Patents by Inventor Michael Shawn Gray

Michael Shawn Gray 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: 20240004602
    Abstract: An interactive device is operable to receive a first plurality of sensed signals during a first temporal period. The first plurality of sensed signals indicate a first plurality of changes in electrical characteristics of a set of electrodes of the plurality of electrodes. A first impedance pattern identifying a writing passive device is detected based on interpreting the first plurality of changes in the electrical characteristics of the set of electrodes during the first temporal period. The writing passive device is detected based on detecting the first impedance pattern. Written user notion data is detected based on detecting movement of the writing passive device in relation to the interactive display device during the first temporal period. The written user notation data is processed for display in accordance with at least one display setting corresponding to the writing passive device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 19, 2023
    Publication date: January 4, 2024
    Applicant: SigmaSense, LLC.
    Inventors: Richard Stuart Seger, JR., Michael Shawn Gray, Patrick Troy Gray, Daniel Keith Van Ostrand, Kevin Joseph Derichs
  • Patent number: 11861082
    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: September 29, 2022
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2024
    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: 20230384899
    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.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 12, 2022
    Publication date: November 30, 2023
    Applicant: SigmaSense, LLC.
    Inventors: Michael Shawn Gray, Patrick Troy Gray, Daniel Keith Van Ostrand, Richard Stuart Seger, Jr., 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
  • Patent number: 11822358
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 2021
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2023
    Assignee: SigmaSense, LLC.
    Inventors: Patrick Troy Gray, Michael Shawn Gray, Daniel Keith Van Ostrand, Richard Stuart Seger, Jr., Timothy W. Markison
  • Publication number: 20230359301
    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.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 15, 2023
    Publication date: November 9, 2023
    Applicant: SigmaSense, LLC.
    Inventors: Daniel Keith Van Ostrand, Michael Shawn Gray, Patrick Troy Gray, Richard Stuart Seger, JR.
  • Publication number: 20230362516
    Abstract: A handheld communication device includes an imaging device having: pixel sensors arranged in a first direction and a second direction that respond to incident light, wherein the first direction is different than the second direction; drive-sense circuits, wherein each of the plurality of drive-sense circuits is coupled to a corresponding one of the pixel sensors and generates sensed signals, wherein each of the drive-sense circuits includes: a first conversion circuit configured to convert a receive signal component of a sensor signal corresponding to the corresponding one of the pixel sensors into a corresponding one of the sensed signals; and a second conversion circuit configured to generate, based on the corresponding one of the sensed signals, a drive signal component of the sensor signal corresponding to the one of the pixel sensors.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 6, 2023
    Publication date: November 9, 2023
    Applicant: SigmaSense, LLC.
    Inventor: Michael Shawn Gray
  • Publication number: 20230359312
    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.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 23, 2023
    Publication date: November 9, 2023
    Applicant: SIGMASENSE, LLC.
    Inventors: Daniel Keith Van Ostrand, Michael Shawn Gray
  • Publication number: 20230350527
    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.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 3, 2023
    Publication date: November 2, 2023
    Applicant: SIGMASENSE, LLC.
    Inventors: Richard Stuart Seger, Jr., Michael Shawn Gray, Daniel Keith Van Ostrand, Patrick Troy Gray, Timothy W. Markison
  • Publication number: 20230353904
    Abstract: An imaging device that generates image data includes: a plurality of pixel sensors arranged in a first direction and a second direction that respond to incident light, wherein the first direction is different than the second direction; A plurality drive-sense circuits, wherein each of the plurality of drive-sense circuits is coupled to a corresponding one of the plurality of pixel sensors and generates a plurality of sensed signals, wherein each of the plurality of drive-sense circuits includes: a first conversion circuit configured to convert a receive signal component of a sensor signal corresponding to the corresponding one of the plurality of pixel sensors into a corresponding one of the plurality of sensed signals; and a second conversion circuit configured to generate, based on the corresponding one of the plurality of sensed signals, a drive signal component of the sensor signal corresponding to the one of the plurality of pixel sensors.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 6, 2023
    Publication date: November 2, 2023
    Applicant: SigmaSense, LLC.
    Inventor: Michael Shawn Gray
  • Publication number: 20230341959
    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 a stream of 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 within a temporal period; and processing the capacitance image data to determine a touchless gesture occurring within the temporal period.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 12, 2022
    Publication date: October 26, 2023
    Applicant: SigmaSense, LLC.
