Patents by Inventor Tommaso Ungaretti
Tommaso Ungaretti 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: 9523725Abstract: Capacitance sensing circuits and methods are provided. A dual mode capacitance sensing circuit includes a capacitance-to-voltage converter having an amplifier and an integration capacitance coupled between an output and an inverting input of the amplifier, and a switching circuit responsive to mutual mode control signals for a controlling signal supplied from a capacitive touch matrix to the capacitive to voltage converter in a mutual capacitance sensing mode and responsive to self mode control signals for controlling signals supplied from the capacitive touch matrix to the capacitance-to-voltage converter in a self capacitance sensing mode, wherein the capacitance sensing circuit is configurable for operation in the mutual capacitance sensing mode or the self capacitance sensing mode.Type: GrantFiled: July 2, 2014Date of Patent: December 20, 2016Assignees: STMICROELECTRONICS ASIA PACIFIC PTE LTD, STMICROELECTRONICS S.R.L.Inventors: Kien Beng Tan, Ernesto Lasalandra, Tommaso Ungaretti, Yannick Guedon, Dianbo Guo, Paolo Angelini, Giovanni Carlo Tripoli
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Patent number: 9389256Abstract: Capacitance sensing circuits and methods are provided. The capacitance sensing circuit includes a capacitance-to-voltage converter configured to receive a signal from a capacitance to be sensed and to provide an output signal representative of the capacitance, an output chopper configured to convert the output signal of the capacitance-to-voltage converter to a sensed voltage representative of the capacitance to be sensed, an analog accumulator configured to accumulate sensed voltages during an accumulation period of NA sensing cycles and to provide an accumulated analog value, an amplifier configured to amplify the accumulated analog value, and an analog-to-digital converter configured to convert the amplified accumulated analog value to a digital value representative of the capacitance to be sensed. The analog accumulator may include a low pass filter having a frequency response to filter wideband noise.Type: GrantFiled: December 18, 2012Date of Patent: July 12, 2016Assignees: STMicroelectronics Asia Pacific Pte Ltd, STMicroelectronics S.r.l.Inventors: Paolo Angelini, Giovanni Carlo Tripoli, Ernesto Lasalandra, Tommaso Ungaretti, Kien Beng Tan, Yannick Guedon, Dianbo Guo, Sze-Kwang Tan
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Patent number: 9372085Abstract: A microelectromechanical sensor includes a supporting structure and a sensing mass, which is elastically coupled to the supporting structure, is movable with respect thereto with one degree of freedom in response to movements according to an axis and is coupled to the supporting structure through a capacitive coupling. A sensing device senses, on terminals of the capacitive coupling, transduction signals indicative of displacements of the first sensing mass according to the degree of freedom. The sensing device includes at least one first reading chain, having first operative parameters, one second reading chain, having second operative parameters different from the first operative parameters, and one selective electrical connection structure that couples the first reading chain and the second reading chain to the first terminals.Type: GrantFiled: October 9, 2012Date of Patent: June 21, 2016Assignee: STMICROELECTRONICS S.R.L.Inventors: Andrea Donadel, Tommaso Ungaretti, Andrea Visconti, Carlo Caminada
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Patent number: 9212910Abstract: A microelectromechanical gyroscope having a supporting structure; a mass capacitively coupled to the supporting structure and movable with a first degree of freedom and a second degree of freedom, in response to rotations of the supporting structure about an axis; driving components, for keeping the mass in oscillation according to the first degree of freedom; a read interface for detecting transduction signals indicating the capacitive coupling between the mass and the supporting structure; and capacitive compensation modules for modifying the capacitive coupling between the mass and the supporting structure. Calibration components detect systematic errors from the transduction signals and modify the capacitive compensation modules as a function of the transduction signals so as to attenuate the systematic errors.Type: GrantFiled: October 9, 2012Date of Patent: December 15, 2015Assignee: STMICROELECTRONICS S.R.L.Inventors: Andrea Donadel, Tommaso Ungaretti, Carlo Caminada, Luciano Prandi
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Patent number: 9201090Abstract: A detection circuit is provided with a differential capacitive sensor and with an interface circuit having a first sense input and a second sense input, electrically connected to the differential capacitive sensor. Provided in the interface circuit are: a sense amplifier connected at input to the first sense input and to the second sense input and supplying an output signal related to a capacitive unbalancing of the differential capacitive sensor; and a common-mode control circuit, connected to the first sense input and to the second sense input and configured to control a common-mode electrical quantity present on the first sense input and on the second sense input. The common-mode control circuit is of a totally passive type and is provided with a capacitive circuit, which is substantially identical to an equivalent electrical circuit of the differential capacitive sensor and is driven with a driving signal in phase opposition with respect to a read signal supplied to the differential capacitive sensor.Type: GrantFiled: November 28, 2006Date of Patent: December 1, 2015Assignee: STMicroelectronics S.r.l.Inventors: Tommaso Ungaretti, Ernesto Lasalandra
