Patents by Inventor Steven E. Snyder

Steven E. Snyder 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).

  • Patent number: 11585868
    Abstract: Systems, methods, and apparatuses for magnetic field sensors with self-test include a detection circuit to detect speed and direction of a target. One or more circuits to test accuracy of the detected speed and direction may be included. One or more circuits to test accuracy of an oscillator may also be included. One or more circuits to test the accuracy of an analog-to-digital converter may also be included. Additionally, one or more IDDQ and/or built-in-self test (BIST) circuits may be included.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2023
    Assignee: Allegro MicroSystems, LLC
    Inventors: P. Karl Scheller, James E. Burgess, Steven E. Snyder, Kristann L. Moody, Devon Fernandez, Andrea Foletto
  • Patent number: 11454521
    Abstract: A magnetic field sensor for detecting motion of an object includes one or more magnetic field sensing elements configured to generate a magnetic field signal in response to a magnetic field associated with the motion of the object and a detector responsive to the magnetic field signal and to a threshold signal and configured to generate a comparison signal having edges occurring in response to a comparison of the magnetic field signal to the threshold signal. A threshold generator is configured to generate the threshold signal at a first level when a peak-to-peak value of the magnetic field signal is greater than a first predetermined value and at a second level when the peak-to-peak value of the magnetic field signal is less than a second predetermined value different than the first predetermined value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 2020
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2022
    Assignee: Allegro MicroSystems, LLC
    Inventors: Philip Suyderhoud, Logan G. Stewart, Steven E. Snyder
  • Publication number: 20220107207
    Abstract: A magnetic field sensor for detecting motion of an object includes one or more magnetic field sensing elements configured to generate a magnetic field signal in response to a magnetic field associated with the motion of the object and a detector responsive to the magnetic field signal and to a threshold signal and configured to generate a comparison signal having edges occurring in response to a comparison of the magnetic field signal to the threshold signal. A threshold generator is configured to generate the threshold signal at a first level when a peak-to-peak value of the magnetic field signal is greater than a first predetermined value and at a second level when the peak-to-peak value of the magnetic field signal is less than a second predetermined value different than the first predetermined value.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 1, 2020
    Publication date: April 7, 2022
    Applicant: Allegro MicroSystems, LLC
    Inventors: Philip Suyderhoud, Logan G. Stewart, Steven E. Snyder
  • Patent number: 11029370
    Abstract: A sensor configured to generate a sensor output signal at a sensor output coupled to a pull up voltage through a pull up resistor includes a sensing element configured to generate a sensing element output signal indicative of a sensed parameter and a processor responsive to the sensing element output signal and configured to generate a processor output signal indicative of the sensed parameter. A digital output controller is responsive to the processor output signal and to a digital feedback signal and is configured to generate a controller output signal. An analog output driver is responsive to the controller output signal and configured to generate the sensor output signal at a first predetermined level or at a second predetermined level and a feedback circuit coupled between the sensor output and the digital output controller is configured to generate the digital feedback signal in response to the sensor output signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 8, 2021
    Assignee: Allegro MicroSystems, LLC
    Inventors: Jonathan Zimmermann, Steven E. Snyder, Pablo Daniel Pareja Obregón
  • Patent number: 10866288
    Abstract: A sensor is provided to include: a sampling clock circuit generating a sample clock signal with a predetermined sample clock period; a system clock circuit generating a system clock signal with a predetermined system clock period, wherein a value of the system clock period is less than a value of the sample clock period; a sensor circuit generating, during each sample clock period, a sensor signal representing a position of an object; a sampling circuit receiving the sensor signal and generate sample signal value in response; an interpolation circuit determining a first difference between a current sample signal and a previous sample signal, determining a second difference between a switchpoint threshold value and the previous sample signal, and determining a delay count based upon a ratio of the first difference and the second difference; and a switchpoint signal circuit generating a switchpoint signal based upon the delay count.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 15, 2020
