Patents by Inventor Dario Paci

Dario Paci 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: 10705158
    Abstract: A MEMS triaxial magnetic sensor device includes a sensing structure having: a substrate; an outer frame, which internally defines a window and is elastically coupled to first anchorages fixed with respect to the substrate by first elastic elements; a mobile structure arranged in the window, suspended above the substrate, which is elastically coupled to the outer frame by second elastic elements and carries a conductive path for flow of an electric current; and an elastic arrangement operatively coupled to the mobile structure. The mobile structure performs, due to the first and second elastic elements and the arrangement of elastic elements, first, second, and third sensing movements in response to Lorentz forces from first, second, and third magnetic-field components, respectively. The first, second, and third sensing movements are distinct and decoupled from one another.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 2019
    Date of Patent: July 7, 2020
    Assignee: STMICROELECTRONICS S.R.L.
    Inventors: Giacomo Laghi, Giacomo Langfelder, Gabriele Gattere, Alessandro Tocchio, Dario Paci
  • Patent number: 10683200
    Abstract: A MEMS device includes a semiconductor support body having a first cavity, a membrane including a peripheral portion, fixed to the support body, and a suspended portion. A first deformable structure is at a distance from a central part of the suspended portion of the membrane and a second deformable structure is laterally offset relative to the first deformable structure towards the peripheral portion of the membrane. A projecting region is fixed under the membrane. The second deformable structure is deformable so as to translate the central part of the suspended portion of the membrane along a first direction, and the first deformable structure is deformable so as to translate the central part of the suspended portion of the membrane along a second direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 16, 2020
    Assignee: STMICTOELECTRONICS S.r.l.
    Inventors: Dario Paci, Domenico Giusti, Irene Martini
  • Publication number: 20200156929
    Abstract: A MEMS device includes a semiconductor support body having a first cavity, a membrane including a peripheral portion, fixed to the support body, and a suspended portion. A first deformable structure is at a distance from a central part of the suspended portion of the membrane and a second deformable structure is laterally offset relative to the first deformable structure towards the peripheral portion of the membrane. A projecting region is fixed under the membrane. The second deformable structure is deformable so as to translate the central part of the suspended portion of the membrane along a first direction, and the first deformable structure is deformable so as to translate the central part of the suspended portion of the membrane along a second direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 24, 2020
    Publication date: May 21, 2020
    Inventors: Dario Paci, Domenico Giusti, Irene Martini
  • Publication number: 20190219642
    Abstract: An AMR-type integrated magnetoresistive sensor sensitive to perpendicular magnetic fields is formed on a body of semiconductor material covered by an insulating region. The insulating region houses a set/reset coil and a magnetoresistor arranged on the set/reset coil. The magnetoresistor is formed by a magnetoresistive strip of an elongated shape parallel to the preferential magnetization direction. A concentrator of ferromagnetic material is arranged on top of the insulating region as the last element of the sensor and is formed by a plurality of distinct ferromagnetic regions aligned parallel to the preferential magnetization direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 27, 2019
    Publication date: July 18, 2019
    Inventor: Dario PACI
  • Patent number: 10353020
    Abstract: A method of manufacturing a magnetic-field sensor includes forming an insulating layer on a first surface of a substrate. First and second magnetoresistors are formed at different above the first surface of the substrate and are spaced apart from the first surface by different distances. The first and second magnetoresistors have respective main axes of magnetization transverse to one another, and respective secondary axes of magnetization transverse to one another. The method further includes forming a first magnetic-field generator configured to generate a first magnetic field having field lines along the main axis of magnetization of the first magnetoresistor, and forming a second magnetic-field generator configured to generate a second magnetic field having field lines along the main axis of magnetization of the second magnetoresistor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 2, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 16, 2019
    Assignee: STMicroelectronics S.r.l.
    Inventors: Dario Paci, Sarah Zerbini, Benedetto Vigna
  • Publication number: 20190195964
    Abstract: A MEMS triaxial magnetic sensor device includes a sensing structure having: a substrate; an outer frame, which internally defines a window and is elastically coupled to first anchorages fixed with respect to the substrate by first elastic elements; a mobile structure arranged in the window, suspended above the substrate, which is elastically coupled to the outer frame by second elastic elements and carries a conductive path for flow of an electric current; and an elastic arrangement operatively coupled to the mobile structure. The mobile structure performs, due to the first and second elastic elements and the arrangement of elastic elements, first, second, and third sensing movements in response to Lorentz forces from first, second, and third magnetic-field components, respectively. The first, second, and third sensing movements are distinct and decoupled from one another.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 1, 2019
    Publication date: June 27, 2019
    Inventors: Giacomo LAGHI, Giacomo LANGFELDER, Gabriele GATTERE, Alessandro TOCCHIO, Dario PACI
  • Patent number: 10288697
    Abstract: An AMR-type integrated magnetoresistive sensor sensitive to perpendicular magnetic fields is formed on a body of semiconductor material covered by an insulating region. The insulating region houses a set/reset coil and a magnetoresistor arranged on the set/reset coil. The magnetoresistor is formed by a magnetoresistive strip of an elongated shape parallel to the preferential magnetization direction. A concentrator of ferromagnetic material is arranged on top of the insulating region as the last element of the sensor and is formed by a plurality of distinct ferromagnetic regions aligned parallel to the preferential magnetization direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2019
    Assignee: STMICROELECTRONICS S.R.L.
