Patents Assigned to STMicroelectronics (Research& Development)
  • Devices and methods for transmitting and receiving in an optical communications system
    Patent number: 10333626
    Abstract: An embodiment device includes an optical source configured to generate an optical carrier including an optical pulse train; and a modulator configured to modulate an amplitude of the optical pulse train, based on data generated by a data source, to produce a modulated optical signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2019
    Assignee: STMICROELECTRONICS (RESEARCH & DEVELOPMENT) LIMITED
    Inventors: Neale Dutton, Denise Lee, Graeme Storm
  • Single photon avalanche diode (SPAD) array including distributed or tree for readout
    Patent number: 10332930
    Abstract: A device includes an array of single photon avalanche diodes (SPADs) and a plurality of pulse shapers. Each of the SPADs are electrically coupled to a respective SPAD quench circuit. Each of the pulse shapers have an input electrically coupled to an output of a respective SPAD quench circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2019
    Assignee: STMicroelectronics (Research & Development) Limited
    Inventors: Bruce Rae, Ivan Ivanov
  • Secure communications using SPAD ToF systems
    Patent number: 10313356
    Abstract: A ToF SPAD based range detecting module is configurable for operation in a first mode to make a distance determination relative to an object within a field of view. The ToF SPAD based range detecting module is further configurable for operation in a second mode to engage in bi-directional data communication with another apparatus within the field of view.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 4, 2019
    Assignee: STMicroelectronics (Research & Development) Limited
    Inventor: Jeffrey M. Raynor
  • Single photon avalanche diode (SPAD) with variable quench resistor
    Patent number: 10312274
    Abstract: A photosensitive diode has an anode terminal and a cathode terminal. A passive quench resistance circuit includes a resistor with a variable resistance that is controlled by a control signal. The resistor is electrically connected to the cathode terminal. The resistor of the passive quench resistance circuit is formed by a first semiconductor region. The control signal is applied to a control gate of the passive quench resistance circuit. The control gate is formed by a second semiconductor region that is insulated from the first semiconductor region and extends parallel to the first semiconductor region. The voltage of the control signal applied to the control gate controls the variable resistance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 4, 2019
    Assignee: STMicroelectronics (Research & Development) Limited
    Inventor: Laurence Stark
  • Circuit and method for controlling and selectively enabling photodiode cells
    Patent number: 10304877
    Abstract: A circuit may include an array of single photon avalanche diode (SPAD) cells, each SPAD cell configured to be selectively enabled by an activation signal. The circuit may include a control circuit configured to selectively enable a subset of the array of SPAD cells based on a measured count rate of the array of SPAD cells.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2019
    Assignees: STMicroelectronics (Research & Development) Limited, STMicroelectronics (Grenoble 2) SAS
    Inventors: Pascal Mellot, Stuart McLeod, Bruce Rae, Marc Drader
  • Directional speaker system and method
    Patent number: 10284994
    Abstract: A directional loudspeaker system has a loudspeaker arrangement configured to generate N audio signals. A time-of-flight sensor arrangement is configured to detect a location of a user. A controller is configured to use information from the time-of-flight sensor arrangement about the location of the user to control the delay such that the N audio signals constructively interfere at the location of the user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2019
    Assignee: STMICROELECTRONICS (RESEARCH & DEVELOPMENT) LIMITED
    Inventor: Alexios Alexandropoulos
  • Pixel circuit
    Patent number: 10283559
    Abstract: A pixel arrangement includes a photodiode, a reset transistor configured to be controlled by a reset signal and coupled to a reset input voltage, a transfer gate transistor configured to transfer charge from the photodiode to a node, wherein the transfer gate transistor is controlled by a transfer gate voltage, and a source follower transistor controlled by the voltage on the node and coupled to a source follower voltage. A capacitor is coupled between the node and an input voltage. During a read operation the input voltage is increased to boost the voltage at the node. The increased input voltage may, for example, be one the reset input voltage, said source follower voltage, said transfer gate voltage and a boosting voltage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 3, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2019
    Assignees: STMicroelectronics (Grenoble 2) SAS, STMicroelectronics (Research & Development) Limited
    Inventors: Graeme Storm, Christophe Mandier
  • Avalanche diode including vertical PN junction
    Patent number: 10283664
