Patents by Inventor Alexander Latham
Alexander Latham has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).
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Patent number: 11953395Abstract: Differential magnetic field torque sensors include first and second magnetic field concentrators that guide magnetic flux to a magnetic field sensor from first and second magnetic field directors and a target, such as a multipole magnet assembly configured as a ring magnet. The magnetic field concentrators have pairs of sections that are interdigitated and configured adjacent to magnetic field sensing elements of the magnetic field sensor. The magnetic field directors can each have a plurality of teeth, which can be interdigitated and adjacent or proximate to the target. The magnetic field directors can be configured to be mounted as a unit to a rotatable shaft while the target can be configured to be mounted to a different rotatable shaft. The magnetic field concentrators and magnetic field sensor can be fixed while the magnetic field directors and target can rotate with respect to each other about a twist axis.Type: GrantFiled: March 18, 2022Date of Patent: April 9, 2024Assignee: Allegro MicroSystems, LLCInventor: Alexander Latham
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Patent number: 11885645Abstract: A sensor includes a sensing element configured to generate a sensing element output signal indicative of a sensed parameter and a signal path responsive to the sensing element output signal and having at least one of an adjustable gain or an adjustable offset, wherein the signal path is configured to generate a sensor output signal indicative of the sensed parameter. A supply voltage detector is configured to generate a supply voltage signal indicative of which of a plurality of voltage ranges a supply voltage of the sensor falls within and at least one of the adjustable gain or the adjustable offset is adjustable in response to the supply voltage signal.Type: GrantFiled: June 17, 2021Date of Patent: January 30, 2024Assignee: Allegro MicroSystems, LLCInventors: Alexander Latham, Evan Shorman, Michael C. Doogue
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Patent number: 11885866Abstract: Auto-calibrating current sensor integrated circuits (ICs) are configured for mounting at a position relative to a conductor. The auto-calibrating current sensor ICs can include a plurality of magnetic field sensing elements disposed at different locations within the integrated circuit, respectively, and can be configured to measure a magnetic field produced by a current carried by the conductor. The auto-calibrating sensors can include an electromagnetic model of the IC and the conductor. The model can be operative to determine a magnetic field at points in space due to a given current in the conductor at a known location of the conductor from the IC, and also the inverse situation of determining an unknown current and/or location of the conductor based on measurements of a magnetic field at known locations in space due to an unknown current in the conductor. Related auto-calibration methods are also described.Type: GrantFiled: May 31, 2022Date of Patent: January 30, 2024Assignee: Allegro MicroSystems, LLCInventors: Yannick Vuillermet, Loïc André Messier, Simon E. Rock, Maxwell McNally, Alexander Latham, Andreas P. Friedrich
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Publication number: 20240027560Abstract: Auto-calibrating current sensor integrated circuits (ICs) are configured for mounting at a position relative to a conductor. The auto-calibrating current sensor ICs can include a plurality of magnetic field sensing elements disposed at different locations within the integrated circuit, respectively, and can be configured to measure a magnetic field produced by a current carried by the conductor. The auto-calibrating sensors can include an electromagnetic model of the IC and the conductor. The model can be operative to determine a magnetic field at points in space due to a given current in the conductor at a known location of the conductor from the IC, and also the inverse situation of determining an unknown current and/or location of the conductor based on measurements of a magnetic field at known locations in space due to an unknown current in the conductor. Related auto-calibration methods are also described.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 4, 2023Publication date: January 25, 2024Applicant: Allegro MicroSystems, LLCInventors: Yannick Vuillermet, Loïc André Messier, Simon E. Rock, Maxwell McNally, Alexander Latham, Andreas P. Friedrich
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Publication number: 20240003995Abstract: A current sensor IC includes a lead frame having a die attach pad and elongated leads extending in a single direction with respect to the die attach pad, a semiconductor die having a first surface attached to the die attach pad and a second, opposing surface supporting magnetic field sensing elements, and a non-conductive mold material. A first portion of the mold material encloses the semiconductor die and the die attach pad, a second portion of the mold material encloses a portion of the elongated leads, and the mold material further includes a wing structure between the first portion and the second portion. In assembly, the first portion of the mold material extends into a cutout through a current conductor and the wing structure abuts a surface of the conductor. The current sensor can implement differential sensing based on signals from at least two magnetic field sensing elements.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 1, 2022Publication date: January 4, 2024Applicant: Allegro MicroSystems, LLCInventors: Simon E. Rock, Georges El Bacha, Shaun D. Milano, Loïc André Messier, Alexander Latham, Maxwell McNally, Shixi Louis Liu
