Patents by Inventor Gunnar Gangstoe

Gunnar Gangstoe has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Patent number: 8704690
    Abstract: A method and system utilized with an analog to digital converter is disclosed. The method and system comprise providing a first conversion on an input signal. In the first conversion, an offset error is added to the input signal to provide a first result. The method and system further includes providing a second conversion on the input signal. In the second conversion, an offset error is subtracted from the input signal to provide a second result. The first and second results are then combined to substantially remove the offset error. A system and method in accordance with the present invention compensates for the accumulated offset error over many samples, thereby achieving much higher accuracy in the offset error compensation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 22, 2014
    Assignee: Atmel Corporation
    Inventors: Arne Aas, Gunnar Gangstoe, Torgeir Fenheim
  • Publication number: 20120046894
    Abstract: A method and system utilized with an analog to digital converter is disclosed. The method and system comprise providing a first conversion on an input signal. In the first conversion, an offset error is added to the input signal to provide a first result. The method and system further includes providing a second conversion on the input signal. In the second conversion, an offset error is subtracted from the input signal to provide a second result. The first and second results are then combined to substantially remove the offset error. A system and method in accordance with the present invention compensates for the accumulated offset error over many samples, thereby achieving much higher accuracy in the offset error compensation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 31, 2011
    Publication date: February 23, 2012
    Inventors: Arne Aas, Gunnar Gangstoe, Torgeir Fenheim
  • Patent number: 8059019
    Abstract: A method and system utilized with an analog to digital converter is disclosed. The method and system comprise providing a first conversion on an input signal. In the first conversion, an offset error is added to the input signal to provide a first result. The method and system further includes providing a second conversion on the input signal. In the second conversion, an offset error is subtracted from the input signal to provide a second result. The first and second results are then combined to substantially remove the offset error. A system and method in accordance with the present invention compensates for the accumulated offset error over many samples, thereby achieving much higher accuracy in the offset error compensation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2011
    Assignee: Atmel Corporation
    Inventors: Arne Aas, Gunnar Gangstoe, Torgeir Fenheim
  • Patent number: 7863858
    Abstract: Apparatus, method and computer program product are provided for battery management. In one implementation, a method of communication provided. The method includes enabling determining when a battery pack is coupled to a device, the battery pack including a battery management system. The method also includes generating a random number at the battery management system, the battery management system including battery monitoring circuitry, a processor, memory and a random number generator. The method includes using the random number to provide authentication and if authentication succeeds, enabling communication between the battery pack and the device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 4, 2011
    Assignees: ATMEL Corporation, SONY Corporation
    Inventors: Gunnar Gangstoe, Hideyuki Sato, Arne Aas
  • Patent number: 7629769
    Abstract: A battery pack can include one or more battery cells, current blocking transistors and a battery management system. The disclosed implementations handle over-currents drawn from the battery cells that cause unstable operation of the battery management system. The over-currents are handled without causing an undesired drop in voltage output from the battery cells. The disclosed implementations can handle over-currents even if the over-currents cause the battery management system supply voltage to drop below a minimum operating voltage level for a certain period of time. The disclosed implementations use current blocking transistors that can be configured to block current flow and ensure safe operation of the battery cells in cases where the current drawn from the battery cells would be sufficiently high for a sufficiently long period of time to cause damage to the battery cells.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 8, 2009
    Assignees: Atmel Corporation, Sony Corporation
    Inventors: Gunnar Gangstoe, Hideyuki Sato, Arne Aas, Terje Saether
  • Patent number: 7605568
    Abstract: In one implementation, a method for charging a battery system is provided. The method includes enabling determining if a charger is coupled to a battery system, the battery system including one or more cells and a charge enable transistor. The method also includes enabling determining if a voltage level of the cells is less than a predetermined first low voltage level. If the voltage level of the cells is less than the predetermined first low voltage level, enabling charging of the cells at a reduced rate including adjusting a voltage applied to the charge transistor gate terminal to regulate a voltage seen by the charger to a level that is less than a predetermined second voltage level. Additionally, when the voltage of the cells reaches the predetermined first low voltage level, the method includes substantially fully enabling the charge transistor to allow for charging at full rate by the charger.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 20, 2009
