Patents by Inventor Alberto Giovanni Viviani

Alberto Giovanni Viviani 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).

  • Publication number: 20230378874
    Abstract: A method for operating a switching power converter to reduce ripple current magnitude includes (a) controlling duty cycle of a plurality power stages of the switching power converter to regulate at least one parameter of the switching power converter, each power stage including a respective power transformer, and (b) controlling an injection stage of the switching power converter to reduce voltage across leakage inductance of each power transformer, the injection stage including an injection transformer that is electrically coupled to a respective secondary winding of each power transformer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 24, 2023
    Publication date: November 23, 2023
    Inventors: Alexandr Ikriannikov, Alberto Giovanni Viviani
  • Publication number: 20230369977
    Abstract: A method for operating a switching power converter to reduce ripple current magnitude includes (1) controlling duty cycle of a plurality power stages of the switching power converter to regulate at least one parameter of the switching power converter, each power stage including a respective power transfer winding, and (2) controlling an injection stage of the switching power converter to reduce voltage across leakage inductance of each power transfer winding, the injection stage of the switching power converter including a boost winding forming at least one turn around a respective leakage magnetic flux path of each power transfer winding.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 1, 2023
    Publication date: November 16, 2023
    Inventors: Alexandr Ikriannikov, Alberto Giovanni Viviani
  • Publication number: 20220407466
    Abstract: A tracking power supply includes a power conversion subsystem and one or more tracking subsystems. The power conversion subsystem is configured to generate N power rails, where N is an integer greater than one. Each tracking subsystem includes a switching network and a controller. The switching network is electrically coupled between each of the N power rails and a tracking power rail of the tracking power supply. The controller is configured to control operation of the switching network according to a tracking signal associated with a load powered by the tracking power supply, such that a voltage at the tracking power rail is one of two or more values, as determined at least partially based on the tracking signal. The controller is further configured to adjust voltage of at least one of the N power rails.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 13, 2022
    Publication date: December 22, 2022
    Inventors: Gaoling Zou, Alberto Giovanni Viviani, Alexandr Ikriannikov, Laszlo Lipcsei
  • Publication number: 20220368214
    Abstract: A method for operating a switching power converter to reduce ripple current magnitude includes controlling duty cycle of a plurality power stages of the switching power converter to regulate at least one parameter of the switching power converter. Each power stage includes a respective power transfer winding that is magnetically coupled to the respective power transfer winding of each other power stage. The method further includes controlling an injection stage of the switching power converter to reduce voltage across a respective leakage inductance of each power transfer winding. The injection stage includes an injection winding that is magnetically coupled to each power transfer winding.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 6, 2022
    Publication date: November 17, 2022
    Inventors: Alexandr Ikriannikov, Alberto Giovanni Viviani
  • Patent number: 10847112
    Abstract: A VCOM generator circuit generates a VCOM signal for an electronic display. The VCOM circuit includes an operational amplifier having reduced supply rails. In an implementation, the VCOM circuit has at least three supply rails, AVDD, ground or GND, and VP or VN, or both. VP is less than AVDD and greater than VN. VN is higher than ground and below VP. The VCOM circuit with reduced voltage supply rails for VP and VN reduces power consumption of the VCOM op amps. By reducing power consumption, this also reduces the surface temperature of the integrated circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 26, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 24, 2020
    Assignee: IML International
    Inventors: Alberto Giovanni Viviani, Dimitry Goder, JunGi Lee, ChinFa Kao, Chun Lu
  • Patent number: 10749432
    Abstract: A voltage converter includes a low dropout regulator voltage converter circuit. The voltage converter generates three voltages (e.g., 1.2 volts, 2.5 volts, and 1.8 volts) for an electronic system, which can be a smartphone or electronic tablet or other device. An implementation has at least one charge pump voltage converter circuit. The low dropout regulator voltage converter circuit provides an output voltage based on its input voltages and can operate with a very small input-to-output differential voltage. Compared to using a Buck converter, a low dropout regulator does not have an external inductor, which saves space. An implementation of the voltage converter can also include at least one charge pump voltage converter circuit to generate a voltage of the voltage converter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 18, 2020
    Assignee: IML International
    Inventors: Alberto Giovanni Viviani, Dimitry Goder
  • Patent number: 10741142
    Abstract: One or more resistors or resistances are integrated in a 7-bit DVR or PVCOM integrated circuit. A 7-bit DVR or PVCOM integrated circuit includes a 7-bit DAC. The integrated resistors or resistances (R1, R2, or RSET, or any combination) reduces the number of external components, reduces the number of pins, and increases the accuracy of the DVR or PVCOM circuit. The least significant bit (LSB) of the DAC depends only on ratios of internal resistors, which can be made very accurate and independent of temperature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 5, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 11, 2020
