Patents Assigned to SIGMASENSE, LLC.
  • Patent number: 11861082
    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: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2022
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2024
    Assignee: 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: 20230417531
    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: Application
    Filed: August 28, 2023
    Publication date: December 28, 2023
    Applicant: SIGMASENSE, LLC.
    Inventors: Patrick Troy Gray, Gerald Dale Morrison, Daniel Keith Van Ostrand, Richard Stuart Seger, JR., Shayne X. Short, Timothy W. Markison
  • Publication number: 20230409186
    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: August 28, 2023
    Publication date: December 21, 2023
    Applicant: SIGMASENSE, LLC.
    Inventors: Patrick Troy Gray, Gerald Dale Morrison, Daniel Keith Van Ostrand, Richard Stuart Seger, JR.
  • Publication number: 20230398362
    Abstract: A pacemaker system includes a drive-sense circuit (DSC) operably coupled to a pacemaker lead. The DSC generates a pace signal including electrical impulses based on a reference signal. The DSC provides the pace signal via the pacemaker lead to an electrically responsive portion of a cardiac conductive system of a subject to facilitate cardiac operation of a cardiovascular system of the subject. The DSC senses, via the pacemaker lead, cardiac electrical activity of the cardiovascular system of the subject that is generated in response to the pace signal and electrically coupled into the pacemaker lead and generates a digital signal that is representative of the cardiac electrical activity of the cardiovascular system of the subject that is sensed via the pacemaker lead. The DSC provides digital information to one or more processing modules that includes and/or is coupled to memory and that provide the reference signal to the DSC.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 21, 2023
    Publication date: December 14, 2023
    Applicant: SIGMASENSE, LLC.
    Inventors: John Christopher Price, Shayne X. Short, Timothy W. Markison
  • Publication number: 20230400822
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: August 28, 2023
    Publication date: December 14, 2023
    Applicant: SIGMASENSE, LLC.
    Inventors: Patrick Troy Gray, Gerald Dale Morrison, Daniel Keith Van Ostrand, Richard Stuart Seger, JR.
  • Publication number: 20230400943
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: August 21, 2023
    Publication date: December 14, 2023
    Applicant: SIGMASENSE, LLC.
    Inventor: Kevin Joseph Derichs
  • Publication number: 20230393686
    Abstract: A touch sensor device (TSD) includes a panel and drive-sense circuits (DSCs). The panel includes electrodes, and the DSCs are operably coupled to the electrodes. A DSC is operably coupled via a single line to an electrode and is configured to provide a signal via the single line to the electrode and simultaneously to sense the signal via the single line. The sensing of the signal includes detection of an electrical characteristic of the electrode and/or a change of the signal. The DSC is also configured to generate a digital signal representative of the electrical characteristic of the electrode and/or the change of the signal. The TSD also includes one or more processing modules operably coupled to the DSCs and configured to execute operational instructions to process first digital signals generated by a first subset of the DSCs that includes fewer than all of the DSCs in a prioritized manner.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 1, 2023
    Publication date: December 7, 2023
    Applicant: SIGMASENSE, LLC.
    Inventors: Daniel Keith Van Ostrand, Richard Stuart Seger, JR., Kevin Joseph Derichs
  • Publication number: 20230367416
    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: July 19, 2023
    Publication date: November 16, 2023
    Applicant: SIGMASENSE, LLC.
    Inventors: Daniel Keith Van Ostrand, Richard Stuart Seger, Jr., Shayne X. Short, Ph.D., Timothy W. Markison
  • Publication number: 20230367414
    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: July 17, 2023
    Publication date: November 16, 2023
    Applicant: SIGMASENSE, LLC.
    Inventors: Patrick Troy Gray, Phuong Huynh
  • Publication number: 20230359344
    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: June 30, 2023
    Publication date: November 9, 2023
    Applicant: SIGMASENSE, LLC.
    Inventors: Patrick Troy Gray, Gerald Dale Morrison, Daniel Keith Van Ostrand, Richard Stuart Seger, JR.
  • Publication number: 20230359290
    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: Application
    Filed: July 17, 2023
    Publication date: November 9, 2023
    Applicant: SIGMASENSE, LLC.
    Inventors: Patrick Troy Gray, Michael Gray
  • Publication number: 20230359312
    Abstract: A pen for interacting with a touch screen of a computing device includes an alternating current coupling circuit and a sense-regulation circuit. The alternating current coupling circuit receives a sense signal from the touch screen. The alternating current coupling circuit transmits a transmit signal to the touch screen. The sense-regulation circuit receives the sense signal from the alternating current coupling circuit. The sense-regulation circuit receives a representation of transmit data. The sense-regulation circuit generates a comparison signal based on the sense signal and the representation of the transmit data. The sense-regulation circuit converts the representation of the transmit data into the transmit signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 23, 2023
    Publication date: November 9, 2023
    Applicant: SIGMASENSE, LLC.
