ, the controller of the display system 12 may orient the image data 44 from the field of view 16 to display the adjusted view 30 as shown in FIG. 3C, which is discussed further in the following description. The controller may adjust the image data 44 from the field of view 16 based on the horizon 46 or a reference direction 50 detected in the image data 44 received from the imager 14. Horizon 46 and/or reference direction 50 may be identified by a processor in response to one or more image processing techniques applied to image data 44. As such, the controller may be configured to determine the position or orientation of the reference direction 50. Although described in various exemplary embodiments as being generated based on the horizon 46 or reference direction 50 and the gravity vector 26, the controller of the system 12 may also independently generate the adjusted rear view 30 based on the gravity vector 26 or the horizon 46. For example, the controller may align image data 44 by orienting image data 44 to be vertically aligned with gravity vector 26. In addition, the controller may align image data 44 by orienting image data 44 to be horizontally aligned with horizon 46.

In some embodiments, the reference direction 50 may be assumed or configured during initialization of the controller. For example, reference direction 50 may be assumed to be parallel to a vertical axis of image data 44, which may be perpendicular to a horizontal axis of image data 44 to approximate horizon 46. Thus, if the controller is unable to identify or is inoperable to identify the reference direction 50 in the image data, the reference direction 50 may be assumed to be the vertical axis of the image data, which may be aligned by the controller to be parallel to the gravity vector 26. In this way, the reference direction 50 may be aligned with the gravity vector 26 without the need to identify the reference direction 50 in the image data. Based on the assumed or preconfigured reference direction 50, the controller of display system 12 may detect a change in gravity vector 26 and update image data 44 to maintain a relationship with gravity such that image data 44 generally appears flush with the horizon.

Referring now to fig. 3A, 3B, and 3C, the controller may be configured to identify a horizon 46 in the image data 44 to identify an angular orientation of the horizon 46. The angular orientation of the horizon 46 may be applied by the controller to determine a reference direction 50 of the gravity vector 26 detected by the inertial sensor 40. Accordingly, the controller may identify the reference direction 50 from the image data 44 and adjust or rotate the image data 44 to the adjusted view 30 such that the gravity vector 26 is aligned with the reference direction 50, as shown in fig. 3C. As such, the controller may be configured to orient and display the image data 44 on the display screen 52 of the display device 22 such that the horizon 46 is disposed perpendicular to the gravity vector 26. In other words, by aligning the reference direction 50 of the image data 44 with the gravity vector 26 measured by the inertial sensor 40, the controller of the system 12 may be operable to display the image data 44 flush with the horizon 46 regardless of the angular rotation or angular offset δ of the display device 22 relative to gravity.

Referring to FIG. 3B, in operation, the controller may also utilize the relative angle or slope of the horizon 46 identified in the image data 44 to identify a rotational displacement of the horizon 46. To identify the horizon 46 and the corresponding angular orientation of the horizon in the field of view 16, the controller may be configured to utilize various algorithms and methods. For example, the controller may be configured to identify lanes and portions of the road 54 using an adaptive edge detection process to identify vanishing points 56 of the road 54 that may intersect the horizon 46. In addition, the controller may be configured to utilize a boundary contrast algorithm to detect the horizon 46 by detecting a gradient threshold for a series of pixel values of the image data 44. Although specific image processing methods are discussed herein, the methods are presented for purposes of explanation and not limitation. As such, the present disclosure should not be limited to such exemplary embodiments unless explicitly stated otherwise.

The adaptive edge detection process may utilize an edge detection mask to approximate gradients at pixel locations in image data 44. The controller may identify the pixel as a lane line candidate pixel if the pixel meets predetermined criteria for intensity values and gradient thresholds. When processing image data 44 corresponding to a current frame captured by the imager 14, the lane line candidate pixels may be used to generate a best fit polynomial to simulate the lane lines of the roadway 54. In some embodiments, the best-fit polynomial may correspond to a third order polynomial. In this way, the lane line candidate pixels may be used to generate the left lane line model 54A and the right lane line model 54B, which may correspond to both sides of the road 54. The left lane line model 54A and the right lane line model 54B may be used to determine intersection points on both sides of the road 54, which may correspond to vanishing points 56 in the image data 44.

The controller may detect groups of pixels in image data 44 using a horizon boundary comparison algorithm to identify a horizon 46. Each of the groups of pixels may correspond to a portion or patch of image data 44 that includes contiguous pixels of a boundary between sky portion 62 and ground portion 64 of image data 44. The horizon boundary comparison algorithm may analyze the contrast between the sky portion 62 and the ground portion 64 to determine the location of the horizon 46. The contrast may be analyzed by calculating pixel intensities vertically in the image data to determine a vertical gradient. The vertical gradient captures the difference in intensity or pixel value of the pixels corresponding to the sky portion 62 and the pixels corresponding to the ground portion 64. By identifying boundaries of sky portion 62 and ground portion 64, the controller may be operable to identify horizon 46 in image data 44.

