Patents Assigned to SIGMASENSE, LLC.
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Patent number: 10838530Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: September 14, 2018Date of Patent: November 17, 2020Assignee: SIGMASENSE, LLC.Inventors: Daniel Keith Van Ostrand, Michael Shawn Gray, Kevin Joseph Derichs
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Patent number: 10831690Abstract: A method includes detecting, by a first LVDC affiliated with a first host device, a request for a one-to-one communication with a second LVDC affiliated with a second host device, where data is conveyed between the LVDCs by varying loading on a bus at a frequency. The method further includes determining a desired number of channels to support the one-to-one communication based on one or more of: the first host device, the second host device, and information contained in the request, wherein the channels correspond to frequencies in a frequency band. The method further includes determining whether the desired number of channels is available for the one-to-one communication. When the desired number of channels is available for the one-to-one communication, allocating them for the one-to-one communication.Type: GrantFiled: January 14, 2019Date of Patent: November 10, 2020Assignee: SIGMASENSE, LLC.Inventors: Richard Stuart Seger, Jr., Daniel Keith Van Ostrand, Gerald Dale Morrison, Timothy W. Markison
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Publication number: 20200313685Abstract: An analog to digital conversion circuit includes an analog to digital converter (ADC) circuit operable to convert an analog signal having an oscillation frequency into a first digital signal having a first data rate frequency, where the analog signal includes a set of pure tone components. The analog to digital conversion circuit further includes a digital decimation filtering circuit operable to convert the first digital signal into a second digital signal having a second data rate frequency. The analog to digital conversion circuit further includes a digital bandpass filter (BPF) circuit operable to convert the second digital signal into an outbound digital signal having a third data rate frequency, where the digital bandpass filter 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.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 3, 2020Publication date: October 1, 2020Applicant: SIGMASENSE, LLC.Inventors: Grant Howard McGibney, Patrick Troy Gray, Gerald Dale Morrison, Daniel Keith Van Ostrand
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Publication number: 20200300934Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: March 18, 2019Publication date: September 24, 2020Applicant: SIGMASENSE, LLC.Inventors: Patrick Troy Gray, Gerald Dale Morrison, Daniel Keith Van Ostrand, Richard Stuart Seger, JR.
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Publication number: 20200301380Abstract: A rotating equipment system with in-line drive-sense circuit (DSC) electric power signal processing includes rotating equipment, in-line drive-sense circuits (DSCs), and one or more processing modules. The in-line DSCs receive input electrical power signals and generate motor drive signals for the rotating equipment. An in-line DSC receives an input electrical power signal, processes it to generate and output a motor drive signal to the rotating equipment via a single line and simultaneously senses the motor drive signal via the single line. Based on the sensing of the motor drive signal via the single line, the in-line DSC provides a digital signal to the one or more processing modules that receive and process the digital signal to determine information regarding one or more operational conditions of the rotating equipment, and based thereon, selectively facilitate one or more adaptation operations on the motor drive signal via the in-line DSC.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 24, 2020Publication date: September 24, 2020Applicant: SIGMASENSE, LLC.Inventors: Patrick Troy Gray, Gerald Dale Morrison, Daniel Keith Van Ostrand, Richard Stuart Seger, JR.
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Publication number: 20200302888Abstract: A display control unit includes a data drive unit, a gate drive unit, a drive settle detection circuit, and a row enable module. The data drive unit generates data drive signals for driving data lines of a display. The gate drive unit drives gate lines of the display in an order based on a row enable signal. The drive settle detection circuit monitors a set of data drive signals for an activated gate line. The drive settle detection circuit also sets a settled signal for the activated gate line when each drive signal of the set of drive signals has reached a corresponding settling threshold. The row enable module ends, as part of the row enable signal, activation of the activated gate line based on the settled signal and activates, as part of the row enable signal, another gate line based on the settled signal.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 22, 2019Publication date: September 24, 2020Applicant: SIGMASENSE, LLC.Inventor: Daniel Keith Van Ostrand
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Publication number: 20200301379Abstract: A rotating equipment system with in-line drive-sense circuit (DSC) electric power signal processing includes rotating equipment, in-line drive-sense circuits (DSCs), and one or more processing modules. The in-line DSCs receive input electrical power signals and generate motor drive signals for the rotating equipment. An in-line DSC receives an input electrical power signal, processes it to generate and output a motor drive signal to the rotating equipment via a single line and simultaneously senses the motor drive signal via the single line. Based on the sensing of the motor drive signal via the single line, the in-line DSC provides a digital signal to the one or more processing modules that receive and process the digital signal to determine information regarding one or more operational conditions of the rotating equipment, and based thereon, selectively facilitate one or more adaptation operations on the motor drive signal via the in-line DSC.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 23, 2020Publication date: September 24, 2020Applicant: SIGMASENSE, LLC.Inventors: Patrick Troy Gray, Gerald Dale Morrison, Daniel Keith Van Ostrand, Richard Stuart Seger, JR.