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Patent number: 9128573Abstract: Capacitance sensing circuits and methods are provided. The capacitance sensing circuit includes a capacitance-to-voltage converter configured to receive a signal from a capacitance to be sensed and to provide an output signal representative of the capacitance, an output chopper configured to convert the output signal of the capacitance-to-voltage converter to a sensed voltage representative of the capacitance to be sensed, an analog accumulator configured to accumulate sensed voltages during an accumulation period of NA sensing cycles and to provide an accumulated analog value, an amplifier configured to amplify the accumulated analog value, and an analog-to-digital converter configured to convert the amplified accumulated analog value to a digital value representative of the capacitance to be sensed. The analog accumulator may include a low pass filter having a frequency response to filter wideband noise.Type: GrantFiled: September 14, 2012Date of Patent: September 8, 2015Assignees: STMicroelectronics S.r.l.;, STMicroelectronics Asia Pacific Pte LtdInventors: Paolo Angelini, Giovanni Carlo Tripoli, Ernesto Lasalandra, Tommaso Ungaretti, Kien Beng Tan, Yannick Guedon, Dianbo Guo, Sze-Kwang Tan
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Publication number: 20150145801Abstract: Capacitance sensing circuits and methods are provided. The capacitance sensing circuit includes a capacitance-to-voltage converter configured to receive a signal from a capacitance to be sensed and to provide an output signal representative of the capacitance, an output chopper configured to convert the output signal of the capacitance-to-voltage converter to a sensed voltage representative of the capacitance to be sensed, an analog accumulator configured to accumulate sensed voltages during an accumulation period of NA sensing cycles and to provide an accumulated analog value, an amplifier configured to amplify the accumulated analog value, and an analog-to-digital converter configured to convert the amplified accumulated analog value to a digital value representative of the capacitance to be sensed. The analog accumulator may include a low pass filter having a frequency response to filter wideband noise.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 14, 2012Publication date: May 28, 2015Applicants: STMicroelectronics Asia Pacific Pte. Ltd., STMicroelectronics S.r.I.Inventors: Paolo Angelini, Giovanni Carlo Tripoli, Ernesto Lasalandra, Tommaso Ungaretti, Kien Beng Tan, Yannick Guedon, Dianbo Guo, Sze-Kwang Tan
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Patent number: 8976151Abstract: Capacitance sensing circuits and methods are provided. A dual mode capacitance sensing circuit includes a capacitance-to-voltage converter having an amplifier and an integration capacitance coupled between an output and an inverting input of the amplifier, and a dual mode switching circuit responsive to mutual mode control signals for a controlling signal supplied from a capacitive touch matrix to the capacitance-to-voltage converter in a mutual capacitance sensing mode and responsive to self mode control signals for controlling signals supplied from the capacitive touch matrix to the capacitance-to-voltage converter in a self capacitance sensing mode, wherein the capacitance sensing circuit is configurable for operation in the mutual capacitance sensing mode or the self capacitance sensing mode.Type: GrantFiled: December 18, 2012Date of Patent: March 10, 2015Assignees: STMicroelectronics Asia Pacific Pte Ltd, STMicroelectronics S.r.l.Inventors: Kien Beng Tan, Ernesto Lasalandra, Tommaso Ungaretti, Yannick Guedon, Dianbo Guo, Paolo Angelini, Giovanni Carlo Tripoli
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Publication number: 20140312919Abstract: Capacitance sensing circuits and methods are provided. A dual mode capacitance sensing circuit includes a capacitance-to-voltage converter having an amplifier and an integration capacitance coupled between an output and an inverting input of the amplifier, and a switching circuit responsive to mutual mode control signals for a controlling signal supplied from a capacitive touch matrix to the capacitive to voltage converter in a mutual capacitance sensing mode and responsive to self mode control signals for controlling signals supplied from the capacitive touch matrix to the capacitance-to-voltage converter in a self capacitance sensing mode, wherein the capacitance sensing circuit is configurable for operation in the mutual capacitance sensing mode or the self capacitance sensing mode.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 2, 2014Publication date: October 23, 2014Applicants: STMICROELECTRONICS ASIA PACIFIC PTE LTD, STMICROELECTRONICS S.R.L.Inventors: Kien Beng Tan, Ernesto Lasalandra, Tommaso Ungaretti, Yannick Guedon, Dianbo Guo, Paolo Angelini, Giovanni Carlo Tripoli
