Patents by Inventor Giovanni Luca Torrisi
Giovanni Luca Torrisi 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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Publication number: 20240103046Abstract: A pre-driving stage drives one or more Field Effect Transistors in a power stage driving a load. A method for measuring current flowing in the Field Effect Transistors includes: measuring drain to source voltages of the one or more Field Effect Transistor; and measuring an operating temperature of the one or more Field Effect Transistor. The current flowing in the Field Effect Transistors is measured by: calculating the respective on drain to source resistance at the operating temperature as a function of the measured operating temperature and obtaining the current value as a ratio of the respective measured drain to source voltage over the calculated drain to source resistance at the operating temperature.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 21, 2023Publication date: March 28, 2024Applicant: STMicroelectronics S.r.l.Inventors: Placido DE VITA, Salvatore ABBISSO, Giovanni Luca TORRISI, Antonio Davide LEONE
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Patent number: 11889594Abstract: A system includes lighting devices coupled to output supply pins, a microcontroller circuit, and a driver circuit, which receives data therefrom, and switches coupled in series to the lighting devices. The driver circuit includes output supply pins and selectively propagates a supply voltage to the output supply pins to provide respective pulse-width modulated supply signals at the output supply pins. The driver circuit computes duty-cycle values of the pulse-width modulated supply signals as a function of the data received from the microcontroller circuit. The lighting devices include at least one subset coupled to the same output supply pin. The microcontroller individually controls the switches via respective control signals to individually adjust a brightness of the lighting devices in the at least one subset of lighting devices.Type: GrantFiled: March 11, 2022Date of Patent: January 30, 2024Assignees: STMicroelectronics (Grenoble 2) SAS, STMicroelectronics S.r.l., STMicroelectronics Application GMBHInventors: Manuel Gaertner, Philippe Sirito-Olivier, Giovanni Luca Torrisi, Thomas Urbitsch, Christophe Roussel, Fritz Burkhardt
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Patent number: 11823750Abstract: A method for writing into a one-time programmable memory of an integrated circuit includes attempting, by a memory control circuit of the integrated circuit, to write data in at least one first register of the one-time programmable memory; verifying, by the memory control circuit, whether the data has been correctly written in the at least one first register; and, in case the data has not been correctly written in the at least one first register, attempting, by the memory control circuit, to write the data in at least one second register of the one-time programmable memory.Type: GrantFiled: April 29, 2021Date of Patent: November 21, 2023Assignees: STMICROELECTRONICS (ALPS) SAS, STMICROELECTRONICS S.R.L.Inventors: Philippe Sirito-Olivier, Giovanni Luca Torrisi
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Publication number: 20220312566Abstract: A system includes lighting devices coupled to output supply pins, a microcontroller circuit, and a driver circuit, which receives data therefrom, and switches coupled in series to the lighting devices. The driver circuit includes output supply pins and selectively propagates a supply voltage to the output supply pins to provide respective pulse-width modulated supply signals at the output supply pins. The driver circuit computes duty-cycle values of the pulse-width modulated supply signals as a function of the data received from the microcontroller circuit. The lighting devices include at least one subset coupled to the same output supply pin. The microcontroller individually controls the switches via respective control signals to individually adjust a brightness of the lighting devices in the at least one subset of lighting devices.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 11, 2022Publication date: September 29, 2022Inventors: Manuel Gaertner, Philippe Sirito-Olivier, Giovanni Luca Torrisi, Thomas Urbitsch, Christophe Roussel, Fritz Burkhardt
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Patent number: 11372435Abstract: A voltage regulator circuit includes a first voltage regulator having a first output voltage selection pin set and producing a first output voltage based on a first digital signal received at the first output voltage selection pin set, and a second voltage regulator having a second output voltage selection pin set and producing a second output voltage based on a second digital signal received at the second output voltage selection pin set. The first and second voltage regulators are operable in a voltage tracking mode with the output voltage of the second voltage regulator tracking the output voltage of the first voltage regulator when digital signals received at the selection pin sets have a same value. An overvoltage sensor detects overvoltage events at the first voltage regulator. Control circuitry selectively avoids operation in voltage tracking mode as a result of an overvoltage event detected at the first voltage regulator.Type: GrantFiled: February 28, 2020Date of Patent: June 28, 2022Assignee: STMicroelectronics S.r.l.Inventors: Giovanni Luca Torrisi, Salvatore Abbisso, Cristiano Meroni
