Patents by Inventor Antonio Cicero
Antonio Cicero 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: 11709185Abstract: An amplification interface includes first and second differential input terminals, first and second differential output terminals providing first and second output voltages defining a differential output signal, and first and second analog integrators coupled between the first and second differential input terminals and the first and second differential output terminals, the first and second analog integrators being resettable by a reset signal. A control circuit generates the reset signal such that the first and second analog integrators are periodically reset during a reset interval and activated during a measurement interval, receives a control signal indicative of offsets in the measurement sensor current and the reference sensor current, and generates a drive signal as a function of the control signal. First and second current generators coupled first and second compensation circuits to the first and second differential input terminals as a function of a drive signal.Type: GrantFiled: February 14, 2022Date of Patent: July 25, 2023Assignee: STMicroelectronics S.r.l.Inventors: Michele Vaiana, Calogero Marco Ippolito, Angelo Recchia, Antonio Cicero, Pierpaolo Lombardo
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Patent number: 11561663Abstract: A touchscreen resistive sensor includes a network of resistive sensor branches coupled to a number of sensor nodes arranged at touch locations of the touchscreen. A test sequence is performed by sequentially applying to each sensor node a reference voltage level, jointly coupling to a common line the other nodes, sensing a voltage value at the common line, and declaring a short circuit condition as a result of the voltage value sensed at the common line reaching a short circuit threshold. A current value level flowing at the sensor node to which the reference voltage level is applied is sensed and a malfunction of the resistive sensor branch coupled with the sensor node to which a reference voltage level is applied is generated as a result of the current value sensed at the sensor node reaching an upper threshold or lower threshold.Type: GrantFiled: September 30, 2020Date of Patent: January 24, 2023Assignee: STMicroelectronics S.r.l.Inventors: Calogero Marco Ippolito, Angelo Recchia, Antonio Cicero, Pierpaolo Lombardo, Michele Vaiana
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Publication number: 20220163572Abstract: An amplification interface includes first and second differential input terminals, first and second differential output terminals providing first and second output voltages defining a differential output signal, and first and second analog integrators coupled between the first and second differential input terminals and the first and second differential output terminals, the first and second analog integrators being resettable by a reset signal. A control circuit generates the reset signal such that the first and second analog integrators are periodically reset during a reset interval and activated during a measurement interval, receives a control signal indicative of offsets in the measurement sensor current and the reference sensor current, and generates a drive signal as a function of the control signal. First and second current generators coupled first and second compensation circuits to the first and second differential input terminals as a function of a drive signal.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 14, 2022Publication date: May 26, 2022Applicant: STMicroelectronics S.r.l.Inventors: Michele VAIANA, Calogero Marco IPPOLITO, Angelo RECCHIA, Antonio CICERO, Pierpaolo LOMBARDO
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Patent number: 11275100Abstract: An amplification interface includes an input terminal receiving a sensor current and an output terminal supplying an output voltage. An analog integrator is connected to the input terminal and supplies the output voltage. A current generator is connected to the input of the analog integrator and generates a compensation current based on a drive signal. A control circuit generates the drive signal for the current generator based on a control signal representing an offset in the sensor current supplied by the sensor. The current generator generates, based on the driving signal, a positive or negative current. The control circuit determines a first duration and a second duration as a function of the control signal representing the offset in the sensor current, during the measurement interval, and sets the driving signal to a first logic value for the first duration and to a second logic value for the second duration.Type: GrantFiled: February 4, 2020Date of Patent: March 15, 2022Assignee: STMicroelectronics S.r.l.Inventors: Michele Vaiana, Calogero Marco Ippolito, Angelo Recchia, Antonio Cicero, Pierpaolo Lombardo
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Publication number: 20210011569Abstract: A touchscreen resistive sensor includes a network of resistive sensor branches coupled to a number of sensor nodes arranged at touch locations of the touchscreen. A test sequence is performed by sequentially applying to each sensor node a reference voltage level, jointly coupling to a common line the other nodes, sensing a voltage value at the common line, and declaring a short circuit condition as a result of the voltage value sensed at the common line reaching a short circuit threshold. A current value level flowing at the sensor node to which the reference voltage level is applied is sensed and a malfunction of the resistive sensor branch coupled with the sensor node to which a reference voltage level is applied is generated as a result of the current value sensed at the sensor node reaching an upper threshold or lower threshold.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 30, 2020Publication date: January 14, 2021Inventors: Calogero Marco Ippolito, Angelo Recchia, Antonio Cicero, Pierpaolo Lombardo, Michele Vaiana