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Publication number: 20140077823Abstract: Capacitance sensing circuits and methods are provided. The capacitance sensing circuit includes a capacitance-to-voltage converter configured to receive a signal from a capacitance to be sensed and to provide an output signal representative of the capacitance, an output chopper configured to convert the output signal of the capacitance-to-voltage converter to a sensed voltage representative of the capacitance to be sensed, an analog accumulator configured to accumulate sensed voltages during an accumulation period of NA sensing cycles and to provide an accumulated analog value, an amplifier configured to amplify the accumulated analog value, and an analog-to-digital converter configured to convert the amplified accumulated analog value to a digital value representative of the capacitance to be sensed. The analog accumulator may include a low pass filter having a frequency response to filter wideband noise.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 18, 2012Publication date: March 20, 2014Applicants: STMicroelectronics Asia Pacific Pte. Ltd., STMicroelectronics S.r.I.Inventors: Paolo Angelini, Giovanni Carlo Tripoli, Ernesto Lasalandra, Tommaso Ungaretti, Kien Beng Tan, Yannick Guedon, Dianbo Guo, Sze-Kwang Tan
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Publication number: 20140078096Abstract: Capacitance sensing circuits and methods are provided. A dual mode capacitance sensing circuit includes a capacitance-to-voltage converter having an amplifier and an integration capacitance coupled between an output and an inverting input of the amplifier, and a dual mode switching circuit responsive to mutual mode control signals for a controlling signal supplied from a capacitive touch matrix to the capacitance-to-voltage converter in a mutual capacitance sensing mode and responsive to self mode control signals for controlling signals supplied from the capacitive touch matrix to the capacitance-to-voltage converter in a self capacitance sensing mode, wherein the capacitance sensing circuit is configurable for operation in the mutual capacitance sensing mode or the self capacitance sensing mode.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 18, 2012Publication date: March 20, 2014Applicants: STMicroelectronics Asia Pacific Pte. Ltd., STMicroelectronics S.r.I.Inventors: Kien Beng Tan, Ernesto Lasalandra, Tommaso Ungaretti, Yannick Guedon, Dianbo Guo, Paolo Angelini, Giovanni Carlo Tripoli
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Patent number: 8661871Abstract: Described herein is a method for testing a microelectromechanical device provided with a microstructure having a fixed structure and a movable mass, which is capacitively coupled to the fixed structure and mechanically connected thereto so as to be movable between a rest position and at least one position of maximum extension. The method envisages: applying a test voltage between the movable mass and the fixed structure so as to set up an electrostatic force between them and displace the movable mass into the position of maximum extension; keeping the movable mass in the position of maximum extension for a time interval; releasing the movable mass from the position of maximum extension; and detecting a current position of the movable mass.Type: GrantFiled: July 29, 2010Date of Patent: March 4, 2014Assignee: STMicroelectronics S.r.l.Inventors: Giovanni Carlo Tripoli, Tommaso Ungaretti, Ernesto Lasalandra
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Publication number: 20110023605Abstract: Described herein is a method for testing a microelectromechanical device provided with a microstructure having a fixed structure and a movable mass, which is capacitively coupled to the fixed structure and mechanically connected thereto so as to be movable between a rest position and at least one position of maximum extension. The method envisages: applying a test voltage between the movable mass and the fixed structure so as to set up an electrostatic force between them and displace the movable mass into the position of maximum extension; keeping the movable mass in the position of maximum extension for a time interval; releasing the movable mass from the position of maximum extension; and detecting a current position of the movable mass.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 29, 2010Publication date: February 3, 2011Applicant: STMICROELECTRONICS S.R.L.Inventors: Giovanni Carlo Tripoli, Tommaso Ungaretti, Ernesto Lasalandra
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Patent number: 7802476Abstract: A free-fall detector device includes an inertial sensor, a detection circuit associated to the inertial sensor, and a signal source for supplying a read signal to the inertial sensor. The device moreover includes: a storage element, selectively connectable to the detection circuit for storing a feedback signal generated by the detection circuit in response to the read signal supplied to the inertial sensor; and a feedback circuit coupled to the storage element for supplying the feedback signal to the inertial sensor so that the detection circuit generates at least one detection signal in response to the feedback signal supplied to the inertial sensor.Type: GrantFiled: January 19, 2007Date of Patent: September 28, 2010Assignee: STMicroelectronics S.r.l.Inventors: Ernesto Lasalandra, Tommaso Ungaretti
