Patents Assigned to STMicroelectronics (Shenzhen) R&D Co. Ltd.
  • Patent number: 11954260
    Abstract: A system and method for determining handedness in a device. The system including a first electrode, a second electrode, a sensor, and a processing circuit coupled to each other. The first electrode is placed at a first location, and the second electrode is placed at a second location on the device—the first location is different from the second location. The electrodes are configured to sense a variation in an electrostatic field in response to a user interacting with the device. The sensor detects a differential potential between the first electrode and the second electrode, and the processing circuit determines whether the user is interacting with the device using a left hand or a right hand. The determining is based on data received from the sensor corresponding to the differential potential.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2024
    Assignees: STMicroelectronics S.r.l., STMicroelectronics (Shenzhen) R&D Co. Ltd.
    Inventors: Mirko Guarnera, Wenbin Yang, Enrico Rosario Alessi, Fabio Passaniti
  • Publication number: 20230400359
    Abstract: A three-phase load is powered by an SPWM driven inverter having a single shunt-topology. During operation, drain-to-source resistances of transistors of each branch of the inverter are determined. Interpolation is performed on assumed drain-to-source resistances of the transistors for different temperatures to produce a non-linear model of drain-to-source resistance to temperature for the transistors, and the drain-to-source resistances determined during operation and the non-linear model are used to estimate temperature values of the transistors. Driving of the inverter can be adjusted so that conductivity of each branch is set so that power delivered by that branch is as high as possible without exceeding an allowed drain current threshold representing a threshold junction temperature. In addition, driving of the inverter can be ceased if the temperature of a transistor exceeds the threshold temperature.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 9, 2022
    Publication date: December 14, 2023
    Applicants: STMicroelectronics (Shenzhen) R&D Co., Ltd., STMicroelectronics (China) Investment Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Dino COSTANZO, Yan ZHANG, Guixi SUN
  • Patent number: 11842009
    Abstract: A method for operating an electronic device includes detecting, by a touchscreen controller, a touch point on a touchscreen; determining, by the touchscreen controller, coordinates of the touch point; scaling, by the touchscreen controller, up the coordinates of the touch point to obtain scaled up coordinates by overwriting a reserved portion of a touch event protocol with additional information corresponding to the coordinates of the touch point; reporting, by the touchscreen controller, the scaled up coordinates of the touch point to an application processor; and determining, by the application processor, the coordinates of the touch point with an increased resolution by converting the scaled up coordinates into a floating point value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2022
    Date of Patent: December 12, 2023
    Assignees: STMICROELECTRONICS (BEIJING) R&D CO., LTD, STMicroelectronics (Shenzhen) R&D Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Bowei Chen, Yue Ding, Guodong Sun
  • Patent number: 11831286
    Abstract: An audio amplifier includes: a buck controller configured to control an output voltage at a first supply terminal, the output voltage selected from a set including a plurality of output voltages, where the output voltage takes a settling time to settle; a first audio bridge including: a class-AB driver stage coupled to the first supply terminal, and a delay insertion circuit configured to receive a processed digital stream and provide the processed digital stream to the class-AB driver stage a delay time after receiving the processed digital stream, where the delay time is based on the settling time; and an audio amplitude detector configured to detect a first peak amplitude in the first digital audio stream, where the buck controller is configured to select a lowest output voltage from the set that is higher than the first peak amplitude plus a headroom voltage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2021
    Date of Patent: November 28, 2023
    Assignee: STMicroelectronics (Shenzhen) R&D Co. Ltd.
    Inventors: XiangSheng Li, Ru Feng Du
  • Patent number: 11757345
    Abstract: An apparatus includes a first inverter configured to drive a first motor having a plurality of phases, the first inverter comprising a plurality of inverter legs, each of which is coupled to a corresponding phase of the first motor, a second inverter configured to drive a second motor having a plurality of phases, the second inverter comprising a plurality of inverter legs, each of which is coupled to a corresponding phase of the second motor, and a first current sensor configured to sense currents flowing in the first inverter and the second inverter, wherein the first current sensor is shared by at least by two inverter legs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 4, 2022
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2023
    Assignee: STMicroelectronics (Shenzhen) R&D Co. Ltd.