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Patent number: 11342908Abstract: An H-bridge circuit includes a supply voltage node, a first pair of transistors and a second pair of transistors. First transistors in each pair have the current paths therethrough included in current flow lines between the supply node and, respectively, a first output node and a second output node. Second transistors in each pair have the current paths therethrough coupled to a third output node and a fourth output node, respectively. The first and third output nodes are mutually isolated from each other and the second and fourth output nodes are mutually isolated from each other. The H-bridge circuit is operable in a selected one of a first, second and third mode.Type: GrantFiled: January 11, 2021Date of Patent: May 24, 2022Assignees: STMicroelectronics S.r.l., STMicroelectronics (Alps) SASInventors: Giovanni Luca Torrisi, Domenico aka Massimo Porto, Christophe Roussel
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Patent number: 11296910Abstract: A method of compensating electromagnetic emissions of a device for use in a communication bus, the method including: transmitting a test signal over the communication bus; receiving, at the device, the test signal after propagation over the communication bus; performing frequency analysis processing of the test signal received to detect a set of harmonic components of the test signal received having an amplitude exceeding a certain threshold; storing respective values of frequency of harmonic components in the set of harmonic components having an amplitude exceeding the certain threshold; and generating and transmitting over the communication bus a set of compensation signals, each compensation signal in the set of compensation signals being a sinusoidal signal having a respective frequency equal to one of the frequencies stored, and being in anti-phase with respect to the harmonic component of the test signal received having the respective frequency.Type: GrantFiled: February 25, 2020Date of Patent: April 5, 2022Assignee: STMicroelectronics S.r.l.Inventors: Domenico Massimo Porto, Giovanni Luca Torrisi, Ignazio Testoni
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Patent number: 11211783Abstract: A circuit includes processing circuitry is sensitive to a regulated voltage at the output node and to a temperature of the circuit. The processing circuit is configured to provide voltage and temperature sensing signals indicative of the regulated voltage at the output node and the temperature of the circuit. The processing circuitry is configured to assume i) a first state, as a result of the voltage sensing signal reaching a voltage threshold, ii) a second state, as a result of the temperature detection signal reaching a temperature threshold, or iii) a third state, as a result of both the voltage and the temperature sensing signals failing to reach the thresholds. The circuit comprises a warning output coupled to a warning signal generation network controlled by the processing circuitry.Type: GrantFiled: September 30, 2019Date of Patent: December 28, 2021Assignee: STMICROELECTRONICS S.R.L.Inventors: Giovanni Luca Torrisi, Salvatore Abbisso, Cristiano Meroni
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Publication number: 20210375377Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a method for writing into a one-time programmable memory of an integrated circuit, the method comprising attempting, by a memory control circuit of the integrated circuit, to write data in at least one first register of the one-time programmable memory; verifying, by the memory control circuit, whether the data has been correctly written in the at least one first register; and, in case the data has not been correctly written in the at least one first register, attempting, by the memory control circuit, to write the data in at least one second register of the one-time programmable memory.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 29, 2021Publication date: December 2, 2021Inventors: Philippe Sirito-Olivier, Giovanni Luca Torrisi
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Publication number: 20210135661Abstract: An H-bridge circuit includes a supply voltage node, a first pair of transistors and a second pair of transistors. First transistors in each pair have the current paths therethrough included in current flow lines between the supply node and, respectively, a first output node and a second output node. Second transistors in each pair have the current paths therethrough coupled to a third output node and a fourth output node, respectively. The first and third output nodes are mutually isolated from each other and the second and fourth output nodes are mutually isolated from each other. The H-bridge circuit is operable in a selected one of a first, second and third mode.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 11, 2021Publication date: May 6, 2021Applicants: STMicroelectronics S.r.l., STMicroelectronics (Alps) SASInventors: Giovanni Luca TORRISI, Domenico aka Massimo PORTO, Christophe ROUSSEL