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Publication number: 20090322353Abstract: In a capacitive sensor, a detection structure, of a microelectromechanical type, is provided with a fixed element and a mobile element, capacitively coupled to one another, generating a capacitive variation as a function of a quantity to be detected, and with a parasitic coupling element, capacitively coupled to at least one between the mobile element and the fixed element generating a first parasitic capacitance, intrinsic to the detection structure; a readout-interface circuit is connected to the detection structure and generates, on an output terminal thereof, an output signal as a function of the capacitive variation. The readout-interface circuit has a feedback path between the output terminal and the parasitic coupling element so as to drive the first intrinsic parasitic capacitance with the output signal.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 29, 2008Publication date: December 31, 2009Applicant: STMICROELECTRONICS S.R.L.Inventors: Tommaso Ungaretti, Syed Arsalan Jawed, Massimo Gottardi, Andrea Baschirotto
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Patent number: 7616078Abstract: A device for controlling the frequency of resonance of an oscillating micro-electromechanical system includes: a microstructure, having a first body and a second body, which is capacitively coupled to the first body and elastically oscillatable with respect thereto at a calibratable frequency of resonance, a relative displacement between the second body and the first body being detectable from outside; and an amplifier coupled to the microstructure for detecting the relative displacement. DC decoupling elements are arranged between the amplifier and the microstructure.Type: GrantFiled: September 28, 2007Date of Patent: November 10, 2009Assignee: STMicroelectronics S.r.l.Inventors: Luciano Prandi, Ernesto Lasalandra, Tommaso Ungaretti
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Patent number: 7595648Abstract: A read device of a capacitive sensor includes: a signal source supplying an electrical read signal for driving the capacitive sensor; and a discrete-time sense circuit for generating an electrical output signal, correlated to variations of capacitance of the capacitive sensor, in response to variations of the electrical read signal. The device moreover includes: a modulator stage for generating a modulated electrical read signal on the basis of the electrical read signal and supplying the modulated electrical read signal to the capacitive sensor; a demodulator stage, connected to the sense circuit, for demodulating the electrical output signal and generating a demodulated electrical output signal; and a low-pass filtering stage for generating a filtered electrical output signal, on the basis of the modulated electrical output signal.Type: GrantFiled: November 30, 2006Date of Patent: September 29, 2009Assignee: STMicroelectronics S.r.l.Inventors: Tommaso Ungaretti, Ernesto Lasalandra
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Publication number: 20080106351Abstract: A device for controlling the frequency of resonance of an oscillating micro-electromechanical system includes: a microstructure, having a first body and a second body, which is capacitively coupled to the first body and elastically oscillatable with respect thereto at a calibratable frequency of resonance, a relative displacement between the second body and the first body being detectable from outside; and an amplifier coupled to the microstructure for detecting the relative displacement. DC decoupling elements are arranged between the amplifier and the microstructure.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 28, 2007Publication date: May 8, 2008Applicant: STMICROELECTRONICS S.r.I.Inventors: Luciano Prandi, Ernesto Lasalandra, Tommaso Ungaretti
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Publication number: 20070188969Abstract: A free-fall detector device includes an inertial sensor, a detection circuit associated to the inertial sensor, and a signal source for supplying a read signal to the inertial sensor. The device moreover includes: a storage element, selectively connectable to the detection circuit for storing a feedback signal generated by the detection circuit in response to the read signal supplied to the inertial sensor; and a feedback circuit coupled to the storage element for supplying the feedback signal to the inertial sensor so that the detection circuit generates at least one detection signal in response to the feedback signal supplied to the inertial sensor.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 19, 2007Publication date: August 16, 2007Applicant: STMicroelectronics S.r.I.Inventors: Ernesto Lasalandra, Tommaso Ungaretti
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Publication number: 20070163815Abstract: A detection circuit is provided with a differential capacitive sensor and with an interface circuit having a first sense input and a second sense input, electrically connected to the differential capacitive sensor. Provided in the interface circuit are: a sense amplifier connected at input to the first sense input and to the second sense input and supplying an output signal related to a capacitive unbalancing of the differential capacitive sensor; and a common-mode control circuit, connected to the first sense input and to the second sense input and configured to control a common-mode electrical quantity present on the first sense input and on the second sense input. The common-mode control circuit is of a totally passive type and is provided with a capacitive circuit, which is substantially identical to an equivalent electrical circuit of the differential capacitive sensor and is driven with a driving signal in phase opposition with respect to a read signal supplied to the differential capacitive sensor.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 28, 2006Publication date: July 19, 2007Applicant: STMICROELECTRONICS S.R.I.Inventors: Tommaso Ungaretti, Ernesto Lasalandra