Patents Assigned to SIGMASENSE, LLC.
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Publication number: 20210247787Abstract: A drive-sense circuit coupled to a variable impedance load. The drive-sense circuit includes a voltage reference circuit operable to generate a voltage reference signal. The drive-sense circuit further includes a regulated current source circuit operable to generate a regulated current signal based on an analog regulation signal, where the regulated current signal is provided on a line to the variable impedance load to keep a load voltage on the line substantially matching the voltage reference signal, and where an impedance of the variable impedance load affects the regulated current signal. The drive-sense circuit further includes a current loop correction circuit operable to generate a comparison signal based on the voltage reference signal and the load voltage, where the comparison signal represents the impedance, and where the analog regulation signal is representative of the comparison signal.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 31, 2021Publication date: August 12, 2021Applicant: SIGMASENSE, LLC.Inventors: Patrick Troy Gray, Gerald Dale Morrison, Daniel Keith Van Ostrand, Richard Stuart Seger, JR.
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Publication number: 20210247207Abstract: A drive-sense circuit coupled to a variable current load. The drive-sense circuit includes an impedance reference circuit operable to generate an impedance reference signal. The drive-sense circuit further includes a regulated voltage source circuit operable to generate a regulated voltage signal based on an analog regulation signal, where the regulated voltage signal is provided on a line to the variable current load to keep a load impedance on the line substantially matching the impedance reference signal, and where a current of the variable current load affects the regulated voltage signal. The drive-sense circuit further includes a voltage loop correction circuit operable to generate a comparison signal based on the impedance reference signal and the load impedance, where the comparison signal represents the current, and where the analog regulation signal is representative of the comparison signal.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 31, 2021Publication date: August 12, 2021Applicant: SIGMASENSE, LLC.Inventors: Patrick Troy Gray, Gerald Dale Morrison, Daniel Keith Van Ostrand, Richard Stuart Seger, JR.
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Publication number: 20210247448Abstract: A battery characterization system includes a drive-sense circuit (DSC), memory that stores operational instructions, and processing module(s) operably coupled to the DSC and the memory. Based on a reference signal, the DSC generates a charge signal, which includes an AC (alternating current) component, and provides the charge signal to a terminal of a battery via a single line and simultaneously to senses the charge signal via the single line to detect an electrical characteristic of the battery based on a response of the battery. The DSC generates a digital signal representative of the electrical characteristic of the battery. The processing module(s), based on the operational instructions, generate the reference signal to include a frequency sweep of the AC component of the charge signal (e.g.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 26, 2021Publication date: August 12, 2021Applicant: SIGMASENSE, LLC.Inventors: Patrick Troy Gray, Gerald Dale Morrison, Michael Frederick David Olley, Daniel Keith Van Ostrand, Richard Stuart Seger, JR.
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Publication number: 20210231463Abstract: A drive-sense circuit coupled to a variable voltage load. The drive-sense circuit includes a current reference circuit operable to generate a current reference signal. The drive-sense circuit further includes a regulated impedance source circuit operable to generate a regulated impedance signal based on an analog regulation signal, where the regulated impedance signal is provided on a line to the variable voltage load to keep a load current on the line substantially matching the current reference signal, and where a voltage of the variable voltage load effects the regulated impedance signal. The drive-sense circuit further includes a impedance loop correction circuit operable to generate a comparison signal based on the current reference signal and the load current, where the comparison signal represents the voltage, and where the analog regulation signal is representative of the comparison signal.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 14, 2021Publication date: July 29, 2021Applicant: SIGMASENSE, LLC.Inventors: Patrick Troy Gray, Gerald Dale Morrison, Daniel Keith Van Ostrand, Richard Stuart Seger, JR.
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Publication number: 20210223872Abstract: A touchscreen system includes a user input passive device including a shell, a non-conductive supporting surface, an impedance circuit, a first conductive, and a second conductive plate. A first terminal of the impedance circuit is coupled to the first conductive plate and a second terminal of the impedance circuit is coupled to the second conductive plate. The touchscreen system further includes an interactive display device including a touchscreen, a plurality of electrodes, and a plurality of drive-sense circuits. When the user input passive device is used in close proximity with the touchscreen one or more of the shell and the first and second conductive plates cause changes in electrical characteristics of a set of electrodes of the plurality of electrodes. A set of drive sense circuits coupled to the set of electrodes is operable to generate a set of signals representative of the changes in electrical characteristics.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 17, 2021Publication date: July 22, 2021Applicant: SIGMASENSE, LLC.Inventors: Richard Stuart Seger, JR., Daniel Keith Van Ostrand, Gerald Dale Morrison, Timothy W. Markison
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Publication number: 20210216123Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: March 29, 2021Publication date: July 15, 2021Applicant: SIGMASENSE, LLC.Inventors: Patrick Troy Gray, Gerald Dale Morrison, Daniel Keith Van Ostrand, Richard Stuart Seger, JR.
