Patent Description:
Through applied effort, ingenuity, and innovation, many of these identified problems have been solved by developing solutions that are included in embodiments of the present disclosure, many examples of which are described in detail herein.

Specific embodiments are defined in the dependent claims. Various embodiments described herein relate to resistance-based bridge circuits and to sensing methods, apparatuses, and systems (e.g., flow sensing components and pressure sensing components having sensing elements comprising resistance-based bridge circuits).

In accordance with various examples of the present disclosure, a controller component is provided. The example controller component may comprise: a resistance-based bridge circuit; a signal conditioning circuit configured to condition an output of the resistance-based bridge circuit; a first diagnostic circuit coupled to the signal conditioning circuit configured to monitor an output of a first branch of the resistance-based bridge circuit; and a second diagnostic circuit coupled to the signal conditioning circuit configured to monitor an output of a second branch of the resistance-based bridge circuit.

In accordance with various examples of the present disclosure, A method for providing offset calibration and detecting fault conditions using a controller component is provided. The method may comprise: monitoring, by a first diagnostic circuit of the controller component, a first branch of a resistance-based bridge circuit; and monitoring, by a second diagnostic circuit of the controller component, a second branch of the resistance-based bridge circuit, wherein the first diagnostic circuit and the second diagnostic circuit are electronically coupled to a signal conditioning circuit of the controller component, and the signal conditioning circuit is configured to condition an output of the resistance-based bridge circuit.

The components illustrated in the figures represent components that may or may not be present in various embodiments of the present disclosure described herein such that embodiments may include fewer or more components than those shown in the figures while not departing from the scope of the present disclosure. Some components may be omitted from one or more figures or shown in dashed line for visibility of the underlying components.

The phrases "in an example embodiment," "some embodiments," "various embodiments," and the like generally mean that the particular feature, structure, or characteristic following the phrase may be included in at least one embodiment of the present disclosure, and may be included in more than one embodiment of the present disclosure (importantly, such phrases do not necessarily refer to the same embodiment).

If the specification states a component or feature "may," "can," "could," "should," "would," "preferably," "possibly," "typically," "optionally," "for example," "often," or "might" (or other such language) be included or have a characteristic, that a specific component or feature is not required to be included or to have the characteristic. Such components or features may be optionally included in some embodiments, or may be excluded.

The terms "electronically coupled" or "in electronic communication with" in the present disclosure refer to two or more electrical elements (for example, but not limited to, an example processing circuitry, communication element, input/output element, memory, flame detecting component) and/or electric circuit(s) being connected through wired means (for example but not limited to, conductive wires or traces) and/or wireless means (for example but not limited to, wireless network, electromagnetic field), such that data and/or information (for example, electronic indications, signals) may be transmitted to and/or received from the electrical elements and/or electric circuit(s) that are electronically coupled.

The term "sensing component" may refer to a device (e.g., pressure sensing component, flow sensing component, magnetic-based sensing component, or the like) that is configured to detect/measure a mechanical output. In one example, a pressure sensing component may comprise a diaphragm and strain gages. The example diaphragm may be configured to deflect in response to an applied pressure causing a change in resistance(s) of the strain gages. Accordingly, the example pressure sending component may be configured to produce an output voltage or output current that is proportional to the detected mechanical pressure. In various embodiments, sensing components may comprise resistance-based bridge circuits (e.g., a Wheatstone bridge circuit) configured to detect/measure physical parameters (e.g., pressure).

By way of example, a pressure sensing component may comprise a Wheatstone bridge circuit excited by a constant voltage or current so as to produce an electrical output/signal. In response to an applied pressure, a first pair of strain gages of the example Wheatstone bridge circuit may be subjected to tension forces and a second pair of strain gages of the example Wheatstone bridge circuit may be subjected to compression forces. The example Wheatstone bridge circuit may comprise two parallel branches, each of which comprises two series arms (i.e., two resistors in series). In one of the series arms, parameter-responsive impedance (e.g., a temperature responsive resistor) may be connected. To determine the value of the variable impedance, and therefore the value of the parameter being monitored, the Wheatstone bridge circuit may be adjusted to be in a balanced state, whereby a null voltage is developed across a diagonal of the bridge (e.g., between taps on the two branches). The example Wheatstone bridge circuit may be activated to a balanced condition either manually or automatically, by adjusting values of impedances of the bridge. After balance has been achieved, the value of the variable parameter responsive impedance may be determined. From the determined value of the parameter responsive impedance, the value of the parameter may be calculated from a known relationship between the parameter value and the impedance value of the parameter responsive impedance.

