Patents by Inventor Fabrizio Cortigiani
Fabrizio Cortigiani 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).
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Patent number: 10939528Abstract: An electronic circuit and a method are disclosed. The electronic circuit includes an LED circuit, wherein the LED circuit (1) includes: an input (11, 12) configured to receive an input voltage (VIN); a drive circuit (2A) connected to the input (11, 12); and an LED module (3A) connected to the drive circuit (2A) and comprising an LED string (41) with at least one LED. The drive circuit (2A) is configured to monitor the LED module (3A) for the occurrence of an LED short in the LED string (41) and to change from a normal mode to a defect mode upon detection of the LED short, and the drive circuit (2A) is configured, in the defect mode, to operate the LED string (41) in at least one defect cycle that includes deactivating the LED string (41) for a deactivation period, activating the LED string for an activation period, and checking for the persistence of the LED short in the activation period.Type: GrantFiled: September 10, 2019Date of Patent: March 2, 2021Assignee: Infineon Technologies AGInventors: Damiano Sartori, Fabrizio Cortigiani, Marco Pamato, Gernot Unterweger
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Patent number: 10707645Abstract: In one example, a method includes outputting, by a power supply and across a supply node and a ground node, a supply power signal; and selectively outputting, by a driver, a power signal to a second terminal of a light emitting element that has a first terminal and the second terminal, wherein the first terminal of the light emitting element is coupled to a load node, wherein a supply terminal of the driver is coupled to the supply node, wherein a ground terminal driver is coupled to the ground node, and wherein a difference between a potential of the supply node and a potential of the ground node is less than an activation voltage of the light emitting element.Type: GrantFiled: January 22, 2018Date of Patent: July 7, 2020Assignee: Infineon Technologies AGInventors: Herwig Wappis, Fabrizio Cortigiani
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Patent number: 10670859Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed for a pixelated light source that includes a plurality of pixels; a plurality of digital micromirrors configured to receive input light from the pixelated light source and configured to modify the input light to generate output light; and one or more controllers configured to control both the pixelated light source and the plurality of digital micromirrors to condition the output light.Type: GrantFiled: December 30, 2015Date of Patent: June 2, 2020Assignee: Infineon Technologies AGInventors: Andrea Logiudice, Fabrizio Cortigiani
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Publication number: 20200092962Abstract: An electronic circuit and a method are disclosed. The electronic circuit includes an LED circuit, wherein the LED circuit (1) includes: an input (11, 12) configured to receive an input voltage (VIN); a drive circuit (2A) connected to the input (11, 12); and an LED module (3A) connected to the drive circuit (2A) and comprising an LED string (41) with at least one LED. The drive circuit (2A) is configured to monitor the LED module (3A) for the occurrence of an LED short in the LED string (41) and to change from a normal mode to a defect mode upon detection of the LED short, and the drive circuit (2A) is configured, in the defect mode, to operate the LED string (41) in at least one defect cycle that includes deactivating the LED string (41) for a deactivation period, activating the LED string for an activation period, and checking for the persistence of the LED short in the activation period.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 10, 2019Publication date: March 19, 2020Inventors: Damiano Sartori, Fabrizio Cortigiani, Marco Pamato, Gernot Unterweger
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Patent number: 10041839Abstract: The present disclosure proposes the placing of temperature sensors embedded in the power semiconductor device. In this, at least one of the embedded temperature sensors is placed within or close to the heat source, active areas or channels of the power semiconductor circuit, and at least one of the embedded temperature sensors is placed more apart from the heat source, active areas or channels of the power semiconductor circuit. Furthermore, a new the temperature measurement method is provided, with timing of the temperature measurement and adjusting measurement parameters to appropriate threshold values.Type: GrantFiled: July 22, 2014Date of Patent: August 7, 2018Assignee: Infineon Technologies AGInventors: Fabrizio Cortigiani, Adolfo De Cicco
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Publication number: 20180219352Abstract: In one example, a method includes outputting, by a power supply and across a supply node and a ground node, a supply power signal; and selectively outputting, by a driver, a power signal to a second terminal of a light emitting element that has a first terminal and the second terminal, wherein the first terminal of the light emitting element is coupled to a load node, wherein a supply terminal of the driver is coupled to the supply node, wherein a ground terminal driver is coupled to the ground node, and wherein a difference between a potential of the supply node and a potential of the ground node is less than an activation voltage of the light emitting element.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 22, 2018Publication date: August 2, 2018Inventors: Herwig Wappis, Fabrizio Cortigiani