    Assignees: Atmel Corporation, Sony Corporation
    Inventors: Gunnar Gangstoe, Arne Aas, Paal Ronny Kastnes, Hideyuki Sato
  • Publication number: 20090243539
    Abstract: Apparatus, method and computer program product are provided for battery management. In one implementation, a method of communication provided. The method includes enabling determining when a battery pack is coupled to a device, the battery pack including a battery management system. The method also includes generating a random number at the battery management system, the battery management system including battery monitoring circuitry, a processor, memory and a random number generator. The method includes using the random number to provide authentication and if authentication succeeds, enabling communication between the battery pack and the device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 10, 2009
    Publication date: October 1, 2009
    Applicants: ATMEL CORPORATION, SONY CORPORATION
    Inventors: Gunnar Gangstoe, Hideyuki Sato, Arne Aas
  • Patent number: 7595608
    Abstract: Apparatus, method and computer program product are provided for battery management. In one implementation, a method is provided. The method includes enabling determining if a charger is coupled to a battery system. The battery system includes one more cells and a charge enable transistor. The method also includes substantially fully enabling the charge enable transistor including driving a charge enable transistor gate terminal at a potential that is substantially greater than a potential of the cells.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 29, 2009
    Assignee: ATMEL Corporation
    Inventors: Gunnar Gangstoe, Arne Aas
  • Patent number: 7554288
    Abstract: Apparatus, method and computer program product are provided for battery management. In one implementation, a method of communication provided. The method includes enabling determining when a battery pack is coupled to a device, the battery pack including a battery management system. The method also includes generating a random number at the battery management system, the battery management system including battery monitoring circuitry, a processor, memory and a random number generator. The method includes using the random number to provide authentication and if authentication succeeds, enabling communication between the battery pack and the device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 30, 2009
    Assignees: ATMEL Corporation, Sony Corporation
    Inventors: Gunnar Gangstoe, Hideyuki Sato, Arne Aas
  • Publication number: 20090058697
    Abstract: A method and system utilized with an analog to digital converter is disclosed. The method and system comprise providing a first conversion on an input signal. In the first conversion, an offset error is added to the input signal to provide a first result. The method and system further includes providing a second conversion on the input signal. In the second conversion, an offset error is subtracted from the input signal to provide a second result. The first and second results are then combined to substantially remove the offset error. A system and method in accordance with the present invention compensates for the accumulated offset error over many samples, thereby achieving much higher accuracy in the offset error compensation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 9, 2007
    Publication date: March 5, 2009
    Applicant: ATMEL CORPORATION
    Inventors: Arne Aas, Gunnar Gangstoe, Torgeir Fenheim
  • Patent number: 7340366
    Abstract: A method and apparatus of temperature compensation for an integrated circuit using on-chip circuits, sensors, and an algorithm. The chip includes an on-chip reference circuit, an on-chip sensor measuring a parameter relative to the reference, and an on-chip computation means for processing an algorithm. A supplemental off-chip reference circuit is also used. The algorithm carries out the following steps: (A) performing a first calibration of an internal reference residing in an integrated circuit system on-chip at a first (higher) temperature at a first testing site, and (B) utilizing calibration data obtained at the step (A) to perform a second calibration of the internal reference source residing on the integrated system on-chip at a second (lower) temperature at a second testing site.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2008
    Assignee: Atmel Corporation
    Inventors: Arne Aas, Gunnar Gangstø
  • Patent number: 7292174
    Abstract: A current sensing analog to digital converter (CS-ADC) is disclosed. The current sensing analog to digital converter comprises a modulator adapted to sense a change in current and generate an oversampled signal. The converter further includes a decimation filter system coupled to modulator for removing out of band noise from the signal and reduce the data rate to achieve a high resolution signal. A current sensing analog to digital converter (CS-ADC) is disclosed that samples the charge or discharge current flowing through an external sense resistor RSENSE. The sample from the RSENSE is processed by a delta-sigma modulator which generates an over sampled noise shaped signal. From this signal a decimation filter system removes the out-of band noise and reduces the data rate to achieve a high-resolution signal. The CS-ADC also provides regular current detection. The regular current detection compares the data from conversion against charge/discharge threshold levels specified by the user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2007
    Assignee: ATMEL Corporation
    Inventors: Gunnar Gangstoe, Arne Aas
  • Publication number: 20070210757