In some embodiments, the controller may identify various features of image data 44 to stabilize and/or limit changes in the orientation of image data 44 and field of view 16. For example, the controller may be configured to detect one or more features 66 or objects in the image data 44. The features 66 may correspond to the horizon 46, vanishing points 56, trees 68, street signs, vehicles 70, and any form of object in the plurality of image frames of the image data 44 that may be detected by the controller. As such, the controller may be configured to detect various objects in image data 44 to adjust for changes in the horizon 46 to update the orientation of image data 44 on display screen 52.

In some embodiments, the change in orientation of the horizon 46 may be due to undulations (e.g., undulations, potholes, speed bumps, etc.) in the surface of the road 54. In such cases, the controller may be configured to identify and/or track at least one feature 66 in the image data 44 from a first frame to a subsequent frame. Based on the at least one feature 66, the controller may adjust the position and/or orientation of the adjusted view 30 to stabilize the appearance of the adjusted view 30 in the image data 44. In an exemplary embodiment, the controller may be operable to detect one or more objects (e.g., tree 68, vehicle 70, etc.), determine and adjust the angular offset δ to account for movement of at least one object or feature 66. In such embodiments, one or more objects may be selectively utilized by the controller to offset the adjusted view 30 in response to one or more of the vanishing point 56 and the horizon 46 that are undetectable in the image data 44.

Systems that exhibit various detection techniques that may be implemented in display system 12 are discussed in further detail in the following documents: U.S. patent No. 9,767,695 entitled "STAND ALONE BLIND spot detection SYSTEM" filed by Steven G Hoek et al on 11/7/2013; united states patent No. 8,924,078 entitled "IMAGE ACQUISITION AND PROCESSING SYSTEM for vehicle EQUIPMENT CONTROLs" filed on 17.10.2011 by Oliver m.jeromin et al; U.S. patent No. 8,577,169 entitled "DIGITAL image processing AND SYSTEMS associating THE SAME" filed on 2/1/2010 by Jeremy c.andrus et al; U.S. patent No. 8,065,053B2 entitled "IMAGE ACQUISITION AND PROCESSING system FOR VEHICLE EQUIPMENT CONTROL" filed on 31/1/2011 by Joseph s.stamp et al; jeremy a. schut et al, filed 3/28/2012, U.S. patent No. 8,543,254B1 entitled "vehicle IMAGING SYSTEM AND METHOD for vehicle imaging system and METHOD for determining road WIDTH," which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

Referring now to FIG. 3C, the display device 22 is shown displaying the image data 44 with the angular offset δ adjusted to display the adjusted view 30. As previously discussed, the controller may process the image data 44 captured by the imager 14 to generate the adjusted view 30. In particular, the controller may process the image data 44 to identify a reference direction 50 based on the object and/or the horizon 46. With reference direction 50, the controller may align reference direction 50 of image data 44 with gravity vector 26 from inertial sensor 40. As such, the controller of display system 12 may be configured to adjust image data 44 to reflect the appearance of field of view 16 when display device 22 is tilted or angled relative to the horizon 46 or the operating plane of vehicle 10.

In the exemplary embodiment, controller generates adjusted rear view 30 of image data 44 in response to a change in orientation of vehicle 10 relative to horizon 46 and a change in orientation of display device 22 relative to gravity. In such embodiments, the controller may be configured to correct for multiple rotational offsets of image data 44 by aligning gravity vector 26 with reference direction 50. As such, the controller of the display device 22 is operable to correct for angular orientation of the display device 22 relative to the vehicle 10 and also to correct for variations in the angular orientation of the vehicle 10 relative to the horizon 46. Accordingly, the display system 12 may be operable to orient the image data 44 to display the adjusted view 30 such that the image data 44 will be displayed flush with gravity to correct for tilt 24 and variations of the operating surface of the vehicle 10.

Referring now to FIG. 4, a block diagram of display system 12 is shown. The imager 14 is shown in communication with a controller 82. The pixel array of the imager 14 may correspond to a Complementary Metal Oxide Semiconductor (CMOS) image sensor, such as a CMOS Active Pixel Sensor (APS) or a Charge Coupled Device (CCD). Each of the pixels of the pixel array may correspond to a photosensor, an array of photosensors, or any grouping of sensors configured to capture light. The controller 82 may include a processor 84 operable to process image data 44 supplied in analog or digital form in the imager 14. For example, the controller 82 may be implemented as a plurality of processors, a multi-core processor, or any combination of processors, circuits, and peripheral processing devices.