As noted above, a Wheatstone bridge circuit may be used in sensing components to detect/measure physical parameters. Compensation of sensing components that include Wheatstone bridge circuits may utilize signal conditioning circuits implemented via programmable compensation integrated circuits (ICs) (e.g., application-specific integrated circuits (ASICs), programmable amplifiers and the like). These programmable circuits facilitate digital compensation of the circuitry of the sensing component and may be configured to generate an amplified voltage output. As such, an example ASIC may operate to produce an output signal that changes proportionally with the output of the example Wheatstone bridge circuit. An example programmable amplifier may, in some examples, produce a signal in a range of approximately <NUM> volts to <NUM> volts at approximately plus or minus <NUM> mA of current. The example ASIC may further be configured to condition/trim an output by using stored data (e.g., stored in an electrically erasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM)) to generate error-correction signals that are added to or subtracted from the output of the example Wheatstone bridge circuit.

In various examples, the electrical signal/output produced by an example resistance-based bridge circuit, such as a Wheatstone bridge circuit, may be miniscule and therefore detecting and/or monitoring this output within a system presents many technical challenges. For example, the example Wheatstone bridge circuit may have very large initial offset errors under a no load condition. In some examples, Wheatstone bridge circuits are manually compensated to eliminate offset errors during the manufacturing process, however manual compensation techniques may be expensive and time consuming. In some examples, a single branch (e.g., two series arm) of the example Wheatstone bridge circuit may be utilized to correct offset. However, such configurations are not suitable for providing additional diagnostics functions (e.g., detecting fault conditions). In many cases, additional dedicated circuitry may be provided for diagnostics and fault correction. However, such configurations increase the dimensions, complexity and production costs associated with the programmable circuit and/or component (e.g., sensing component).

In one example, flow sensing components may be utilized in a variety of applications including micropipetting, high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) applications, drug delivery, and/or the like. For example, an example flow sensing component may be implemented in an invasive or non-invasive drug delivery system to detect, measure, and/or identify a flow rate of a flowing media associated with the invasive or non-invasive drug delivery system. In such an example, an infusion pump may be implemented to deliver substance(s) (such as, but not limited to, fluids, medications and/or nutrients) into a patient's body in an invasive drug delivery system. The substance(s) may need to be delivered in controlled amounts. As such, an example flow sensing device may be implemented in the infusion pump to detect, measure, and/or identify the flow rate of substance(s) that may be delivered to the patient. In various examples, the flow rate of a flowing media may need to be precisely measured. As such, if an incorrect output is generated by an example flow sensing component comprising a resistance-based bridge circuit, a patient may be over-dosed or under-dosed, which may result in injuries and/or deaths.

In various examples, it may be difficult to detect/diagnose damage and/or a lost connection in sensing components comprising resistance-based bridge circuits (e.g., Wheatstone bridge circuits). For instance, if there is a break in connection between the example Wheatstone bridge circuit and signal conditioning circuit/programmable amplifier (e.g., ASIC), the output of the sensing circuit may go into an undefined state which may be hazardous in a variety of applications. Similarly, if a sensing element/component is damaged, the output generated by the component may be inaccurate. Additionally, a signal conditioning circuit/amplifier may have a limited input range such that it may be inefficient to utilize a substantial proportion of the available input range solely for offset correction.

In some examples, in order to detect faults, operations of an example sensing component may be periodically halted while a current is injected into the circuit. A fault or break may then be identified by detecting whether the injected current goes to ground. Since such configurations require that operations of the sensing component are halted in order to detect faults, these configurations are not optimal for a number of applications, including the drug delivery systems described above.

