Patents by Inventor Luca Fontanella
Luca Fontanella 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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Publication number: 20230251621Abstract: A system for detecting and evaluating environmental quantities and events is formed by a detection and evaluation device and a mobile phone, connected through a wireless connection. The device is enclosed in a containment casing housing a support carrying a plurality of inertial sensors and environmental sensors. A processing unit is coupled to the inertial sensors and to the environmental sensors. A wireless connection unit, is coupled to the processing unit and a wired connection port, is coupled to the processing unit. A programming connector is coupled to the processing unit and is configured to couple to an external programming unit to receive programming instructions of the processing unit. A storage structure is coupled to the processing unit and a power-supply unit supplied power in the detection and evaluation device. The mobile phone stores an application, which enables a basicuse mode, an expert use mode, and an advanced use mode.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 14, 2023Publication date: August 10, 2023Applicant: STMicroelectronics S.r.l.Inventors: Luca FONTANELLA, Andrea LABOMBARDA, Marco BIANCO, Davide GHEZZI, Christian RAINERI, Paolo GATTI
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Patent number: 11650566Abstract: A system for detecting and evaluating environmental quantities and events is formed by a detection and evaluation device and a mobile phone, connected through a wireless connection. The device is enclosed in a containment casing housing a support carrying a plurality of inertial sensors and environmental sensors. A processing unit is coupled to the inertial sensors and to the environmental sensors. A wireless connection unit, is coupled to the processing unit and a wired connection port, is coupled to the processing unit. A programming connector is coupled to the processing unit and is configured to couple to an external programming unit to receive programming instructions of the processing unit. A storage structure is coupled to the processing unit and a power-supply unit supplied power in the detection and evaluation device. The mobile phone stores an application, which enables a basicuse mode, an expert use mode, and an advanced use mode.Type: GrantFiled: January 3, 2020Date of Patent: May 16, 2023Assignee: STMicroelectronics S.r.l.Inventors: Luca Fontanella, Andrea Labombarda, Marco Bianco, Davide Ghezzi, Christian Raineri, Paolo Gatti
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Publication number: 20200218228Abstract: A system for detecting and evaluating environmental quantities and events is formed by a detection and evaluation device and a mobile phone, connected through a wireless connection. The device is enclosed in a containment casing housing a support carrying a plurality of inertial sensors and environmental sensors. A processing unit is coupled to the inertial sensors and to the environmental sensors. A wireless connection unit, is coupled to the processing unit and a wired connection port, is coupled to the processing unit. A programming connector is coupled to the processing unit and is configured to couple to an external programming unit to receive programming instructions of the processing unit. A storage structure is coupled to the processing unit and a power-supply unit supplied power in the detection and evaluation device. The mobile phone stores an application, which enables a basicuse mode, an expert use mode, and an advanced use mode.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 3, 2020Publication date: July 9, 2020Inventors: Luca FONTANELLA, Andrea LABOMBARDA, Marco BIANCO, Davide GHEZZI, Christian RAINERI, Paolo GATTI
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Patent number: 8022996Abstract: A device for stabilizing images acquired by a digital-image sensor includes a motion-sensing device, for detecting quantities correlated to pitch and yaw movements of the digital-image sensor, and a processing unit, connectable to the digital-image sensor for receiving a first image signal and configured for extracting a second image signal from the first image signal on the basis of the quantities detected by the motion-sensing device. The motion-sensing device includes a first accelerometer and a second accelerometer.Type: GrantFiled: March 14, 2008Date of Patent: September 20, 2011Assignee: STMicroelectronics S.r.l.Inventors: Fabio Pasolini, Luca Fontanella
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Publication number: 20090294186Abstract: In a device for determining the position of a touch on a contact surface, a plurality of vibration sensors are configured to detect mechanical vibrations generated by the touch on the contact surface and to generate corresponding vibration signals, and a processing circuit is connected to the vibration sensors and is configured to determine the touch position via a time-of-flight algorithm, based on differences between times of detection of the mechanical vibrations by the vibration sensors.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 8, 2006Publication date: December 3, 2009Inventors: Luca Fontanella, Fabio Pasolini, Benedetto Vigna, Enrico Chiesa
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Patent number: 7578184Abstract: A portable apparatus having an accelerometer device and a supporting element in the accelerometer device, having a first body of semiconductor material integrating a sensor element that detects movements of the first body and generates a signal correlated to the detected movement; a second body of semiconductor material that integrates a conditioning electronics and that is electrically connected to the first body; and conductive bumps that provide electrical connection of the first and second bodies to the supporting element. In particular, the conductive bumps connect the first and second bodies to the supporting element without the interposition of any packaging.Type: GrantFiled: December 12, 2005Date of Patent: August 25, 2009Assignee: STMicroelectronics S.r.l.Inventors: Luca Fontanella, Benedetto Vigna, Ernesto Lasalandra, Caterina Riva
