Patents by Inventor Kevin Joseph Derichs

Kevin Joseph Derichs 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).

  • Publication number: 20230393686
    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.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 1, 2023
    Publication date: December 7, 2023
    Applicant: SIGMASENSE, LLC.
    Inventors: Daniel Keith Van Ostrand, Richard Stuart Seger, JR., Kevin Joseph Derichs
  • Patent number: 11829566
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 2021
    Date of Patent: November 28, 2023
    Assignee: SigmaSense, LLC.
    Inventors: Patrick Troy Gray, Gerald Dale Morrison, Daniel Keith Van Ostrand, Richard Stuart Seger, Jr., Kevin Joseph Derichs, Shayne X. Short, Timothy W. Markison
  • Patent number: 11829677
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 2022
    Date of Patent: November 28, 2023
    Assignee: SigmaSense, LLC.
    Inventors: Richard Stuart Seger, Jr., Michael Shawn Gray, Patrick Troy Gray, Daniel Keith Van Ostrand, Kevin Joseph Derichs
  • Publication number: 20230350519
    Abstract: A touch sensor device (TSD) includes a panel that includes electrodes and drive-sense circuits (DSCs). Different electrodes may be implemented in different directions. A first DSC is operably coupled via a first single line to a first electrode, and a second DSC is operably coupled via a second single line to the panel. The DSCs operate by providing respective signals via the respective single lines and simultaneously sensing the signals. For example, sensing of a first signal of a first DSC includes detection of a first electrical characteristic of the first electrode and/or a first change of the first signal. Sensing of a second signal of the second DSC includes detection of coupling of another signal into the panel in accordance with digital data communication from another device to the TSD. The DSCs also generate respective digital signals based upon what they sense.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 27, 2023
    Publication date: November 2, 2023
    Applicant: SIGMASENSE, LLC.
    Inventor: Kevin Joseph Derichs
  • Publication number: 20230325022
    Abstract: A touch sensor device includes a first panel, a second panel, and a drive-sense circuit (DSC). The first panel that includes first electrodes arranged in a first direction and second electrodes arranged in a second direction. The second panel includes third electrodes arranged in a third direction and fourth electrodes arranged in a fourth direction. The DSC is operably coupled via a single line to a coupling of a first electrode of the first electrodes and a first electrode of the third electrodes. The DSC is configured to provide the signal, which is generated based on a reference signal, via the single line to the coupling and simultaneously to sense the signal via the single line. The DSC generates a digital signal representative of the at least one electrical characteristic associated with the first electrode of the first electrodes and/or the first electrode of the third electrodes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 6, 2023
    Publication date: October 12, 2023
    Applicant: SIGMASENSE, LLC.
    Inventor: Kevin Joseph Derichs
  • Publication number: 20230305663
    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.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 8, 2023
    Publication date: September 28, 2023
    Applicant: SIGMASENSE, LLC.
    Inventors: Patrick Troy Gray, Gerald Dale Morrison, Daniel Keith Van Ostrand, Richard Stuart Seger, JR., Kevin Joseph Derichs, Shayne X. Short, Ph.D., Timothy W. Markison
  • Publication number: 20230297194
    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 at least a portion 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 to determine characteristic(s) of the overlay that is associated with the at least a portion of the surface of the TSD.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 31, 2022
    Publication date: September 21, 2023
    Applicant: SIGMASENSE, LLC.
    Inventors: Patrick Troy Gray, Gerald Dale Morrison, Daniel Keith Van Ostrand, Richard Stuart Seger, JR., Kevin Joseph Derichs, Shayne X. Short, Timothy W. Markison
  • Publication number: 20230289015
    Abstract: A capacitive touch screen display operates by: receiving a plurality of sensed signals indicating variations in mutual capacitance associated with a plurality of cross points formed by a plurality of electrodes; generating capacitance image data associated with the plurality of cross points that includes positive capacitance variation data corresponding to positive variations of the capacitance image data from a nominal value and negative capacitance variation data corresponding to negative variations of the capacitance image data from the nominal value; determining, based on the positive capacitance variation data and the negative capacitance variation data, an upper threshold and a lower threshold; generating compensated capacitance image data, based on the upper threshold and the lower threshold; and processing the compensated capacitance image data to determine a proximal condition of the touch screen display.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 17, 2023
    Publication date: September 14, 2023
    Applicant: SigmaSense, LLC.
    Inventors: Richard Stuart Seger, JR., Michael Shawn Gray, Daniel Keith Van Ostrand, Hans Howard Eilers, Kevin Joseph Derichs, Sarah Marie Derichs, Patrick Troy Gray, Phuong Huynh
  • Publication number: 20230273692
    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.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 8, 2023
    Publication date: August 31, 2023
    Applicant: SIGMASENSE, LLC.