In accordance with various embodiments of the present disclosure, example methods, apparatuses and systems are provided.

In various embodiments, the present disclosure may provide a controller component, a resistance-based bridge circuit; a signal conditioning circuit configured to condition an output of the resistance-based bridge circuit; a first diagnostic circuit coupled to the signal conditioning circuit configured to monitor an output of a first branch of the In some examples, the controller component may comprise an ASIC or field-programmable gate array (FPGA). In some examples, the resistance-based bridge circuit may comprise a Wheatstone bridge circuit. The first branch may comprises a first two series arm of the Wheatstone bridge circuit, and the second branch may comprise a second two series arm of the Wheatstone bridge circuit. In some examples, the controller component may be configured as a flow sensing component, a pressure sensing component or a magnetic-based sensing component. In some examples, the controller component may be configured to detect a fault condition and an open connection condition. In some examples, the signal conditioning circuit may comprise a current mirror configuration. In some examples, the controller component may comprise a level-shifter element.

Using the apparatuses and techniques of the present disclosure, the ability to condition/trim an offset of a Wheatstone bridge circuit/sensing component and/or detect a lost connection between the example sensing component and a signal conditioning circuit (e.g., ASIC) is provided. Sensing components integrating such techniques are less complex than existing solutions and may be manufactured at a lower cost. Additionally, a large proportion of the amplitude input range may be preserved for operations other than offset correction. Further, faults and lost connections may be detected without ceasing operations of the example sensing component.

Referring now to <FIG>, an example schematic circuit diagram depicting an example resistance-based bridge circuit <NUM> in accordance with various embodiments of the present disclosure is provided. In various examples, the resistance-based bridge circuit <NUM> may be configured to detect/measure physical parameters. For instance, the resistance-based bridge circuit <NUM> may be utilized in a sensing component (e.g., pressure sensing component) to detect/measure physical parameters.

As depicted in <FIG>, the example resistance-based bridge circuit <NUM> comprises a Wheatstone bridge circuit. In particular, the example resistance-based bridge circuit <NUM> comprises a first bridge resistor <NUM>, a second bridge resistor <NUM>, a third bridge resistor <NUM> and a fourth bridge resistor <NUM>. As depicted, the first bridge resistor <NUM> and the third bridge resistor <NUM> may define a first branch of the resistance-based bridge circuit <NUM> (e.g., a first series arm). As further depicted, the second bridge resistor <NUM> and the fourth bridge resistor <NUM> may define a second branch of the resistance-based bridge circuit <NUM> (e.g., a second series arm). In some examples, as depicted in <FIG>, the example resistance-based bridge circuit <NUM> may be connected to a voltage input/source <NUM> and ground <NUM>. Additionally, as depicted, the example resistance-based bridge circuit <NUM> may comprise/define a positive output terminal/node <NUM> and a negative output terminal/node <NUM> for connecting to other processing circuitry (e.g., an ASIC). The example resistance-based bridge circuit <NUM> may provide electrical signal(s) indicative of a detected physical parameter (e.g., to the example ASIC) for further processing.

While some of the embodiments herein provide an example resistance-based bridge circuit <NUM>, it is noted that the present disclosure is not limited to such embodiments. For instance, in some examples, a resistance-based bridge circuit <NUM> in accordance with the present disclosure may comprise one or more additional and/or alternative elements, and/or may be structured/positioned differently than that illustrated in <FIG>.

Referring now to <FIG>, an example schematic circuit diagram depicting at least a portion of a controller component <NUM> (e.g., an ASIC) in accordance with various embodiments of the present disclosure is provided. In particular, as depicted, the portion of the example controller component <NUM> comprises a first diagnostic circuit <NUM> and a second diagnostic circuit <NUM>. In various embodiments, each of the first diagnostic circuit <NUM> and the second diagnostic circuit <NUM> may be configured to detect an output of a respective branch (e.g., two series arm) of an example resistance-based bridge circuit (e.g., Wheatstone bridge circuit). For example, as depicted, the first diagnostic circuit <NUM> may be connected to a positive terminal <NUM> of a first branch of the example resistance-based bridge circuit (e.g., Wheatstone bridge circuit). Similar, as further depicted, the second diagnostic circuit <NUM> may be connected to a negative terminal <NUM> of a second branch of the example resistance-based bridge circuit (e.g., Wheatstone bridge circuit). Since the example controller component <NUM> is configured to simultaneously monitor both branches of the example resistance-based bridge circuit (e.g., Wheatstone bridge circuit), it may thus be utilized to detect whether the connection between the resistance-based bridge circuit (e.g., Wheatstone bridge circuit) and the controller component/processing circuitry has failed. For example, the example controller component <NUM> may be configured to detect that a wire bond has opened to a high resistance condition or that an example diaphragm of a pressure sensing component has been damaged.