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Publication number: 20080158370Abstract: A device for stabilizing images acquired by a digital-image sensor includes a motion-sensing device, for detecting quantities correlated to pitch and yaw movements of the digital-image sensor, and a processing unit, connectable to the digital-image sensor for receiving a first image signal and configured for extracting a second image signal from the first image signal on the basis of the quantities detected by the motion-sensing device. The motion-sensing device includes a first accelerometer and a second accelerometer.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 14, 2008Publication date: July 3, 2008Applicant: STMICROELECTRONICS S.R.I.Inventors: Fabio Pasolini, Luca Fontanella
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Publication number: 20060150731Abstract: A portable apparatus having an accelerometer device and a supporting element in the accelerometer device, having a first body of semiconductor material integrating a sensor element that detects movements of the first body and generates a signal correlated to the detected movement; a second body of semiconductor material that integrates a conditioning electronics and that is electrically connected to the first body; and conductive bumps that provide electrical connection of the first and second bodies to the supporting element. In particular, the conductive bumps connect the first and second bodies to the supporting element without the interposition of any packaging.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 12, 2005Publication date: July 13, 2006Applicant: STMicroelectronics S.r.l.Inventors: Luca Fontanella, Benedetto Vigna, Ernesto Lasalandra, Caterina Riva
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Patent number: 6879135Abstract: A DC—DC converter may comprise a plurality of voltage multiplying stages of the capacitive type, each multiplying stage comprising a plurality of selectively connectable boosting branches. In one embodiment, the DC—DC converter comprises an inductor connected between a supply line and a ground line through a switching transistor; a voltage multiplying circuit formed by a plurality of voltage multiplying stages of capacitive type, connected together in cascade and each having an input connected to an intermediate node between the inductor and the transistor, and an output supplying a potential equal to the potential of the intermediate node multiplied by a respective multiplication factor. Each voltage multiplying stage comprises a plurality of parallel, selectively connectable boosting branches. The number of the active boosting branches may be varied in response to the energy required by the loads.Type: GrantFiled: May 15, 2002Date of Patent: April 12, 2005Assignee: STMicroelectronics S.r.l.Inventor: Luca Fontanella
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Patent number: 6631081Abstract: A capacitive high voltage generator having a first stage and a second stage respectively formed by a first basic block and a second basic block and a third basic block. Each basic block has a timing input, a first supply input, a second supply input and an output terminal and includes: a buffer having a first terminal connected to the first supply input of the corresponding basic block, a second terminal connected to a ground terminal and an input terminal connected to the timing input of the corresponding basic block; a capacitor having a first terminal connected to an output terminal of the corresponding buffer and a second terminal connected, in a non-disconnectable way, to the output terminal of the corresponding basic block; a diode having a first terminal connected to the second supply input and a second terminal connected, in a non-disconnectable way, to the output terminal of the corresponding basic block.Type: GrantFiled: October 18, 2001Date of Patent: October 7, 2003Inventor: Luca Fontanella
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Publication number: 20020196003Abstract: A DC-DC converter may comprise a plurality of voltage multiplying stages of the capacitive type, each multiplying stage comprising a plurality of selectively connectable boosting branches. In one embodiment, the DC-DC converter comprises an inductor connected between a supply line and a ground line through a switching transistor; a voltage multiplying circuit formed by a plurality of voltage multiplying stages of capacitive type, connected together in cascade and each having an input connected to an intermediate node between the inductor and the transistor, and an output supplying a potential equal to the potential of the intermediate node multiplied by a respective multiplication factor. Each voltage multiplying stage comprises a plurality of parallel, selectively connectable boosting branches. The number of the active boosting branches may be varied in response to the energy required by the loads.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 14, 2002Publication date: December 26, 2002Applicant: STMicroelectronics S.r.l.Inventor: Luca Fontanella
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Publication number: 20020097028Abstract: A capacitive high voltage generator comprising a first stage and a second stage respectively formed by a first basic block and a second basic block and a third basic block. Each basic block has a timing input, a first supply input, a second supply input and an output terminal and comprises: a buffer having a first terminal connected to the first supply input of the corresponding basic block, a second terminal connected to a ground terminal and an input terminal connected to the timing input of the corresponding basic block; a capacitor having a first terminal connected to an output terminal of the corresponding buffer and a second terminal connected, in a non-disconnectable way, to the output terminal of the corresponding basic block; a diode having a first terminal connected to the second supply input and a second terminal connected, in a non-disconnectable way, to the output terminal of the corresponding basic block.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 18, 2001Publication date: July 25, 2002Applicant: STMicroelectronics S.r.l.Inventor: Luca Fontanella