    Inventors: Patrick Troy Gray, Gerald Dale Morrison, Daniel Keith Van Ostrand, Richard Stuart Seger, JR., Michael Shawn Gray, Kevin Joseph Derichs
  • Publication number: 20230273691
    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.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 2, 2023
    Publication date: August 31, 2023
    Applicant: SIGMASENSE, LLC.
    Inventors: Patrick Troy Gray, Gerald Dale Morrison, Daniel Keith Van Ostrand, Richard Stuart Seger, JR., Michael Shawn Gray, Kevin Joseph Derichs
  • Patent number: 11740752
    Abstract: A touch controller includes sensing circuits and a processing module. The sensing circuits are operably coupled to sensors, are arranged in a geometric pattern that is in accordance with a coordinate system. When a finger is proximal to a sensor, the finger emits an identifying signal having an identifying frequency component that effects an electrical characteristic of the sensor. A corresponding sensing circuit senses the electrical characteristic of the sensor and generates a sense signal regarding the electrical characteristic. The processing module interprets the sensed signal to determine whether the electrical characteristic is affected by the identifying signal emitted by the finger. When the affect is detected, the processing module determines a coordinate location of the sensor and generates a proximal touch signal that includes the coordinate location of the sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 2022
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2023
    Assignee: SigmaSense, LLC.
    Inventors: Kevin Joseph Derichs, Richard Stuart Seger, Jr., Daniel Keith Van Ostrand, Timothy W. Markison
  • Patent number: 11733796
    Abstract: A touch sensor device includes a first panel, a second panel, and a drive-sense circuit (DSC). The first panel that includes first electrodes arranged in a first direction and second electrodes arranged in a second direction. The second panel includes third electrodes arranged in a third direction and fourth electrodes arranged in a fourth direction. The DSC is operably coupled via a single line to a coupling of a first electrode of the first electrodes and a first electrode of the third electrodes. The DSC is configured to provide the signal, which is generated based on a reference signal, via the single line to the coupling and simultaneously to sense the signal via the single line. The DSC generates a digital signal representative of the at least one electrical characteristic associated with the first electrode of the first electrodes and/or the first electrode of the third electrodes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 2022
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2023
    Assignee: SIGMASENSE, LLC.
    Inventor: Kevin Joseph Derichs
  • Publication number: 20230251734
    Abstract: A touch sensor device includes a first panel, a second panel, and a drive-sense circuit (DSC). The first panel that includes first electrodes arranged in a first direction and second electrodes arranged in a second direction. The second panel includes third electrodes arranged in a third direction and fourth electrodes arranged in a fourth direction. The DSC is operably coupled via a single line to a coupling of a first electrode of the first electrodes and a first electrode of the third electrodes. The DSC is configured to provide the signal, which is generated based on a reference signal, via the single line to the coupling and simultaneously to sense the signal via the single line. The DSC generates a digital signal representative of the at least one electrical characteristic associated with the first electrode of the first electrodes and/or the first electrode of the third electrodes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 31, 2023
    Publication date: August 10, 2023
    Applicant: SIGMASENSE, LLC.
    Inventor: Kevin Joseph Derichs
  • Patent number: 11720207
    Abstract: A capacitive touch screen display operates by: receiving a plurality of sensed signals indicating variations in mutual capacitance associated with a plurality of cross points formed by a plurality of electrodes; generating capacitance image data associated with the plurality of cross points that includes positive capacitance variation data corresponding to positive variations of the capacitance image data from a nominal value and negative capacitance variation data corresponding to negative variations of the capacitance image data from the nominal value; determining, based on the positive capacitance variation data and the negative capacitance variation data, an upper threshold and a lower threshold; generating compensated capacitance image data, based on the upper threshold and the lower threshold, to compensate for noise in the capacitance image data; and processing the compensated capacitance image data to determine a proximal condition of the touch screen display.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 2022
    Date of Patent: August 8, 2023
    Assignee: SigmaSense, LLC.