While some of the embodiments herein provide an example controller component <NUM>, it is noted that the present disclosure is not limited to such embodiments. For instance, in some examples, an example controller component <NUM> in accordance with the present disclosure may comprise one or more additional and/or alternative elements, and/or may be structured/positioned differently than that illustrated in <FIG>.

Referring now to <FIG>, an example schematic circuit diagram depicting an example diagnostic current source <NUM> in accordance with various embodiments of the present disclosure is provided. In various embodiments, the example diagnostic current source <NUM> may form part of/be integrated with other circuitry (e.g., an example ASIC). As depicted, the example diagnostic current source <NUM> may be configured to generate a bias voltage <NUM> of a particular voltage value in order to generate currents within the system. For example, as depicted, the example diagnostic current source <NUM> may operate by generating a bias voltage which may be used to generate currents that are utilized to adjust the offset of an example resistance-based bridge circuit (e.g., Wheatstone bridge circuit).

While some of the embodiments herein provide an example diagnostic current source <NUM>, it is noted that the present disclosure is not limited to such embodiments. For instance, in some examples, an example diagnostic current source <NUM> in accordance with the present disclosure may comprise one or more additional and/or alternative elements, and/or may be structured/positioned differently than that illustrated in <FIG>.

Referring now to <FIG>, an example schematic circuit diagram depicting at least a portion of an example controller component <NUM> (e.g., an ASIC) is provided. The example controller component <NUM> may be similar or identical to the example controller component <NUM> discussed above in connection with <FIG>. In particular, as depicted, the example controller component <NUM> comprises a signal conditioning circuit <NUM>, a first diagnostic circuit <NUM> and a level-shifter element <NUM>. The example controller component <NUM> may operate to trim an output of an example resistance-based bridge circuit (e.g., Wheatstone bridge circuit) while performing self-diagnostic functions. In various embodiments, the example controller component <NUM> may form part of or be otherwise integrated with a sensing component (e.g., flow sensing component, pressure sensing component or the like).

As depicted in <FIG>, the example controller component <NUM> comprises at least a portion of a signal conditioning circuit <NUM>. As noted above, the signal conditioning circuit <NUM> may operate to trim the output of an example resistance-based bridge circuit (e.g., Wheatstone bridge circuit), i.e., provide a trim current. For example, the example controller component <NUM> may be configured to condition an output of a first branch (e.g., two series arm) of an example Wheatstone bridge circuit. As depicted in <FIG>, the signal conditioning circuit <NUM> comprises/defines a current mirror configured to mirror an input current so as to generate a final output current (e.g., between <NUM>-<NUM>µA) and thus operates to control an offset current value. In various embodiments, the example signal conditioning circuit <NUM> may operate to double or quadruple an input current value. Additionally, as depicted the signal conditioning circuit <NUM> (i.e., current mirror) is configured to provide an input current to the first diagnostic circuit <NUM>.