    Inventor: Dario Paci
  • Publication number: 20190127214
    Abstract: A MEMS device comprising a body, having a first surface and a second surface; a diaphragm cavity in the body extending from the second surface of the body; a deformable portion in the body between the first surface and the diaphragm cavity; and a piezoelectric actuator, extending on the first surface of the body, over the deformable portion. The MEMS device is characterized in that it comprises a recess structure extending in the body and delimiting a stopper portion for the deformable portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 19, 2018
    Publication date: May 2, 2019
    Inventors: Dario PACI, Marco FERRERA, Andrea PICCO
  • Patent number: 10267869
    Abstract: A MEMS triaxial magnetic sensor device includes a sensing structure having: a substrate; an outer frame, which internally defines a window and is elastically coupled to first anchorages fixed with respect to the substrate by first elastic elements; a mobile structure arranged in the window, suspended above the substrate, which is elastically coupled to the outer frame by second elastic elements and carries a conductive path for flow of an electric current; and an elastic arrangement operatively coupled to the mobile structure. The mobile structure performs, due to the first and second elastic elements and the arrangement of elastic elements, first, second, and third sensing movements in response to Lorentz forces from first, second, and third magnetic-field components, respectively. The first, second, and third sensing movements are distinct and decoupled from one another.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2019
    Assignee: STMICROELECTRONICS S.R.L.
    Inventors: Giacomo Laghi, Giacomo Langfelder, Gabriele Gattere, Alessandro Tocchio, Dario Paci
  • Patent number: 10254355
    Abstract: A magnetic field sensor includes a die and a current generator in the die. The current generator generates a driving current. A Lorentz force transducer is also formed in the die and coupled to the current generator to obtain measurements of a magnetic field based upon the Lorentz force. The magnetic field has a resonance frequency and the current generator drives the Lorentz force sensor with the driving current having a non-zero frequency different from the resonance frequency.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2019
    Assignee: STMicroelectronics S.r.l.
    Inventors: Giacomo Langfelder, Alessandro Tocchio, Dario Paci
  • Publication number: 20190097127
    Abstract: An integrated magnetoresistive device includes a substrate of semiconductor material that is covered, on a first surface, by an insulating layer. A magnetoresistor of ferromagnetic material extends within the insulating layer and defines a sensitivity plane of the sensor. A concentrator of ferromagnetic material includes at least one arm that extends in a transversal direction to the sensitivity plane and is vertically offset from the magnetoresistor. The concentrator concentrates deflects magnetic flux lines perpendicular to the sensitivity plane so as to generate magnetic-field components directed in a parallel direction to the sensitivity plane.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 27, 2018
    Publication date: March 28, 2019
    Applicant: STMicroelectronics S.r.l.
    Inventors: Dario Paci, Marco Morelli, Caterina Riva
  • Publication number: 20190039880
    Abstract: A MEMS device includes a semiconductor support body having a first cavity, a membrane including a peripheral portion, fixed to the support body, and a suspended portion. A first deformable structure is at a distance from a central part of the suspended portion of the membrane and a second deformable structure is laterally offset relative to the first deformable structure towards the peripheral portion of the membrane. A projecting region is fixed under the membrane. The second deformable structure is deformable so as to translate the central part of the suspended portion of the membrane along a first direction, and the first deformable structure is deformable so as to translate the central part of the suspended portion of the membrane along a second direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 31, 2018
    Publication date: February 7, 2019
    Inventors: Dario Paci, Domenico Giusti, Irene Martini
  • Patent number: 10177306
    Abstract: An integrated magnetoresistive device includes a substrate of semiconductor material that is covered, on a first surface, by an insulating layer. A magnetoresistor of ferromagnetic material extends within the insulating layer and defines a sensitivity plane of the sensor. A concentrator of ferromagnetic material includes at least one arm that extends in a transversal direction to the sensitivity plane and is vertically offset from the magnetoresistor. The concentrator concentrates deflects magnetic flux lines perpendicular to the sensitivity plane so as to generate magnetic-field components directed in a parallel direction to the sensitivity plane.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 11, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2019
    Assignee: STMicroelectronics S.r.l.