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Patent number: 10809862Abstract: A touchscreen resistive sensor includes a network of resistive sensor branches coupled to a number of sensor nodes arranged at touch locations of the touchscreen. A test sequence is performed by sequentially applying to each sensor node a reference voltage level, jointly coupling to a common line the other nodes, sensing a voltage value at the common line, and declaring a short circuit condition as a result of the voltage value sensed at the common line reaching a short circuit threshold. A current value level flowing at the sensor node to which the reference voltage level is applied is sensed and a malfunction of the resistive sensor branch coupled with the sensor node to which a reference voltage level is applied is generated as a result of the current value sensed at the sensor node reaching an upper threshold or lower threshold.Type: GrantFiled: July 26, 2019Date of Patent: October 20, 2020Assignee: STMicroelectronics S.r.l.Inventors: Calogero Marco Ippolito, Angelo Recchia, Antonio Cicero, Pierpaolo Lombardo, Michele Vaiana
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Publication number: 20200256898Abstract: An amplification interface includes an input terminal receiving a sensor current and an output terminal supplying an output voltage. An analog integrator is connected to the input terminal and supplies the output voltage. A current generator is connected to the input of the analog integrator and generates a compensation current based on a drive signal. A control circuit generates the drive signal for the current generator based on a control signal representing an offset in the sensor current supplied by the sensor. The current generator generates, based on the driving signal, a positive or negative current. The control circuit determines a first duration and a second duration as a function of the control signal representing the offset in the sensor current, during the measurement interval, and sets the driving signal to a first logic value for the first duration and to a second logic value for the second duration.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 4, 2020Publication date: August 13, 2020Applicant: STMicroelectronics S.r.l.Inventors: Michele VAIANA, Calogero Marco IPPOLITO, Angelo RECCHIA, Antonio CICERO, Pierpaolo LOMBARDO
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Publication number: 20200050305Abstract: A touchscreen resistive sensor includes a network of resistive sensor branches coupled to a number of sensor nodes arranged at touch locations of the touchscreen. A test sequence is performed by sequentially applying to each sensor node a reference voltage level, jointly coupling to a common line the other nodes, sensing a voltage value at the common line, and declaring a short circuit condition as a result of the voltage value sensed at the common line reaching a short circuit threshold. A current value level flowing at the sensor node to which the reference voltage level is applied is sensed and a malfunction of the resistive sensor branch coupled with the sensor node to which a reference voltage level is applied is generated as a result of the current value sensed at the sensor node reaching an upper threshold or lower threshold.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 26, 2019Publication date: February 13, 2020Inventors: Calogero Marco Ippolito, Angelo Recchia, Antonio Cicero, Pierpaolo Lombardo, Michele Vaiana
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Patent number: 10451575Abstract: A gas measurement device measures gas using a gas sensor including a sense resistance exposed to the gas and a reference resistance not exposed to the gas. The gas measurement device applies a first current value and a second current value to the sensor. A detector functions to detect a first resistance variation and a second resistance variation of the sense resistance exposed to the gas with respect to the reference resistance as a function of the first current value and the second current value, respectively. The resistance variation dependent on relative humidity is then determined as a function of the first and second resistance variations and a first constant. The resistance variation dependent on gas content is then determined as a function of the first and second resistance variations and a second (different) constant.Type: GrantFiled: October 30, 2017Date of Patent: October 22, 2019Assignee: STMicroelectronics S.r.l.Inventors: Pasquale Biancolillo, Angelo Recchia, Pasquale Franco, Antonio Cicero, Giuseppe Bruno
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Patent number: 10180406Abstract: A semiconductor gas sensor device includes a first cavity that is enclosed by opposing first and second semiconductor substrate slices. At least one conducting filament is provided to extend over the first cavity, and a passageway is provided to permit gas to enter the first cavity. The sensor device may further including a second cavity that is hermetically enclosed by the opposing first and second semiconductor substrate slices. At least one another conducting filament is provided to extend over the second cavity.Type: GrantFiled: November 9, 2017Date of Patent: January 15, 2019Assignee: STMicroelectronics S.r.l.Inventors: Pasquale Biancolillo, Angelo Recchia, Pasquale Franco, Antonio Cicero, Giuseppe Bruno
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Publication number: 20180074000Abstract: A semiconductor gas sensor device includes a first cavity that is enclosed by opposing first and second semiconductor substrate slices. At least one conducting filament is provided to extend over the first cavity, and a passageway is provided to permit gas to enter the first cavity. The sensor device may further including a second cavity that is hermetically enclosed by the opposing first and second semiconductor substrate slices. At least one another conducting filament is provided to extend over the second cavity.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 9, 2017Publication date: March 15, 2018Applicant: STMicroelectronics S.r.l.Inventors: Pasquale Biancolillo, Angelo Recchia, Pasquale Franco, Antonio Cicero, Giuseppe Bruno
