Patents Assigned to SIGMASENSE, LLC.
  • Patent number: 12216862
    Abstract: A current reference operative drive-sense circuit (DSC) includes a current source operably coupled to a load and a voltage-mode analog to digital converter (ADC). When enabled, the current source is configured to drive a sinusoidal current reference signal to the load thereby generating a load voltage that is based on the sinusoidal current reference signal and an impedance of the load. The voltage-mode ADC is operably coupled the load and to the current source. When enabled, the voltage-mode ADC configured to perform digital sampling of the load voltage and to generate a digital signal that is representative of the load voltage. In some implementations, one or more processing modules is configured to execute operational instructions to process the digital signal that is representative of the load voltage in accordance with determining impedance of the load and/or change of impedance of the load.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 2023
    Date of Patent: February 4, 2025
    Assignee: SIGMASENSE, LLC
    Inventors: Patrick Troy Gray, Daniel Keith Van Ostrand, Richard Stuart Seger, Jr., Phuong Huynh
  • Publication number: 20250036214
    Abstract: A pen apparatus with a pressure sensitive tip mechanism that internally generates pressure, tilt, and/or barrel rotation through the use of a multi-axis measurement scheme with simultaneous transmit, receive, and sensing driver capability operable in conjunction with a receiving system or in a relative stand-alone manner. Signaling schemes are provided for operating the pen apparatus to achieve improved function. Systems and methods are provided for operating a pen, and for operating a pen with a touch sensor system. Drive/receive circuitry and methods of driving and receiving sensor electrode signals are provided that allow digital I/0 pins to be used to interface with touch sensor electrodes. This circuitry may be operated in modes to sense various combinations of signals coupled within a pen, or from outside of a pen.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 3, 2024
    Publication date: January 30, 2025
    Applicant: SIGMASENSE, LLC.
    Inventors: Patrick Troy Gray, Michael Gray
  • Publication number: 20250038761
    Abstract: A batteryless wireless sensor system includes a data acquisition system, a radio frequency (RF) transceiver, and a batteryless wireless sensor device. The RF transceiver is in communication with the data acquisition system, transmits a RF signal, and receives sensor data and provide the sensor data to the data acquisition system. The batteryless wireless sensor device includes a RF transmitter, an analog to digital converter (ADC), and a sensor. The batteryless wireless sensor harvests energy from the RF signal and generates a DC signal based on the energy harvested from the RF signal, powers up and operates the ADC and the sensor based on the DC signal, and generates sensor data. The batteryless wireless sensor then transmits the sensor data via the RF transmitter to the RF transceiver. In certain examples, the ADC is implemented as a current mode ADC.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 9, 2024
    Publication date: January 30, 2025
    Applicant: SIGMASENSE, LLC.
    Inventor: Phuong Huynh
  • Patent number: 12207703
    Abstract: A foot force detection system includes first and second shoe force detection units. The first shoe force detection unit includes pressure sensors, a processing module, and a communication unit. The pressure sensors are operably coupled to produce first force data. The processing module is operably coupled to produce a first digital representation of the first force data. The second shoe force detection unit includes its own pressure sensors, a processing module, and a communication unit. The first and second shoe force detection units communicate with each other via the communication units.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2022
    Date of Patent: January 28, 2025
    Assignee: SIGMASENSE, LLC.
    Inventors: Michael Shawn Gray, Richard Stuart Seger, Jr., Timothy W. Markison, Kevin Joseph Derichs
  • Patent number: 12203965
    Abstract: An impedance sensing circuit includes first and second current sources and first and second bias current sources that are appropriately coupled to first and second resistors. The impedance sensing circuit also includes a comparator that compares a first voltage based on the first terminal of the first resistor to a second voltage based on the first terminal of the second resistor to generate a comparator output signal. Either the comparator output signal or a digital signal based on the comparator output signal operates to regulate the current signals output from the first and second current sources so that the first voltage is same as the second voltage. The comparator output signal and the digital signal is representative of a difference between the first voltage and the second voltage that is based on an impedance difference between the first resistor and the second resistor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 2023
    Date of Patent: January 21, 2025
    Assignee: SIGMASENSE, LLC.
    Inventor: Phuong Huynh
  • Patent number: 12194344
    Abstract: A force detection system includes first and second sets of pressure sensors, memory, and a processing module. The first set of pressure sensors are in an insole of a shoe and the second set of pressure sensors are in an outsole of a shoe. The processing module receives first data regarding the first set of pressure sensors and generates a first digital representation of the first data. The processing module also receives second data regarding the second set of pressure sensors and generates a second digital representation of the second data. The processing module also writes the first and second digital representations to the memory.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2022
    Date of Patent: January 14, 2025
    Assignee: SIGMASENSE, LLC.