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Publication number: 20210216124Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: March 29, 2021Publication date: July 15, 2021Applicant: SIGMASENSE, LLC.Inventors: Patrick Troy Gray, Gerald Dale Morrison, Daniel Keith Van Ostrand, Richard Stuart Seger, JR.
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Patent number: 11061082Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: March 18, 2019Date of Patent: July 13, 2021Assignee: SIGMASENSE, LLC.Inventors: Patrick Troy Gray, Gerald Dale Morrison, Daniel Keith Van Ostrand, Richard Stuart Seger, Jr.
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Publication number: 20210208725Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: January 6, 2021Publication date: July 8, 2021Applicant: SIGMASENSE, LLC.Inventor: Kevin Joseph Derichs
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Patent number: 11056930Abstract: A device operative to transfer power and communicate wirelessly includes a drive-sense circuit (DSC), memory that stores operational instructions, and processing module(s). The DSC generates a drive signal based on a reference signal and provides the drive signal to a first coil via a single line and via a resonating capacitor, and simultaneously senses the drive signal via the single line, to facilitate electromagnetic coupling to a second coil to transfer power wirelessly to another device. The DSC also detects electrical characteristic(s) of the drive signal including whether a communication signal is transmitted from another device and generates a digital signal representative thereof.Type: GrantFiled: May 31, 2019Date of Patent: July 6, 2021Assignee: SIGMASENSE, LLC.Inventors: John Christopher Price, Daniel Keith Van Ostrand, Phuong Huynh
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Publication number: 20210201659Abstract: 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. The test system further includes a plurality of drive-sense circuits coupled to the plurality of electrodes, where, when enabled, the plurality of drive-sense circuits detect changes in electrical characteristics of the plurality of electrodes. The test system further includes a processing module operably coupled to receive, from the drive-sense circuits, changes in the electrical characteristics of the plurality of electrodes, and interpret the changes in the electrical characteristics of the plurality of electrodes as impedance values representative of electrical characteristics of biological material present in the test container. The test system further includes a communication module operably coupled to communicate the electrical characteristics of the biological material.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 30, 2019Publication date: July 1, 2021Applicant: SIGMASENSE, LLC.Inventors: Daniel Keith Van Ostrand, Richard Stuart Seger, JR., Gerald Dale Morrison, Patrick Troy Gray, Phuong Huynh, Timothy W. Markison, Patricia A. Markison
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Publication number: 20210181890Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: February 24, 2021Publication date: June 17, 2021Applicant: SIGMASENSE, LLC.Inventors: Patrick Troy Gray, Phuong Huynh
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Publication number: 20210184688Abstract: A method includes converting, by n analog to digital converter circuits, n analog signals into n first digital signals having a first data rate frequency; converting, by n digital decimation filtering circuits, the n first digital signals into n second digital signals having a second data rate frequency; and converting, by n digital bandpass filter (BPF) circuits, the n second digital signals into a plurality of outbound digital signals having a third data rate frequency. The coefficients for the taps of a digital BPF circuit is set to produce a bandpass region approximately centered at the oscillation frequency of the analog signal and having a bandwidth tuned for filtering a pure tone component of the analog signal. The first data rate frequency is a first integer multiple of the third data rate frequency. The second data rate frequency is a second integer multiple of the third data rate frequency.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 5, 2021Publication date: June 17, 2021Applicant: SIGMASENSE, LLC.Inventors: Grant Howard McGibney, Patrick Troy Gray, Gerald Dale Morrison, Daniel Keith Van Ostrand
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Patent number: 11016601Abstract: Circuitry, systems, and methods are provided that can acquire touch sensor data simultaneously for different modes of, for example, self, mutual, and pen, and with simultaneous sampling of the different channels. Drive/receive circuitry and methods of driving and receiving sensor electrode signals are provided that allow digital I/O pins to be used to interface with touch sensor electrodes using external passive filter components. Drive/receive circuitry is provided employing voltage following sigma-delta A/D coverts that are adapted to both drive and sense touch sensor signals on multiple frequencies simultaneously. This circuitry may be operated in modes to sense various combinations of mutual, self, and pen touch signals simultaneously. While capacitive multi-touch sensors are preferred, the circuits and methods herein are useful with many other types of touch sensors as well.Type: GrantFiled: May 1, 2020Date of Patent: May 25, 2021Assignee: SIGMASENSE, LLC.Inventor: Patrick Troy Gray