    Abstract: In one implementation, a method for charging a battery system is provided. The method includes enabling determining if a charger is coupled to a battery system, the battery system including one or more cells and a charge enable transistor. The method also includes enabling determining if a voltage level of the cells is less than a predetermined first low voltage level. If the voltage level of the cells is less than the predetermined first low voltage level, enabling charging of the cells at a reduced rate including adjusting a voltage applied to the charge transistor gate terminal to regulate a voltage seen by the charger to a level that is less than a predetermined second voltage level. Additionally, when the voltage of the cells reaches the predetermined first low voltage level, the method includes substantially fully enabling the charge transistor to allow for charging at full rate by the charger.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 10, 2006
    Publication date: September 13, 2007
    Inventors: Gunnar Gangstoe, Arne Aas, Paal Kastnes
  • Publication number: 20070214293
    Abstract: Apparatus, method and computer program product are provided for battery management. In one implementation, a method of communication provided. The method includes enabling determining when a battery pack is coupled to a device, the battery pack including a battery management system. The method also includes generating a random number at the battery management system, the battery management system including battery monitoring circuitry, a processor, memory and a random number generator. The method includes using the random number to provide authentication and if authentication succeeds, enabling communication between the battery pack and the device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 10, 2006
    Publication date: September 13, 2007
    Inventors: Gunnar Gangstoe, Arne Aas
  • Publication number: 20070210755
    Abstract: Apparatus, method and computer program product are provided for battery management. In one implementation, a method is provided. The method includes enabling determining if a charger is coupled to a battery system. The battery system includes one more cells and a charge enable transistor. The method also includes substantially fully enabling the charge enable transistor including driving a charge enable transistor gate terminal at a potential that is substantially greater than a potential of the cells.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 10, 2006
    Publication date: September 13, 2007
    Inventors: Gunnar Gangstoe, Arne Aas
  • Publication number: 20070210758
    Abstract: A battery pack can include one or more battery cells, current blocking transistors and a battery management system. The disclosed implementations handle over-currents drawn from the battery cells that cause unstable operation of the battery management system. The over-currents are handled without causing an undesired drop in voltage output from the battery cells. The disclosed implementations can handle over-currents even if the over-currents cause the battery management system supply voltage to drop below a minimum operating voltage level for a certain period of time. The disclosed implementations use current blocking transistors that can be configured to block current flow and ensure safe operation of the battery cells in cases where the current drawn from the battery cells would be sufficiently high for a sufficiently long period of time to cause damage to the battery cells.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 10, 2006
    Publication date: September 13, 2007
    Inventors: Gunnar Gangstoe, Arne Aas, Terje Saether
  • Publication number: 20060284753
    Abstract: A current sensing analog to digital converter (CS-ADC) is disclosed. The current sensing analog to digital converter comprises a modulator adapted to sense a change in current and generate an oversampled signal. The converter further includes a decimation filter system coupled to modulator for removing out of band noise from the signal and reduce the data rate to achieve a high resolution signal. A current sensing analog to digital converter (CS-ADC) is disclosed that samples the charge or discharge current flowing through an external sense resistor RSENSE. The sample from the RSENSE is processed by a delta-sigma modulator which generates an over sampled noise shaped signal. From this signal a decimation filter system removes the out-of band noise and reduces the data rate to achieve a high-resolution signal. The CS-ADC also provides regular current detection. The regular current detection compares the data from conversion against charge/discharge threshold levels specified by the user.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 25, 2006
    Publication date: December 21, 2006
    Inventors: Gunnar Gangstoe, Arne Aas
  • Patent number: 7113122
    Abstract: A current sensing analog to digital converter (CS-ADC) is disclosed. The current sensing analog to digital converter comprises a modulator adapted to sense a change in current and generate an oversampled signal. The converter further includes a decimation filter system coupled to modulator for removing out of band noise from the signal and reduce the data rate to achieve a high resolution signal. A current sensing analog to digital converter (CS-ADC) is disclosed that samples the charge or discharge current flowing through an external sense resistor RSENSE. The sample from the RSENSE is processed by a delta-sigma modulator which generates an over sampled noise shaped signal. From this signal a decimation filter system removes the out-of band noise and reduces the data rate to achieve a high-resolution signal. The CS-ADC also provides regular current detection. The regular current detection compares the data from conversion against charge/discharge threshold levels specified by the user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 26, 2006
    Assignee: Atmel Corporation
    Inventors: Gunnar Gangstoe, Arne Aas