As depicted in <FIG>, the example controller component <NUM> comprises a first diagnostic circuit <NUM>. As depicted, the first diagnostic circuit <NUM> comprises a first transistor element <NUM> and a second transistor element <NUM> In various examples, the first diagnostic circuit <NUM> may be configured to perform self-diagnostic functions and/or detect faults. For example, if around mid-scale, the first transistor element <NUM> may be on. In some examples, due to characteristic differences between the first transistor element <NUM> and the second transistor element <NUM>, the output voltage may be pulled low, buffered and inverted thus providing active low-fault detection. For example, the output of the first diagnostic circuit <NUM> may be in an active low state such that the first diagnostic circuit <NUM> is configured to transition to near ground in an instance in which an open connection is detected. As a result of the active-low configuration, in the event of an open connection, the output of the signal conditioning circuit <NUM> may pull a first transistor element <NUM> down and pull a second transistor element <NUM> high thereby determining whether no bridge electrical output/signal is present. By way of example, in relation to an example sensing component, the first diagnostic circuit <NUM> may be configured to detect that a wire bond has opened to a high resistance condition or that an example diaphragm of a sensing component is damaged.

In some examples, the first diagnostic circuit <NUM> may be buffered with x40 components (i.e., 4X drive capability) in order to drive across-chip interconnect capacitance. Accordingly, if the Thevenin resistance of the bridge output is sufficiently low, then the the first diagnostic circuit <NUM> may switch from the low state to the high state. In various examples, the low to high switchpoint may be an "Operate" (OP) point. The first diagnostic circuit <NUM> (e.g., resistance detectors of the first diagnostic circuit <NUM>) may operate in a unipolar fashion so that as a connection opens, the first diagnostic circuit <NUM> switches from the high state to the low state. The high to low switchpoint may be a "Release" (REL) point. The difference between the OP point and the REL point may be a "Differential" (DIF) representing the hysteresis or amount of noise the first diagnostic circuit <NUM> can tolerate without chattering. The first diagnostic circuit <NUM> may operate as a coarse adjust to reduce the <NUM> bridge offset voltage distribution by at least <NUM>% without greatly increasing the offset voltage shift over temperature.

In various embodiments, as depicted in <FIG>, the example controller component <NUM> comprises a level-shifter element <NUM> configured to translate an electrical output/signal from an analog supply domain to a digital supply domain. Additionally, in various examples, the controller component <NUM> may comprise an analog-to-digital converter element.

Referring now to <FIG>, an example schematic circuit diagram depicting at least a portion of an example controller component <NUM> (e.g., an ASIC) is provided. The example controller component <NUM> may be similar or identical to the example controller component <NUM> discussed above in connection with <FIG>. In particular, as depicted, the example controller component <NUM> comprises a signal conditioning circuit <NUM>, a second diagnostic circuit <NUM> and a level-shifter element <NUM>. The example controller component <NUM> may operate to trim an output of an example resistance-based bridge circuit (e.g., Wheatstone bridge circuit) while performing self-diagnostic functions. In various embodiments, the example controller component <NUM> may form part of or be otherwise integrated with a sensing component (e.g., flow sensing component, pressure sensing component and the like).

As depicted in <FIG>, the example controller component <NUM> comprises a portion of a signal conditioning circuit <NUM>. As noted above, the signal conditioning circuit <NUM> may operate to trim the output of an example resistance-based bridge circuit (e.g., Wheatstone bridge circuit), i.e., provide a trim current. For example, the example controller component <NUM> may be configured to condition an output of a second branch (e.g., two series arm) of an example Wheatstone bridge circuit. As depicted in <FIG>, the signal conditioning circuit <NUM> comprises/defines a current mirror configured to mirror an input current so as to generate a final output current (e.g., between <NUM>-<NUM>µA) and thus operates to control an offset current value. In various embodiments, the example signal conditioning circuit <NUM> may operate to double or quadruple an input current value. Additionally, as depicted the signal conditioning circuit <NUM> (i.e., current mirror) is configured provide a current to the second diagnostic circuit <NUM>.

As depicted in <FIG>, the example controller component <NUM> comprises a second diagnostic circuit <NUM>. As depicted, the second diagnostic circuit <NUM> comprises a first transistor element <NUM> and a second transistor element <NUM> In various examples, the second diagnostic circuit <NUM> may be configured to perform self-diagnostic functions and/or detect faults. For example, if around mid-scale, the first transistor element <NUM> may be on. In some examples, due to characteristic differences between the first transistor element <NUM> and the second transistor element <NUM>, the output voltage may be pulled low, buffered and inverted thus providing active low-fault detection. For example, the output of the second diagnostic circuit <NUM> may be in an active low state such that the second diagnostic circuit <NUM> is configured to transition to near ground in an instance in which an open connection is detected. As a result of the active-low configuration, in the event of an open connection, the output of the signal conditioning circuit <NUM> may pull a first transistor element <NUM> down and pull a second transistor element <NUM> high thereby determining whether no bridge output is present. By way of example, in relation to a sensing component, the second diagnostic circuit <NUM> may be configured to detect that a wire bond has opened to a high resistance condition or that an example diaphragm of a sensing component is damaged.

