Patents by Inventor Benedetto Vigna

Benedetto Vigna 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).

  • Patent number: 9096424
    Abstract: A microelectromechanical-acoustic-transducer assembly has: a first die integrating a MEMS sensing structure having a membrane, which has a first surface in fluid communication with a front chamber and a second surface, opposite to the first surface, in fluid communication with a back chamber of the microelectromechanical acoustic transducer, is able to undergo deformation as a function of incident acoustic-pressure waves, and faces a rigid electrode so as to form a variable-capacitance capacitor; a second die, integrating an electronic reading circuit operatively coupled to the MEMS sensing structure and supplying an electrical output signal as a function of the capacitive variation; and a package, housing the first die and the second die and having a base substrate with external electrical contacts. The first and second dice are stacked in the package and directly connected together mechanically and electrically; the package delimits at least one of the front and back chambers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 4, 2015
    Assignee: STMicroelectronics S.r.l.
    Inventors: Sebastiano Conti, Benedetto Vigna, Mario Francesco Cortese
  • Publication number: 20150168715
    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: Application
    Filed: December 9, 2014
    Publication date: June 18, 2015
    Applicants: STMicroelectronics S.r.I., STMicroelectronics International N.V.
    Inventors: Benedetto Vigna, Marco Ferrera, Sonia Costantini, Marco Salina
  • Patent number: 8988155
    Abstract: An oscillator device includes: a structural layer extending over a first side of a semiconductor substrate; a semiconductor cap set on the structural layer; a coupling region extending between and hermetically sealing the structural layer and the cap and forming a cavity within the oscillator device; first and second conductive paths extending between the substrate and the structural layer; first and second conductive pads housed in the cavity and electrically coupled to first terminal portions of the first and second conductive paths by first and second connection regions, respectively, which extend through and are insulated from the structural layer; a piezoelectric resonator having first and second ends electrically coupled, respectively, to the first and second conductive pads, and extending in the cavity; and third and fourth conductive pads positioned outside the cavity and electrically coupled to second terminal portions of the first and second conductive paths.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 24, 2015
    Assignee: STMicroelectronics S.r.l.
    Inventors: Giorgio Allegato, Paolo Ferrari, Laura Maria Castoldi, Benedetto Vigna
  • Publication number: 20150014798
    Abstract: Described herein is an assembly for a MEMS sensor device, which envisages: a first body made of semiconductor material, integrating a micromechanical detection structure at a first main face thereof; a cap element, set stacked on the first main face of the first body, above the micromechanical detection structure; and an adhesion structure set between the first body and the cap element, defining a gap in a position corresponding to the micromechanical detection structure. At least one first opening is defined through the adhesion structure in fluidic communication with the gap.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 9, 2014
    Publication date: January 15, 2015
    Inventors: Dino Faralli, Benedetto Vigna, Laura Maria Castoldi
  • Patent number: 8928609
    Abstract: A touch sensitive display includes a capacitive touch sensor configured to output capacitance values. A motion sensor makes a motion detection and generates a motion signal including a motion value indicative of sensed motion detection. A touch detection circuit is coupled to receive the capacitance values and motion values. The touch detection circuit processes the capacitance values to make a hovering detection and a touching detection with respect to the display. The touch detection circuit further generates an output signal including the motion value correlated in time with each of the hovering detection and touching detection. The output signal may be processed as a user interface control signal. The output signal may also be processed to determine an impulsive strength of the touching detection as a function of an elapsed time between hover and touch and the measured motion values.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 6, 2015
    Assignees: STMicroelectronics International N.V., STMicroelectronics Asia Pacific Pte Ltd
    Inventors: Francesco Italia, Giuseppe Noviello, Chee Yu Ng, Benedetto Vigna
  • Publication number: 20150001645
    Abstract: A MEMS device wherein a die of semiconductor material has a first face and a second face. A membrane is formed in or on the die and faces the first surface. A cap is fixed to the first face of the first die and is spaced apart from the membrane by a space. The die is fixed, on its second face, to an ASIC, which integrates a circuit for processing the signals generated by the die. The ASIC is in turn fixed on a support. A packaging region coats the die, the cap, and the ASIC and seals them from the outside environment. A fluidic path is formed through the support, the ASIC, and the first die, and connects the membrane and the first face of the die with the outside, without requiring holes in the cap.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 26, 2014
    Publication date: January 1, 2015
    Inventors: Dino Faralli, Benedetto Vigna, Laura Maria Castoldi
  • Patent number: 8901925
    Abstract: A magnetoresistive element formed by a strip of magnetoresistive material which extends on a substrate of semiconductor material having an upper surface. The strip comprises at least one planar portion which extends parallel to the upper surface, and at least one transverse portion which extends in a direction transverse to the upper surface. The transverse portion is formed on a transverse wall of a dig. By providing a number of magnetoresistive elements perpendicular to one another it is possible to obtain an electronic compass that is insensitive to oscillations with respect to the horizontal plane parallel to the surface of the Earth.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 2, 2014
    Assignee: STMicroelectronics S.r.l.