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Publication number: 20180052129Abstract: A gas measurement device measures gas using a gas sensor including a sense resistance exposed to the gas and a reference resistance not exposed to the gas. The gas measurement device applies a first current value and a second current value to the sensor. A detector functions to detect a first resistance variation and a second resistance variation of the sense resistance exposed to the gas with respect to the reference resistance as a function of the first current value and the second current value, respectively. The resistance variation dependent on relative humidity is then determined as a function of the first and second resistance variations and a first constant. The resistance variation dependent on gas content is then determined as a function of the first and second resistance variations and a second (different) constant.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 30, 2017Publication date: February 22, 2018Applicant: STMicroelectronics S.r.l.Inventors: Pasquale Biancolillo, Angelo Recchia, Pasquale Franco, Antonio Cicero, Giuseppe Bruno
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Patent number: 9835574Abstract: A gas measurement device measures gas using a gas sensor including a sense resistance exposed to the gas and a reference resistance not exposed to the gas. The gas measurement device applies a first current value and a second current value to the sensor. A detector functions to detect a first resistance variation and a second resistance variation of the sense resistance exposed to the gas with respect to the reference resistance as a function of the first current value and the second current value, respectively. The resistance variation dependent on relative humidity is then determined as a function of the first and second resistance variations and a first constant. The resistance variation dependent on gas content is then determined as a function of the first and second resistance variations and a second (different) constant.Type: GrantFiled: June 1, 2015Date of Patent: December 5, 2017Assignee: STMICROELECTRONICS S.R.L.Inventors: Pasquale Biancolillo, Angelo Recchia, Pasquale Franco, Antonio Cicero, Giuseppe Bruno
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Publication number: 20160003757Abstract: A gas measurement device measures gas using a gas sensor including a sense resistance exposed to the gas and a reference resistance not exposed to the gas. The gas measurement device applies a first current value and a second current value to the sensor. A detector functions to detect a first resistance variation and a second resistance variation of the sense resistance exposed to the gas with respect to the reference resistance as a function of the first current value and the second current value, respectively. The resistance variation dependent on relative humidity is then determined as a function of the first and second resistance variations and a first constant. The resistance variation dependent on gas content is then determined as a function of the first and second resistance variations and a second (different) constant.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 1, 2015Publication date: January 7, 2016Applicant: STMICROELECTRONICS S.R.L.Inventors: Pasquale Biancolillo, Angelo Recchia, Pasquale Franco, Antonio Cicero, Giuseppe Bruno
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Publication number: 20150377813Abstract: A semiconductor gas sensor device includes a first cavity that is enclosed by opposing first and second semiconductor substrate slices. At least one conducting filament is provided to extend over the first cavity, and a passageway is provided to permit gas to enter the first cavity. The sensor device may further including a second cavity that is hermetically enclosed by the opposing first and second semiconductor substrate slices. At least one another conducting filament is provided to extend over the second cavity.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 29, 2015Publication date: December 31, 2015Applicant: STMicroelectronics S.r.l.Inventors: Pasquale Biancolillo, Angelo Recchia, Pasquale Franco, Antonio Cicero, Giuseppe Bruno
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Publication number: 20100290972Abstract: Using a transformer coupled plasma reactor, it is possible to achieve continuous production of plasma which decomposes precursors containing silicon in order to produce pure silicon powder. The pure silicon powder is then gathered, treated and used to produce ingots of silicon for use in photovoltaics or semiconductors.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 27, 2007Publication date: November 18, 2010Applicant: SOLARIA TECNOLOGIE S.R.L.Inventors: Antonio Cicero, Domenico Di Mola, Rosario Mario Napolitano Melintenda, Igor M. Ulanov
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Publication number: 20070057027Abstract: The invention relates to a method and device for filling areas located in hollows (4) which do not open out onto the surface of a substrate (1) without a mask or silk screen. According to the invention, said method consists in associating the following objects according to the order of the direction of relative displacement of a head (12) of a filling product (2) in relation to the substrate (1) i.e. a spreading element (10) for the product to be filled (2) on the surface of the substrate (1); an element for displacing (3) the filling product (2) in the area to be filled (4); an element (7) for adjusting the thickness or raking off the excess filling product (2) such that the above-mentioned filling product (2) remains constantly in contact with the area to be filled (4) from the beginning of the filling operation until raking off of the excess product.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 29, 2004Publication date: March 15, 2007Inventors: Francis Bourrieres, Clement Kaiser, Antonio Cicero, Osvaldo Novello