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Patent number: 10924100Abstract: An H-bridge circuit includes a supply voltage node, a first pair of transistors and a second pair of transistors. First transistors in each pair have the current paths therethrough included in current flow lines between the supply node and, respectively, a first output node and a second output node. Second transistors in each pair have the current paths therethrough coupled to a third output node and a fourth output node, respectively. The first and third output nodes are mutually isolated from each other and the second and fourth output nodes are mutually isolated from each other. The H-bridge circuit is operable in a selected one of a first, second and third mode.Type: GrantFiled: April 15, 2020Date of Patent: February 16, 2021Assignees: STMicroelectronics S.r.l., STMicroelectronics (Alps) SASInventors: Giovanni Luca Torrisi, Domenico Porto, Christophe Roussel
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Patent number: 10917087Abstract: A circuit for controlling a first plurality of transistors connected in parallel and a second plurality of transistors connected in parallel, includes: a first plurality of stages, a respective one of the first plurality of stages being configured to supply a first control signal to a respective one of the first plurality of transistors; and a second plurality of stages, a respective one of the second plurality of stages being configured to supply a second control signal to a respective one of the second plurality of transistors. An output current of the respective one of the first plurality of stages is regulated based on a difference between a first value representative of a sum of output currents of each stage of the first plurality of stages and a second value representative of a sum of set points assigned to the first plurality of stages.Type: GrantFiled: December 18, 2019Date of Patent: February 9, 2021Assignees: STMICROELECTRONICS S.r.l., STMICROELECTRONICS, Inc., STMICROELECTRONICS (ALPS) SASInventors: Vanni Poletto, David F. Swanson, Giovanni Luca Torrisi, Laurent Chevalier
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Publication number: 20200336138Abstract: An H-bridge circuit includes a supply voltage node, a first pair of transistors and a second pair of transistors. First transistors in each pair have the current paths therethrough included in current flow lines between the supply node and, respectively, a first output node and a second output node. Second transistors in each pair have the current paths therethrough coupled to a third output node and a fourth output node, respectively. The first and third output nodes are mutually isolated from each other and the second and fourth output nodes are mutually isolated from each other. The H-bridge circuit is operable in a selected one of a first, second and third mode.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 15, 2020Publication date: October 22, 2020Applicants: STMicroelectronics S.r.l., STMicroelectronics (Alps) SASInventors: Giovanni Luca TORRISI, Domenico aka Massimo PORTO, Christophe ROUSSEL
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Patent number: 10813187Abstract: An integrated device for driving a lighting load, such as a LED, has a first memory element, configured to store a nominal duty-cycle at a nominal supply voltage. An actual voltage acquisition element is configured to detect an actual supply voltage. A processing unit is coupled to the first memory element and to the actual voltage acquisition element and configured to calculate a voltage compensated duty-cycle. A driver unit is coupled to the processing unit and is configured to be supplied according to the voltage compensated duty-cycle.Type: GrantFiled: June 19, 2019Date of Patent: October 20, 2020Assignees: STMicroelectronics S.R.L., STMicroelectronics Application GMBHInventors: Manuel Gaertner, Sergio Lecce, Giovanni Luca Torrisi
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Publication number: 20200287755Abstract: A method of compensating electromagnetic emissions of a device for use in a communication bus, the method including: transmitting a test signal over the communication bus; receiving, at the device, the test signal after propagation over the communication bus; performing frequency analysis processing of the test signal received to detect a set of harmonic components of the test signal received having an amplitude exceeding a certain threshold; storing respective values of frequency of harmonic components in the set of harmonic components having an amplitude exceeding the certain threshold; and generating and transmitting over the communication bus a set of compensation signals, each compensation signal in the set of compensation signals being a sinusoidal signal having a respective frequency equal to one of the frequencies stored, and being in anti-phase with respect to the harmonic component of the test signal received having the respective frequency.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 25, 2020Publication date: September 10, 2020Inventors: Domenico Massimo Porto, Giovanni Luca Torrisi, Ignazio Testoni