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Publication number: 20240004016Abstract: Auto-calibrating current sensor integrated circuits (ICs) are configured for mounting at a position relative to a conductor. The auto-calibrating current sensor ICs can include a plurality of magnetic field sensing elements disposed at different locations within the integrated circuit, respectively, and can be configured to measure a magnetic field produced by a current carried by the conductor. The auto-calibrating sensors can include an electromagnetic model of the IC and the conductor. The model can be operative to determine a magnetic field at points in space due to a given current in the conductor at a known location of the conductor from the IC, and also the inverse situation of determining an unknown current and/or location of the conductor based on measurements of a magnetic field at known locations in space due to an unknown current in the conductor. Related auto-calibration methods are also described.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 31, 2022Publication date: January 4, 2024Applicant: Allegro MicroSystems, LLCInventors: Yannick Vuillermet, Loïc André Messier, Simon E. Rock, Maxwell McNally, Alexander Latham, Andreas P. Friedrich
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Publication number: 20230417579Abstract: A system, comprising a target, a first receiving coil array, and a second receiving coil array. The target includes: (i) a first array of conductive features that are arranged in a line or arc and separated from one another by voids, and (ii) a second array of conductive features that are arranged in a line or arc and separated from one another by voids, the conductive features in the first array being staggered with respect to the conductive features in the second array.; The first receiving coil array is configured to sense a first magnetic field that is associated with the first array of conductive features. The second receiving coil array is configured to sense a second magnetic field that is associated with the second array of conductive features.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 28, 2022Publication date: December 28, 2023Applicant: Allegro MicroSystems, LLCInventors: Alexander Latham, Rémy Lassalle-Balier
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Publication number: 20230400537Abstract: In one aspect, a magnetic field current sensor includes an annihilation detector. The annihilation detector includes an annihilation bridge that includes magnetoresistance elements. The annihilation detector also includes a current bridge that includes at least two of the magnetoresistance elements, a first comparator configured to compare an output signal from the annihilation bridge and a second comparator configured to compare an output signal from the current bridge. An output of the annihilation detector indicates whether an annihilation exists in one or more of the magnetoresistance elements using at least one of the outputs signals of the first and second comparators.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 10, 2022Publication date: December 14, 2023Applicant: Allegro MicroSystems, LLCInventors: Rémy Lassalle-Balier, Alexander Latham
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Publication number: 20230375644Abstract: A magnetic field sensor includes a first coil responsive to a first AC coil drive signal having a first frequency, a magnetic field sensing element responsive to a sensing element drive signal and configured to simultaneously detect a directly coupled magnetic field generated by the first coil and a reflected magnetic field generated by an eddy current induced in a conductive target by the first coil, the conductive target disposed proximate to the magnetic field sensing element, the magnetic field sensing element further configured to generate a magnetic field signal, a second coil responsive to a second AC coil drive signal having a second frequency that is the same as the first frequency and current sensing circuitry configured to measure a magnitude of the second AC coil drive signal that causes the magnetic field signal to be approximately zero.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 7, 2023Publication date: November 23, 2023Applicants: Allegro MicroSystems, LLC, Commissariat à l'énergie atomique et aux énergies alternativesInventors: Alexander Latham, Claude Fermon, Jason Boudreau, Myriam Pannetier-Lecoeur, Bryan Cadugan, Hernán D. Romero
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Patent number: 11800813Abstract: Methods and apparatus for providing a high isolation current sensor. In embodiments, a current sensor includes a leadframe having a current conductor first portion and a second portion, a magnetic field sensing element positioned in relation to the current conductor for detecting a magnetic generated by current flow through the current conductor, and a die supported by at least a portion of the first and/or second portions of the leadframe, wherein the first portion of the lead frame includes an isolation region aligned with a first edge of the die. In embodiments, a current sensor includes SOI processing and features to enhance active layer isolation.Type: GrantFiled: May 29, 2020Date of Patent: October 24, 2023Assignee: Allegro MicroSystems, LLCInventors: Alexander Latham, Natasha Healey
