Patents by Inventor Giuseppe Platania

Giuseppe Platania 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: 20240006996
    Abstract: A switching regulator circuit has a switching transistor actuated during a switching on phase of a duty cycle. The current flowing through an inductor of the switching regulator circuit is determined from sensing a transistor current flowing through the switching transistor during switching on phase and selectively charging a capacitor of a switched capacitor circuit dependent on a current sense signal during the switching on phase.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 18, 2023
    Publication date: January 4, 2024
    Applicant: STMicroelectronics S.r.l.
    Inventors: Marco LA PILA, Giuseppe PLATANIA, Vanni POLETTO
  • Publication number: 20230378864
    Abstract: A switching regulator circuit has a switching transistor actuated during a switching on phase of a duty cycle. The current flowing through an inductor of the switching regulator circuit is determined from sensing a transistor current flowing through the switching transistor during switching on phase and dividing the sensed transistor current by the duty cycle to generate an output signal indicative of the inductor current of the switching regulator circuit. The duty cycle is determined from a detected ratio of switching transistor turn on time during the switching on phase and switching transistor turn off time during a switching off phase as controlled by the duty cycle control of the regulator circuit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 25, 2023
    Publication date: November 23, 2023
    Applicant: STMicroelectronics S.r.l.
    Inventors: Marco LA PILA, Giuseppe PLATANIA
  • Publication number: 20230378870
    Abstract: A switching regulator circuit has a high side (HS) transistor actuated during on time (TON) of a duty cycle. The output current of the switching regulator circuit is determined from sensing a transistor current flowing through the HS transistor during HS transistor on time (TON) and dividing the sensed transistor current by the duty cycle to generate an output signal indicative of the output current of the switching regulator circuit. The duty cycle is determined from a ratio of the on time (TON) and off time (TOFF) of the switching regulator circuit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 19, 2022
    Publication date: November 23, 2023
    Applicant: STMicroelectronics S.r.l.
    Inventors: Marco LA PILA, Giuseppe PLATANIA
  • Patent number: 9729058
    Abstract: A boost-type converter circuit includes a pair of converter switches that are alternatively switchable on and off. An inductor is coupled to the intermediate point between the converter switches. A driver module controls switching on and off of the converter switches in respond to a comparator output signal. A reference signal line provides to the comparator a reference signal, and an output feedback line provides to the comparator an output feedback signal. These signals are compared to each other to generate the comparator output signal for controlling the driver module. A low-pass filter network is coupled to the inductor and configured to provide a ripple current which is a low-pass filtered replica of the current through the inductor. An injector circuit injects the ripple current into the reference signal line coupled to the comparator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 8, 2017
    Assignee: STMicroelectronics S.r.l.
    Inventors: Manuela Larosa, Giovanni Sicurella, Giuseppe Platania
  • Publication number: 20170085178
    Abstract: A boost-type converter circuit includes a pair of converter switches that are alternatively switchable on and off. An inductor is coupled to the intermediate point between the converter switches. A driver module controls switching on and off of the converter switches in respond to a comparator output signal. A reference signal line provides to the comparator a reference signal, and an output feedback line provides to the comparator an output feedback signal. These signals are compared to each other to generate the comparator output signal for controlling the driver module. A low-pass filter network is coupled to the inductor and configured to provide a ripple current which is a low-pass filtered replica of the current through the inductor. An injector circuit injects the ripple current into the reference signal line coupled to the comparator.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 18, 2016
    Publication date: March 23, 2017
    Applicant: STMicroelectronics S.r.l.