    Inventors: Dario Paci, Marco Morelli, Caterina Riva
  • Publication number: 20180335326
    Abstract: An integrated sensor device including a first die, housing a sensor element to detect a quantity external to the sensor device and transduce the external quantity into an electrical sensing signal; a second die mechanically coupled to the first die so that the first and second dies are stacked on one another along one and the same axis; and at least one heater of a resistive type integrated in the first die and/or in the second die, having a first conduction terminal and a second conduction terminal configured to couple respective first and second conduction terminals of a signal generator for causing an electric current to flow, in use, between the first and second conduction terminals of the heater and generate heat by the Joule effect. It is possible to carry out calibration in temperature of the sensor element.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 30, 2018
    Publication date: November 22, 2018
    Inventors: Dario PACI, Francesco PROCOPIO, Carlo VALZASINA, Paolo ANGELINI, Francesco DIAZZI, Roberto Pio BAORDA, Danilo Karim KADDOURI
  • Patent number: 10094891
    Abstract: An integrated AMR magnetoresistive sensor has a magnetoresistor, a set/reset coil and a shielding region arranged on top of each other. The set/reset coil is positioned between the magnetoresistor and the shielding region. The magnetoresistor is formed by a magnetoresistive strip of an elongated shape having a length in a first direction parallel to the preferential magnetization direction and a width in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction. The set/reset coil has at least one stretch extending transversely to the magnetoresistive strip. The shielding region is a ferromagnetic material and has a width in the second direction greater than the width of the magnetoresistive strip so as to attenuate the external magnetic field traversing the magnetoresistive strip and increase the sensitivity scale of the magnetoresistive sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 9, 2018
    Assignee: STMicroelectronics S.r.l.
    Inventors: Dario Paci, Marco Marchesi, Marco Morelli
  • Patent number: 10054471
    Abstract: An integrated sensor device including a first die, housing a sensor element to detect a quantity external to the sensor device and transduce the external quantity into an electrical sensing signal; a second die mechanically coupled to the first die so that the first and second dies are stacked on one another along one and the same axis; and at least one heater of a resistive type integrated in the first die and/or in the second die, having a first conduction terminal and a second conduction terminal configured to couple respective first and second conduction terminals of a signal generator for causing an electric current to flow, in use, between the first and second conduction terminals of the heater and generate heat by the Joule effect. It is possible to carry out calibration in temperature of the sensor element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2018
    Assignee: STMICROELECTRONICS S.R.L.
    Inventors: Dario Paci, Francesco Procopio, Carlo Valzasina, Paolo Angelini, Francesco Diazzi, Roberto Pio Baorda, Danilo Karim Kaddouri
  • Publication number: 20180188336
    Abstract: A MEMS triaxial magnetic sensor device includes a sensing structure having: a substrate; an outer frame, which internally defines a window and is elastically coupled to first anchorages fixed with respect to the substrate by first elastic elements; a mobile structure arranged in the window, suspended above the substrate, which is elastically coupled to the outer frame by second elastic elements and carries a conductive path for flow of an electric current; and an elastic arrangement operatively coupled to the mobile structure. The mobile structure performs, due to the first and second elastic elements and the arrangement of elastic elements, first, second, and third sensing movements in response to Lorentz forces from first, second, and third magnetic-field components, respectively. The first, second, and third sensing movements are distinct and decoupled from one another.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 29, 2017
    Publication date: July 5, 2018
    Inventors: Giacomo Laghi, Giacomo Langfelder, Gabriele Gattere, Alessandro Tocchio, Dario Paci
  • Publication number: 20180180649
    Abstract: An integrated current sensor device includes a supporting structure of conductive material, arranged within a package, and an integrated circuit die including a first and second magnetic-field sensor elements that are arranged along a sensor axis. An electronic circuit operatively coupled to the first and second magnetic-field sensor elements performs a differential detection of electric current. The supporting structure defines a current path for the electric current. The current path includes: a first path portion extending at the first magnetic-field sensor element; a second path portion extending at the second magnetic-field sensor element; and a third path portion that connects the first and second path portions. The first path portion and the second path portion are arranged on opposite sides of the sensor axis, and the third path portion crosses the sensor axis along a transverse axis.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 4, 2017
    Publication date: June 28, 2018
    Applicant: STMicroelectronics S.r.l.
    Inventors: Dario Paci, Paolo Angelini, Marco Del Sarto
  • Patent number: 9766304
    Abstract: An integrated magnetoresistive sensor of an AMR (Anisotropic Magneto Resistance) type, formed by a magnetoresistive strip of ferromagnetic material and having an elongated shape with a preferential magnetization direction. A set/reset coil has a stretch, which extends over and transversely to the magnetoresistive strip. A concentrating region, also of ferromagnetic material, extends over the stretch of the set/reset coil so as to form a magnetic circuit for the field generated by the set/reset coil during steps of refresh and maintenance of magnetization of the magnetoresistive coil.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 19, 2017
    Assignee: STMicroelectronics S.r.l.
    Inventor: Dario Paci
  • Publication number: 20170234940
    Abstract: A magnetic field sensor includes a die and a current generator in the die. The current generator generates a driving current. A Lorentz force transducer is also formed in the die and coupled to the current generator to obtain measurements of a magnetic field based upon the Lorentz force. The magnetic field has a resonance frequency and the current generator drives the Lorentz force sensor with the driving current having a non-zero frequency different from the resonance frequency.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 2, 2017
    Publication date: August 17, 2017
    Inventors: Giacomo Langfelder, Alessandro Tocchio, Dario Paci