Patents Assigned to SIGMASENSE, LLC.
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Publication number: 20240113719Abstract: An analog to digital converter (ADC) senses an analog signal (e.g., a load current) to generate a digital signal. The ADC operates based on a load voltage produced based on charging of an element (e.g., a capacitor) by a load current and a digital to analog converter (DAC) output current (e.g., from a N-bit DAC). The ADC generates a digital output signal representative of a difference between the load voltage and a reference voltage. This digital output signal is used directly, or after digital signal processing, to operate an N-bit DAC to generate a DAC output current that tracks the load current. The digital output signal provided to the N-bit DAC is an inverse function of the load current. The ADC is operative to sense very low currents (e.g., currents as low as is of pico-amps) and consume very little power (e.g., less than 2 ?W).Type: ApplicationFiled: December 5, 2023Publication date: April 4, 2024Applicant: SIGMASENSE, LLC.Inventor: Phuong Huynh
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Patent number: 11947746Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: December 6, 2022Date of Patent: April 2, 2024Assignee: SIGMASENSE, LLC.Inventors: Patrick Troy Gray, Gerald Dale Morrison, Daniel Keith Van Ostrand, Richard Stuart Seger, Jr., Michael Shawn Gray, Kevin Joseph Derichs
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Patent number: 11949244Abstract: 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: October 21, 2021Date of Patent: April 2, 2024Assignee: SIGMASENSE, LLC.Inventors: John Christopher Price, Daniel Keith Van Ostrand, Phuong Huynh
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Publication number: 20240103664Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: December 6, 2023Publication date: March 28, 2024Applicant: SIGMASENSE, LLC.Inventors: Patrick Troy Gray, Daniel Keith Van Ostrand, Richard Stuart Seger, JR., Phuong Huynh
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Publication number: 20240103658Abstract: 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: December 5, 2023Publication date: March 28, 2024Applicant: SIGMASENSE, LLC.Inventor: Kevin Joseph Derichs
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Patent number: 11942793Abstract: 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: October 19, 2021Date of Patent: March 26, 2024Assignee: SIGMASENSE, LLC.Inventors: John Christopher Price, Daniel Keith Van Ostrand, Phuong Huynh
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Patent number: 11940504Abstract: 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: July 29, 2021Date of Patent: March 26, 2024Assignee: SIGMASENSE, LLC.Inventors: Patrick Troy Gray, Gerald Dale Morrison, Daniel Keith Van Ostrand, Richard Stuart Seger, Jr.
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Patent number: 11942794Abstract: 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: November 17, 2021Date of Patent: March 26, 2024Assignee: SIGMASENSE, LLC.Inventors: John Christopher Price, Daniel Keith Van Ostrand, Phuong Huynh
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Patent number: 11942967Abstract: An analog to digital converter (ADC) that is configured to service a photo-diode includes a capacitor and a self-referenced latched comparator. The capacitor produces a photo-diode voltage based on charging by a photo-diode current associated with the photo-diode and a digital to analog converter (DAC) source current and/or a DAC sink current. The self-referenced latched comparator generates a first digital signal that is based on a difference between the photo-diode voltage and a threshold voltage associated with the self-referenced latched comparator. Also, one or more processing modules executes operational instructions to process the first digital signal to generate a second digital signal and/or a third digital signal. An N-bit DAC generates the DAC source current based on the second digital signal, and an M-bit DAC generates the DAC sink current based on the third digital signal. The DAC source current and/or the DAC sink current tracks the photo-diode current.Type: GrantFiled: January 4, 2023Date of Patent: March 26, 2024Assignee: SIGMASENSE, LLC.Inventor: Phuong Huynh
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Publication number: 20240094854Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: November 27, 2023Publication date: March 21, 2024Applicant: 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
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Patent number: 11935397Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: December 30, 2019Date of Patent: March 19, 2024Assignee: 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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Patent number: 11933607Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: March 30, 2023Date of Patent: March 19, 2024Assignee: SIGMASENSE, LLC.Inventors: Patrick Troy Gray, Gerald Dale Morrison, Daniel Keith Van Ostrand, Richard Stuart Seger, Jr., Shayne X Short, Timothy W. Markison
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Patent number: 11929629Abstract: 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: January 6, 2023Date of Patent: March 12, 2024Assignee: SIGMASENSE, LLC.Inventors: John Christopher Price, Daniel Keith Van Ostrand, Phuong Huynh
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Patent number: 11922800Abstract: A test system includes a testing base including a plurality of testing base containers, and a plurality of electrodes integrated into the plurality of testing base containers. 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: GrantFiled: April 29, 2021Date of Patent: March 5, 2024Assignee: 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
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Patent number: 11921949Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: March 31, 2023Date of Patent: March 5, 2024Assignee: SIGMASENSE, LLCInventor: Kevin Joseph Derichs
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Patent number: 11907450Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: February 1, 2023Date of Patent: February 20, 2024Assignee: SIGMASENSE, LLC.Inventors: Patrick Troy Gray, Gerald Dale Morrison, Daniel Keith Van Ostrand, Richard Stuart Seger, Jr., Michael Shawn Gray, Kevin Joseph Derichs
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Patent number: 11906587Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: October 28, 2022Date of Patent: February 20, 2024Assignee: 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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Patent number: 11907471Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: March 31, 2021Date of Patent: February 20, 2024Assignee: SIGMASENSE, LLC.Inventors: Patrick Troy Gray, Gerald Dale Morrison, Daniel Keith Van Ostrand, Richard Stuart Seger, Jr.
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Patent number: 11896367Abstract: A method includes obtaining foot force data that is created by sampling, in accordance with a sampling signal, data from a plurality of pressure sensing elements of a shoe sensor system, where the plurality of pressure sensing elements are distributed in a pattern having a first pressure sensing element at a fifth metatarsal area of a lateral wall of an insole of a shoe associated with the shoe sensor system, and a second pressure sensing element at a first metatarsal area of a medial wall of the insole. The method further includes processing the foot force data to determine a horizontal force of a foot of a user of the shoe sensor system while the user is performing a movement while wearing the shoe.Type: GrantFiled: September 27, 2021Date of Patent: February 13, 2024Assignee: SIGMASENSE, LLC.Inventors: Timothy W. Markison, Sayfe Kiaei, Gary McCoy
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Wheatstone Bridge High Accuracy Impedance Sensing Circuit with Increased Signal to Noise Ratio (SNR)
Publication number: 20240044952Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: June 8, 2023Publication date: February 8, 2024Applicant: SIGMASENSE, LLC.Inventor: Phuong Huynh