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Publication number: 20230332878Abstract: In one aspect, an angle sensor includes a first plurality of magnetoresistance elements located at a first location on an axis and a second plurality of magnetoresistance elements located at a second location on the axis. The first plurality of magnetoresistance elements includes a first one or more magnetoresistance elements each having a reference direction in a first direction; and a second one or more magnetoresistance elements each having a reference direction in a second direction. The second plurality of magnetoresistance elements includes a third one or more magnetoresistance elements each having a reference direction in the first direction, and a fourth one or more magnetoresistance elements each having a reference direction in the second direction. The angle sensor senses movement of a magnetic target, and the magnetic target is a ring magnet or a single pole magnet.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 20, 2023Publication date: October 19, 2023Applicant: Allegro MicroSystems, LLCInventors: Rémy Lassalle-Balier, Solène Bastien, Paul A. David, Maxime Rioult, Alexander Latham, Shaun Veilleux
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Publication number: 20230319025Abstract: Methods and systems for unique session number sharing to ensure traceability are discussed herein. According to an implementation, a user sends a request to login a browser from a user equipment to a server device. The server device validates a user credential associated with the browser by comparing the user credential with pre-stored user registration information. Once the user credential is validated, the server device generates a session with a unique session number (USN) with respect to the request. The server device generates a plurality of logs with respect to the activities occurred during the session and associates the USN with each of the multiple logs. The USN is further included in an access token that authorizes the user to access the websites hosted by the browser.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 31, 2022Publication date: October 5, 2023Inventors: Nilay Srivastava, Michael Engan, Jiawen Tu, James Alexander Latham
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Publication number: 20230314483Abstract: A current sensor IC includes a unitary lead frame having a primary conductor with a first thickness and a secondary lead having a second thickness less than the first thickness. A semiconductor die adjacent to the primary conductor includes a magnetic field sensing circuit to sense a magnetic field associated with the current and generate a secondary signal indicative of the current. An insulation structure is disposed between the primary conductor and the die. A mold material encloses a first portion of the secondary lead and a second portion of the secondary lead that is exposed outside of the package has the second thickness.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 30, 2022Publication date: October 5, 2023Applicant: Allegro MicroSystems, LLCInventors: Shixi Louis Liu, Maxwell McNally, Alexander Latham
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Patent number: 11768230Abstract: A current sensor IC includes a unitary lead frame having a primary conductor with a first thickness and a secondary lead having a second thickness less than the first thickness. A semiconductor die adjacent to the primary conductor includes a magnetic field sensing circuit to sense a magnetic field associated with the current and generate a secondary signal indicative of the current. An insulation structure is disposed between the primary conductor and the die. A mold material encloses a first portion of the secondary lead and a second portion of the secondary lead that is exposed outside of the package has the second thickness.Type: GrantFiled: March 30, 2022Date of Patent: September 26, 2023Assignee: Allegro MicroSystems, LLCInventors: Shixi Louis Liu, Maxwell McNally, Alexander Latham
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Patent number: 11768256Abstract: A magnetic field sensor includes at least one coil responsive to an AC coil drive signal; at least one magnetic field sensing element responsive to a sensing element drive signal and configured to detect a directly coupled magnetic field generated by the at least one coil and to generate a magnetic field signal in response to the directly coupled magnetic field; a processor responsive to the magnetic field signal to compute a sensitivity value associated with detection of the directly coupled magnetic field and substantially independent of a reflected magnetic field reflected by a conductive target disposed proximate to the at least one magnetic field sensing element; and an output signal generator configured to generate an output signal of the magnetic field sensor indicative of the reflected magnetic field.Type: GrantFiled: July 1, 2022Date of Patent: September 26, 2023Assignees: Allegro MicroSystems, LLC, Commissariat à l'énergie atomique et aux énergies alternativesInventors: Alexander Latham, Claude Fermon, Jason Boudreau, Myriam Pannetier-Lecoeur, Bryan Cadugan, Hernán D. Romero