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Patent number: 10761644Abstract: A touch sensor circuit includes a plurality of drive/receive circuits and a drive signal generation circuit. The drive/receive circuits drive and receive signals from a multi-touch sensor. A drive/receive circuit includes an analog to digital conversion (ADC) circuit and a digital to analog conversion (DAC) circuit. The ADC circuit includes a first input to receive a sensor signal on an electrode of the multi-touch sensor. The sensor signal includes a drive signal component and a receive signal component. The ADC circuit includes a second input to receive an analog reference signal from the drive signal generation circuit. The ADC circuit generates a digital signal based on the analog reference signal and the sensor signal. The DAC circuit converts the digital signal into the drive signal component and the receive signal component is representative of an impedance on the electrode detected and is indicative of a touch proximal to the electrode.Type: GrantFiled: August 22, 2018Date of Patent: September 1, 2020Assignee: SIGMASENSE, LLC.Inventor: Patrick Troy Gray
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Patent number: 10761643Abstract: A touch sensor circuit includes a plurality of drive/receive circuits and a drive signal generation circuit. The drive/receive circuits drive and receive signals from a multi-touch sensor. A drive/receive circuit includes an analog to digital conversion (ADC) circuit and a digital to analog conversion (DAC) circuit. The ADC circuit includes a first input to receive a sensor signal on an electrode of the multi-touch sensor. The sensor signal includes a drive signal component and a receive signal component. The ADC circuit includes a second input to receive an analog reference signal from the drive signal generation circuit. The ADC circuit generates a digital signal based on the analog reference signal and the sensor signal. The DAC circuit converts the digital signal into the drive signal component and the receive signal component is representative of an impedance on the electrode detected and is indicative of a touch proximal to the electrode.Type: GrantFiled: August 22, 2018Date of Patent: September 1, 2020Assignee: SIGMASENSE, LLC.Inventor: Patrick Troy Gray
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Patent number: 10756578Abstract: A device operative to transfer power 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. The processing module(s) generates the reference signal and processes the digital signal to determine the electrical characteristic(s) of the drive signal. In some examples, the processing module(s) adapts the reference signal based on detection of the other device (e.g., based on interpreting the electrical characteristic(s) of the drive signal).Type: GrantFiled: May 31, 2019Date of Patent: August 25, 2020Assignee: SIGMASENSE, LLC.Inventors: John Christopher Price, Daniel Keith Van Ostrand, Phuong Huynh
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Publication number: 20200257404Abstract: A touch screen sensor includes a drive-sense module, first, second, and third sets of conductive pads. The first set of conductive pads is coupled to form rows. The second set of conductive pads is coupled to form columns that are electrically isolated from the rows. The third set of conductive pads is coupled zones, which are electrically isolated from the rows and from the columns. The drive-sense circuit is operable to drive signals on to the rows, the columns, and the zones. The drive-sense module is further operable to sense an electrical characteristic of the row, the columns, and the zones based on the signals. The drive-sense module is further operable to determine one or more touches on the touch screen sensor based on the sensed electrical characteristic.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 12, 2019Publication date: August 13, 2020Applicant: SIGMASENSE, LLC.Inventors: Daniel Keith Van Ostrand, Michael Shawn Gray
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Publication number: 20200257400Abstract: 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: April 24, 2020Publication date: August 13, 2020Applicant: SIGMASENSE, LLC.Inventors: Patrick Troy Gray, Phuong Huynh
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Publication number: 20200257428Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: May 1, 2020Publication date: August 13, 2020Applicant: SIGMASENSE, LLC.Inventor: Patrick Troy Gray
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Publication number: 20200249789Abstract: 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: April 23, 2020Publication date: August 6, 2020Applicant: SIGMASENSE, LLC.Inventors: Patrick Troy Gray, Phuong Huynh
