Patents Assigned to STMicroelectronics S.r.l.
  • METHOD OF DETECTING THE IN-LIQUID STATE OF A MOBILE DEVICE, RELATED IN-LIQUID DETECTION SYSTEM, MOBILE DEVICE AND COMPUTER PROGRAM PRODUCT
    Publication number: 20180088024
    Abstract: An in-liquid state of a mobile device is detected by processing color components indicative of an intensity of the ambient light at different wavelengths and a pressure data indicative of ambient pressure. A first plausibility index indicates a likelihood of an air/liquid transition as a function of variations of at least two color components. A second plausibility index indicates a likelihood of an air/liquid transition as a function of variations of said ambient pressure. If both the first and the second plausibility indices indicate a likely air/liquid transition event, an in-liquid state signal is generated.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 9, 2017
    Publication date: March 29, 2018
    Applicant: STMicroelectronics S.r.l.
    Inventors: Enrico Rosario Alessi, Giuseppe Spinella
  • Inductive connection structure for use in an integrated circuit
    Patent number: 9929089
    Abstract: An embodiment in a single structure combines a pad comprising a connection terminal suitable for coupling the circuit elements integrated in a chip to circuits outside the chip itself and at least one inductor that can be used to receive/transmit electromagnetic waves or to supply the chip with power or both. By combining a connection pad and an inductor in a single structure, it is possible to reduce the overall area that otherwise would be occupied exclusively by the inductors, thus reducing the cost and size of integrated circuits that include such a structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2018
    Assignee: STMICROELECTRONICS S.R.L.
    Inventor: Alberto Pagani
  • Fail-safe device corresponding apparatus and vehicle
    Patent number: 9929556
    Abstract: A fail-safe device may be coupled to a main device for actuating a switch responsive to a failure. The fail-safe device may include a fail-safe circuit, and an isolation trench surrounding the fail-safe circuit and isolating the fail-safe circuit from the main device. The fail-safe device may include an internal power supply connection, an internal reference voltage connection, a self-biased drive block configured to drive the at least one switch, and a receiver configured to receive failure signals from the main device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2018
    Assignee: STMicroelectronics S.r.l.
    Inventors: Vanni Poletto, Manuel Gaertner, Sergio Lecce, Giovanni Luca Torrisi
  • Driver circuit, corresponding device and method
    Patent number: 9929731
    Abstract: In one embodiment, a (pre)driver circuit includes first and a second output terminal for driving an electronic switch that includes a control terminal and a current path through the switch. The arrangement can operate in one or more first driving configurations (e.g., for PMOS), with the first and second output terminals are coupled to the current path and the control electrode of the electronic switch, respectively, and one or more second driving configurations (e.g., for NMOS, both HS and LS), wherein the first and second output terminals of the driver circuit are coupled to the control electrode and the current path of the electronic switch, respectively.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2018
    Assignee: STMicroelectronics S.r.l.
    Inventors: Daniele Zella, Vanni Poletto, Mauro Foppiani
  • Driver circuit for synchronous rectifier switches in resonant converters, corresponding converter and method
    Patent number: 9929659
    Abstract: A driver circuit for synchronous rectifier electronic switches, such as SR MOSFETs in resonant converters controls a pair of synchronous rectifier electronic switches to apply thereto a drive voltage to switch the synchronous rectifier electronic switches on and off synchronously with a converter current. The driver circuit includes a programming module to produce a first signal indicative of the figure of merit of the synchronous rectifier electronic switches, and, optionally, a current sensing module to produce a second signal indicative of the output current of the synchronous rectifier electronic switches. An output module is included to generate a value for the drive voltage which is a function of the first signal indicative of the figure of merit and, optionally, of the second signal indicative of the output current of the synchronous rectifier electronic switches.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2018
    Assignee: STMicroelectronics S.r.l.
