Patents by Inventor Giovanni Garcea
Giovanni Garcea 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: 10222814Abstract: A method for controlling a number of phases that are active in a multiphase direct-current-to-direct-current (DC-to-DC) converter includes (a) filtering a current signal representing a magnitude of current processed by the multiphase DC-to-DC converter to generate a filtered signal, (b) comparing the filtered signal to a first threshold value, (c) deactivating one or more phases of the multiphase DC-to-DC converter in response to the filtered signal falling below the first threshold value, (d) comparing the current signal to a second threshold value, the second threshold value being greater than the first threshold value, and (e) activating one or more phases of the multiphase DC-to-DC converter in response to the current signal rising above the second threshold value.Type: GrantFiled: May 8, 2017Date of Patent: March 5, 2019Assignee: Volterra Semiconductor LLCInventors: Sombuddha Chakraborty, Yali Xiong, Michael D. McJimsey, Anthony J. Stratakos, Giovanni Garcea, Ilija Jergovic, Andrew Burstein, Andrea Pizzutelli
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Patent number: 9899859Abstract: A multi-phase charging circuit comprises a device that can be configured for master mode operation or slave mode operation. In master mode operation, the device generates a control signal and a clock signal to control operation of a switching circuit for generating charging current. In slave mode operation, the device receives externally generated control and clock signals to control operation of its switching circuit.Type: GrantFiled: December 28, 2015Date of Patent: February 20, 2018Assignee: QUALCOMM IncorporatedInventors: Christian Sporck, Giovanni Garcea, Shadi Hawawini
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Patent number: 9641080Abstract: A circuit may include a switching signal generator to generate a high-side switching signal and a low-side switching signal. A low-side switch may be connected to the output of the circuit and to the switching signal generator to receive the low-side switching signal. A plurality of high-side switches may be connected to corresponding inputs of the circuit. A matrix may be configured to selectively connect the high-side switching signal to two or more of the high-side switches.Type: GrantFiled: October 27, 2015Date of Patent: May 2, 2017Assignee: QUALCOMM IncorporatedInventors: Shadi Hawawini, Giovanni Garcea
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Patent number: 9641014Abstract: The present disclosure includes circuits and methods for controlling skin temperature of an electronic device. In one embodiment, a thermal sensor is configured on a case of a handheld electronic device. The thermal sensor is coupled to a battery charger having a current limit circuit. If the sensed temperature of the case increases above a threshold, a current limit is reduced to reduce current in the battery charger.Type: GrantFiled: February 12, 2014Date of Patent: May 2, 2017Assignee: QUALCOMM IncorporatedInventors: Christian G Sporck, Giovanni Garcea, Shadi Hawawini, Todd R Sutton
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Patent number: 9590436Abstract: A battery charging circuit comprises two or more charging circuits, each capable of charging a battery. The charging outputs of the charging circuits are connected together and can be connected to a battery to provide fast charging of the battery. The charging circuits can be configured so that they do not adversely interfere with each other during battery charging.Type: GrantFiled: April 11, 2014Date of Patent: March 7, 2017Assignee: QUALCOMM IncorporatedInventors: Christian Sporck, Giovanni Garcea, Shadi Hawawini
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Patent number: 9407145Abstract: A regulated, power supply system is described using multiphase DC-DC converters with dynamic fast-turnon, slow-turnoff phase shedding, early phase turn-on, and both load-voltage and drive-transistor feedback to pulsewidth modulators to provide fast response to load transients. In an embodiment, a system master can automatically determine whether all, or only some, slave phase units are fully populated. The programmable system includes fault detection with current and voltage sensing, telemetry capability, and automatic shutdown capability. In an embodiment, these are buck-type converters with or without coupled inductors, however some of the embodiments illustrated include boost configurations.Type: GrantFiled: December 8, 2014Date of Patent: August 2, 2016Assignee: Volterra Semiconductor LLCInventors: Andrew Burstein, Sombuddha Chakraborty, Yali Xiong, Michael D. McJimsey, Trey A. Roessig, Luigi Panseri, Paul H. Choi, Theodore V. Burmas, Biljana Beronja, Giovanni Garcea, Ilija Jergovic, Andrea Pizzutelli, Anthony J. Stratakos