    Abstract: An avalanche diode includes a PN junction with a first deep trench structure adjacent to the PN junction. An area via which photons impinge is provided, the PN junction extending substantially vertically with respect to the area. An avalanche diode array can be formed to include a number of avalanche diodes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2019
    Assignee: STMICROELECTRONICS (RESEARCH & DEVELOPMENT) LIMITED
    Inventor: Laurence Stark
  • Time of flight sensing for providing security and power savings in electronic devices
    Patent number: 10275610
    Abstract: An electronic device includes a time-of-flight sensor configured to sense a distance between the electronic device and at least one object proximate the electronic device. Processing circuitry is coupled to the time-of-flight sensor and controls access to the electronic device based on the sensed distance. The electronic device may include a digital camera that the processing circuitry controls to perform facial or iris recognition utilizing the sensed distance from the time-of-flight sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2019
    Assignees: STMicroelectronics, Inc., STMicroelectronics (Research & Development) Limited
    Inventors: Xiaoyong Yang, Riu Xiao, Duncan Hall
  • Apparatus with device with fault detection protection
    Patent number: 10267828
    Abstract: A device such as a laser diode is provided with a monitoring arrangement. The monitoring arrangement has voltage to current converters arranged to provide respectively currents which are proportional to the respective voltages on an anode and on a cathode of the laser diode. The monitoring arrangement provides a first output signal when the laser diode is on too long. That output signal is used to cause the laser diode to be switched off.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2019
    Assignee: STMICROELECTRONICS (RESEARCH & DEVELOPMENT) LIMITED
    Inventor: Shatabda Saha
  • Global shutter pixels having shared isolated storage capacitors within an isolation structure surrounding the perimeter of a pixel array
    Patent number: 10263021
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is an electronic device including an integrated circuit substrate, with a pixel array area within the integrated circuit substrate. A first deep trench isolation structure is formed in the integrated circuit substrate about a perimeter of the pixel array area. First, second, third, and fourth pixels are within the pixel array area and spaced apart from one another. A storage capacitor area is within the integrated circuit substrate and interior to the first deep trench isolation structure. A second deep trench isolation structure is formed in the integrated circuit substrate about a perimeter of the storage capacitor area. The second deep trench isolation structure may serve to electrically isolate the storage capacitor area from the first, second, third, and fourth pixels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2019
    Assignee: STMicroelectronics (Research & Development) Limited
    Inventor: Jeffrey M. Raynor
  • Apparatus for controlling driver current for illumination source
    Patent number: 10264653
    Abstract: An apparatus includes an illumination source configured to emit light when driven with a current greater than a threshold current and driver circuitry configured to drive the illumination source with a controllable current. The driver circuit controlled by at least a first input value. At least one illumination detector is configured to detect light emitted by the illumination source and monitor circuitry is configured to receive an output from the illumination detector and provide the first input value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2019
    Assignee: STMICROELECTRONICS (RESEARCH & DEVELOPMENT) LIMITED
    Inventor: John Kevin Moore
  • Ranging apparatus
    Patent number: 10261175
    Abstract: A ranging apparatus includes a first array with first light sensitive detectors configured to receive light which has been reflected by an object and generate an output. A second array, spaced apart from the first array by a spacing distance, is further included, the second array having second light sensitive detectors. The second array is configurable to either receive light which has been reflected by the object or to be a reference array and generate an output. A processor operates to determine a distance to the object in response to the outputs from the first and the second arrays.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2019
    Assignee: STMicroelectronics (Research & Development) Limited
    Inventor: William Halliday
  • Method and apparatus use with interrupts
    Patent number: 10255207
    Abstract: A system is configured to capture a set of interrupts and output the interrupts serially onto an interconnect. The interrupts, which are routed to a destination, may first be packetized such that additional information is associated with the interrupt within the packet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2019
    Assignees: STMicroelectronics (Research & Development) Limited, STMicroelectronics (Grenoble 2) SAS
    Inventors: Davide Sarta, Ignazio Antonino Urzi
  • DEEP TRENCH ISOLATION (DTI) BOUNDED SINGLE PHOTON AVALANCHE DIODE (SPAD) ON A SILICON ON INSULATOR (SOI) SUBSTRATE
    Publication number: 20190097075
