Patents by Inventor Dario Bruno

Dario Bruno 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: 6301570
    Abstract: The analog processor of this invention is programmable and capable of storing the processing coefficients in analog form. It comprises a storage section having at least one output, plural outputs in most cases, and being adapted to respectively generate programming signals on such outputs; the storage section is input a plurality of supply voltage signals and is operative to produce, in connection with information stored therein, one of the supply voltage signals on each of the outputs, it being understood that one voltage signal may be produced on several such outputs. Advantageously, the processor can also be programmed in a simple manner from circuits of the digital type if switches controlled by storage elements are used in the storage section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 1996
    Date of Patent: October 9, 2001
    Assignee: STMicroelectronics S.r.l.
    Inventors: Nicolò Manaresi, Eleonora Franchi, Dario Bruno, Rinaldo Poluzzi
  • Patent number: 5952874
    Abstract: A transistor threshold extraction circuit having an output and including a first and a second transistor of the same type each having a control terminal and having essentially the same threshold voltage, the control terminal of the first transistor being connected to a constant potential node, a current mirror having at least one input terminal and one output terminal coupled respectively to said first and second transistors to provide bias currents, a first and a second potential reference, and a voltage divider having an intermediate tap and first and second end terminals. The control terminal of the second transistor is coupled to the intermediate tap and the divider is biased by coupling the first and the second end terminals respectively to the first and second potential references. The output is coupled to one of said end terminals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 1995
    Date of Patent: September 14, 1999
    Assignee: Consorzio per la Ricerca sulla Microeletrronica nel Mezzogiorno
    Inventors: Nicolo Manaresi, Eleonora Franchi, Dario Bruno, Biagio Giacalone
  • Patent number: 5918221
    Abstract: The analog processor can carry out processings independently of the operating temperature and process parameters, in a reliable manner and at high performance levels using fairly simple circuitry. To achieve this independence, the processor is basically implemented and integrated with MOS transistors, has both voltage inputs and outputs, and includes a biasing section which supplies voltage bias signals, of which at least one is substantially the sum of a voltage proportional to the threshold voltage of the MOS transistors and a reference voltage. This reference voltage can be extracted from a reference potential which is stable to temperature and process parameters, for example that produced by a bandgap type of generator. A major feature of the processor according to the invention is the linearity of its input-output characteristic relative to that reference voltage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 1996
    Date of Patent: June 29, 1999
    Assignee: STMicroelectronics, S.r.l.
    Inventors: Nicolo Manaresi, Eleonora Franchi, Dario Bruno, Rinaldo Poluzzi
  • Patent number: 5825229
    Abstract: A voltage level shift circuit has a first input receiving a first voltage signal and a second input receiving a second voltage signal. The voltage level shift circuit is structured to generate an output voltage at an output terminal which is equal to a sum of the first and second voltage signals. The first voltage signal may be varied to vary a shift of the second voltage signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 1996
    Date of Patent: October 20, 1998
    Assignee: Co. Ri. M.Me--Consorzio Per la Ricera Sulla Microelectronica Nel Mezzogiorno
    Inventors: Nicolo Manaresi, Eleonora Franchi, Dario Bruno, Biagio Giacalone, Vincenzo Matranga
  • Patent number: 5806051
    Abstract: Analog processor of antecedent parts of fuzzy logic inference rules and comprising a plurality of analog generators of membership function each having an output supplying a value corresponding to a degree of truth complemented to one (.alpha.') of logical assignments of the type (A is A') with the outputs being connected together to form a common circuit node and also connected to a current generator and the processor comprising also a voltage control device inserted between a supply voltage pole and a ground voltage reference and a one-way element connected to the common circuit node and the one-way element having an output producing an overall degree of truth for the antecedent part of the fuzzy rule to be processed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 1995
    Date of Patent: September 8, 1998
    Assignee: Consorzio per la Ricerca sulla Microelettronica nel Mezzogiorno
    Inventors: Dario Bruno, Biagio Giacalone, Nicolo Manaresi
  • Patent number: 5672960
    Abstract: A transistor threshold extraction circuit including at least two transistors of the same type each having a control terminal and having essentially a same threshold voltage, each of the two transistors also having first and second main conduction terminals, a current mirror circuit having at least two input-output terminals with the two terminals coupled respectively to the two transistors so as to supply bias currents, a voltage generator connected between the two control terminals, and a feedback path between the control terminals and one of the input-output terminals. An output of the extraction circuit is coupled to one of the control terminals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 1995
    Date of Patent: September 30, 1997
    Assignee: Consorzio per la Ricerca sulla Microelettronica nel Mezzogiorno
    Inventors: Nicolo Manaresi, Antonio Gnudi, Dario Bruno, Biagio Giacalone