    Inventors: Michael Shawn Gray, Richard Stuart Seger, Jr., Timothy W. Markison, Kevin Joseph Derichs
  • Publication number: 20250013329
    Abstract: A channel driver circuit includes a differential module and a driver module. In some examples, the channel driver circuit also includes a sigma-delta module. The differential module receives, via a single node of a load, a channel driving signal that is provided to the load at the single node (e.g., that is based on an electrical characteristic of the load) and generates an analog error signal that is based on the channel driving signal and a reference signal. The driver module is coupled to the differential module and generates the channel driving signal based on the analog error signal or a digital error signal corresponding to the analog error signal and transmits the channel driving signal via the single node to the load. The channel driver circuit simultaneously transmits the channel driving signal to the load at the single node and senses the channel driving signal at the single node.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 23, 2024
    Publication date: January 9, 2025
    Applicant: SIGMASENSE, LLC.
    Inventors: Patrick Troy Gray, Phuong Huynh
  • Publication number: 20250014454
    Abstract: A test system includes a test container array including a plurality of test containers, and a plurality of electrodes integrated into the test container array. A test container contains a content. The test system further includes a plurality of drive-sense circuits coupled to the plurality of electrodes. When enabled, the set of drive-sense circuits transmit a set of electrode signals on the set of electrodes and generate a set of sensed signals. The test system further includes a processing module coupled to the plurality of drive-sense circuits that includes an analog reference signal generator operable to provide a set of analog reference signals to the set of drive-sense circuits, and a sensed signal processing unit operable to interpret the set of sensed signals as a set of impedance values. The set of impedance values are representative of electrical characteristics of the content.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 23, 2024
    Publication date: January 9, 2025
    Applicant: SIGMASENSE, LLC.
    Inventors: Daniel Keith Van Ostrand, Richard Stuart Seger, JR., Gerald Dale Morrison, Patrick Troy Gray, Phuong Huynh, Timothy W. Markison, Patricia M. Healy
  • Publication number: 20250014453
    Abstract: A method includes selecting, by a processing module, a drive-sense circuit to be a transmit drive-sense circuit at different times. At each time of the different times, the method further includes providing, by the processing module, a reference signal having a first frequency to the selected transmit drive-sense circuit, transmitting, by the selected transmit drive-sense circuit, an electrode signal to a corresponding selected test container electrode of a test container of a test container array of a test system and generating, by other drive-sense circuits, a set of sensed signals. The test container contains a content. The method further includes interpreting a plurality of sets of sensed signals as a plurality of impedance values and generating an impedance map based on the plurality of impedance values and with respect to positioning of the set of test container electrodes. The impedance map is representative of electrical characteristics of the content.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 23, 2024
    Publication date: January 9, 2025
    Applicant: SIGMASENSE, LLC.
    Inventors: Daniel Keith Van Ostrand, Richard Stuart Seger, JR., Gerald Dale Morrison, Patrick Troy Gray, Phuong Huynh, Timothy W. Markison, Patricia M. Healy
  • Patent number: 12181352
    Abstract: A low power force detection system includes variable capacitors, a drive sense module, and a processing module. A drive sense circuit of the drive sense module is operable to provide an analog and frequency domain signal to a variable capacitor. The drive sense circuit is further operable to detect a characteristic of the variable capacitor based on the analog and frequency domain signal and to generate a representative signal of the characteristic. The processing module is operable to generate a digital value based on the representative and to write the digital value to memory.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 13, 2022
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2024
    Assignee: SIGMASENSE, LLC.
    Inventors: Michael Shawn Gray, Kevin Joseph Derichs, Richard Stuart Seger, Jr., Timothy W. Markison
  • Patent number: 12181276
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2023
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2024
    Assignee: SIGMASENSE, LLC.
    Inventors: Patrick Troy Gray, Gerald Dale Morrison, Daniel Keith Van Ostrand, Richard Stuart Seger, Jr., Shayne X. Short, Timothy W. Markison
  • Patent number: 12182390
    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).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2023
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2024
    Assignee: SIGMASENSE, LLC.
    Inventors: Patrick Troy Gray, Gerald Dale Morrison, Daniel Keith Van Ostrand, Richard Stuart Seger, Jr.
  • Patent number: 12175039
    Abstract: A method includes a processing module obtaining touch data at a touch data rate. The method further includes the processing module obtaining video data at a refresh rate, wherein the touch data rate is greater than the refresh rate. For a frame of the video data, the method further includes the processing module determining a touch movement trend based on the touch data. The method further includes the processing module determining a position offset for a graphical representation of the touch data based on the touch movement trend. When the position offset exceeds an offset threshold, the method further includes the processing module adjusting position of the graphical representation of the touch data within the frame of video data based on the position offset to produce an adjusted frame of video data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 2022
    Date of Patent: December 24, 2024
    Assignee: SIGMASENSE, LLC.