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Patent number: 9374003Abstract: A regulated, power supply system is described using multiphase DC-DC converters with dynamic fast-turnon, slow-turnoff phase shedding, early phase turn-on, and both load-voltage and drive-transistor feedback to pulsewidth modulators to provide fast response to load transients. In an embodiment, a system master can automatically determine whether all, or only some, slave phase units are fully populated. The programmable system includes fault detection with current and voltage sensing, telemetry capability, and automatic shutdown capability. In an embodiment, these are buck-type converters with or without coupled inductors, however some of the embodiments illustrated include boost configurations.Type: GrantFiled: April 28, 2014Date of Patent: June 21, 2016Assignee: Volterra Semiconductor LLCInventors: Michael D. McJimsey, David B. Lidsky, Andrew Burstein, Giovanni Garcea, Jeremy M. Flasck, Ilija Jergovic, Andrea Pizzutelli
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Publication number: 20160149431Abstract: A multi-phase charging circuit comprises a device that can be configured for master mode operation or slave mode operation. In master mode operation, the device generates a control signal and a clock signal to control operation of a switching circuit for generating charging current. In slave mode operation, the device receives externally generated control and clock signals to control operation of its switching circuit.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 28, 2015Publication date: May 26, 2016Inventors: Christian Sporck, Giovanni Garcea, Shadi Hawawini
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Patent number: 9276430Abstract: A multi-phase charging circuit comprises a device that can be configured for master mode operation or slave mode operation. In master mode operation, the device generates a control signal and a clock signal to control operation of a switching circuit for generating charging current. In slave mode operation, the device receives externally generated control and clock signals to control operation of its switching circuit.Type: GrantFiled: October 29, 2013Date of Patent: March 1, 2016Assignee: QUALCOMM, IncorporatedInventors: Christian G Sporck, Giovanni Garcea, Shadi Hawawini
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Publication number: 20160049873Abstract: A circuit may include a switching signal generator to generate a high-side switching signal and a low-side switching signal. A low-side switch may be connected to the output of the circuit and to the switching signal generator to receive the low-side switching signal. A plurality of high-side switches may be connected to corresponding inputs of the circuit. A matrix may be configured to selectively connect the high-side switching signal to two or more of the high-side switches.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 27, 2015Publication date: February 18, 2016Inventors: Shadi Hawawini, Giovanni Garcea
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Patent number: 9203309Abstract: A switching regulator circuit provides forward mode operation where a voltage provided at an input port can be boosted or bucked to produce a regulated voltage at an output port of the circuit. In accordance with the present disclosure, the switching regulator circuit includes two or more input ports. The switching regulator circuit provides a reverse boost operation in which a voltage provided at the output port of the circuit can be boosted to produce a regulated voltage at both of the input ports of the circuit.Type: GrantFiled: September 11, 2013Date of Patent: December 1, 2015Assignee: QUALCOMM, IncorporatedInventors: Shadi Hawawini, Giovanni Garcea
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Patent number: 9201119Abstract: A system for estimating battery state of charge (SoC) includes evaluating a battery model to produce an estimated battery voltage using a previously produced SoC. Current and voltage measurements are combined with the estimated battery voltage to produce a present battery SoC. The battery model may be updated by taking battery measurements when certain conditions occur.Type: GrantFiled: December 18, 2012Date of Patent: December 1, 2015Assignee: QUALCOMM IncorporatedInventors: Paolo Baruzzi, Georgios Paparrizos, Giovanni Garcea
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Publication number: 20150229155Abstract: The present disclosure includes circuits and methods for controlling skin temperature of an electronic device. In one embodiment, a thermal sensor is configured on a case of a handheld electronic device. The thermal sensor is coupled to a battery charger having a current limit circuit. If the sensed temperature of the case increases above a threshold, a current limit is reduced to reduce current in the battery charger.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 12, 2014Publication date: August 13, 2015Applicant: QUALCOMM IncorporatedInventors: Christian G. Sporck, Giovanni Garcea, Shadi Hawawini, Todd R. Sutton