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Patent number: 9876328Abstract: In one example, a method includes outputting, by a power supply and across a supply node and a ground node, a supply power signal; and selectively outputting, by a driver, a power signal to a second terminal of a light emitting element that has a first terminal and the second terminal, wherein the first terminal of the light emitting element is coupled to a load node, wherein a supply terminal of the driver is coupled to the supply node, wherein a ground terminal driver is coupled to the ground node, and wherein a difference between a potential of the supply node and a potential of the ground node is less than an activation voltage of the light emitting element.Type: GrantFiled: January 30, 2017Date of Patent: January 23, 2018Assignee: Infineon Technologies AGInventors: Herwig Wappis, Fabrizio Cortigiani
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Publication number: 20170367155Abstract: In one example, a method includes generating, by a current source of a device, a first portion of a power signal that drives one or more load elements. In this example, a second portion of the power signal is generated by one or more components that are external to the device and are in parallel to the current source such that the second portion of the power signal does not flow through the current source.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 30, 2017Publication date: December 21, 2017Inventors: Fabrizio Cortigiani, Andrea Logiudice, Maurizio Galvano, Marco Pamato
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Publication number: 20170290112Abstract: In one example, a method includes generating, by a current source of a device, a first portion of a power signal that drives one or more load elements. In this example, a second portion of the power signal is generated by one or more components that are external to the device and are in parallel to the current source such that the second portion of the power signal does not flow through the current source.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 31, 2016Publication date: October 5, 2017Inventors: Fabrizio Cortigiani, Andrea Logiudice, Maurizio Galvano, Marco Pamato
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Patent number: 9781788Abstract: In one example, a method includes generating, by a current source of a device, a first portion of a power signal that drives one or more load elements. In this example, a second portion of the power signal is generated by one or more components that are external to the device and are in parallel to the current source such that the second portion of the power signal does not flow through the current source.Type: GrantFiled: March 31, 2016Date of Patent: October 3, 2017Assignee: Infineon Technologies AGInventors: Fabrizio Cortigiani, Andrea Logiudice, Maurizio Galvano, Marco Pamato
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Publication number: 20170257917Abstract: A modulation engine for a light-emitting-diode (LED) driver is described that includes an output port, a charge current source, a discharge current source, and an output control unit. The output control unit is configured to generate a modulation signal (e.g., a pulse-width-modulation signal) at the output port by at least alternating, based on a duty cycle of the modulation signal, between coupling the charge current source to the output port and the discharge current source to the output port to linearly shape the charge at the output port in accordance with the duty cycle.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 3, 2016Publication date: September 7, 2017Inventors: Fabrizio Cortigiani, Maurizio Galvano
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Patent number: 9756691Abstract: A modulation engine for a light-emitting-diode (LED) driver is described that includes an output port, a charge current source, a discharge current source, and an output control unit. The output control unit is configured to generate a modulation signal (e.g., a pulse-width-modulation signal) at the output port by at least alternating, based on a duty cycle of the modulation signal, between coupling the charge current source to the output port and the discharge current source to the output port to linearly shape the charge at the output port in accordance with the duty cycle.Type: GrantFiled: March 3, 2016Date of Patent: September 5, 2017Assignee: Infineon Technologies AGInventors: Fabrizio Cortigiani, Maurizio Galvano
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Publication number: 20170192224Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed for a pixelated light source that includes a plurality of pixels; a plurality of digital micromirrors configured to receive input light from the pixelated light source and configured to modify the input light to generate output light; and one or more controllers configured to control both the pixelated light source and the plurality of digital micromirrors to condition the output light.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 30, 2015Publication date: July 6, 2017Inventors: Andrea Logiudice, Fabrizio Cortigiani