    Inventors: Benedetto Vigna, Simone Sassolini, Lorenzo Baldo, Francesco Procopio
  • Publication number: 20140299949
    Abstract: A microelectromechanical-acoustic-transducer assembly has: a first die integrating a MEMS sensing structure having a membrane, which has a first surface in fluid communication with a front chamber and a second surface, opposite to the first surface, in fluid communication with a back chamber of the microelectromechanical acoustic transducer, is able to undergo deformation as a function of incident acoustic-pressure waves, and faces a rigid electrode so as to form a variable-capacitance capacitor; a second die, integrating an electronic reading circuit operatively coupled to the MEMS sensing structure and supplying an electrical output signal as a function of the capacitive variation; and a package, housing the first die and the second die and having a base substrate with external electrical contacts. The first and second dice are stacked in the package and directly connected together mechanically and electrically; the package delimits at least one of the front and back chambers.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 23, 2014
    Publication date: October 9, 2014
    Inventors: Sebastiano Conti, Benedetto Vigna, Mario Francesco Cortese
  • Patent number: 8836111
    Abstract: Described herein is a semiconductor integrated device assembly, which envisages: a package defining an internal space; a first die including semiconductor material; and a second die, distinct from the first die, also including semiconductor material; the first die and the second die are coupled to an inner surface of the package facing the internal space. The second die is shaped so as to partially overlap the first die, above the inner surface, with a portion suspended in cantilever fashion above the first die, by an overlapping distance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 16, 2014
    Assignees: STMicroelectronics S.r.l., STMicroelectronics International N.V.
    Inventors: Sebastiano Conti, Benedetto Vigna
  • Publication number: 20140202453
    Abstract: A process for manufacturing a membrane of nozzles of a spray device, comprising the steps of laying a substrate, forming a membrane layer on the substrate, forming a plurality of nozzles in the membrane layer, forming a plurality of supply channels in the substrate, each supply channel being substantially aligned in a vertical direction to a respective nozzle of the plurality of nozzles and in direct communication with the respective nozzle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 25, 2014
    Publication date: July 24, 2014
    Applicant: STMicroelectronics S.r.l.
    Inventors: Angelo Antonio Merassi, Angelo Pesci, Benedetto Vigna, Ernestino Galeazzi, Marco Mantovani
  • Patent number: 8787600
    Abstract: A microelectromechanical-acoustic-transducer assembly has: a first die integrating a MEMS sensing structure having a membrane, which has a first surface in fluid communication with a front chamber and a second surface, opposite to the first surface, in fluid communication with a back chamber of the microelectromechanical acoustic transducer, is able to undergo deformation as a function of incident acoustic-pressure waves, and faces a rigid electrode so as to form a variable-capacitance capacitor; a second die, integrating an electronic reading circuit operatively coupled to the MEMS sensing structure and supplying an electrical output signal as a function of the capacitive variation; and a package, housing the first die and the second die and having a base substrate with external electrical contacts. The first and second dice are stacked in the package and directly connected together mechanically and electrically; the package delimits at least one of the front and back chambers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 22, 2014
    Assignee: STMicroelectronics S.r.l.
    Inventors: Sebastiano Conti, Benedetto Vigna, Mario Francesco Cortese
  • Patent number: 8721910
    Abstract: A process for manufacturing a membrane of nozzles of a spray device, comprising the steps of laying a substrate, forming a membrane layer on the substrate, forming a plurality of nozzles in the membrane layer, forming a plurality of supply channels in the substrate, each supply channel being substantially aligned in a vertical direction to a respective nozzle of the plurality of nozzles and in direct communication with the respective nozzle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 13, 2014
    Assignee: STMicroelectronics S.r.l.
    Inventors: Angelo Antonio Merassi, Angelo Pesci, Benedetto Vigna, Ernestino Galeazzi, Marco Mantovani
  • Publication number: 20140015525
    Abstract: A magnetic-field sensor includes: a chip including a substrate having a first surface and an insulating layer covering the first surface; first and second magnetoresistors each extending into the insulating layer and having a main axis of magnetization and a secondary axis of magnetization; a first magnetic-field generator configured to generate a first magnetic field having field lines along the main axis of magnetization of the first magnetoresistor; a second magnetic-field generator configured to generate a second magnetic field having field lines along the main axis of magnetization of the second magnetoresistor. The main axes of magnetization extending transversely to each other and the secondary axes of magnetization extending transversely to each other. The first and second magnetoresistors extend into the insulating layer at a first distance and a second distance, respectively, that differ from one another, from the first surface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 27, 2013
    Publication date: January 16, 2014
    Inventors: Dario Paci, Sarah Zerbini, Benedetto Vigna
  • Publication number: 20140009430
    Abstract: A touch sensitive display includes a capacitive touch sensor configured to output capacitance values. A motion sensor makes a motion detection and generates a motion signal including a motion value indicative of sensed motion detection. A touch detection circuit is coupled to receive the capacitance values and motion values. The touch detection circuit processes the capacitance values to make a hovering detection and a touching detection with respect to the display. The touch detection circuit further generates an output signal including the motion value correlated in time with each of the hovering detection and touching detection. The output signal may be processed as a user interface control signal. The output signal may also be processed to determine an impulsive strength of the touching detection as a function of an elapsed time between hover and touch and the measured motion values.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 9, 2012
    Publication date: January 9, 2014
    Applicants: STMICROELECTRONICS ASIA PACIFIC PTE LTD, STMICROELECTRONICS INTERNATIONAL N.V.