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Publication number: 20200285259Abstract: A voltage regulator circuit includes a first voltage regulator having a first output voltage selection pin set and producing a first output voltage based on a first digital signal received at the first output voltage selection pin set, and a second voltage regulator having a second output voltage selection pin set and producing a second output voltage based on a second digital signal received at the second output voltage selection pin set. The first and second voltage regulators are operable in a voltage tracking mode with the output voltage of the second voltage regulator tracking the output voltage of the first voltage regulator when digital signals received at the selection pin sets have a same value. An overvoltage sensor detects overvoltage events at the first voltage regulator. Control circuitry selectively avoids operation in voltage tracking mode as a result of an overvoltage event detected at the first voltage regulator.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 28, 2020Publication date: September 10, 2020Applicant: STMicroelectronics S.r.l.Inventors: Giovanni Luca TORRISI, Salvatore ABBISSO, Cristiano MERONI
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Publication number: 20200127660Abstract: A circuit for controlling a first plurality of transistors connected in parallel and a second plurality of transistors connected in parallel, includes: a first plurality of stages, a respective one of the first plurality of stages being configured to supply a first control signal to a respective one of the first plurality of transistors; and a second plurality of stages, a respective one of the second plurality of stages being configured to supply a second control signal to a respective one of the second plurality of transistors. An output current of the respective one of the first plurality of stages is regulated based on a difference between a first value representative of a sum of output currents of each stage of the first plurality of stages and a second value representative of a sum of set points assigned to the first plurality of stages.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 18, 2019Publication date: April 23, 2020Inventors: Vanni Poletto, David F. Swanson, Giovanni Luca Torrisi, Laurent Chevalier
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Publication number: 20200112164Abstract: A circuit includes processing circuitry is sensitive to a regulated voltage at the output node and to a temperature of the circuit. The processing circuit is configured to provide voltage and temperature sensing signals indicative of the regulated voltage at the output node and the temperature of the circuit. The processing circuitry is configured to assume i) a first state, as a result of the voltage sensing signal reaching a voltage threshold, ii) a second state, as a result of the temperature detection signal reaching a temperature threshold, or iii) a third state, as a result of both the voltage and the temperature sensing signals failing to reach the thresholds. The circuit comprises a warning output coupled to a warning signal generation network controlled by the processing circuitry.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 30, 2019Publication date: April 9, 2020Inventors: Giovanni Luca Torrisi, Salvatore Abbisso, Cristiano Meroni
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Patent number: 10588247Abstract: An embodiment circuit includes a plurality of heat-generating circuits, a heat-sensitive circuit exposed to heat generated during operation of the plurality of heat-generating circuit, and a temperature sensor disposed at a location between the heat-sensitive circuit and the plurality of heat-generating circuits, the temperature sensor being configured to generate an over-temperature signal as a function of temperature sensed at the location. The plurality of heat-generating circuits may be selectively deactivatable in an ordered sequence based on deactivation weights respectively assigned to the plurality of heat-generating circuits and in response to the over-temperature signal.Type: GrantFiled: October 30, 2017Date of Patent: March 10, 2020Assignee: STMICROELECTRONICS S.R.L.Inventors: Giovanni Luca Torrisi, Domenico Porto
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Patent number: 10560092Abstract: A circuit for controlling a first plurality of transistors connected in parallel and a second plurality of transistors connected in parallel, includes: a first plurality of stages, a respective one of the first plurality of stages being configured to supply a first control signal to a respective one of the first plurality of transistors; and a second plurality of stages, a respective one of the second plurality of stages being configured to supply a second control signal to a respective one of the second plurality of transistors. An output current of the respective one of the first plurality of stages is regulated based on a difference between a first value representative of a sum of output currents of each stage of the first plurality of stages and a second value representative of a sum of set points assigned to the first plurality of stages.Type: GrantFiled: February 13, 2019Date of Patent: February 11, 2020Assignees: STMICROELECTRONICS, INC., STMICROELECTRONICS (ALPS) SAS, STMICROELECTRONICS S.R.L.Inventors: Vanni Poletto, David F. Swanson, Giovanni Luca Torrisi, Laurent Chevalier