    Assignee: IML International
    Inventors: Alberto Giovanni Viviani, ChinFa Kao, Chiayao S. Tung
  • Patent number: 10050521
    Abstract: A voltage converter includes at least one charge pump voltage converter circuit. The voltage converter generates three voltages (e.g., 1.2 volts, 2.5 volts, and 1.8 volts) for an electronic system, which can be a smartphone or electronic tablet or other device. The charge pump voltage converter circuit provides an output voltage that is an average of its input voltages. Compared to a low dropout regulator, charge pump voltage converter circuit has high efficiency. This voltage converter will save power compared to converters using a low dropout regulator. An implementation of the voltage converter can includes at least two charge pump voltage converter circuits to generate to different output voltages.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2018
    Assignee: IML International
    Inventors: Alberto Giovanni Viviani, Dimitry Goder
  • Patent number: 9935541
    Abstract: A voltage converter includes at least one charge pump voltage converter circuit. The voltage converter generates three voltages (e.g., 1.2 volts, 2.5 volts, and 1.8 volts) for an electronic system, which can be a smartphone or electronic tablet or other device. The charge pump voltage converter circuit provides an output voltage that is an average of its input voltages. Compared to a low dropout regulator, charge pump voltage converter circuit has high efficiency. This voltage converter will save power compared to converters using a low dropout regulator. An implementation of the voltage converter can includes at least two charge pump voltage converter circuits to generate to different output voltages.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2018
    Assignee: IML International
    Inventors: Alberto Giovanni Viviani, Dimitry Goder
  • Patent number: 9754550
    Abstract: One or more resistors or resistances are integrated in a 7-bit DVR or PVCOM integrated circuit. A 7-bit DVR or PVCOM integrated circuit includes a 7-bit DAC. The integrated resistors or resistances (R1, R2, or RSET, or any combination) reduces the number of external components, reduces the number of pins, and increases the accuracy of the DVR or PVCOM circuit. The least significant bit (LSB) of the DAC depends only on ratios of internal resistors, which can be made very accurate and independent of temperature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 17, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2017
    Assignee: IML International
    Inventors: Alberto Giovanni Viviani, ChinFa Kao, Chiayao S. Tung
  • Patent number: 9673699
    Abstract: A voltage converter includes at least one charge pump voltage converter circuit. The voltage converter generates three voltages (e.g., 1.2 volts, 2.5 volts, and 1.8 volts) for an electronic system, which can be a smartphone or electronic tablet or other device. The charge pump voltage converter circuit provides an output voltage that is an average of its input voltages. Compared to a low dropout regulator, charge pump voltage converter circuit has high efficiency. This voltage converter will save power compared to converters using a low dropout regulator. An implementation of the voltage converter can includes at least two charge pump voltage converter circuits to generate to different output voltages.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2017
    Assignee: IML International
    Inventors: Alberto Giovanni Viviani, Dimitry Goder
  • Patent number: 9558707
    Abstract: A VCOM generator circuit generates a VCOM signal for an electronic display. The VCOM circuit includes an operational amplifier having reduced supply rails. In an implementation, the VCOM circuit has at least three supply rails, AVDD, ground or GND, and VP or VN, or both. VP is less than AVDD and greater than VN. VN is higher than ground and below VP. The VCOM circuit with reduced voltage supply rails for VP and VN reduces power consumption of the VCOM op amps. By reducing power consumption, this also reduces the surface temperature of the integrated circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2017
    Assignee: IML International
    Inventors: Alberto Giovanni Viviani, Dimitry Goder, JunGi Lee, ChinFa Kao, Chun Lu
  • Patent number: 9548723
    Abstract: One or more resistors or resistances are integrated in a 7-bit DVR or PVCOM integrated circuit. A 7-bit DVR or PVCOM integrated circuit includes a 7-bit DAC. The integrated resistors or resistances (R1, R2, or RSET, or any combination) reduces the number of external components, reduces the number of pins, and increases the accuracy of the DVR or PVCOM circuit. The least significant bit (LSB) of the DAC depends only on ratios of internal resistors, which can be made very accurate and independent of temperature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2017
    Assignee: IML International
    Inventors: Alberto Giovanni Viviani, ChinFa Kao, Chiayao S. Tung
  • Patent number: 9313839
    Abstract: An LED lighting device includes multiple luminescent devices driven by a rectified AC voltage. The multiple luminescent devices are turned on flexibly in a multi-stage driving scheme using multiple current controllers. The current settings of the two driving stages with the highest current level and the second highest current level are adjusted according to the variation in the rectified AC voltage VAC or according to the variation in the duty cycle of the luminance device due to the variation in the rectified AC voltage. The present invention can improve the line/load regulation of the LED lighting device when the rectified AC voltage somehow fluctuates between its upper bound and lower bound.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2016