In some examples, the second diagnostic circuit <NUM> may be buffered with x40 components (i.e., 4X drive capability) in order to drive across-chip interconnect capacitance. Accordingly, if the Thevenin resistance of the bridge output is sufficiently low, then the the second diagnostic circuit <NUM> may switch from the low state to the high state. In various examples, the low to high switchpoint may be an "Operate" (OP) point. The second diagnostic circuit <NUM> (e.g., resistance detectors of the second diagnostic circuit <NUM>) may operate in a unipolar fashion so that as a connection opens, the second diagnostic circuit <NUM> switches from the high state to the low state. The high to low switchpoint may be a "Release" (REL) point. The difference between the OP point and the REL point may be a "Differential" (DIF) representing the hysteresis or amount of noise the second diagnostic circuit <NUM> can tolerate without chattering. The second diagnostic circuit <NUM> may operate as a coarse adjust to reduce the <NUM> bridge offset voltage distribution by at least <NUM>% without greatly increasing the offset voltage shift over temperature.

In various embodiments, as depicted in <FIG>, the example controller component <NUM> comprises a level-shifter element <NUM> configured to translate an electrical signal/output from an analog supply domain to a digital supply domain.

While some of the embodiments herein provide an example controller component <NUM>, it is noted that the present disclosure is not limited to such embodiments. For instance, in some examples, an example controller component <NUM> in accordance with the present disclosure may comprise other elements one or more additional and/or alternative elements, and/or may be structured/positioned differently than that illustrated in <FIG>.

Referring now to <FIG>, a schematic diagram depicting an example controller component <NUM> in electronic communication with a sensing component <NUM> (e.g., flow sensing component, pressure sensing component or the like) in accordance with various embodiments of the present disclosure is provided. As shown, the controller component <NUM> comprises processing circuitry <NUM>, a communication element <NUM>, input/output element <NUM>, a memory <NUM> and/or other components configured to perform various operations, procedures, functions or the like described herein. In some examples, the controller component <NUM> may be operatively coupled with the sensing component or remote from the sensing component <NUM>.

As depicted, the controller component <NUM> (such as the processing circuitry <NUM>, communication element <NUM>, input/output element <NUM> and memory <NUM>) is electrically coupled to and/or in electronic communication with a sensing component <NUM>. The sensing component <NUM> may exchange (e.g., transmit and receive) data in the form of electrical signals with the processing circuitry <NUM> of the controller component <NUM>.

The processing circuitry <NUM> may be implemented as, for example, various devices comprising one or a plurality of microprocessors with accompanying digital signal processors; one or a plurality of processors without accompanying digital signal processors; one or a plurality of coprocessors; one or a plurality of multi-core processors; one or a plurality of controllers; processing circuits; one or a plurality of computers; and various other processing elements (including integrated circuits, such as an ASIC or field-programmable gate arrays (FPGAs), or a certain combination thereof). In some embodiments, the processing circuitry <NUM> may comprise one or more processors. In one exemplary embodiment, the processing circuitry <NUM> is configured to execute instructions stored in the memory <NUM> or otherwise accessible by the processing circuitry <NUM>. When executed by the processing circuitry <NUM>, these instructions may enable the controller component <NUM> to execute one or a plurality of the functions as described herein. Whether it is configured by hardware, firmware/software methods, or a combination thereof, the processing circuitry <NUM> may comprise entities capable of executing operations according to the embodiments of the present invention when correspondingly configured. Therefore, for example, when the processing circuitry <NUM> is implemented as an ASIC, an FPGA, or the like, the processing circuitry <NUM> may comprise specially configured hardware for implementing one or a plurality of operations described herein. Alternatively, as another example, when the processing circuitry <NUM> is implemented as an actuator of instructions (such as those that may be stored in the memory <NUM>), the instructions may specifically configure the processing circuitry <NUM> to execute one or a plurality of algorithms and operations, some of which are described herein.