    Inventors: Maurizio Foresta, Alberto Iorio
  • Class D switching amplifier and method of controlling a loudspeaker
    Patent number: 9929706
    Abstract: A switching amplifier includes a first half-bridge PWM modulator, a second half-bridge PWM modulator, and at least one amplifier stage configured to receive input signals. The switching amplifier also includes a PWM control stage configured to control switching of the first PWM modulator and of the second PWM modulator as a function of the input signals, by respective first PWM control signals and second PWM control signals. The amplifier stage and the PWM control stage have a fully differential structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2018
    Assignee: STMicroelectronics S.r.l.
    Inventors: Marco Raimondi, Edoardo Botti
  • METHOD OF DETECTING AN OVERTAKING VEHICLE, RELATED PROCESSING SYSTEM, OVERTAKING VEHICLE DETECTION SYSTEM AND VEHICLE
    Publication number: 20180082133
    Abstract: A sequence of images is processed to generate optical flow data including a list of motion vectors. The motion vectors are grouped based on orientation into a first set of moving away motion vectors and a second set of moving towards motion vectors. A vanishing point is determined as a function of the first set of motion vectors and a center position of the images is determined. Pan and tilt information is computed from the distance difference between the vanishing point and the center position. Approaching objects are identified from the second set as a function of position, length and orientation, thereby identifying overtaking vehicles. Distances to the approaching objects are determined from object position, camera focal length, and pan and tilt information. A warning signal is issued as a function of the distances.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 29, 2017
    Publication date: March 22, 2018
    Applicant: STMicroelectronics S.r.l.
    Inventors: Nunziata Ivana Guarneri, Arcangelo Ranieri Bruna, Giuseppe Spampinato
  • ELECTRONIC DEVICE AND SENSOR DEVICE WITH LOW POWER CONSUMPTION AND RELATED METHODS
    Publication number: 20180081416
    Abstract: An electronic device may include a transducer configured to generate an electrical output responsive to an input, and a data storage element configured to change state responsive to the transducer. The electronic device may include a power circuit configured to turn on and supply power responsive to the data storage element changing state, and a processing circuit configured to be powered by the power circuit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 29, 2017
    Publication date: March 22, 2018
    Applicant: STMicroelectronics S.r.l.
    Inventors: Roberto Larosa, Daniele Mangano, Riccardo Condorelli, Giulio Zoppi, Natale Aiello
  • METHOD FOR ADVANCED AND LOW COST CROSS TRAFFIC ALERT, RELATED PROCESSING SYSTEM, CROSS TRAFFIC ALERT SYSTEM AND VEHICLE
    Publication number: 20180082132
    Abstract: A sequence of images obtained by a camera mounted on a vehicle is processed in order to generate Optical Flow data including a list of Motion Vectors being associated with respective features in the sequence of images. The Optical Flow data is analyzed to calculate a Vanishing Point by calculating the mean point of all intersections of straight lines passing through motion vectors lying in a road. An Horizontal Filter subset is determined taking into account the Vanishing Point and a Bound Box list from a previous frame in order to filter from the Optical Flow the horizontal motion vectors. The subset of Optical Flow is clustered to generate the Bound Box list retrieving the moving objects in a scene. The Bound Box list is sent to an Alert Generation device and an output video shows the input scene where the detected moving objects are surrounded by a Bounding Box.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 28, 2017
    Publication date: March 22, 2018
    Applicant: STMicroelectronics S.r.l.
    Inventors: Giuseppe Spampinato, Salvatore Curti, Nunziata Ivana Guarneri, Arcangelo Ranieri Bruna
  • Antifuse cell with capacitor and transistors
    Patent number: 9922722
    Abstract: An antifuse cell includes an antifuse capacitor that is activatable with a breakdown voltage to provide an electrically conductive path through the capacitor. A pull-up transistor is coupled to the antifuse capacitor. A current path of the pull-up transistor is arranged in parallel with the antifuse capacitor. A shooting transistor is coupled to the pull-up transistor with the current paths of the pull-up transistor and a current path of the shooting transistor cascaded to each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2018
    Assignee: STMicroelectronics S.r.l.