    Assignee: IML International
    Inventors: Alberto Giovanni Viviani, Dimitry Goder, Chun Lu, Kai-Yun Cheng
  • Publication number: 20160007416
    Abstract: An LED lighting device includes multiple luminescent devices driven by a rectified AC voltage. The multiple luminescent devices are turned on flexibly in a multi-stage driving scheme using multiple current controllers. The current settings of the two driving stages with the highest current level and the second highest current level are adjusted according to the variation in the rectified AC voltage VAC or according to the variation in the duty cycle of the luminance device due to the variation in the rectified AC voltage. The present invention can improve the line/load regulation of the LED lighting device when the rectified AC voltage somehow fluctuates between its upper bound and lower bound.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 18, 2015
    Publication date: January 7, 2016
    Inventors: Alberto Giovanni Viviani, Dimitry Goder, Chun Lu, Kai-Yun Cheng
  • Patent number: 9166566
    Abstract: One or more resistors or resistances are integrated in a 7-bit DVR or PVCOM integrated circuit. A 7-bit DVR or PVCOM integrated circuit includes a 7-bit DAC. The integrated resistors or resistances (R1, R2, or RSET, or any combination) reduces the number of external components, reduces the number of pins, and increases the accuracy of the DVR or PVCOM circuit. The least significant bit (LSB) of the DAC depends only on ratios of internal resistors, which can be made very accurate and independent of temperature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 20, 2015
    Assignee: IML International
    Inventors: Alberto Giovanni Viviani, ChinFa Kao, Chiayao S. Tung
  • Patent number: 9007098
    Abstract: One or more resistors or resistances are integrated in a 7-bit DVR or PVCOM integrated circuit. 7-bit DVR or PVCOM integrated circuit includes a 7-bit DAC. The integrated resistors or resistances (R1, R2, or RSET, or any combination) reduces the number of external components, reduces the number of pins, increases the accuracy of the DVR or PVCOM circuit. The least significant bit (LSB) of the DAC depends only on ratios of internal resistors, which can be made very accurate and independent of temperature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2015
    Assignee: IML International
    Inventors: Alberto Giovanni Viviani, ChinFa Kao, Chiayao S. Tung
  • Patent number: 8890433
    Abstract: A two-terminal current controller controls a first current flowing through a parallel-coupled load. During a rising period of a rectified AC voltage, when a load voltage does not exceed a first voltage, the two-terminal current controller operates in a first mode. When the load voltage exceeds the first voltage but does not exceed a second voltage, the two-terminal current controller operates in a second mode. When the load voltage exceeds the second voltage, the two-terminal current controller operates in a third mode. When the load voltage drops to a third voltage smaller than the second voltage after exceeding the second voltage, the two-terminal current controller operates in the second mode when a difference between the second and third voltages exceeds a hysteresis band and operates in the third mode when a difference between the second and third voltages does not exceed the hysteresis band.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2014
    Assignee: IML International
    Inventors: Yung-Hsin Chiang, Yi-Mei Li, Alberto Giovanni Viviani
  • Patent number: 8638047
    Abstract: A two-terminal current controller having a current limiting unit and an adjusting unit regulates a first current flowing through a load according to a load voltage. When the load voltage does not exceed a first voltage, the two-terminal current controller operates in a first mode for conducting a second current associated a rectified AC voltage, thereby limiting the first current to zero and adjusting the second current accordingly. When the load voltage is between the first voltage and a second voltage, the two-terminal current controller operates in a second mode for conducting the second current, thereby limiting the first current to zero and limiting the second current to a constant value larger than zero. When the load voltage exceeds the second voltage, the two-terminal current controller operates in a third mode for turning off the current limiting unit. The adjusting unit can adjust the predetermined value and the second voltage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 17, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 28, 2014
    Assignee: IML International
    Inventors: Yung-Hsin Chiang, Yi-Mei Li, Alberto Giovanni Viviani
  • Publication number: 20120300518
    Abstract: A two-terminal current controller controls a first current flowing through a parallel-coupled load. During a rising period of a rectified AC voltage, when a load voltage does not exceed a first voltage, the two-terminal current controller operates in a first mode. When the load voltage exceeds the first voltage but does not exceed a second voltage, the two-terminal current controller operates in a second mode. When the load voltage exceeds the second voltage, the two-terminal current controller operates in a third mode. When the load voltage drops to a third voltage smaller than the second voltage after exceeding the second voltage, the two-terminal current controller operates in the second mode when a difference between the second and third voltages exceeds a hysteresis band and operates in the third mode when a difference between the second and third voltages does not exceed the hysteresis band.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 8, 2012
    Publication date: November 29, 2012
    Inventors: Yung-Hsin Chiang, Yi-Mei Li, Alberto Giovanni Viviani