    Inventors: Dino Costanzo, Xiyu Xu, Chengpan Cai
  • Patent number: 11750163
    Abstract: In an embodiment, a class-D amplifier includes an input terminal configured to receive an input signal; a comparator having an input coupled to the input terminal; a deglitching circuit having an input coupled to an output of the comparator; and a driving circuit having an input coupled to an output of the deglitching circuit. The deglitching circuit includes a logic circuit coupled between the input of the deglitching circuit and the output of the deglitching circuit. The logic circuit is configured to receive a clock signal having the same frequency as the switching frequency of the class-D amplifier.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2021
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2023
    Assignee: STMicroelectronics (Shenzhen) R&D Co. Ltd.
    Inventors: Ru Feng Du, Qi Yu Liu
  • Patent number: 11635453
    Abstract: A three-phase load is powered by a PWM (e.g., SVPWM) driven DC-AC inverter having a single shunt-topology. A shunt voltage and a branch voltage of the inverter (across a transistor to be calibrated) are measured during a second period of each SVPWM sector, and the drain-to-source resistance of the calibrated transistor is calculated. During the fourth period of each SVPWM sector, the branch voltage is measured again, and another branch voltage across another transistor is measured. Using the drain-to-source resistance of the calibrated transistor and the voltage across the calibrated transistor measured during the fourth period, the phase current through the calibrated transistor is calculated. Using the other branch voltage measured during the fourth period and the drain-to-source resistance of its corresponding transistor (known from a prior SVPWM sector), the phase current through that transistor is calculated. From the two calculated phase currents, the other phase current can be calculated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 25, 2023
    Assignees: STMicroelectronics S.r.l., STMicroelectronics (Shenzhen) R&D Co. Ltd
    Inventors: Dino Costanzo, Cheng Pan Cai, Xi Yu Xu
  • Patent number: 11626757
    Abstract: A method and system for operating a power circuit capable of transmitting and receiving wireless power. The method includes determining that the power circuit is operating in receive mode, and, based thereon, having a first equivalent capacitance. The method further includes determining that the power circuit is operating in the transmit mode, and, based thereon, having a second equivalent capacitance. The first equivalent capacitance being different than the second equivalent capacitance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2023
    Assignee: STMICROELECTRONICS (SHENZHEN) R&D CO. LTD.
    Inventor: Jiasheng Wang
  • Patent number: 11486928
    Abstract: A combinational circuit block has input pins configured to receive input digital signals and output pins configured to provide output digital signals as a function of the input digital signals received. A test input pin receives a test input signal. A test output pin provides a test output signal as a function of the test input signal received. A set of scan registers are selectively coupled to either the combinational circuit block or to one another so as to form a scan chain of scan registers serially coupled between the test input pin and the test output pin. The scan registers in the set of scan registers are clocked by a clock signal. At least one input register is coupled between the test input pin and a first scan register of the scan chain. The at least one input register is clocked by an inverted replica of the clock signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 2021
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2022
    Assignees: STMicroelectronics S.r.l., STMicroelectronics (Shenzhen) R&D Co. Ltd
    Inventors: Ignazio Pisello, Yu Yong Wang, Dario Arena, Qi Yu Liu
  • Patent number: 11463052
    Abstract: In an embodiment, a method for shaping a PWM signal includes: receiving an input PWM signal; generating an output PWM signal based on the input PWM signal by: when the input PWM signal transitions with a first edge of the input PWM signal, transitioning the output PWM signal with a first edge of the output PWM signal; and when the input PWM signal transitions with a second edge before the first edge of the output PWM signal transitions, delaying a second edge of the output PWM signal based on the first edge of the output PWM signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 4, 2022
    Assignees: STMicroelectronics S.r.l., STMicroelectronics (Shenzhen) R&D Co. Ltd.