    Inventors: Daniel Keith Van Ostrand, Michael Shawn Gray
  • Publication number: 20230358525
    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: Application
    Filed: June 30, 2023
    Publication date: November 9, 2023
    Applicant: SIGMASENSE, LLC.
    Inventors: Patrick Troy Gray, Gerald Dale Morrison, Daniel Keith Van Ostrand, Richard Stuart Seger, JR., Shayne X. Short, Timothy W. Markison
  • Publication number: 20230350527
    Abstract: A method for use in a touch-sensitive panel includes generating electric fields by applying drive signals to a plurality of row electrodes and a plurality of column electrodes included in the touch-sensitive panel, and sensing at least one information signal capacitively coupled to the touch-sensitive panel by detecting impedance changes associated with the plurality of row electrodes and the plurality of column electrodes. The impedance changes are converted to received data. Based on the received data a transmission pattern associated with the at least one information signal is determined. It is further determined that the transmission pattern corresponds to an identification code.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 3, 2023
    Publication date: November 2, 2023
    Applicant: SIGMASENSE, LLC.
    Inventors: Richard Stuart Seger, Jr., Michael Shawn Gray, Daniel Keith Van Ostrand, Patrick Troy Gray, Timothy W. Markison
  • Publication number: 20230350519
    Abstract: A touch sensor device (TSD) includes a panel that includes electrodes and drive-sense circuits (DSCs). Different electrodes may be implemented in different directions. A first DSC is operably coupled via a first single line to a first electrode, and a second DSC is operably coupled via a second single line to the panel. The DSCs operate by providing respective signals via the respective single lines and simultaneously sensing the signals. For example, sensing of a first signal of a first DSC includes detection of a first electrical characteristic of the first electrode and/or a first change of the first signal. Sensing of a second signal of the second DSC includes detection of coupling of another signal into the panel in accordance with digital data communication from another device to the TSD. The DSCs also generate respective digital signals based upon what they sense.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 27, 2023
    Publication date: November 2, 2023
    Applicant: SIGMASENSE, LLC.
    Inventor: Kevin Joseph Derichs
  • Patent number: 11797139
    Abstract: A fingerprint scanning device having a sensing area that includes a plurality of row electrodes and a plurality of column electrodes. The row electrodes and column electrodes are separated by a dielectric material and arranged in a crossing pattern in the sensing area. A plurality of drive-sense circuits drive sensor signals on the electrodes. In an embodiment, each of the drive-sense circuits is configured, when enabled, to drive a sensor signal on at least one electrode of the plurality of column electrodes or the plurality of row electrodes, the sensor signal including a drive signal component and a receive signal component. Each of the drive-sense circuits is further configured to generate, based on the receive signal component, a sensed signal representative of an impedance of the at least one electrode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2021
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2023
    Assignee: SIGMASENSE, LLC.
    Inventors: Daniel Keith Van Ostrand, Michael Shawn Gray, Patrick Troy Gray, Richard Stuart Seger, Jr.
  • Patent number: 11796581
    Abstract: A data sensing circuit including a reference signal circuit, a reference signal combining circuit, drive-sense circuits, an array of sensors, sets of digital filters, and a processing module. The processing module provides a reference control signal to the reference signal circuit operable to generate a plurality of reference signals based on the reference control signal. The reference signal combining circuit transmits sets of reference signals to the drive-sense circuits operably coupled to an array of sensor. When the sensor is exposed to a condition, and is receiving the signal from the drive-sense circuits, an electrical characteristic of the sensor affects the signal, which is interpreted by the drive-sense circuit and converted to a digital signal to be filtered by the set of digital filters generating a frequency response for the array of sensors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 2021
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2023
    Assignee: SIGMASENSE, LLC.
    Inventors: Daniel Keith Van Ostrand, Gerald Dale Morrison, Patrick Troy Gray, Richard Stuart Seger, Jr.
  • Patent number: 11789555
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2021
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2023
    Assignee: SIGMASENSE, LLC.
    Inventors: Patrick Troy Gray, Gerald Dale Morrison, Daniel Keith Van Ostrand, Richard Stuart Seger, Jr.
  • Patent number: 11789508
    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: July 28, 2021
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2023
    Assignee: SIGMASENSE, LLC.
    Inventors: Patrick Troy Gray, Gerald Dale Morrison, Daniel Keith Van Ostrand, Richard Stuart Seger, Jr.
  • Publication number: 20230324861
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: May 4, 2023
    Publication date: October 12, 2023
    Applicant: SIGMASENSE, LLC.
    Inventors: Patrick Troy Gray, Gerald Dale Morrison, Daniel Keith Van Ostrand, Richard Stuart Seger, JR.