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Publication number: 20210149518Abstract: A touch screen display includes a display, a video graphics processing module, electrodes integrated into at least a portion of the display, and drive-sense circuits coupled to the electrodes. The drive-sense circuits, when enabled and concurrent with the display rendering frames of data into the visible images, detect changes in electrical characteristics of electrodes. At least some drive-sense circuits monitor sensor signals on at least some electrodes. A sensor signal includes a drive signal component and a receive signal component. The at least some drive-sense circuits generate the drive signal components of the sensor signals. The receive signal component is a representation of a change in an electrical characteristic of an electrode of the at least some electrodes when a corresponding drive signal component is applied to the electrode. The change in the electrical characteristic of the electrode is indicative of a proximal touch to the touch screen display.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 26, 2021Publication date: May 20, 2021Applicant: SIGMASENSE, LLC.Inventors: Patrick Troy Gray, Gerald Dale Morrison, Daniel Keith Van Ostrand, Richard Stuart Seger, JR.
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Publication number: 20210133133Abstract: A low voltage drive circuit (LVDC) operable to convey data via a bus and includes a signal generator operable to convert transmit digital data into analog outbound data. The LVDC also includes an analog to digital output circuit operable to convert analog inbound data into received digital data. The LVDC further includes a drive circuit operable to convert the analog outbound data into an analog transmit signal and drive the analog transmit signal on to the bus, where the analog outbound data is represented within the analog transmit signal as variances in loading of the bus at a first frequency. The LVDC further includes a sense circuit operable to receive an analog receive signal from the bus and convert the analog receive signal into the analog inbound data, where the analog inbound data is represented within the analog receive signal as variances in loading of the bus at a second frequency.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 31, 2019Publication date: May 6, 2021Applicant: SIGMASENSE, LLC.Inventors: Richard Stuart Seger, JR., Daniel Keith Van Ostrand, Gerald Dale Morrison, Timothy W. Markison
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Patent number: 10996728Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: January 4, 2019Date of Patent: May 4, 2021Assignee: SIGMASENSE, LLC.Inventors: Patrick Troy Gray, Gerald Dale Morrison, Daniel Keith Van Ostrand, Richard Stuart Seger, Jr.
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Publication number: 20210116885Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: December 30, 2020Publication date: April 22, 2021Applicant: SIGMASENSE, LLC.Inventors: Patrick Troy Gray, Gerald Dale Morrison, Daniel Keith Van Ostrand, Richard Stuart Seger, JR.
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Patent number: 10976837Abstract: A user input passive device for interaction with a touchscreen of an interactive display device includes a housing including: a conductive shell and a non-conductive supporting surface coupled to the conductive shell. The user input further includes an impedance circuit having a desired impedance at a desired frequency, a first conductive plate mounted on the non-conductive supporting surface, electrically isolated from the conductive shell, and a second conductive plate mounted on the non-conductive supporting surface, electrically isolated from the conductive shell and the first conductive plate. The first terminal of the impedance circuit is coupled to the first conductive plate and a second terminal of the impedance circuit is coupled to the second conductive plate. When the user input passive device is used with the touchscreen, a perimeter of the conductive shell, and the first and second conductive plates are in close proximity to an interactive surface of the touchscreen.Type: GrantFiled: August 20, 2019Date of Patent: April 13, 2021Assignee: SIGMASENSE, LLC.Inventors: Richard Stuart Seger, Jr., Daniel Keith Van Ostrand, Gerald Dale Morrison, Timothy W. Markison, Michael Shawn Gray, Garry Joel Baum
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Patent number: 10963092Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: April 23, 2020Date of Patent: March 30, 2021Assignee: SIGMASENSE, LLC.Inventors: Patrick Troy Gray, Phuong Huynh