    Inventors: Manuela Larosa, Giovanni Sicurella, Giuseppe Platania
  • Patent number: 9276469
    Abstract: A DC-DC converter controls a supply current (IIN) provided to a rechargeable battery. The converter comprises an electrical input terminal that receives supply current (IIN). An electrical output terminal is connected to the battery through a coil with a resistor in series therebetween. A controllable selector connects the input terminal to the output terminal during a first time interval in order to supply the battery and to connect the input terminal to a ground potential during a successive second time interval. Also, a feedback module generates a control signal for the selector from a resistor feedback signal, indicative of a variation of a battery charge current (IOUT). The feedback module has an electronic block that receives the feedback signal. The electronic block processes the feedback signal to measure a variation of the supply current (IIN) and provide the control signal to adjust the duration of the first time interval.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2016
    Assignee: ST-ERICSSON SA
    Inventors: Giuseppe Platania, Vincenzo Polisi, Patrizia Milazzo
  • Patent number: 9203254
    Abstract: A Power Management Circuit for a portable electronic device comprising an internal battery to be charged either through a first interface or through an AC_DC conversion circuit. The circuit comprises a first buck/boost converter having a Switched Mode Power Supply (SMPS) mode which can be controlled either in a buck or a boost mode, said first buck/boost controller being associated with a first external coil for the purpose of embodying a battery charging circuit through a first interface (USB). The circuit further comprises a second buck/boost converter which can also be controlled either in a buck or a boost mode. Bypass circuits are used for performing, under control of a control circuit, the bypass of either the voltage of the battery or the voltage generated by said buck/boost controllers when in boost mode to a second interface (SIM/MMC).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 1, 2015
    Assignee: ST-ERICSSON SA
    Inventors: Alexandre Balmefrezol, Patrizia Milazzo, Giuseppe Platania, Vincenzo Polisi
  • Patent number: 8575889
    Abstract: A DC-DC voltage down-converter for an electronic device supplied by a battery and having a bus interface for the interconnection with another electronic device capable of supplying electric power is provided. The DC-DC voltage down-converter includes a terminal coupled to a voltage supply line of the bus interface and operable to receive a input current from the another electronic device. The DC-DC voltage down-converter further includes an electric energy storage element coupled between the battery and the terminal, the electric energy storage element being operable to storage/release electric energy and a drive circuit arranged to control the storage/release of the electric energy storage element, so as to cause an electric power generated by the input current supplied by the another electronic device through the voltage supply line to re-charge the battery.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 5, 2013
    Assignees: STMicroelectronics S.r.l., STMicroelectronics S.A.
    Inventors: Giuseppe Platania, Jerome Nebon, Patrizia Milazzo, Alexandre Balmefrezol
  • Publication number: 20130154550
    Abstract: A Power Management Circuit for a portable electronic device comprising an internal battery to be charged either through a first interface or through an AC_DC conversion circuit. The circuit comprises a first buck/boost converter having a Switched Mode Power Supply (SMPS) mode which can be controlled either in a buck or a boost mode, said first buck/boost controller being associated with a first external coil for the purpose of embodying a battery charging circuit through a first interface (USB). The circuit further comprises a second buck/boost converter which can also be controlled either in a buck or a boost mode. Bypass circuits are used for performing, under control of a control circuit, the bypass of either the voltage of the battery or the voltage generated by said buck/boost controllers when in boost mode to a second interface (SIM/MMC).
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 25, 2011
    Publication date: June 20, 2013
    Applicant: ST-Ericsson SA
    Inventors: Alexandre Balmefrezol, Patrizia Milazzo, Giuseppe Platania, Vicenzo Polisi
  • Publication number: 20120187921
    Abstract: A DC-DC converter controls a supply current (IIN) provided to a rechargeable battery. The converter comprises an electrical input terminal that receives supply current (IIN). An electrical output terminal is connected to the battery through a coil with a resistor in series therebetween. A controllable selector connects the input terminal to the output terminal during a first time interval in order to supply the battery and to connect the input terminal to a ground potential during a successive second time interval. Also, a feedback module generates a control signal for the selector from a resistor feedback signal, indicative of a variation of a battery charge current (IOUT). The feedback module has an electronic block that receives the feedback signal. The electronic block processes the feedback signal to measure a variation of the supply current (IIN) and provide the control signal to adjust the duration of the first time interval.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 13, 2010
    Publication date: July 26, 2012
    Applicant: ST-ERICSSON SA
    Inventors: Giuseppe Platania, Vincenzo Polisi, Patrizia Milazzo
  • Patent number: 7768150
    Abstract: A power management unit for a battery-operated electronic device having a bus interface for the interconnection with another electronic device, the power management unit including an electric energy storage element coupled between a battery of the battery-operated electronic device and a voltage supply line of the bus interface, the electric energy storage element being operable to charge/discharge electric energy; a drive circuitry arranged to control a charge/discharge of the electric energy storage element. The drive circuitry is operable to cause an electric power supplied by the other electronic device through the voltage supply line to re-charge the battery; or, in case the other electronic device does not supply electric power, cause the battery supply electric power to the other electronic device through the voltage supply line. The power management unit is particularly adapted for battery-operated, mobile USB OTG devices.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 3, 2010
    Assignees: STMicroelectronics S.r.l., STMicroelectronics S.A.
    Inventors: Giuseppe Platania, Jerome Nebon, Patrizia Milazzo, Alexandre Balmefrezol, Vincenzo Polisi
  • Publication number: 20100148684
    Abstract: A device includes at least two circuit branches, each of said at least two circuit branches comprising at least one LED diode. The device comprises a supply circuit that provides an electric supply of said at least two circuit branches and includes a variable resistance. The device comprises a controller coupled to said at least two circuit branches and suitable for varying said resistance in reply to a variation of the current that flows in one of said at least two circuit branches to vary the electric supply of said at least two circuit branches.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 20, 2010
    Publication date: June 17, 2010
    Applicant: STMICROELECTRONICS S.R.L.