    Inventors: Hong Wu Lin, Giovanni Gonano, Edoardo Botti
  • Publication number: 20220214384
    Abstract: A three-phase load is powered by a PWM (e.g., SVPWM) driven DC-AC inverter having a single shunt-topology. A shunt voltage and a branch voltage of the inverter (across a transistor to be calibrated) are measured during a second period of each SVPWM sector, and the drain-to-source resistance of the calibrated transistor is calculated. During the fourth period of each SVPWM sector, the branch voltage is measured again, and another branch voltage across another transistor is measured. Using the drain-to-source resistance of the calibrated transistor and the voltage across the calibrated transistor measured during the fourth period, the phase current through the calibrated transistor is calculated. Using the other branch voltage measured during the fourth period and the drain-to-source resistance of its corresponding transistor (known from a prior SVPWM sector), the phase current through that transistor is calculated. From the two calculated phase currents, the other phase current can be calculated.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 16, 2021
    Publication date: July 7, 2022
    Applicants: STMicroelectronics S.r.l., STMicroelectronics (Shenzhen) R&D Co. Ltd
    Inventors: Dino COSTANZO, Cheng Pan CAI, Xi Yu XU
  • Patent number: 11303271
    Abstract: A filtering circuit for filtering a pulse width modulated (PWM) signal includes a D flip-flop having an input terminal configured to be coupled to a logic high signal and having an output terminal coupled to an output terminal of the filtering circuit; and a circuit coupled between an input terminal of the filtering circuit and the D flip-flop, the circuit configured to, for a first pulse of the PWM signal having a duty cycle within a pre-determined range: generate a positive pulse at a clock terminal of the D flip-flop as a clock signal of the D flip-flop; and generate a negative pulse at a reset terminal of the D flip-flop as a reset signal of the D flip-flop, wherein a duration between a rising edge of the positive pulse and a falling edge of the negative pulse is equal to a duration of the first pulse of the PWM signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2022
    Assignee: STMicroelectronics (Shenzhen) R&D Co. Ltd.
    Inventor: Hong Wu Lin
  • Patent number: 11105836
    Abstract: A three-phase load is powered by a PWM (e.g., SVPWM) driven DC-AC inverter having a single shunt-topology. A shunt voltage and a branch voltage of the inverter (across a transistor to be calibrated) are measured during a second period of each SVPWM sector, and the drain-to-source resistance of the calibrated transistor is calculated. During the fourth period of each SVPWM sector, the branch voltage is measured again, and another branch voltage across another transistor is measured. Using the drain-to-source resistance of the calibrated transistor and the voltage across the calibrated transistor measured during the fourth period, the phase current through the calibrated transistor is calculated. Using the other branch voltage measured during the fourth period and the drain-to-source resistance of its corresponding transistor (known from a prior SVPWM sector), the phase current through that transistor is calculated. From the two calculated phase currents, the other phase current can be calculated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 17, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 31, 2021
    Assignees: STMicroelectronics S.r.l., STMicroelectronics (Shenzhen) R&D Co. Ltd
    Inventors: Dino Costanzo, Cheng Pan Cai, Xi Yu Xu
  • Patent number: 11095170
    Abstract: A system and method for improving ASK packet transfer reliability and power dissipation efficiency at light-load or no-load conditions of a receiving device is provided. In an embodiment, the receiving device includes a dissipating element coupled to a rectifier. The dissipating element is connected to a reference voltage at a first duration corresponding to a transmission of the ASK packet. The dissipating element is disconnected from the reference voltage a second duration corresponding to an end of the transmission of the ASK packet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 17, 2021
    Assignee: STMICROELECTRONICS (SHENZHEN) R&D CO. LTD.
