Patents by Inventor Denis Cottin

Denis Cottin 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: 20220069811
    Abstract: An output potential level among two first levels is delivered according to an input level among two second levels. The output potential level is delivered at a first node connecting together first and second transistors electrically in series between two second nodes of application of the first levels. A first DC voltage defining a high limit for the control voltage of the first transistor is delivered by a first voltage generator powered by one of the second nodes. A second DC voltage defining a high limit for the control voltage of the second transistor is delivered by a second voltage generator controlled by a value representative of the first voltage and powered between the second nodes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 26, 2021
    Publication date: March 3, 2022
    Applicant: STMicroelectronics (Grenoble 2) SAS
    Inventors: Denis COTTIN, Fabrice ROMAIN
  • Publication number: 20180191317
    Abstract: An embodiment circuit includes a first voltage divider coupled between a first voltage level and a ground potential. The circuit further includes an error amplifier having a first input terminal coupled to a node between a first resistive element and a second resistive element of the first voltage divider. The circuit further includes a second voltage divider coupled between a second voltage level and a reference voltage, wherein a second input terminal of the error amplifier is coupled to a node between a third resistive element and a fourth resistive element of the second voltage divider, and wherein an output voltage of the error amplifier is configured to control a potential difference between the first voltage level and the second voltage level.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 29, 2016
    Publication date: July 5, 2018
    Inventors: Vratislav Michal, Denis Cottin, Patrik Arno, Nicolas Marty
  • Patent number: 10014834
    Abstract: An embodiment circuit includes a first voltage divider coupled between a first voltage level and a ground potential. The circuit further includes an error amplifier having a first input terminal coupled to a node between a first resistive element and a second resistive element of the first voltage divider. The circuit further includes a second voltage divider coupled between a second voltage level and a reference voltage, wherein a second input terminal of the error amplifier is coupled to a node between a third resistive element and a fourth resistive element of the second voltage divider, and wherein an output voltage of the error amplifier is configured to control a potential difference between the first voltage level and the second voltage level.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2018
    Assignee: STMICROELECTRONICS (ALPS) SAS
    Inventors: Vratislav Michal, Denis Cottin, Patrik Arno, Nicolas Marty
  • Patent number: 9892877
    Abstract: A circuit including: a plurality of first switches connected in parallel between a first terminal and a second terminal; and a control circuit capable of implementing the following steps at each period of a clock signal: comparing the voltage between the first and second terminals with a reference voltage; if the voltage between the first and second terminals is greater than the reference voltage, turning on one of the first switches without modifying the state of the other switches; and if the voltage between the first and second terminals is smaller than the reference voltage, turning off one of the first switches without modifying the state of the other switches.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2018
    Assignee: STMICROELECTRONICS (ALPS) SAS
    Inventors: Vratislav Michal, Denis Cottin
  • Patent number: 9761780
    Abstract: The thermoelectric device includes a first set of identical unitary thereto-electric systems, each system including at least one thermocouple and the first set has at least one faulty unitary thermoelectric system. It further has devices for detecting functional unitary thermoelectric systems of the first set of unitary thermoelectric systems, and devices designed to electrically connect a second set of functional unitary thermoelectric systems chosen from the first set of unitary thermoelectric systems, in the form of an electric circuit, so that all the unitary thermoelectric systems of the electric circuit have the same current flowing through them.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2017
    Assignees: COMMISSARIAT À L'ENERGIE ATOMIQUE ET AUX ENERGIES ALTERNATIVES, ST-ERICSSON SA
    Inventors: Christelle Navone, Tristan Caroff, Denis Cottin
  • Publication number: 20160344285
    Abstract: A charge-pump device receives two complementary driving signals and a DC signal that are applied to a charge-pump stage containing a full-wave rectifier bridge configured to deliver a DC output signal. The bridge includes active switches controllable by control signals present at two control nodes. The charge-pump device further receives complementary auxiliary signals that are respectively synchronous with the complementary driving signals but have faster edges. Two resistive capacitive filters filter the complementary auxiliary signals to generate control signals at the two control nodes for controlling actuation of the active switches in the bridge.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 4, 2015
    Publication date: November 24, 2016
    Applicant: STMicroelectronics (Alps) SAS
    Inventors: Vratislav Michal, Denis Cottin
  • Patent number: 9502972
    Abstract: A charge-pump device receives two complementary driving signals and a DC signal that are applied to a charge-pump stage containing a full-wave rectifier bridge configured to deliver a DC output signal. The bridge includes active switches controllable by control signals present at two control nodes. The charge-pump device further receives complementary auxiliary signals that are respectively synchronous with the complementary driving signals but have faster edges. Two resistive capacitive filters filter the complementary auxiliary signals to generate control signals at the two control nodes for controlling actuation of the active switches in the bridge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2016