    Abstract: A semiconductor on insulator substrate includes a semiconductor support layer, a buried insulating layer over the semiconductor support layer and an epitaxial semiconductor layer over the buried insulating layer. A deep trench isolation penetrates completely through the epitaxial semiconductor layer to the buried insulating layer to electrically insulate a first region of the epitaxial semiconductor layer from a second region of the epitaxial semiconductor layer. A single photon avalanche diode (SPAD) includes an anode formed by the first region of the epitaxial semiconductor layer and a cathode formed by a well located within the first region of the epitaxial semiconductor layer. An ancillary circuit for the SPAD is located in the second region of the epitaxial semiconductor layer and electrically coupled to the SPAD.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 22, 2017
    Publication date: March 28, 2019
    Applicant: STMicroelectronics (Research & Development) Limited
    Inventor: Bruce Rae
  • Circuit and method of operating a laser diode
    Patent number: 10230214
    Abstract: An embodiment circuit includes a diode having a first terminal coupled to a first reference voltage; a first controllable switch coupled between a second terminal of the diode and a second reference voltage; and a capacitive element having a first terminal coupled to the first reference voltage and a second terminal controllably coupled to the second terminal of the diode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2019
    Assignee: STMICROELECTRONICS (RESEARCH & DEVELOPMENT) LIMITED
    Inventors: Denise Lee, John Kevin Moore
  • Range detector device with estimated spread value and related methods
    Patent number: 10222456
    Abstract: A range detector device may include a pulsed light source configured to emit pulsed light to an object, a detector configured to receive reflected pulsed light from the object, and a processor cooperating with the pulsed light source and the detector. The processor may be configured to generate a measured range value to the object, and generate an estimated statistical value for a spread of possible range values based upon a characteristic of the pulsed light source.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2019
    Assignee: STMICROELECTRONICS (RESEARCH & DEVELOPMENT) LIMITED
    Inventors: Stuart McLeod, Donald Baxter, Sam Lee
  • Integration of depth map device for adaptive lighting control
    Patent number: 10189399
    Abstract: A light system includes at least one time-of-flight image sensor configured to generate at least one zone distance measurement. At least one control unit is configured to receive the at least one zone distance measurement and to generate at least one control signal based on the at least one zone distance measurement. At least one light unit is configured to adapt an output of the light unit based on the at least one control signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2019
    Assignee: STMICROELECTRONICS (RESEARCH & DEVELOPMENT) LIMITED
    Inventor: Bruce Rae
  • IMAGE SENSOR HAVING STACKED IMAGING AND DIGITAL WAFERS WHERE THE DIGITAL WAFER HAS STACKED CAPACITORS AND LOGIC CIRCUITRY
    Publication number: 20190028666
    Abstract: An electronic device includes a first integrated circuit die having formed therein photodiodes and readout circuitry for the photodiodes, with the readout circuitry including output pads exposed on a surface of the first integrated circuit die. A second integrated circuit die has formed therein storage capacitor structures for the photodiodes and digital circuitry for performing image processing on data stored in the storage capacitor structures, with the storage capacitor structures including input pads exposed on a surface of the second integrated circuit die. The first and second integrated circuit die are in a face to face arrangement such that the output pads of the first integrated circuit die face the input pads of the second integrated circuit die. An interconnect couples the output pads of the first integrated circuit die to the input pads of the second integrated circuit die.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 11, 2018
    Publication date: January 24, 2019
    Applicant: STMicroelectronics (Research & Development) Limited
    Inventor: Jeffrey M. RAYNOR
  • Circuitry for configuring entities
    Patent number: 10180847
    Abstract: A method disclosed herein includes operating a processor of a system on a chip in a configuration mode until completion of a set of tasks, and operating the processor in a normal operation mode after completion of the set of tasks. During the configuration mode, the method includes performing steps of sending by the processor of configuration information to a configuration programming block, sending by the configuration programming block of the configuration information to one or more electronic components to thereby complete a first subset of the set of tasks, while permitting the processor to complete a second subset of the set of tasks, and sending by the configuration programming block of a notification to the processor after completing the first subset of the set of tasks.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 15, 2019
    Assignee: STMicroelectronics (Research & Development) Limited
    Inventor: Gavin Probyn