    Inventors: Luca Milani, Fausto Carace, Roberto Giorgio Bardelli, Giovanni Lanfranchi
  • Microfluidic system with single drive signal for multiple nozzles
    Patent number: 9919334
    Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to a microfluidic die that includes a plurality of heaters above a substrate, a plurality of chambers and nozzles above the heaters, a plurality of first contacts coupled to the heaters, and a plurality of second contacts coupled to the heaters. The plurality of second contacts are coupled to each other and coupled to ground. The die includes a plurality of contact pads, a first signal line coupled to the plurality of second contacts and to a first one of the plurality of contact pads, and a plurality of second signal lines, each second signal line being coupled to one of the plurality of first contacts, groups of the second signal lines being coupled together to drive a group of the plurality of heaters with a single signal, each group of the second signal lines being coupled to a remaining one of the plurality of contact pads.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2018
    Assignees: STMicroelectronics, Inc., STMicroelectronics S.R.L., STMicroelectronics International N.V.
    Inventors: Simon Dodd, Joe Scheffelin, Dave Hunt, Matt Giere, Dana Gruenbacher, Faiz Sherman
  • Methods, circuits and systems for a package structure having wireless lateral connections
    Patent number: 9922945
    Abstract: A packaged semiconductor device includes a communication pad formed in a side surface, which is operatively coupled to a communication circuit so as to enable the establishing of a wireless communication channel to an adjacently positioned packaged semiconductor device. The communication pad may be formed upon cutting a block including the packaged semiconductor device and an appropriately positioned and dimensioned conductor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2018
    Assignee: STMicroelectronics S.r.l.
    Inventors: Federico Giovanni Ziglioli, Alberto Pagani
  • Analog boost circuit for fast recovery of mirrored current
    Patent number: 9921598
    Abstract: A current mirror includes an input transistor and an output transistor, wherein the sources of the input and output transistor are connected to supply voltage node. The gates of the input and output transistor are connected through a switch. A first current source is coupled to the input transistor to provide an input current. A copy transistor has a source connected to the supply node and a gate connected to the gate of the input transistor at a mirror node. A second current source is coupled to the copy transistor to provide a copy current. A source-follower transistor has its source connected to the mirror node and its gate connected to the drain of the copy transistor. Charge sharing at a mirror node occurs in response to actuation of the switch and the source-follower transistor is turned on in response thereto to discharge the mirror node.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 3, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2018
    Assignee: STMicroelectronics S.r.l.
    Inventors: Marco Pasotti, Laura Capecchi, Riccardo Zurla
  • Bonding pad structure over active circuitry
    Patent number: 9922947
    Abstract: Various embodiments provide a bonding pad structure that is capable of handling increased bonding loads. In one embodiment, the bonding pad structure includes a continuous metal layer, a first discontinuous metal layer, a second discontinuous metal layer, and dielectric material. The first discontinuous metal layer and the second discontinuous metal layer each include a plurality of holes that are arranged in a pattern. The plurality of holes of the first discontinuous metal layer overlaps at least two of the plurality of holes of the second discontinuous metal layer. The dielectric material is formed between the metal layers and fills the plurality of holes of the first and second discontinuous metal layers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2018
    Assignee: STMICROELECTRONICS S.R.L.
    Inventors: Dario Vitello, Federico Frego, Salvatore Latino
  • Method of operating a battery-charger device, and corresponding device
    Patent number: 9923400
    Abstract: A battery charger operates in a current regulation mode and a voltage regulation mode. A value of the voltage on the battery being charged is sensed and compared against a target voltage value. The current regulation mode is active during charging while the sensed voltage is less than the target voltage value. When the sensed voltage reaches the target voltage value, the voltage regulation mode is enabled and the current regulation mode is inhibited.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2018
    Assignee: STMicroelectronics S.r.l.