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Patent number: 9672181Abstract: A system includes a bus system, such as a LIN bus system. A number of components are connected to the bus system. A first component of the components is configured to detect a direction of a current to detect a location of the first component in the bus system. Each of the components can have a unique address.Type: GrantFiled: July 8, 2015Date of Patent: June 6, 2017Assignee: Infineon Technologies AGInventors: Jens Barrenscheen, Ansgar Pottbaecker, Fabrizio Cortigiani
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Patent number: 9548647Abstract: A driver circuit, in accordance with one example, includes a controllable current source operably coupled to the load and configured to sink or source a first current in accordance with a control signal. A controllable switch is responsive to an input signal, operably coupled to the current source, and configured to take over, or not, the first current in accordance with an input signal. The first current is directed as a load current through the load when the controllable switch is driven into a blocking state. The first current is directed through the controllable switch when the controllable switch is driven into a conducting state thus bypassing the load. An input signal includes a first series of pulses defining the desired load current waveform in accordance with a desired modulation scheme.Type: GrantFiled: May 8, 2014Date of Patent: January 17, 2017Assignee: Infineon Technologies Austria AGInventors: Fabrizio Cortigiani, Franco Mignoli
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Publication number: 20150309950Abstract: A system includes a bus system, such as a LIN bus system. A number of components are connected to the bus system. A first component of the components is configured to detect a direction of a current to detect a location of the first component in the bus system. Each of the components can have a unique address.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 8, 2015Publication date: October 29, 2015Inventors: Jens Barrenscheen, Ansgar Pottbaecker, Fabrizio Cortigiani
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Patent number: 9160165Abstract: A semiconductor device includes a load current path operable to carry a load current from a supply terminal having a supply voltage to an output circuit node. The device further includes a voltage comparator configured to compare the supply voltage with a voltage threshold and to signal a low supply voltage when the supply voltage reaches or falls below the voltage threshold. An over-current detector is configured to compare a load current signal that represents the load current with an over-current threshold and to signal an over-current when the load current signal reaches or exceeds the over-current threshold. Furthermore, the semiconductor device includes a control logic unit that is configured to deactivate the load current flow when an over-current is signalled and to reduce the over-current threshold from a first value to a lower second value as long as the voltage comparator signals a low supply voltage.Type: GrantFiled: September 18, 2013Date of Patent: October 13, 2015Assignee: INFINEON TECHNOLOGIES AGInventors: Fabrizio Cortigiani, Adolfo De Cicco
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Patent number: 9160559Abstract: A system includes a bus system, such as a LIN bus system. A number of components are connected to the bus system. A first component of the components is configured to detect a direction of a current to detect a location of the first component in the bus system. Each of the components can have a unique address.Type: GrantFiled: May 16, 2012Date of Patent: October 13, 2015Assignee: Infineon Technologies, AGInventors: Jens Barrenscheen, Ansgar Pottbaecker, Fabrizio Cortigiani
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Patent number: 9077240Abstract: A semiconductor device is described that includes a switch to switch a load current path on and off according to an input signal. The device further includes an over-current detector to compare a load current with a threshold and to signal an over-current when the load current reaches or exceeds the threshold. The device further includes a control unit to set the threshold to a higher value while in a first state of operation and to a lower value while in a second state of operation, and to at least temporarily switch the switch off when an over-current is signalled, change from the first state of operation to the second state of operation when a first pre-defined time span has elapsed, and to change from the from the second state of operation to the first state when the switch is off for more than a second pre-defined time span.Type: GrantFiled: September 5, 2013Date of Patent: July 7, 2015Assignee: Infineon Technologies AGInventors: Fabrizio Cortigiani, Adolfo De Cicco
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Publication number: 20150030051Abstract: The present disclosure proposes the placing of temperature sensors embedded in the power semiconductor device. In this, at least one of the embedded temperature sensors is placed within or close to the heat source, active areas or channels of the power semiconductor circuit, and at least one of the embedded temperature sensors is placed more apart from the heat source, active areas or channels of the power semiconductor circuit. Furthermore, a new the temperature measurement method is provided, with timing of the temperature measurement and adjusting measurement parameters to appropriate threshold values.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 22, 2014Publication date: January 29, 2015Inventors: Fabrizio Cortigiani, Adolfo De Cicco