    Inventors: Francesco Italia, Giuseppe Noviello, Chee Yu Ng, Benedetto Vigna
  • Publication number: 20130334627
    Abstract: Described herein is a semiconductor integrated device assembly, which envisages: a package defining an internal space; a first die including semiconductor material; and a second die, distinct from the first die, also including semiconductor material; the first die and the second die are coupled to an inner surface of the package facing the internal space. The second die is shaped so as to partially overlap the first die, above the inner surface, with a portion suspended in cantilever fashion above the first die, by an overlapping distance.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 12, 2013
    Publication date: December 19, 2013
    Inventors: Sebastiano Conti, Benedetto Vigna
  • Patent number: 8575710
    Abstract: A capacitive semiconductor pressure sensor, comprising: a bulk region of semiconductor material; a buried cavity overlying a first part of the bulk region; and a membrane suspended above said buried cavity, wherein, said bulk region and said membrane are formed in a monolithic substrate, and in that said monolithic substrate carries structures for transducing the deflection of said membrane into electrical signals, wherein said bulk region and said membrane form electrodes of a capacitive sensing element, and said transducer structures comprise contact structures in electrical contact with said membrane and with said bulk region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 5, 2013
    Assignee: STMicroelectronics S.r.l.
    Inventors: Flavio Francesco Villa, Gabriele Barlocchi, Pietro Corona, Benedetto Vigna, Lorenzo Baldo
  • Patent number: 8433084
    Abstract: A microelectromechanical-acoustic-transducer assembly has: a first die integrating a MEMS sensing structure having a membrane, which has a first surface in fluid communication with a front chamber and a second surface, opposite to the first surface, in fluid communication with a back chamber of the microelectromechanical acoustic transducer, is able to undergo deformation as a function of incident acoustic-pressure waves, and faces a rigid electrode so as to form a variable-capacitance capacitor; a second die, integrating an electronic reading circuit operatively coupled to the MEMS sensing structure and supplying an electrical output signal as a function of the capacitive variation; and a package, housing the first die and the second die and having a base substrate with external electrical contacts. The first and second dice are stacked in the package and directly connected together mechanically and electrically; the package delimits at least one of the front and back chambers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2013
    Assignee: STMicroelectronics S.r.l.
    Inventors: Sebastiano Conti, Benedetto Vigna, Mario Francesco Cortese
  • Publication number: 20130000136
    Abstract: A magnetoresistive element formed by a strip of magnetoresistive material which extends on a substrate of semiconductor material having an upper surface. The strip comprises at least one planar portion which extends parallel to the upper surface, and at least one transverse portion which extends in a direction transverse to the upper surface. The transverse portion is formed on a transverse wall of a dig. By providing a number of magnetoresistive elements perpendicular to one another it is possible to obtain an electronic compass that is insensitive to oscillations with respect to the horizontal plane parallel to the surface of the Earth.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 10, 2012
    Publication date: January 3, 2013
    Applicant: STMICROELECTRONICS S.R.L.
    Inventors: Benedetto Vigna, Simone Sassolini, Lorenzo Baldo, Francesco Procopio
  • Patent number: 8289021
    Abstract: A magnetoresistive element formed by a strip of magnetoresistive material which extends on a substrate of semiconductor material having an upper surface. The strip comprises at least one planar portion which extends parallel to the upper surface, and at least one transverse portion which extends in a direction transverse to the upper surface. The transverse portion is formed on a transverse wall of a dig. By providing a number of magnetoresistive elements perpendicular to one another it is possible to obtain an electronic compass that is insensitive to oscillations with respect to the horizontal plane parallel to the surface of the Earth.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2012
    Assignee: STMicroelectronics S.r.l.
    Inventors: Benedetto Vigna, Simone Sassolini, Lorenzo Baldo, Francesco Procopio
  • Publication number: 20120223402
    Abstract: A capacitive semiconductor pressure sensor, comprising: a bulk region of semiconductor material; a buried cavity overlying a first part of the bulk region; and a membrane suspended above said buried cavity, wherein, said bulk region and said membrane are formed in a monolithic substrate, and in that said monolithic substrate carries structures for transducing the deflection of said membrane into electrical signals, wherein said bulk region and said membrane form electrodes of a capacitive sensing element, and said transducer structures comprise contact structures in electrical contact with said membrane and with said bulk region.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 13, 2012
    Publication date: September 6, 2012
    Applicant: STMICROELECTRONICS S.R.L.
    Inventors: Flavio Francesco Villa, Gabriele Barlocchi, Pietro Corona, Benedetto Vigna, Lorenzo Baldo