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Publication number: 20230296459Abstract: Differential magnetic field torque sensors include first and second magnetic field concentrators that guide magnetic flux to a magnetic field sensor from first and second magnetic field directors and a target, such as a multipole magnet assembly configured as a ring magnet. The magnetic field concentrators have pairs of sections that are interdigitated and configured adjacent to magnetic field sensing elements of the magnetic field sensor. The magnetic field directors can each have a plurality of teeth, which can be interdigitated and adjacent or proximate to the target. The magnetic field directors can be configured to be mounted as a unit to a rotatable shaft while the target can be configured to be mounted to a different rotatable shaft. The magnetic field concentrators and magnetic field sensor can be fixed while the magnetic field directors and target can rotate with respect to each other about a twist axis.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 18, 2022Publication date: September 21, 2023Applicant: Allegro MicroSystems, LLCInventor: Alexander Latham
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Publication number: 20230258515Abstract: Systems, methods, and apparatus for differential magnetic field torque sensors that include first and second magnetic targets for coupling to one or more rotatable shafts. The magnetic targets can include multipole ring magnets having a plurality of alternating magnetic domains. First and second differential magnetic field angular position sensors positioned proximate to the magnetic targets produce angular position of the targets and a processing unit is operative to receive an angular position from each of the first and second differential magnetic field angular position sensors and determine a difference between the angular positions. The difference corresponds to an angle between the targets, and the processing unit is operative to calculate, based on the angle, a torque applied to the one or more rotatable shafts.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 16, 2022Publication date: August 17, 2023Applicant: Allegro MicroSystems, LLCInventors: Till-Jonas Ostermann, Alexander Latham
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Publication number: 20230245109Abstract: Described herein are techniques, devices, and systems for utilizing account number pins to generate enhanced tokens for user authentication. Tokens may be enhanced by a telecommunication service provider in response to the account number pins being received and validated. The enhanced tokens may be utilized for different types of processes associated with requests received from user equipment, customer care devices, and/or retail devices.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 3, 2022Publication date: August 3, 2023Inventors: Nilay Srivastava, Julia Channelle Buis, Ganesamoorthy K. Kuduva, James Alexander Latham
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Patent number: 11662260Abstract: Methods and apparatus for linear inductive torque sensing that may include transmitting an AC magnetic field with a transmit coil toward a conductive target and receiving a field reflected by the conductive target with a receive coil, wherein the conductive target comprises first and second targets positioned with respect to each other and each shaped to linearly increase or decrease an amount of conductive area of the conductive target due to relative movement of the first and second targets which changes an amount of the field reflected by the conductive target. A signal from the receive coil can be processed to determine a relative position of the first and second targets corresponding to an amount of torque on an elongate member connected to the first and second targets. In other embodiments, a change in inductance of the transmit coil is measured to determine relative target position.Type: GrantFiled: September 3, 2021Date of Patent: May 30, 2023Assignee: Allegro MicroSystems, LLCInventors: Alexander Latham, Hernán D. Romero
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Publication number: 20230077015Abstract: Methods and apparatus for linear inductive torque sensing that may include transmitting an AC magnetic field with a transmit coil toward a conductive target and receiving a field reflected by the conductive target with a receive coil, wherein the conductive target comprises first and second targets positioned with respect to each other and each shaped to linearly increase or decrease an amount of conductive area of the conductive target due to relative movement of the first and second targets which changes an amount of the field reflected by the conductive target. A signal from the receive coil can be processed to determine a relative position of the first and second targets corresponding to an amount of torque on an elongate member connected to the first and second targets. In other embodiments, a change in inductance of the transmit coil is measured to determine relative target position.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 3, 2021Publication date: March 9, 2023Applicant: Allegro MicroSystems, LLCInventors: Alexander Latham, Hernán D. Romero