    Assignee: STMicroelectronics (Alps) SAS
    Inventors: Vratislav Michal, Denis Cottin
  • Publication number: 20150355037
    Abstract: Embodiments of the invention concern a temperature sensor comprising: a same oscillator (2) adapted to alternatively generate a temperature dependent output frequency in a sensing mode and a temperature independent output frequency in a calibration mode, a controller (1) of said oscillator (2), adapted to feed said oscillator (2) with at least a first input signal (VREF), and adapted to change said first input signal (VREF) so as to make said oscillator (2) switch between generating a temperature dependent output frequency and generating a temperature independent output frequency.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 10, 2014
    Publication date: December 10, 2015
    Inventor: Denis COTTIN
  • Patent number: 9182294
    Abstract: The sensor is made on a semiconductor substrate covered with an electrically insulating layer. The electrically insulating layer separates a thermocouple from the substrate. It includes a first portion presenting a first value of capacitance per unit area and a second portion presenting a second value of capacitance per unit area, which is lower than the first value. The sensor includes first and second output terminals connected to the thermocouple. The first output terminal includes a first capacitor having a first electrode formed by a first leg made of an electrically conducting material. The second electrode of the capacitor is formed by a part of the substrate facing said first leg and separated from the first electrode by the first portion of the electrically insulating layer. The first leg connects the thermocouple while overlapping the second portion of the electrically insulating layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 10, 2015
    Assignees: COMMISSARIAT A L'ENERGIE ATOMIQUE ET AUX ENERGIES ALTERNATIVES, ST-ERICSSON SA
    Inventors: Guillaume Savelli, Denis Cottin
  • Publication number: 20150262776
    Abstract: A circuit including: a plurality of first switches connected in parallel between a first terminal and a second terminal; and a control circuit capable of implementing the following steps at each period of a clock signal: comparing the voltage between the first and second terminals with a reference voltage; if the voltage between the first and second terminals is greater than the reference voltage, turning on one of the first switches without modifying the state of the other switches; and if the voltage between the first and second terminals is smaller than the reference voltage, turning off one of the first switches without modifying the state of the other switches.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 13, 2015
    Publication date: September 17, 2015
    Inventors: Vratislav MICHAL, Denis COTTIN
  • Patent number: 8829639
    Abstract: An integrated thermoelectric device in semiconductor technology comprising a hot side arranged in proximity to a heat source, and a cold side, providing a signal according to the temperature difference between the hot and cold sides. The hot and cold sides are arranged in such a way that their temperatures tend to equal out when the temperature of the heat source varies, i.e. when the sensor is in poor operating conditions. A measuring circuit provides useful information according to a continuously variable portion of the signal from a time when the temperature of the heat source varies. If the temperature of the heat source ceases to vary, the temperatures of the hot and cold sides eventually equal out and the signal is annulled and ceases to vary. The distance between the hot and cold sides can be less than 100 ?m.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 9, 2014
    Assignees: ST-Ericsson (Grenoble) SAS, Commissariat a l'Energie Atomique et aux Energies Alternatives
    Inventors: Vincent Remondière, Guillaume Savelli, Marc Plissonnier, Denis Cottin
  • Publication number: 20140015089
    Abstract: The sensor is made on a semiconductor substrate covered with an electrically insulating layer. The electrically insulating layer separates a thermocouple from the substrate. It includes a first portion presenting a first value of capacitance per unit area and a second portion presenting a second value of capacitance per unit area, which is lower than the first value. The sensor includes first and second output terminals connected to the thermocouple. The first output terminal includes a first capacitor having a first electrode formed by a first leg made of an electrically conducting material. The second electrode of the capacitor is formed by a part of the substrate facing said first leg and separated from the first electrode by the first portion of the electrically insulating layer. The first leg connects the thermocouple while overlapping the second portion of the electrically insulating layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 15, 2012
    Publication date: January 16, 2014
    Applicants: ST-ERICSSON SA, COMMISSARIAT A L'ENERGIE ATOMIQUE ET AUX ENERGIES ALTERNATIVES
    Inventors: Guillaume Savelli, Denis Cottin
  • Publication number: 20130291920
    Abstract: The thermoelectric device includes a first set of identical unitary thereto-electric systems, each system including at least one thermocouple and the first set has at least one faulty unitary thermoelectric system. It further has devices for detecting functional unitary thermoelectric systems of the first set of unitary thermoelectric systems, and devices designed to electrically connect a second set of functional unitary thermoelectric systems chosen from the first set of unitary thermoelectric systems, in the form of an electric circuit, so that all the unitary thermoelectric systems of the electric circuit have the same current flowing through them.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 23, 2011
