Abstract: An e-pen includes e-pen sensor electrodes (including a first and a second e-pen sensor electrode) and drive-sense circuits (DSCs) (including a first DSC and a second DSC. The first DSC drives a first e-pen signal having a first frequency via a first single line coupling to the first e-pen sensor electrode and simultaneously senses, via the first single line, the first e-pen signal. Based on e-pen/touch sensor device interaction, the first e-pen signal is coupled into at least one touch sensor electrode of the touch sensor device. The first DSC process the first e-pen signal to generate a first digital signal representative of a first electrical characteristic of the first e-pen sensor electrode. Similarly, the second DSC drives a second e-pen signal having a second frequency via a second single line coupling to the second e-pen sensor electrode and simultaneously senses, via the second single line, the second e-pen signal.

Abstract: A capacitive imaging glove includes electrodes implemented throughout the capacitive imaging glove and drive-sense circuits (DSCs) such that a DSC receives a reference signal generates a signal based thereon. The DSC provides the signal to a first electrode via a single line and simultaneously senses it. Note the signal is coupled from the first electrode to the second electrode via a gap therebetween. The DSC generates a digital signal representative of the electrical characteristic of the first electrode. Processing module(s), when enabled, is/are configured to execute operational instructions (e.g., stored in and/or retrieved from memory) to generate the reference signal, process the digital signal to determine the electrical characteristic of the first electrode, and process the electrical characteristic of the first electrode to determine a distance between the first electrode and the second electrode, and generate capacitive image data representative of a shape of the capacitive imaging glove.

Abstract: A touch sensor system includes touch sensors, drive-sense circuits (DSCs), memory, and a processing module. A DSC drives a first signal via a single line coupling to a touch sensor and simultaneously senses, when present, a second signal that is uniquely associated with a user. The DSC processes the first signal and/or the second signal to generate a digital signal that is representative of an electrical characteristic of the touch sensor. The processing module executes operational instructions (stored in the memory) to process the digital signal to detect interaction of the user with the touch sensor and to determine whether the interaction of the user with the touch sensor compares favorably with authorization. When not authorized, the processing module aborts execution of operation(s) associated with the interaction of the user with the touch sensor. Alternatively, when authorized, the processing module facilitates execution of the operation(s).

Abstract: A rotating equipment system with in-line drive-sense circuit (DSC) electric power signal processing includes rotating equipment, in-line drive-sense circuits (DSCs), and one or more processing modules. The in-line DSCs receive input electrical power signals and generate motor drive signals for the rotating equipment. An in-line DSC receives an input electrical power signal, processes it to generate and output a motor drive signal to the rotating equipment via a single line and simultaneously senses the motor drive signal via the single line. Based on the sensing of the motor drive signal via the single line, the in-line DSC provides a digital signal to the one or more processing modules that receive and process the digital signal to determine information regarding one or more operational conditions of the rotating equipment, and based thereon, selectively facilitate one or more adaptation operations on the motor drive signal via the in-line DSC.

Abstract: A touch sensor device (TSD) includes a panel and drive-sense circuits (DSCs). The panel includes electrodes, and the DSCs are operably coupled to the electrodes. A DSC is operably coupled via a single line to an electrode and is configured to provide a signal via the single line to the electrode and simultaneously to sense the signal via the single line. The sensing of the signal includes detection of an electrical characteristic of the electrode and/or a change of the signal. The DSC is also configured to generate a digital signal representative of the electrical characteristic of the electrode and/or the change of the signal. The TSD also includes one or more processing modules operably coupled to the DSCs and configured to execute operational instructions to process first digital signals generated by a first subset of the DSCs that includes fewer than all of the DSCs in a prioritized manner.

Abstract: A communication system comprises three low voltage drive circuits operable for coupling to a wired bus, wherein a low voltage drive circuit of the three low voltage drive circuits includes a transmit section operably coupled to convert transmit digital data into an analog transmit signal that includes one or more transmit frequency components. The communication system further comprises a receive section operably coupled to convert an analog receive signal that includes one or more receive frequency components into received digital data. The communication system further comprises a drive sense circuit for coupling to the wired bus and after the three low voltage drive circuits are operably coupled to the wired bus, each of the three voltage drive circuits is configured for communication among the three low voltage drive circuits, for one-to-one communication, for one-to-many communication, and for many-to-one communication.