    Inventors: Kevin Joseph Derichs, Daniel Keith Van Ostrand, Richard Stuart Seger, Jr.
  • Patent number: 12172006
    Abstract: An electrical stimulation system includes a sheath that includes conductive points that are operative to facilitate electrical stimulation to a bodily portion of a user. Drive-sense circuits (DSCs) generate electrical stimulation signals based on reference signals and provide those electrical stimulation signals via electrodes to the conductive points of the sheath. The electrical stimulation signal is coupled into respective locations of the bodily portion of the user that are in proximity to or in contact with the conductive points of the sheath. In addition, the DSCs sense, via the conductive points of the sheath and via the electrodes, changes of the electrical stimulation signals based on coupling of them into the respective locations of the bodily portion of the user. The DSCs provide digital signals that are representative of the changes of the electrical stimulation signals to one or more processing modules that includes and/or is coupled to memory.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 2022
    Date of Patent: December 24, 2024
    Assignee: SIGMASENSE, LLC.
    Inventors: John Christopher Price, Shayne X. Short, Timothy W. Markison
  • Patent number: 12174618
    Abstract: An automated system includes transducers, at least one computing device, and at least one automated apparatus. The transducer(s) is/are driven and sensed using drive-sense circuit(s). A drives and senses drive and sense a transducer via a single line, generates a digital signal representative of a sensed analog feature to which the transducer is exposed, and transmits the digital signal to the computing device. The computing device receives digital signals from at least some of drive-sense circuits and process them in accordance with the automation process to produce an automated process command. The automated apparatus executes a portion of an automated process based on the automated process command.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 2023
    Date of Patent: December 24, 2024
    Assignee: SIGMASENSE, LLC.
    Inventors: Patrick Troy Gray, Gerald Dale Morrison, Daniel Keith Van Ostrand, Richard Stuart Seger, Jr.
  • Patent number: 12169614
    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: May 8, 2023
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2024
    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
  • Publication number: 20240411398
    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.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 21, 2024
    Publication date: December 12, 2024
    Applicant: SIGMASENSE, LLC.
    Inventors: Daniel Keith Van Ostrand, Richard Stuart Seger, JR., Shayne X. Short, Ph.D., Timothy W. Markison
  • Patent number: 12164351
    Abstract: A power supply signal conditioning system includes a power supply, one or more loads, and a drive-sense circuit (DSC). The power supply is operably coupled to one or more loads. When enabled, the power supply configured to output a power supply signal having a DC (direct current) voltage component and a ripple voltage component that is based on conversion of an AC (alternating current) signal in accordance with generating the power supply signal. The DSC is operably coupled to the power supply. When enabled, the DSC is configured simultaneously to sense the power supply signal and, based on sensing of the power supply signal, adaptively to process the power supply signal in accordance with reducing or eliminating the ripple voltage component of the power supply signal to generate a conditioned power supply signal to service the one or more loads.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 2022
    Date of Patent: December 10, 2024
    Assignee: SIGMASENSE, LLC.
    Inventors: Patrick Troy Gray, Gerald Dale Morrison, Daniel Keith Van Ostrand, Richard Stuart Seger, Jr.
  • Patent number: 12158996
    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. The method further includes detecting, by a set of drive-sense circuits of the plurality of drive-sense circuits, a change in electrical characteristics of a set of. The method further includes interpreting, by a processing module of the interactive display device, the change in the electrical characteristics of the set of electrodes to be caused by a user input passive device in close proximity to an interactive surface of the interactive display device, generating a digital pad on the interactive surface for interaction with the user input passive device, and interpreting user inputs received from the user input passive device in close proximity to the digital pad as functions to manipulate data on a display area of the interactive display device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2021
    Date of Patent: December 3, 2024
    Assignee: SIGMASENSE, LLC.
    Inventors: Richard Stuart Seger, Jr., Daniel Keith Van Ostrand, Gerald Dale Morrison, Timothy W. Markison
  • Patent number: 12158509
    Abstract: A Hall effect sensor system includes a Hall effect sensor and a drive-sense circuit (DSC). The Hall effect sensor includes an input port to receive a DC (direct current) current signal and generates a Hall voltage based on exposure to a magnetic field. The DSC generates the DC current signal based on a reference signal and drives it via a single line that operably couples the DSC to the Hall effect sensor and simultaneously to sense the DC current signal via the single line. The DSC detects an effect on the DC current signal corresponding to the Hall voltage that is generated across the Hall effect sensor based on exposure of the Hall effect sensor to the magnetic field and generates a digital signal representative of the Hall voltage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2021
    Date of Patent: December 3, 2024
    Assignee: SIGMASENSE, LLC.
    Inventors: Patrick Troy Gray, Gerald Dale Morrison, Daniel Keith Van Ostrand, Richard Stuart Seger, Jr.