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Patent number: 6421258Abstract: The present invention relates a current zero crossing detecting circuit including a PWM driving half bridge circuit, which generates an output signal (OUT) and a signal synchronous with the high impedance condition of said PWM driving half bridge circuit. Said inventive circuit has the characteristic of comprising detecting means (DFLIP, COMP) synchronous with said signal synchronous with the high impedance condition of said PWM driving half bridge circuit and said output signal (OUT), and said detecting means generating a direction signal (DIR_COR) showing the current direction flowing in said pulse width modulation circuit.Type: GrantFiled: September 4, 2001Date of Patent: July 16, 2002Assignee: STMicroelectronics, s.r.l.Inventors: Francesco Chrappan Soldavini, Luca Fontanella
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Publication number: 20020033716Abstract: The present invention relates a current zero crossing detecting circuit including a PWM driving half bridge circuit, which generates an output signal (OUT) and a signal synchronous with the high impedance condition of said PWM driving half bridge circuit. Said inventive circuit has the characteristic of comprising detecting means (DFLIP, COMP) synchronous with said signal synchronous with the high impedance condition of said PWM driving half bridge circuit and said output signal (OUT), and said detecting means generating a direction signal (DIR_COR) showing the current direction flowing in said pulse width modulation circuit.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 4, 2001Publication date: March 21, 2002Inventors: Francesco Chrappan Soldavini, Luca Fontanella
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Patent number: 6330172Abstract: A switching device having a first and a second electronic switch connected in a half-bridge configuration and each having a control terminal for receiving a switching signal alternatively having a turn-on value and a turn-off value for taking the first and second electronic switches to an on state and to an off state, respectively; the switching device includes, for each switch, means for detecting the state of the switch and means for keeping the switching signal at the turn-off value for one of the electronic switches when the detected state of the other electronic switch is the on state.Type: GrantFiled: February 16, 2000Date of Patent: December 11, 2001Assignee: STMicroelectronics S.r.l.Inventors: Luca Fontanella, Giovanni Frattini, Giulio Ricotti
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Patent number: 6246152Abstract: A driver circuit for controlling a piezoelectric actuator in a charge mode includes an amplifier having a first input terminal for receiving a control voltage, a second input terminal, and a main final stage with a main output terminal connected to the piezoelectric actuator. The amplifier also includes an additional final stage with an additional output terminal connected to the second input terminal. The main final stage and the additional final stage are connected in parallel with one another so that a current which passes through the main output terminal is proportional in accordance with a predefined factor to a current which passes through the additional output terminal. The driver circuit includes a device having a constant capacitance connected to the second input terminal so that an electrical charge transferred to the piezoelectric actuator is correlated with the control voltage in accordance with the predefined factor and the capacitance.Type: GrantFiled: November 12, 1999Date of Patent: June 12, 2001Assignee: STMicroelectronics S.r.l.Inventors: Luca Fontanella, Giovanni Frattini, Giorgio Pedrazzini, Giulio Ricotti
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Patent number: 6222351Abstract: A dual supply device having a reference terminal, an input terminal for the application of a substantially constant input voltage relative to the reference terminal, a first output terminal for supplying a first supply voltage different from the input voltage, a second output terminal for supplying a second supply voltage substantially opposite to the first supply voltage a direct-current/direct-current converter connected between the input terminal and the first output terminal for converting the input voltage into the first supply voltage, and a capacitive translator connected between the first and second output terminals for translating the first supply voltage into the second supply voltage.Type: GrantFiled: January 25, 2000Date of Patent: April 24, 2001Assignee: STMicroelectronics S.r.l.Inventors: Luca Fontanella, Giovanni Frattini, Giulio Ricotti
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Patent number: 6081471Abstract: An integrated electronic control circuit comprises a microcontroller connected to at least one volatile memory, at least one input/output port, a plurality of control devices, and an electronic non-volatile memory device comprising a non-volatile memory cell matrix linked to a control register, and a switch element connected between a voltage reference and the cell matrix to enable the program mode of the cell matrix under control by the microcontroller.Type: GrantFiled: January 29, 1999Date of Patent: June 27, 2000Assignee: STMicroelectronics S.r.l.Inventors: Michele Palazzi, Virginia Natale, Luca Fontanella
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Patent number: 6072682Abstract: A protection circuit for a power supply line in a semiconductor device, comprising first and second field-effect transistors, both transistors having their respective drain terminals connected to the power supply line. The gate source terminals of the first transistor are connected to ground through first and second resistors, respectively. The gate and source terminals of the second transistor are connected to the source terminal of the first transistor and to ground, respectively.Type: GrantFiled: December 30, 1997Date of Patent: June 6, 2000Assignee: STMicroelectronics S.r.l.Inventors: Enrico M. A. Ravanelli, Luca Fontanella