    Inventors: Richard Stuart Seger, Jr., Michael Shawn Gray, Daniel Keith Van Ostrand, Hans Howard Eilers, Kevin Joseph Derichs, Sarah Marie Derichs, Patrick Troy Gray, Phuong Huynh
  • Publication number: 20230234445
    Abstract: A sensor system operates by: communicating a first ID signal at a first frequency between a first perimeter sensor and a first sensor circuit of a touch screen through a body of a first user in a first occupancy area; receiving first sensed signal data from the first sensor circuit indicating a possible interaction with a first interactable element at a first touch screen location based on changes in electrical properties of an electrode of the first sensor circuit; determining the first sensed signal data indicates detection of the first frequency; when permissions data for the first occupancy area indicates occupants of the first occupancy area can interact with the first interactable element, facilitate performance of a functionality associated with the first interactable element; when permissions data for the first occupancy area indicates occupants of the first occupancy area cannot interact with the first interactable element, foregoing performance of the functionality associated with the interaction wi
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 30, 2023
    Publication date: July 27, 2023
    Applicant: SigmaSense, LLC.
    Inventors: Kevin Joseph Derichs, Richard Stuart Seger, JR., Michael Shawn Gray, Patrick Troy Gray, Daniel Keith Van Ostrand
  • Publication number: 20230234444
    Abstract: A sensor system operates by: communicating a first ID signal at a first frequency between a first passenger restraint and a first sensor circuit of a touch screen through a body of a first user in a first occupancy area; receiving first sensed signal data from the first sensor circuit indicating a possible interaction with a first interactable element at a first touch screen location based on changes in electrical properties of an electrode of the first sensor circuit; determining the first sensed signal data indicates detection of the first frequency; when permissions data for the first occupancy area indicates occupants of the first occupancy area can interact with the first interactable element, facilitate performance of a functionality associated with the first interactable element; when permissions data for the first occupancy area indicates occupants of the first occupancy area cannot interact with the first interactable element, foregoing performance of the functionality associated with the interaction
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 29, 2023
    Publication date: July 27, 2023
    Applicant: SigmaSense, LLC.
    Inventors: Kevin Joseph Derichs, Richard Stuart Seger, Jr., Michael Shawn Gray, Patrick Troy Gray, Daniel Keith Van Ostrand
  • Patent number: 11703976
    Abstract: A touch sensor device includes a first panel, a second panel, and a drive-sense circuit (DSC). The first panel that includes first electrodes arranged in a first direction and second electrodes arranged in a second direction. The second panel includes third electrodes arranged in a third direction and fourth electrodes arranged in a fourth direction. The DSC is operably coupled via a single line to a coupling of a first electrode of the first electrodes and a first electrode of the third electrodes. The DSC is configured to provide the signal, which is generated based on a reference signal, via the single line to the coupling and simultaneously to sense the signal via the single line. The DSC generates a digital signal representative of the at least one electrical characteristic associated with the first electrode of the first electrodes and/or the first electrode of the third electrodes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 2022
    Date of Patent: July 18, 2023
    Assignee: SIGMASENSE, LLC.
    Inventor: Kevin Joseph Derichs
  • Patent number: 11693497
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 2022
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2023
    Assignee: SIGMASENSE, LLC.
    Inventors: Patrick Troy Gray, Gerald Dale Morrison, Daniel Keith Van Ostrand, Richard Stuart Seger, Jr., Michael Shawn Gray, Kevin Joseph Derichs
  • Publication number: 20230205344
    Abstract: A touchscreen display includes one or more display drivers coupled to an active matrix display and one or more touch controllers coupled to one or more touch sensor conductors. The one or more display drivers are coupled to the active matrix display via active matrix conductive components. When enabled, the one or more display drivers is configured to transmit a first signal to the active matrix display in accordance with display operation. A touch sensor conductor includes one or more segments of the active matrix conductive components. When enabled, a touch controller of the one or more touch controllers is configured to transmit a second signal via the touch sensor conductor in accordance with touchscreen operation that is performed concurrently with the display operation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 28, 2023
    Publication date: June 29, 2023
    Applicant: SIGMASENSE, LLC.
    Inventors: Daniel Keith Van Ostrand, Michael Shawn Gray, Kevin Joseph Derichs
  • Publication number: 20230202299
    Abstract: A method includes receiving sensed signal data from at least one circuit based on a user in proximity to at least one electrode corresponding to the at least one circuit. Anatomical feature mapping data indicating a position of a hand detected in proximity to an interactable element in a first location within a vehicle is generated based on the sensed signal data. Button feedback display data visually depicting the position of the hand in spatial relation to the position of the interactable element is generated based on the anatomical feature mapping data, and the button feedback display data is displayed via a display device. A touch-based interaction with the interactable element is detected after facilitating display of the button feedback display data. Performance of a vehicle function is facilitated by a vehicle based on detecting the touch-based interaction with the interactable element.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 27, 2023
    Publication date: June 29, 2023
    Applicant: SigmaSense, LLC.
    Inventors: Richard Stuart Seger, JR., Michael Shawn Gray, Patrick Troy Gray, Daniel Keith Van Ostrand, Kevin Joseph Derichs