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Patent number: 9106201Abstract: A regulated, power supply system is described using multiphase DC-DC converters with dynamic fast-turnon, slow-turnoff phase shedding, early phase turn-on, and both load-voltage and drive-transistor feedback to pulsewidth modulators to provide fast response to load transients. In an embodiment, a system master can automatically determine whether all, or only some, slave phase units are fully populated. The programmable system includes fault detection with current and voltage sensing, telemetry capability, and automatic shutdown capability. In an embodiment, these are buck-type converters with or without coupled inductors, however some of the embodiments illustrated include boost configurations.Type: GrantFiled: June 23, 2011Date of Patent: August 11, 2015Assignee: Volterra Semiconductor CorporationInventors: Sombuddha Chakraborty, Yali Xiong, Michael D. McJimsey, Anthony J. Stratakos, Giovanni Garcea, Ilija Jergovic, Andrew Burstein, Andrea Pizzutelli
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Publication number: 20150069983Abstract: A switching regulator circuit provides forward mode operation where a voltage provided at an input port can be boosted or bucked to produce a regulated voltage at an output port of the circuit. In accordance with the present disclosure, the switching regulator circuit includes two or more input ports. The switching regulator circuit provides a reverse boost operation in which a voltage provided at the output port of the circuit can be boosted to produce a regulated voltage at both of the input ports of the circuit.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 11, 2013Publication date: March 12, 2015Applicant: QUALCOMM IncorporatedInventors: Shadi Hawawini, Giovanni Garcea
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Patent number: 8907642Abstract: A regulated, power supply system is described using multiphase DC-DC converters with dynamic fast-turnon, slow-turnoff phase shedding, early phase turn-on, and both load-voltage and drive-transistor feedback to pulsewidth modulators to provide fast response to load transients. In an embodiment, a system master can automatically determine whether all, or only some, slave phase units are fully populated. The programmable system includes fault detection with current and voltage sensing, telemetry capability, and automatic shutdown capability. In an embodiment, these are buck-type converters with or without coupled inductors, however some of the embodiments illustrated include boost configurations.Type: GrantFiled: June 23, 2011Date of Patent: December 9, 2014Assignee: Volterra Semiconductor LLCInventors: Andrew Burstein, Sombuddha Chakraborty, Yali Xiong, Michael D. McJimsey, Trey A. Roessig, Luigi Panseri, Paul H. Choi, Theodore V. Burmas, Biljana Beronja, Giovanni Garcea, Ilija Jergovic, Andrea Pizzutelli, Anthony J. Stratakos
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Publication number: 20140347003Abstract: A battery charging circuit comprises two or more charging circuits, each capable of charging a battery. The charging outputs of the charging circuits are connected together and can be connected to a battery to provide fast charging of the battery. The charging circuits can be configured so that they do not adversely interfere with each other during battery charging.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 11, 2014Publication date: November 27, 2014Applicant: QUALCOMM IncorporatedInventors: Christian Sporck, Giovanni Garcea, Shadi Hawawini
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Publication number: 20140347001Abstract: A multi-phase charging circuit comprises a device that can be configured for master mode operation or slave mode operation. In master mode operation, the device generates a control signal and a clock signal to control operation of a switching circuit for generating charging current. In slave mode operation, the device receives externally generated control and clock signals to control operation of its switching circuit.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 29, 2013Publication date: November 27, 2014Applicant: QUALCOMM IncorporatedInventors: Christian G Sporck, Giovanni Garcea, Shadi Hawawini
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Publication number: 20140266228Abstract: A circuit for measuring the equivalent series resistance (ESR) of a battery includes taking measurements of battery current and battery voltage. A controller may control the taking of the measurements. A load generator may be activated to produce a current pulse to the battery to provide an explicit current transient under certain operating conditions of the battery.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 31, 2014Publication date: September 18, 2014Applicant: QUALCOMM IncorporatedInventors: Paolo Baruzzi, Georgios K Paparrizos, Giovanni Garcea
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Publication number: 20140278170Abstract: An initial SoC curve may be defined that relates system state of charge (SoC) as a function of battery SoC. Endpoints that define the SoC curve may be updated. For example, each time a battery SoC is determined, the SoC curve may be updated. The SoC curve may then be evaluated to produce a system SoC that can be present to the user.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 31, 2014Publication date: September 18, 2014Applicant: QUALCOMM IncorporatedInventors: Paolo Baruzzi, Georgios K. Paparrizos, Giovanni Garcea