Abstract: A method for execution by a Dynamic Random Access (DRAM) cell processing circuit, includes charging a bit-line operably coupled to a plurality of DRAM cells of a DRAM memory device, including a current DRAM cell, at a first voltage to pre-charge the parasitic capacitance between ground and the bit-line to a second voltage, where the second voltage is between a logic 1 voltage and a logic 0 voltage. The method continues by sensing a voltage change on the bit-line based on a difference between a voltage stored on a DRAM cell capacitor of the current DRAM cell and the second voltage and outputting a read output voltage that is generated based on the sensed voltage change. The method then continues by supplying, while outputting the read output voltage, the read output voltage to the bit-line to refresh the voltage stored in the DRAM cell capacitor of the current DRAM cell.

Abstract: A capacitive touch screen display operates by: providing a display configured to render frames of data into visible images; providing a plurality of electrodes integrated into the display to facilitate touch sense functionality based on electrode signals having a drive signal component and a receive signal component; generating, via a plurality of drive-sense circuits coupled to at least some of the plurality of electrodes, a plurality of sensed signals; receiving the plurality of sensed signals; generating capacitance image data associated with the plurality of cross points that includes capacitance variation data corresponding to variations of the capacitance image data from a nominal value; and processing the capacitance image data to determine a touchless indication proximal to the touch screen display based on a touchless indication threshold.

Abstract: A method includes transmitting, by a plurality of drive sense circuits of an interactive display device, a plurality of signals on a plurality of electrodes of the interactive display device. A writing passive device is identified based on a first plurality of changes detected in the electrical characteristics of the set of electrodes. Written user notion data is determined based on detecting movement of the writing passive device in relation to the interactive display device, and the written user notation data is displayed. An erasing passive device is identified based on a second plurality of changes detected in the electrical characteristics of the set of electrodes. Erased portions of the written user notation data is determined based on detecting movement of the erasing passive device in relation to the interactive display device, and the updated written user notation data is displayed based on no longer displaying the erased portions.

Abstract: A touch sensor device (TSD) includes TSD electrodes associated with a surface of the TSD. Also, an overlay that includes marker electrode(s) is also associated with a region of the surface of the TSD. The TSD also includes drive-sense circuits (DSCs) operably coupled to the plurality of TSD electrodes. A DSC is configured to provide a TSD electrode signal to a TSD electrode and simultaneously to sense a change of the TSD electrode signal based on a change of impedance of the TSD electrode caused by capacitive coupling between the TSD electrode and the marker electrode(s) of the overlay. Processing module(s) is configured to process a digital signal generated by the DSC and other digital signals generated by other DSCs determine the region of the surface of the TSD that is associated with the overlay and to adapt sensitivity of the TSD within that region.

Abstract: A drive-sense circuit module (DSC) includes at least one regulated source circuit coupled to a load, and to a loop correction circuit. The regulated source circuit generates a power signal, which has a regulated characteristic and a controlled characteristic. At least one reference circuit applies a reference signal to the loop correction circuit that establishes a reference value of the controlled characteristic. The loop correction circuit senses an effect of one or more load characteristics on a sensed value of the controlled characteristic of the power signal, and generates a comparison signal based on the sensed value and the reference value of the controlled characteristic. A regulation signal is generated based on the comparison signal, and used to regulate the regulated characteristic of the power signal.

Abstract: A computing device includes signal generation circuitry and also includes a location on the computing device that is operative to couple a signal generated by the signal generation circuitry into a user. For example, the computing device includes signal generation circuitry that generates a signal that includes information corresponding to a user and/or an application that is operative within the computing device. The signal generation circuitry couples the signal into the user from a location on the computing device based on a bodily portion of the user being in contact with or within sufficient proximity to the location on the computing device that facilitates coupling of the signal into the user. Also, the signal may be coupled via the user to another computing device that includes a touchscreen display that is operative to detect and receive the signal.

Abstract: A touch screen display is operable to operate in a first mode during a first temporal period based on activating exactly one set of drive-sense circuits of a plurality of sets of drive-sense circuits to generate a corresponding one set of sensed signals during the first temporal period, and processing the corresponding one set of sensed signals to generate first proximal interaction data for the first temporal period. The touch screen display is operable to operate in a second mode during a second temporal period after the first temporal period based on activating more than one set of drive-sense circuits of the plurality of sets of drive-sense circuits to generate a corresponding more than one set of sensed signals during the second temporal period, and processing the set of sensed signals to generate second proximal interaction data for the second temporal period.

