Patents Assigned to SIGMASENSE, LLC.
  • Patent number: 10664098
    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: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 26, 2020
    Assignee: SIGMASENSE, LLC.
    Inventors: Patrick Troy Gray, Phuong Huynh
  • Publication number: 20200159342
    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: November 19, 2018
    Publication date: May 21, 2020
    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: 20200142521
    Abstract: A touchscreen display includes one or more conductive layers that is implemented for a touch sensor and a common portion. The touch screen display may include as few as one conductive layer that is partitioned for both the touch sensor and the common portion in some examples. A first conductor of the touch sensor is composed of first segments(s) that are electrically connected, and a second conductor of the touch sensor is composed of a second segments(s) that are electrically connected. Also, the common portion includes a third conductor. Drive-sense circuits (DSCs) are respectively implemented to service the conductors and to generate digital signals representative of electrical characteristics of signals provided to those conductors. Processing module(s) is/are configured to execute operational instructions to process the digital signals to facilitate operation of the touchscreen display including to detect presence, interaction, and/or gestures, etc. of a user with the touchscreen display.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 1, 2019
    Publication date: May 7, 2020
    Applicant: SIGMASENSE, LLC.
    Inventors: Daniel Keith Van Ostrand, Patrick Troy Gray
  • Publication number: 20200089354
    Abstract: A touch screen display includes a display, a video graphics processing module, electrodes, and drive-sense circuits. The electrodes integrated into the display, which is operable to render frames of data into visible images. The video graphics processing module is operably coupled to generate the frames of data. The drive-sense circuits, when enabled and concurrent with the display rendering the frames of data into the visible images, monitor sensor signals on the electrodes. A sensor signal includes a drive signal component and a receive signal component. The drive-sense circuits generate the drive signal components of the sensor signals and the receive signal components are representation of impedances of the electrodes. A change in impedance is indicative of a proximal touch to the touch screen display.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 14, 2018
    Publication date: March 19, 2020
    Applicant: SIGMASENSE, LLC.
    Inventors: Patrick Troy Gray, Gerald Dale Morrison, Daniel Keith Van Ostrand, Richard Stuart Seger, JR.
  • Publication number: 20200089382
    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: Application
    Filed: September 14, 2018
    Publication date: March 19, 2020
    Applicant: SIGMASENSE, LLC.
    Inventors: Patrick Troy Gray, Gerald Dale Morrison, Daniel Keith Van Ostrand, Richard Stuart Seger, JR.
  • Publication number: 20200064154
    Abstract: A drive-sense circuit includes a signal source circuit and a signal change detection circuit. The signal source circuit is operably coupled to a sensor. When enabled, the signal source circuit provides a signal to the sensor. When the sensor is exposed to a condition, an electrical characteristic of the sensor affects the signal, which includes a DC component and/or an oscillating component. When enabled, the signal change detection circuit is operably coupled to detect an effect on the signal as a result of the electrical characteristic of the sensor. The signal change detection circuit is further operable to generate a signal representative of change to the signal based on the detected effect on the signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 27, 2018
    Publication date: February 27, 2020
    Applicant: SIGMASENSE, LLC.
    Inventors: Patrick Troy Gray, Gerald Dale Morrison, Daniel Keith Van Ostrand, Richard Stuart Seger, JR.
  • Publication number: 20200064938
    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: November 4, 2019
    Publication date: February 27, 2020
    Applicant: SIGMASENSE, LLC.
    Inventors: Patrick Troy Gray, Michael Gray
  • Publication number: 20200064813
    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: Application
    Filed: August 27, 2018
    Publication date: February 27, 2020
    Applicant: SIGMASENSE, LLC.
    Inventors: Patrick Troy Gray, Gerald Dale Morrison, Daniel Keith Van Ostrand, Richard Stuart Seger, JR.
  • Patent number: 10554215
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 4, 2020
    Assignee: SIGMASENSE, LLC.
    Inventors: Grant Howard McGibney, Patrick Troy Gray, Gerald Dale Morrison, Daniel Keith Van Ostrand
  • Patent number: 10514783
    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: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 24, 2019
    Assignee: SIGMASENSE, LLC.
    Inventors: Patrick Troy Gray, Michael Gray
  • Patent number: 10437355
    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: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 8, 2019
    Assignee: SIGMASENSE, LLC.
    Inventors: Patrick Troy Gray, Michael Gray
  • Patent number: 10437354
    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: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 8, 2019
    Assignee: SIGMASENSE, LLC.
    Inventors: Patrick Troy Gray, Michael Gray
  • Publication number: 20190258332
    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: April 30, 2019
    Publication date: August 22, 2019
    Applicant: SIGMASENSE, LLC.
    Inventors: Patrick Troy Gray, Michael Gray
  • Publication number: 20190258331
    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: April 30, 2019
    Publication date: August 22, 2019
    Applicant: SIGMASENSE, LLC.
    Inventors: Patrick Troy Gray, Michael Gray
  • Publication number: 20190258330
    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 PO 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: April 30, 2019
    Publication date: August 22, 2019
    Applicant: SIGMASENSE, LLC.
    Inventors: Patrick Troy Gray, Michael Gray
  • Publication number: 20190171331
    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: January 22, 2019
    Publication date: June 6, 2019
    Applicant: SIGMASENSE, LLC.
    Inventors: Patrick Troy Gray, Phuong Huynh
  • Patent number: 10296108
    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/O 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: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2019
    Assignee: SIGMASENSE, LLC.
    Inventors: Patrick Troy Gray, Michael Gray
  • Publication number: 20190087042
    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: September 14, 2018
    Publication date: March 21, 2019
    Applicant: SIGMASENSE, LLC.
    Inventors: Daniel Keith Van Ostrand, Michael Shawn Gray, Kevin Joseph Derichs
  • Publication number: 20180364859
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: August 22, 2018
    Publication date: December 20, 2018
    Applicant: SIGMASENSE, LLC.
    Inventor: Patrick Troy Gray
  • Publication number: 20180364861
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: August 22, 2018
    Publication date: December 20, 2018
    Applicant: SIGMASENSE, LLC.
    Inventor: Patrick Troy Gray