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Publication number: 20200226088Abstract: A method includes detecting, by a first LVDC affiliated with a first host device, a request for a one-to-one communication with a second LVDC affiliated with a second host device, where data is conveyed between the LVDCs by varying loading on a bus at a frequency. The method further includes determining a desired number of channels to support the one-to-one communication based on one or more of: the first host device, the second host device, and information contained in the request, wherein the channels correspond to frequencies in a frequency band. The method further includes determining whether the desired number of channels is available for the one-to-one communication. When the desired number of channels is available for the one-to-one communication, allocating them for the one-to-one communication.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 14, 2019Publication date: July 16, 2020Applicant: SIGMASENSE, LLC.Inventors: Richard Stuart Seger, JR., Daniel Keith Van Ostrand, Gerald Dale Morrison, Timothy W. Markison
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Publication number: 20200218322Abstract: 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: January 4, 2019Publication date: July 9, 2020Applicant: SIGMASENSE, LLC.Inventors: Patrick Troy Gray, Gerald Dale Morrison, Daniel Keith Van Ostrand, Richard Stuart Seger, JR.
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Patent number: 10684977Abstract: A low voltage drive circuit includes a transmit analog to digital circuit that converts transmit digital data into analog outbound data. A receive analog to digital circuit converts analog inbound data into received digital data. A drive sense circuit is configured to: convert the analog outbound data into an analog transmit signal; drive the analog transmit signal onto a bus, wherein the analog outbound data is represented within the analog transmit signal as variances in loading of the bus at a first frequency; receive an analog receive signal from the bus; and isolate the analog receive signal from the analog transmit signal to recover the analog inbound data, wherein the analog inbound data is represented within the analog receive signal as variances in loading of the bus at a second frequency.Type: GrantFiled: January 14, 2019Date of Patent: June 16, 2020Assignee: SIGMASENSE, LLC.Inventors: Richard Stuart Seger, Jr., Daniel Keith Van Ostrand, Gerald Dale Morrison, Timothy W. Markison
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Publication number: 20200183526Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: February 11, 2020Publication date: June 11, 2020Applicant: SIGMASENSE, LLC.Inventor: Patrick Troy Gray
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Patent number: 10678372Abstract: A touch sensor system includes circuits operative to perform simultaneous signal transmission and detection of signal change. First circuits are configured to transmit first signals and second signals via first sensor electrodes implemented across a touch sensor in a first direction. One of these first circuits is configured simultaneously, via one of the first sensor electrodes, to transmit and to detect change of a first one of the first signals and to transmit a first one of the second signals. Second circuits configured to transmit third signals via second sensor electrodes implemented across the touch sensor in a second direction. One of these second circuits is configured simultaneously, via one of the second sensor electrodes, to transmit and to detect change of a first one of the third signals and to detect change of the first one of the second signals.Type: GrantFiled: August 22, 2018Date of Patent: June 9, 2020Assignee: SIGMASENSE, LLC.Inventor: Patrick Troy Gray
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Patent number: 10671034Abstract: A rotating equipment system with in-line drive-sense circuit (DSC) electric power signal processing includes rotating equipment, in-line drive-sense circuits (DSCs), and one or more processing modules. The in-line DSCs receive input electrical power signals and generate motor drive signals for the rotating equipment. An in-line DSC receives an input electrical power signal, processes it to generate and output a motor drive signal to the rotating equipment via a single line and simultaneously senses the motor drive signal via the single line. Based on the sensing of the motor drive signal via the single line, the in-line DSC provides a digital signal to the one or more processing modules that receive and process the digital signal to determine information regarding one or more operational conditions of the rotating equipment, and based thereon, selectively facilitate one or more adaptation operations on the motor drive signal via the in-line DSC.Type: GrantFiled: March 18, 2019Date of Patent: June 2, 2020Assignee: SIGMASENSE, LLC.Inventors: Patrick Troy Gray, Gerald Dale Morrison, Daniel Keith Van Ostrand, Richard Stuart Seger, Jr.