    Publication date: November 7, 2013
    Applicants: ST-ERICSSON SA, COMMISSARIAT A L'ENERGIE ATOMIQUE ET AUX ENERGIES ALTERNATIVES
    Inventors: Christelle Navone, Tristan Caroff, Denis Cottin
  • Publication number: 20120217608
    Abstract: An integrated thermoelectric device in semiconductor technology comprising a hot side arranged in proximity to a heat source, and a cold side, providing a signal according to the temperature difference between the hot and cold sides. The hot and cold sides are arranged in such a way that their temperatures tend to equal out when the temperature of the heat source varies, i.e. when the sensor is in poor operating conditions. A measuring circuit provides useful information according to a continuously variable portion of the signal from a time when the temperature of the heat source varies. If the temperature of the heat source ceases to vary, the temperatures of the hot and cold sides eventually equal out and the signal is annulled and ceases to vary. The distance between the hot and cold sides can be less than 100 ?m.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 26, 2010
    Publication date: August 30, 2012
    Applicants: COMMISSARIAT A L'ENERGIE ATOMIQUE ET AUX ENERGIES ALTERNATIVES, ST - ERICSSON (GRENOBLE) SAS
    Inventors: Vincent Remondière, Guillaume Savelli, Marc Plissonnier, Denis Cottin
  • Patent number: 7714390
    Abstract: An integrated circuit includes a substrate and a resistor. The resistor is formed from at least two access wells of a first conductivity type and a deep buried layer electrically connecting the wells. The deep buried layer is at least partly covered by a region of opposite conductivity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 11, 2010
    Assignee: STMicroelectronics S.A.
    Inventors: Denis Cottin, Thierry Schwartzmann, Jean-Charles Vildeuil, Bertrand Martinet, Sophie Taupin, Mathieu Marin
  • Patent number: 7271632
    Abstract: A ramp generator is provided that includes an amplifier, first and second transistors, a variable resistive load having a control electrode, and a capacitor. The amplifier has an inverting input that receives a first reference voltage, and an output connected to the gate of the first transistor. The first transistor has a source connected to a second reference voltage, and a drain connected to the non-inverting input of the amplifier and also to the variable resistive load. The second transistor mirrors the current of the first transistor so as to charge the capacitor, which is periodically discharged by a discharging circuit. In one embodiment, the generator further comprises a comparator, a filter, and an integrator that control the variable resistive load so as to generate a slope having characteristics that are noticeably independent from dispersion, from manufacturing methods, and temperature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 2004
    Date of Patent: September 18, 2007
    Assignee: STMicroelectronics SA
    Inventors: Denis Cottin, Christophe Garnier
  • Publication number: 20060226512
    Abstract: An integrated circuit includes a substrate and a resistor. The resistor is formed from at least two access wells of a first conductivity type and a deep buried layer electrically connecting the wells. The deep buried layer is at least partly covered by a region of opposite conductivity.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 20, 2006
    Publication date: October 12, 2006
    Applicant: STMicroelectronics S.A.
    Inventors: Denis Cottin, Thierry Schwartzmann, Jean-Charles Vildeuil, Bertrand Martinet, Sophie Taupin, Mathieu Marin
  • Publication number: 20050206414
    Abstract: A ramp generator is provided that includes an amplifier, first and second transistors, a variable resistive load having a control electrode, and a capacitor. The amplifier has an inverting input that receives a first reference voltage, and an output connected to the gate of the first transistor. The first transistor has a source connected to a second reference voltage, and a drain connected to the non-inverting input of the amplifier and also to the variable resistive load. The second transistor mirrors the current of the first transistor so as to charge the capacitor, which is periodically discharged by a discharging circuit. In one embodiment, the generator further comprises a comparator, a filter, and an integrator that control the variable resistive load so as to generate a slope having characteristics that are noticeably independent from dispersion, from manufacturing methods, and temperature.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 12, 2004
    Publication date: September 22, 2005
    Applicant: STMICROELECTRONICS SA
    Inventors: Denis Cottin, Christophe Garnier
  • Publication number: 20040239384
    Abstract: An interface circuit comprising one or two input branches and one output branch, each branch being connected between upper and lower supply terminals, each input branch comprising a transistor having its control electrode connected to the input of the interface circuit, one of the two other electrodes of the transistor being connected to one of the supply terminals, a current source being placed between the other one of the supply terminals and an intermediary node connected to the last transistor electrode possibly via one or several diodes, the output branch comprising two complementary transistors having their control electrodes connected to the intermediary nodes of one of the input branches or to the circuit input, one of the electrodes of each of the complementary transistors being connected to the circuit output, the last electrode of each of the transistors being connected to a supply terminal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 27, 2004
    Publication date: December 2, 2004
    Inventors: Denis Cottin, Sebastien Dedieu