    Inventors: Gianluca Ragonesi, Patrizia Milazzo, Salvatore Musumeci, Giuseppe Platania
  • Patent number: 7705543
    Abstract: A device includes at least two circuit branches, each of said at least two circuit branches comprising at least one LED diode. The device comprises a supply circuit that provides an electric supply of said at least two circuit branches and includes a variable resistance. The device comprises a controller coupled to said at least two circuit branches and suitable for varying said resistance in reply to a variation of the current that flows in one of said at least two circuit branches to vary the electric supply of said at least two circuit branches.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 27, 2010
    Assignee: STMicroelectronics S.r.l.
    Inventors: Gianluca Ragonesi, Patrizia Milazzo, Salvatore Musumeci, Giuseppe Platania
  • Patent number: 7609237
    Abstract: A circuit apparatus with LED diodes includes a plurality of circuit branches in which each circuit branch comprises at least one LED diode. The apparatus comprises a device for the supply of said plurality of circuit branches and each circuit branch is connected singularly to the supply device. The supply device comprises a controller suitable for commanding the supply of each circuit branch of the plurality of circuit branches independently from the other circuit branches of the plurality.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 27, 2009
    Assignee: STMicroelectronics S.r.l.
    Inventors: Gianluca Ragonesi, Patrizia Milazzo, Salvatore Musumeci, Giuseppe Platania
  • Publication number: 20090058363
    Abstract: A DC-DC voltage down-converter for an electronic device supplied by a battery and having a bus interface for the interconnection with another electronic device capable of supplying electric power is provided. The DC-DC voltage down-converter includes a terminal coupled to a voltage supply line of the bus interface and operable to receive a input current from the another electronic device. The DC-DC voltage down-converter further includes an electric energy storage element coupled between the battery and the terminal, the electric energy storage element being operable to storage/release electric energy and a drive circuit arranged to control the storage/release of the electric energy storage element, so as to cause an electric power generated by the input current supplied by the another electronic device through the voltage supply line to re-charge the battery.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 28, 2008
    Publication date: March 5, 2009
    Applicants: STMicroelectronics S.r.l., STMicroelectronics S. A.
    Inventors: Giuseppe Platania, Jerome Nebon, Patrizia Milazzo, Alexandre Balmefrezol
  • Publication number: 20080278002
    Abstract: A power management unit for a battery-operated electronic device having a bus interface for the interconnection with another electronic device, the power management unit including an electric energy storage element coupled between a battery of the battery-operated electronic device and a voltage supply line of the bus interface, the electric energy storage element being operable to charge/discharge electric energy; a drive circuitry arranged to control a charge/discharge of the electric energy storage element. The drive circuitry is operable to cause an electric power supplied by the other electronic device through the voltage supply line to re-charge the battery; or, in case the other electronic device does not supply electric power, cause the battery supply electric power to the other electronic device through the voltage supply line. The power management unit is particularly adapted for battery-operated, mobile USB OTG devices.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 7, 2008
    Publication date: November 13, 2008
    Applicants: STMicroelectronics S.R.L., STMicroelectronics S.A.
    Inventors: Giuseppe Platania, Jerome Nebon, Patrizia Milazzo, Alexandre Balmefrezol, Vincenzo Polisi
  • Publication number: 20060192498
    Abstract: A circuit apparatus with LED diodes includes a plurality of circuit branches in which each circuit branch comprises at least one LED diode. The apparatus comprises a device for the supply of said plurality of circuit branches and each circuit branch is connected singularly to the supply device. The supply device comprises a controller suitable for commanding the supply of each circuit branch of the plurality of circuit branches independently from the other circuit branches of the plurality.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 9, 2006
    Publication date: August 31, 2006
    Applicant: STMicroelectronics S.r.l.
    Inventors: Gianluca Ragonesi, Patrizia Milazzo, Salvatore Musumeci, Giuseppe Platania
  • Publication number: 20060186827
    Abstract: A device includes at least two circuit branches, each of said at least two circuit branches comprising at least one LED diode. The device comprises a supply circuit that provides an electric supply of said at least two circuit branches and includes a variable resistance. The device comprises a controller coupled to said at least two circuit branches and suitable for varying said resistance in reply to a variation of the current that flows in one of said at least two circuit branches to vary the electric supply of said at least two circuit branches.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 9, 2006
    Publication date: August 24, 2006
    Applicant: STMicroelectronics S.r.l.
    Inventors: Gianluca Ragonesi, Patrizia Milazzo, Salvatore Musumeci, Giuseppe Platania