    Assignee: Allegro MicroSystems, LLC
    Inventor: Steven E. Snyder
  • Publication number: 20200379061
    Abstract: Systems, methods, and apparatuses for magnetic field sensors with self-test include a detection circuit to detect speed and direction of a target. One or more circuits to test accuracy of the detected speed and direction may be included. One or more circuits to test accuracy of an oscillator may also be included. One or more circuits to test the accuracy of an analog-to-digital converter may also be included. Additionally, one or more IDDQ and/or built-in-self test (BIST) circuits may be included.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 17, 2020
    Publication date: December 3, 2020
    Applicant: Allegro MicroSystems, LLC
    Inventors: P. Karl Scheller, James E. Burgess, Steven E. Snyder, Kristann L. Moody, Devon Fernandez, Andrea Foletto
  • Publication number: 20200363481
    Abstract: A sensor is provided to include: a sampling clock circuit generating a sample clock signal with a predetermined sample clock period; a system clock circuit generating a system clock signal with a predetermined system clock period, wherein a value of the system clock period is less than a value of the sample clock period; a sensor circuit generating, during each sample clock period, a sensor signal representing a position of an object; a sampling circuit receiving the sensor signal and generate sample signal value in response; an interpolation circuit determining a first difference between a current sample signal and a previous sample signal, determining a second difference between a switchpoint threshold value and the previous sample signal, and determining a delay count based upon a ratio of the first difference and the second difference; and a switchpoint signal circuit generating a switchpoint signal based upon the delay count.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 14, 2019
    Publication date: November 19, 2020
    Applicant: Allegro MicroSystems, LLC
    Inventor: Steven E. Snyder
  • Patent number: 10797851
    Abstract: A method for synchronization of an input signal includes providing the input signal to a first signal path associated with a first clock and to a second signal path associated with a second clock, detecting an edge of the input signal by detecting values of the input signal along the first signal path at a first rising edge of the first clock and at a second rising edge of the first clock, detecting a value of the input signal along the second signal path at an edge of the second clock, and selecting the input signal from the first signal path or from the second signal path according to the detected value of the input signal along the second path when an edge of the input signal along the first path is detected.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 6, 2020
    Assignee: Allegro MicroSystems, LLC
    Inventors: Jay M. Towne, Steven E. Snyder, Steven Ricco, Matthew Nealon
  • Patent number: 10782363
    Abstract: Systems, methods, and apparatuses for magnetic field sensors with self-test include a detection circuit to detect speed and direction of a target. One or more circuits to test accuracy of the detected speed and direction may be included. One or more circuits to test accuracy of an oscillator may also be included. One or more circuits to test the accuracy of an analog-to-digital converter may also be included. Additionally, one or more IDDQ and/or built-in-self test (BIST) circuits may be included.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 22, 2020
    Assignee: Allegro MicroSystems, LLC
    Inventors: P. Karl Scheller, James E. Burgess, Steven E. Snyder, Kristann L. Moody, Devon Fernandez, Andrea Foletto
  • Publication number: 20190334692
    Abstract: A method for synchronization of an input signal includes providing the input signal to a first signal path associated with a first clock and to a second signal path associated with a second clock, detecting an edge of the input signal by detecting values of the input signal along the first signal path at a first rising edge of the first clock and at a second rising edge of the first clock, detecting a value of the input signal along the second signal path at an edge of the second clock, and selecting the input signal from the first signal path or from the second signal path according to the detected value of the input signal along the second path when an edge of the input signal along the first path is detected.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 30, 2018
    Publication date: October 31, 2019
    Applicant: Allegro MicroSystems, LLC
    Inventors: Jay M. Towne, Steven E. Snyder, Steven Ricco, Matthew Nealon
  • Patent number: 10156461