    Inventors: Michael Shawn Gray, Patrick Troy Gray, Daniel Keith Van Ostrand, Richard Stuart Seger, JR., Timothy W. Markison
  • Patent number: 11797139
    Abstract: A fingerprint scanning device having a sensing area that includes a plurality of row electrodes and a plurality of column electrodes. The row electrodes and column electrodes are separated by a dielectric material and arranged in a crossing pattern in the sensing area. A plurality of drive-sense circuits drive sensor signals on the electrodes. In an embodiment, each of the drive-sense circuits is configured, when enabled, to drive a sensor signal on at least one electrode of the plurality of column electrodes or the plurality of row electrodes, the sensor signal including a drive signal component and a receive signal component. Each of the drive-sense circuits is further configured to generate, based on the receive signal component, a sensed signal representative of an impedance of the at least one electrode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2021
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2023
    Assignee: SIGMASENSE, LLC.
    Inventors: Daniel Keith Van Ostrand, Michael Shawn Gray, Patrick Troy Gray, Richard Stuart Seger, Jr.
  • 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: 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
  • 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
  • Patent number: 11743620
    Abstract: An imaging device includes pixel sensors. A drive-sense circuit is configured to generating a sensed signal corresponding to one of pixel sensors. The drive-sense circuit includes: a first conversion circuit configured to convert, a receive signal component of a sensor signal corresponding to the one of the pixel sensors into the sensed signal, wherein the sensed signal indicates a change in a capacitance associated with the one of the pixel sensors; a second conversion circuit configured to generate, based on the sensed signal, a drive signal component of the sensor signal corresponding to the one of the pixel sensors. The drive-sense circuit is further configured to generate other sensed signals corresponding to other ones of the pixel sensors for the other ones of the pixel sensors. A graphics processing module is configured to generate image data based on the sensed signal and the other sensed signals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 4, 2023
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2023
    Assignee: SigmaSense, LLC.
    Inventor: Michael Shawn Gray
  • Patent number: 11733818
    Abstract: A touch-sensitive panel includes row electrodes, column electrodes, and drive-sense circuits coupled to the row electrodes and the column electrodes. The drive-sense circuits detect changes in impedances of the row and column electrodes. The touch-sensitive panel also includes analog-to-digital converters coupled to outputs of the drive-sense circuits, and a processing module coupled to the drive-sense circuits via the analog-to-digital converters. The processing module, the analog-to-digital converters, and the plurality of drive-sense circuits cooperate to sense an information signal capacitively coupled to the row and column electrodes, and to extract data from the information signal to identify a device that produced the information signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 2021
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2023
    Assignee: SIGMASENSE, LLC.
    Inventors: Richard Stuart Seger, Jr., Michael Shawn Gray, Daniel Keith Van Ostrand, Patrick Troy Gray, Timothy W. Markison
  • Patent number: 11736834
    Abstract: An imaging device includes pixel sensors. At drive-sense circuit is configured to generating a sensed signal corresponding to one of pixel sensors. The drive-sense circuit includes: a first conversion circuit configured to convert, a receive signal component of a sensor signal corresponding to the one of the pixel sensors into the sensed signal, wherein the sensed signal indicates a change in a capacitance associated with the one of the pixel sensors; a second conversion circuit configured to generate, based on the sensed signal, a drive signal component of the sensor signal corresponding to the one of the pixel sensors. The drive-sense circuit is further configured to generate other sensed signals corresponding to other ones of the pixel sensors for the other ones of the pixel sensors. A graphics processing module is configured to generate image data based on the sensed signal and the other sensed signals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 5, 2023
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2023
    Assignee: SigmaSense, LLC.
    Inventor: Michael Shawn Gray
  • Patent number: 11726626
    Abstract: A device includes an AC coupling circuit, a sense-regulation circuit, an inbound data processing module, an outbound data processing module, and a communication circuit. The AC coupling circuit receives a sense signal from, and transmits a transmit signal to, a touch screen of a computing device. The sense-regulation circuit generates a receive error signal based on the sense signal and a representation of transmit data. The inbound data processing module converts transmit data into a representation of the transmit data. The outbound data processing module converts the receive error signal into receive data. The communication circuit receive the transmit data from, and sends the receive data to, another computing device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 2021
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2023
    Assignee: SigmaSense, LLC.
    Inventors: Daniel Keith Van Ostrand, Michael Shawn Gray
  • 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