    Inventors: Giuliana De-Milato, Agatino Antonino Alessandro, Roberto Salvatore Peluso
  • Electrostatically actuated oscillating structure with oscillation starting phase control, and manufacturing and driving method thereof
    Patent number: 9921405
    Abstract: An electrostatically actuated oscillating structure includes a first stator subregion, a second stator subregion, a first rotor subregion and a second rotor subregion. Torsional elastic elements mounted to the first and second rotor subregions define an axis of rotation. A mobile element is coupled to the torsional elastic elements. The stator subregions are electrostatically coupled to respective regions of actuation on the mobile element. The stator subregions exhibit an element of structural asymmetry such that the electrostatic coupling surface between the first stator subregion and the first actuation region differs from the electrostatic coupling surface between the second stator subregion and the second actuation region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 9, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2018
    Assignees: STMicroelectronics S.r.l., STMicroelectronics International N.V.
    Inventors: Benedetto Vigna, Marco Ferrera, Sonia Costantini, Marco Salina
  • SEMICONDUCTOR GAS SENSOR DEVICE AND MANUFACTURING METHOD THEREOF
    Publication number: 20180074000
    Abstract: A semiconductor gas sensor device includes a first cavity that is enclosed by opposing first and second semiconductor substrate slices. At least one conducting filament is provided to extend over the first cavity, and a passageway is provided to permit gas to enter the first cavity. The sensor device may further including a second cavity that is hermetically enclosed by the opposing first and second semiconductor substrate slices. At least one another conducting filament is provided to extend over the second cavity.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 9, 2017
    Publication date: March 15, 2018
    Applicant: STMicroelectronics S.r.l.
    Inventors: Pasquale Biancolillo, Angelo Recchia, Pasquale Franco, Antonio Cicero, Giuseppe Bruno
  • Sensor device provided with a circuit for detection of single or multiple events for generating corresponding interrupt signals
    Patent number: 9915678
    Abstract: A sensor device for an electronic apparatus is provided with: a sensing structure generating a first detection signal; and a dedicated integrated circuit, connected to the sensing structure, detecting, as a function of the first detection signal, a first event associated to the electronic apparatus and generating a first interrupt signal upon detection of the first event. The dedicated integrated circuit detects the first event as a function of a temporal evolution of the first detection signal, and in particular as a function of values assumed by the first detection signal within one or more successive time windows, and of a relation between these values.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2018
    Assignee: STMICROELECTRONICS S.R.L.
    Inventors: Giuditta Roselli, Michele Tronconi, Fabio Pasolini
  • Method for distributing information contents, corresponding device and computer program product
    Patent number: 9917886
    Abstract: In an embodiment, information contents, such as, e.g., media contents arranged in pieces including blocks of bits, is distributed over a network including plural terminals at least one of which acts as a source of the pieces of information distributed. Various terminals in the network are configured to act as peer terminals with at least one first peer terminal sending the information to one or more second peer terminals. A set of blocks of a corresponding piece of information is received at the first peer terminal and the corresponding piece of information is reconstructed from the set of blocks received. The pieces of information distributed over the network are fountain encoded by XOR-ing the blocks in a piece, so that a received piece is reconstructable from a combination of a corresponding set of linearly independent XOR-ed blocks.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2018
    Assignee: STMicroelectronics S.r.l.
    Inventors: Alexandro Sentinelli, Andrea Lorenzo Vitali, Allan Taschini
  • System for generating electric power with micro fuel cells and corresponding process
    Patent number: 9917324
    Abstract: Embodiment of a system for generating electric power with micro fuel cells comprising at least one first micro cell and at least one second micro cell, each micro cell having an anode and a cathode with a membrane being sandwich-wise interposed, the system comprising a spacer element having an annular element that surrounds a cavity, said spacer element being associated with said anode of said first micro cell and with said anode of said second micro cell to realize a common diffusion chamber for the fuel of said first micro cell a of said second micro cell.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2018
    Assignee: STMICROELECTRONICS S.R.L.
    Inventors: Giuseppe Emanuele Spoto, Andrea Lazzara, Cristian Dall'Oglio