    Abstract: A magnetic field sensor for detecting motion of an object includes error detection circuiting and processing. Magnetic field sensing elements are configured to generate at least two magnetic field signals in response to a magnetic field associated with the object which signals are used by detectors to generate right and left channel signals with edges indicative of motion of the object. A direction calculation processor responsive to right and left channel signals generates a direction signal having a state indicative of a direction of motion of the object and an output signal generator generates an output signal having a pulse indicative of the direction of motion of the object in response to the direction signal. An error detection processor responsive to the output signal and to the direction signal is configured to detect an error in at least one of the direction signal and the output signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 18, 2018
    Assignee: Allegro MicroSystems, LLC
    Inventors: Steven E. Snyder, Craig McConnell, Peter G. Wells
  • Publication number: 20180088184
    Abstract: Systems, methods, and apparatuses for magnetic field sensors with self-test include a detection circuit to detect speed and direction of a target. One or more circuits to test accuracy of the detected speed and direction may be included. One or more circuits to test accuracy of an oscillator may also be included. One or more circuits to test the accuracy of an analog-to-digital converter may also be included. Additionally, one or more IDDQ and/or built-in-self test (BIST) circuits may be included.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 17, 2017
    Publication date: March 29, 2018
    Applicant: Allegro MicroSystems, LLC
    Inventors: P. Karl Scheller, James E. Burgess, Steven E. Snyder, Kristann L. Moody, Devon Fernandez, Andrea Foletto
  • Patent number: 9851416
    Abstract: Systems, methods and apparatuses for magnetic field sensors with self-test include a detection circuit to detect speed and direction of a target. One or more circuits to test accuracy of the detected speed and direction may be included. One or more circuits to test accuracy of an oscillator may also be included. One or more circuits to test the accuracy of an analog-to-digital converter may also be included. Additionally one or more IDDQ and/or built-in-self test (BEST) circuits may be included.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2017
    Assignee: Allegro MicroSystems, LLC
    Inventors: P. Karl Scheller, James E. Burgess, Steven E. Snyder, Kristann L. Moody, Devon Fernandez, Andrea Foletto
  • Patent number: 9778326
    Abstract: A magnetic field sensor uses upper and lower thresholds. The upper and lower thresholds are limited such that they have a minimum separation distance between equivalent voltage levels of the upper and lower thresholds.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2017
    Assignee: Allegro MicroSystems, LLC
    Inventors: Michael Chen, Eric Burdette, Devon Fernandez, Steven E. Snyder, Jacob Harer
  • Publication number: 20160123780
    Abstract: A magnetic field sensor for detecting motion of an object includes error detection circuiting and processing. Magnetic field sensing elements are configured to generate at least two magnetic field signals in response to a magnetic field associated with the object which signals are used by detectors to generate right and left channel signals with edges indicative of motion of the object. A direction calculation processor responsive to right and left channel signals generates a direction signal having a state indicative of a direction of motion of the object and an output signal generator generates an output signal having a pulse indicative of the direction of motion of the object in response to the direction signal. An error detection processor responsive to the output signal and to the direction signal is configured to detect an error in at least one of the direction signal and the output signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 31, 2014
    Publication date: May 5, 2016
    Applicant: Allegro Microsystems, LLC
    Inventors: Steven E. Snyder, Craig McConnell, Peter G. Wells
  • Publication number: 20160025820
    Abstract: Systems, methods, and apparatuses for magnetic field sensors with self-test include a detection circuit to detect speed and direction of a target. One or more circuits to test accuracy of the detected speed and direction may be included. One or more circuits to test accuracy of an oscillator may also be included. One or more circuits to test the accuracy of an analog-to-digital converter may also be included. Additionally, one or more IDDQ and/or built-in-self test (BIST) circuits may be included.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 22, 2014
    Publication date: January 28, 2016
    Applicant: Allegro MicroSystems, LLC
    Inventors: P. Karl Scheller, James E. Burgess, Steven E. Snyder, Kristann L. Moody, Devon Fernandez, Andrea Foletto
  • Publication number: 20150260803
    Abstract: A magnetic field sensor uses upper and lower thresholds. The upper and lower thresholds are limited such that they have a minimum separation distance between equivalent voltage levels of the upper and lower thresholds.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 20, 2015
    Publication date: September 17, 2015
    Applicant: Allegro Microsystems, LLC
    Inventors: Michael Chen, Eric Burdette, Devon Fernandez, Steven E. Snyder, Jacob Harer