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).

  • Patent number: 11709185
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 2022
    Date of Patent: July 25, 2023
    Assignee: STMicroelectronics S.r.l.
    Inventors: Michele Vaiana, Calogero Marco Ippolito, Angelo Recchia, Antonio Cicero, Pierpaolo Lombardo
  • Patent number: 11561663
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2023
    Assignee: STMicroelectronics S.r.l.
    Inventors: Calogero Marco Ippolito, Angelo Recchia, Antonio Cicero, Pierpaolo Lombardo, Michele Vaiana
  • Publication number: 20220163572
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: February 14, 2022
    Publication date: May 26, 2022
    Applicant: STMicroelectronics S.r.l.
    Inventors: Michele VAIANA, Calogero Marco IPPOLITO, Angelo RECCHIA, Antonio CICERO, Pierpaolo LOMBARDO
  • Patent number: 11275100
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 15, 2022
    Assignee: STMicroelectronics S.r.l.
    Inventors: Michele Vaiana, Calogero Marco Ippolito, Angelo Recchia, Antonio Cicero, Pierpaolo Lombardo
  • Publication number: 20210011569
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: September 30, 2020
    Publication date: January 14, 2021
    Inventors: Calogero Marco Ippolito, Angelo Recchia, Antonio Cicero, Pierpaolo Lombardo, Michele Vaiana
  • Patent number: 10809862
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 20, 2020
    Assignee: STMicroelectronics S.r.l.
    Inventors: Calogero Marco Ippolito, Angelo Recchia, Antonio Cicero, Pierpaolo Lombardo, Michele Vaiana
  • Publication number: 20200256898
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: February 4, 2020
    Publication date: August 13, 2020
    Applicant: STMicroelectronics S.r.l.
    Inventors: Michele VAIANA, Calogero Marco IPPOLITO, Angelo RECCHIA, Antonio CICERO, Pierpaolo LOMBARDO
  • Publication number: 20200050305
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: July 26, 2019
    Publication date: February 13, 2020
    Inventors: Calogero Marco Ippolito, Angelo Recchia, Antonio Cicero, Pierpaolo Lombardo, Michele Vaiana
  • Patent number: 10451575
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 22, 2019
    Assignee: STMicroelectronics S.r.l.
    Inventors: Pasquale Biancolillo, Angelo Recchia, Pasquale Franco, Antonio Cicero, Giuseppe Bruno
  • Patent number: 10180406
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 15, 2019
    Assignee: STMicroelectronics S.r.l.
    Inventors: Pasquale Biancolillo, Angelo Recchia, Pasquale Franco, Antonio Cicero, Giuseppe Bruno
  • Publication number: 20180074000
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: November 9, 2017
    Publication date: March 15, 2018
    Applicant: STMicroelectronics S.r.l.
    Inventors: Pasquale Biancolillo, Angelo Recchia, Pasquale Franco, Antonio Cicero, Giuseppe Bruno
  • Publication number: 20180052129
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: October 30, 2017
    Publication date: February 22, 2018
    Applicant: STMicroelectronics S.r.l.
    Inventors: Pasquale Biancolillo, Angelo Recchia, Pasquale Franco, Antonio Cicero, Giuseppe Bruno
  • Patent number: 9835574
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 5, 2017
    Assignee: STMICROELECTRONICS S.R.L.
    Inventors: Pasquale Biancolillo, Angelo Recchia, Pasquale Franco, Antonio Cicero, Giuseppe Bruno
  • Publication number: 20160003757
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: June 1, 2015
    Publication date: January 7, 2016
    Applicant: STMICROELECTRONICS S.R.L.
    Inventors: Pasquale Biancolillo, Angelo Recchia, Pasquale Franco, Antonio Cicero, Giuseppe Bruno
  • Publication number: 20150377813
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: May 29, 2015
    Publication date: December 31, 2015
    Applicant: STMicroelectronics S.r.l.
    Inventors: Pasquale Biancolillo, Angelo Recchia, Pasquale Franco, Antonio Cicero, Giuseppe Bruno
  • Publication number: 20100290972
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: September 27, 2007
    Publication date: November 18, 2010
    Applicant: SOLARIA TECNOLOGIE S.R.L.
    Inventors: Antonio Cicero, Domenico Di Mola, Rosario Mario Napolitano Melintenda, Igor M. Ulanov
  • Publication number: 20070057027
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: July 29, 2004
    Publication date: March 15, 2007
    Inventors: Francis Bourrieres, Clement Kaiser, Antonio Cicero, Osvaldo Novello