Abstract: A capacitive imaging glove includes electrodes implemented throughout the capacitive imaging glove and drive-sense circuits (DSCs) such that a DSC receives a reference signal generates a signal based thereon. The DSC provides the signal to a first electrode via a single line and simultaneously senses it. Note the signal is coupled from the first electrode to the second electrode via a gap therebetween. The DSC generates a digital signal representative of the electrical characteristic of the first electrode. Processing module(s), when enabled, is/are configured to execute operational instructions (e.g., stored in and/or retrieved from memory) to generate the reference signal, process the digital signal to determine the electrical characteristic of the first electrode, and process the electrical characteristic of the first electrode to determine a distance between the first electrode and the second electrode, and generate capacitive image data representative of a shape of the capacitive imaging glove.

Abstract: A pen for interacting with a touch screen of a computing device includes an alternating current coupling circuit and a sense-regulation circuit. The alternating current coupling circuit receives a sense signal from the touch screen. The alternating current coupling circuit transmits a transmit signal to the touch screen. The sense-regulation circuit receives the sense signal from the alternating current coupling circuit. The sense-regulation circuit receives a representation of transmit data. The sense-regulation circuit generates a comparison signal based on the sense signal and the representation of the transmit data. The sense-regulation circuit converts the representation of the transmit data into the transmit signal.

Abstract: A touch sensor system includes touch sensors, drive-sense circuits (DSCs), memory, and a processing module. A DSC drives a first signal via a single line coupling to a touch sensor and simultaneously senses, when present, a second signal that is uniquely associated with a user. The DSC processes the first signal and/or the second signal to generate a digital signal that is representative of an electrical characteristic of the touch sensor. The processing module executes operational instructions (stored in the memory) to process the digital signal to detect interaction of the user with the touch sensor and to determine whether the interaction of the user with the touch sensor compares favorably with authorization. When not authorized, the processing module aborts execution of operation(s) associated with the interaction of the user with the touch sensor. Alternatively, when authorized, the processing module facilitates execution of the operation(s).

Abstract: A method for execution by an input/output (IO) control module of an integrated circuit (IC) includes determining whether a programmable IO interface module is for dynamic or static use. The programmable IO interface module includes a configurable front-end module and a configurable back-end module. When the programmable IO interface module is for the dynamic use, determining to configure the programmable IO interface module as the dynamic use of a configuration of a plurality of configurations. The plurality of configurations includes a bidirectional interface, an input, an output, a concurrent drive and sense interface, and a concurrent transmit-receive interface. The method further includes configuring the front-end module in accordance with the configuration, configuring the back-end module in accordance with the configuration, and determining whether to change the configuration to another configuration of the plurality of configurations.

Abstract: A method for use in a touch-sensitive panel includes generating electric fields by applying drive signals to a plurality of row electrodes and a plurality of column electrodes included in the touch-sensitive panel, and sensing at least one information signal capacitively coupled to the touch-sensitive panel by detecting impedance changes associated with the plurality of row electrodes and the plurality of column electrodes. The impedance changes are converted to received data. Based on the received data a transmission pattern associated with the at least one information signal is determined. It is further determined that the transmission pattern corresponds to an identification code.

Abstract: A no-ground plane differential touch screen display includes a display, a plurality of differential electrode pairs integrated into the display, a plurality of differential drive-sense circuits, and a processing module. When enabled, a set of differential drive-sense circuits of the plurality of differential drive-sense circuits is operable to provide a set of differential electrode signals to a set of differential electrode pairs of the plurality of differential electrode pairs and generate a set of sensed signals representative of electrical characteristic changes of the set of differential electrode pairs. The processing module is operable to interpret the electrical characteristic changes as one or more of a column mutual capacitance of a column differential electrode pair, a row mutual capacitance of a row differential electrode pair, and a cross mutual capacitance at a crossing between one or more row differential electrode pairs and column differential electrode pairs.

Abstract: A method for determining for determining response for a touch display panel begins by receiving an analog input signal from a data drive input circuit that is operable to generate an analog input signal based on a digital input. The method continues by generating a reference signal voltage from the analog input signal, generating a data signal voltage from the analog input signal and using a difference detection circuit, outputting an analog output voltage. The method then continues by generating an error correction current based on the analog output voltage, where the error correction current adjusts the data signal voltage in order to keep inputs to the difference detection circuit substantially equal. Finally, the method finishes by generating a current representative of a light intensity for light received by a sensor cell associated with the touch display panel, converting the analog output signal into a digital representation of the current and producing information representative of light intensity.