    Inventor: Jiasheng Wang
  • Publication number: 20210232174
    Abstract: A combinational circuit block has input pins configured to receive input digital signals and output pins configured to provide output digital signals as a function of the input digital signals received. A test input pin receives a test input signal. A test output pin provides a test output signal as a function of the test input signal received. A set of scan registers are selectively coupled to either the combinational circuit block or to one another so as to form a scan chain of scan registers serially coupled between the test input pin and the test output pin. The scan registers in the set of scan registers are clocked by a clock signal. At least one input register is coupled between the test input pin and a first scan register of the scan chain. The at least one input register is clocked by an inverted replica of the clock signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 27, 2021
    Publication date: July 29, 2021
    Applicants: STMicroelectronics S.r.l., STMicroelectronics (Shenzhen) R&D Co. Ltd
    Inventors: Ignazio PISELLO, Yu Yong WANG, Dario ARENA, Qi Yu LIU
  • Publication number: 20210172983
    Abstract: A three-phase load is powered by a PWM (e.g., SVPWM) driven DC-AC inverter having a single shunt-topology. A shunt voltage and a branch voltage of the inverter (across a transistor to be calibrated) are measured during a second period of each SVPWM sector, and the drain-to-source resistance of the calibrated transistor is calculated. During the fourth period of each SVPWM sector, the branch voltage is measured again, and another branch voltage across another transistor is measured. Using the drain-to-source resistance of the calibrated transistor and the voltage across the calibrated transistor measured during the fourth period, the phase current through the calibrated transistor is calculated. Using the other branch voltage measured during the fourth period and the drain-to-source resistance of its corresponding transistor (known from a prior SVPWM sector), the phase current through that transistor is calculated. From the two calculated phase currents, the other phase current can be calculated.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 17, 2020
    Publication date: June 10, 2021
    Applicants: STMicroelectronics S.r.l., STMicroelectronics (Shenzhen) R&D Co. Ltd
    Inventors: Dino COSTANZO, Cheng Pan CAI, Xi Yu XU
  • Patent number: 10965263
    Abstract: In an embodiment, a class-D amplifier includes an input terminal configured to receive an input signal; a comparator having an input coupled to the input terminal; a deglitching circuit having an input coupled to an output of the comparator; and a driving circuit having an input coupled to an output of the deglitching circuit. The deglitching circuit includes a logic circuit coupled between the input of the deglitching circuit and the output of the deglitching circuit. The logic circuit is configured to receive a clock signal having the same frequency as the switching frequency of the class-D amplifier.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 30, 2021
    Assignee: STMICROELECTRONICS (SHENZHEN) R&D CO. LTD.
    Inventors: Ru Feng Du, Qi Yu Liu
  • Patent number: 10944366
    Abstract: In an embodiment, a class-AB amplifier includes: an output stage that includes a pair of half-bridges configured to be coupled to a load; and a current sensing circuit coupled to a first half-bridge of the pair of half-bridges. The current sensing circuit includes a resistive element and is configured to sense a load current flowing through the load by: mirroring a current flowing through a first transistor of the first half-bridge to generate a mirrored current, flowing the mirrored current through the resistive element, and sensing the load current based on a voltage of the resistive element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 9, 2021
    Assignee: STMICROELECTRONICS (SHENZHEN) R&D CO. LTD
    Inventors: Ru Feng Du, XiangSheng Li
  • Patent number: 10935592
    Abstract: A circuit includes a field effect transistor having a gate driven via a drive signal. The field effect transistor has a drain-source voltage drop indicative of the intensity of a current flowing in the current path through the field effect transistor. The circuit also includes a pair of sensing transistors that include a first sensing field effect transistor arranged with its drain and gate coupled with the drain and the gate of the field effect transistor, respectively, and a second sensing field effect transistor having a gate configured for receiving a replica of the drive signal. The second sensing field effect transistor is arranged with its current path in series with the current path of the first sensing field effect transistor. A sensing signal at a sensing node is indicative of the current intensity flowing in the current path of the field effect transistor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 2, 2021
    Assignees: STMICROELECTRONICS S.R.L., STMICROELECTRONICS (SHENZHEN) R&D CO, LTD.
    Inventors: Edoardo Botti, Davide Luigi Brambilla, Hong Wu Lin
  • Patent number: 10917086
    Abstract: In an embodiment, a power switch controller for driving a back-to-back power switch includes: an amplifier having a supply terminal configured to receive a supply voltage, an output configured to be coupled to a gate terminal of the back-to-back power switch, a first input configured to be coupled a source terminal of the back-to-back power switch, and a second input coupled to the output of the amplifier. The amplifier is configured to generate an output voltage at the output of the amplifier, the output voltage being an offset voltage higher than a voltage at the first input of the amplifier.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 9, 2021
    Assignee: STMICROELECTRONICS (SHENZHEN) R&D CO. LTD.
    Inventors: Jian Wen, Hong Xia Li, Mei Yang