The memory <NUM> may comprise, for example, a volatile memory, a non-volatile memory, or a certain combination thereof. Although illustrated as a single memory in <FIG>, the memory <NUM> may comprise a plurality of memory components. In various embodiments, the memory <NUM> may comprise, for example, a hard disk drive, a random access memory, EEPROM, a cache memory, a flash memory, an optical disk, a circuit configured to store information, or a certain combination thereof. The memory <NUM> may be configured to store information, data, application programs, instructions, and etc., so that the controller component <NUM> can execute various functions according to the embodiments of the present disclosure. For example, in at least some embodiments, the memory <NUM> is configured to cache input data for processing by the processing circuitry <NUM>. Additionally or alternatively, in at least some embodiments, the memory <NUM> is configured to store program instructions for execution by the processing circuitry <NUM>. The memory <NUM> may store information in the form of static and/or dynamic information. When the functions are executed, the stored information may be stored and/or used by the controller component <NUM>.

The communication element <NUM> may be implemented as any apparatus included in a circuit, hardware, a computer program product or a combination thereof, which is configured to receive and/or transmit data from/to another component or apparatus. The computer program product comprises computer-readable program instructions stored on a computer-readable medium (for example, the memory <NUM>) and executed by a controller component <NUM> (for example, the processing circuitry <NUM>). In some embodiments, the communication element <NUM> (as with other components discussed herein) may be at least partially implemented as the processing circuitry <NUM> or otherwise controlled by the processing circuitry <NUM>. In this regard, the communication element <NUM> may communicate with the processing circuitry <NUM>, for example, through a bus. The communication element <NUM> may comprise, for example, antennas, transmitters, receivers, transceivers, network interface cards and/or supporting hardware and/or firmware/software, and is used for establishing communication with another apparatus. The communication element <NUM> may be configured to receive and/or transmit any data that may be stored by the memory <NUM> by using any protocol that can be used for communication between apparatuses. The communication element <NUM> may additionally or alternatively communicate with the memory <NUM>, the input/output element <NUM> and/or any other component of the controller component <NUM>, for example, through a bus.

In some embodiments, the controller component <NUM> may comprise an input/output element <NUM>. The input/output element <NUM> may communicate with the processing circuitry <NUM> to receive instructions input by the user and/or to provide audible, visual, mechanical or other outputs to the user. Therefore, the input/output element <NUM> may be in electronic communication with supporting devices, such as a keyboard, a mouse, a display, a touch screen display, and/or other input/output mechanisms. Alternatively, at least some aspects of the input/output element <NUM> may be implemented on a device used by the user to communicate with the controller component <NUM>. The input/output element <NUM> may communicate with the memory <NUM>, the communication element <NUM> and/or any other component, for example, through a bus. One or a plurality of input/output elements and/or other components may be included in the controller component <NUM>. In various examples, the example sensing component <NUM> may generate electrical outputs/signals comprising information/data and transmit electrical outputs/signals to the processing circuitry <NUM>. The example sensing component <NUM> may generate system information and transmit indications (e.g., electrical signals describing the system information) to the processing circuitry <NUM>.

Claim 1:
A controller component (<NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>) comprising:
a resistance-based bridge circuit (<NUM>);
characterized by
a signal conditioning circuit (<NUM>, <NUM>) configured to condition an output of the resistance-based bridge circuit (<NUM>);
a first diagnostic circuit (<NUM>) coupled to the signal conditioning circuit (<NUM>, <NUM>) configured to monitor an output of a first branch of the resistance-based bridge circuit (<NUM>); and
a second diagnostic circuit (<NUM>) coupled to the signal conditioning circuit (<NUM>, <NUM>) configured to monitor an output of a second branch of the resistance-based bridge circuit (<NUM>).