The controller 82 may also include a memory 86. The memory 86 may include various forms of memory, such as Random Access Memory (RAM), Dynamic RAM (DRAM), Synchronous DRAM (SDRAM), and other forms of memory configured to store digital information. Memory 86 may be configured to store image data 44 for processing. Processing image data 44 may include scaling and cropping image data 44 to adjust the position and apparent size of image data 44 as it is output to the screen of display device 22. The display device 22 includes a screen operable to display the adjusted view 30. The screen may correspond to any form of display, for example, a Light Emitting Diode (LED) display, a Liquid Crystal Display (LCD), an organic LED (oled) display, and the like. In some embodiments, the memory 86 may also be configured to store a plurality of user profiles corresponding to a plurality of desired views.

The controller 82 may be in communication with a number of inputs. For example, the controller 82 may communicate with a vehicle control module 88 via a vehicle bus 90. The vehicle control module 88 may communicate with various vehicle control, operation, and entertainment systems. For example, the controller 82 may be operable to identify vehicle operating conditions, speed, direction, light or turn indicator status, etc., based on communications received via the vehicle bus 90. The vehicle bus 90 may be implemented using any suitable standard communication bus, such as a Controller Area Network (CAN) bus. The vehicle bus 90 may also be configured to provide a variety of additional information to the controller 82.

As previously discussed, the inertial sensor 40 may correspond to or include an accelerometer. The accelerometer may comprise a 3-axis accelerometer and may be configured to measure a range of approximately +/-4g with a resolution of approximately 16 bits. The accelerometer may also be operable to operate in a wide range of temperatures and have an effective sampling rate of approximately 25 Hz. Accordingly, inertial sensor 40 may output an acceleration signal to a controller of display system 12. Based on the acceleration signal, the controller 82 may identify the gravity vector 26 and calculate a direction of gravity relative to the vertical display axis 28 of the display device 22. Thus, although described herein as a gravity vector 26, the controller 82 may utilize the gravity vector 26 to identify a direction of gravity relative to the vertical display axis 28 or any other reference direction of the display device 22. Although specific performance characteristics corresponding to accelerometers are discussed herein, various accelerometers may be utilized depending on the particular accuracy of the controller 82, operating parameters, and operating conditions/environments of the vehicle 10.

In some embodiments, system 12 may also communicate with additional inertial sensors configured to communicate inertial data or yaw sensor data to controller 82. For example, the additional inertial sensors may correspond to gyroscopes or yaw sensors in communication with the vehicle control module 88. Additionally, the controller 82 may be configured to receive steering angle data from a steering angle sensor of the vehicle 10. Additional inertial data and/or steering angle may be communicated from the vehicle control module 88 via the vehicle bus 90.

In operation, the controller 82 may process additional inertial or steering data communicated via the vehicle bus 90 to identify periods or occasions when the gravity vector 26 may deviate from the true gravity direction. For example, the controller 82 may process the additional inertial data and/or the steering data to identify periods when the vehicle 10 is making sharp turns, resulting in the gravity vector 26 detected by the inertial sensor 40 deviating from the true gravity direction due to centrifugal forces. Accordingly, the controller 82 may correct or filter the correction of the image data 44 based on the additional inertial data and/or the steering data to accurately process and display the adjusted view 30. In this way, the controller 82 may improve the accuracy of the processing and generation of the adjusted view 30.

It will be appreciated that embodiments of the present disclosure described herein may be comprised of one or more conventional processors and unique stored program instructions that control the one or more processors to implement, in conjunction with certain non-processor circuits, some, most, or all of the functions of the image sensor system and method thereof as described herein. The non-processor circuits may include, but are not limited to, signal drivers, clock circuits, power source circuits, and/or user input devices. Alternatively, some or all functions could be implemented by a state machine that has no stored program instructions, or in one or more Application Specific Integrated Circuits (ASICs), in which each function or some combinations of functions are implemented as custom logic. Of course, a combination of the two approaches may be used. Thus, methods and means for these functions have been described herein. Moreover, it is expected that one of ordinary skill, notwithstanding possibly significant effort and many design choices motivated by, for example, available time, current technology, and economic considerations, when guided by the concepts and principles disclosed herein will be readily capable of generating such software instructions and programs and ICs with minimal experimentation.

It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the above components may be combined in addition to or in the alternative, which is not explicitly described herein. Modifications to various embodiments of the disclosure will occur to those skilled in the art and to those who apply the teachings of the disclosure. Therefore, it is to be understood that the embodiments shown in the drawings and described above are merely for illustrative purposes and are not intended to limit the scope of the disclosure, which is defined by the following claims as interpreted according to the principles of patent law, including the doctrine of equivalents.