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).
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Publication number: 20240006996Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: September 18, 2023Publication date: January 4, 2024Applicant: STMicroelectronics S.r.l.Inventors: Marco LA PILA, Giuseppe PLATANIA, Vanni POLETTO
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Publication number: 20230378864Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: July 25, 2023Publication date: November 23, 2023Applicant: STMicroelectronics S.r.l.Inventors: Marco LA PILA, Giuseppe PLATANIA
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Publication number: 20230378870Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: May 19, 2022Publication date: November 23, 2023Applicant: STMicroelectronics S.r.l.Inventors: Marco LA PILA, Giuseppe PLATANIA
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Patent number: 9729058Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: May 18, 2016Date of Patent: August 8, 2017Assignee: STMicroelectronics S.r.l.Inventors: Manuela Larosa, Giovanni Sicurella, Giuseppe Platania
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Publication number: 20170085178Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: May 18, 2016Publication date: March 23, 2017Applicant: STMicroelectronics S.r.l.Inventors: Manuela Larosa, Giovanni Sicurella, Giuseppe Platania
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Patent number: 9276469Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: April 13, 2010Date of Patent: March 1, 2016Assignee: ST-ERICSSON SAInventors: Giuseppe Platania, Vincenzo Polisi, Patrizia Milazzo
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Patent number: 9203254Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: August 25, 2011Date of Patent: December 1, 2015Assignee: ST-ERICSSON SAInventors: Alexandre Balmefrezol, Patrizia Milazzo, Giuseppe Platania, Vincenzo Polisi
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Patent number: 8575889Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: August 28, 2008Date of Patent: November 5, 2013Assignees: STMicroelectronics S.r.l., STMicroelectronics S.A.Inventors: Giuseppe Platania, Jerome Nebon, Patrizia Milazzo, Alexandre Balmefrezol
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Publication number: 20130154550Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: August 25, 2011Publication date: June 20, 2013Applicant: ST-Ericsson SAInventors: Alexandre Balmefrezol, Patrizia Milazzo, Giuseppe Platania, Vicenzo Polisi
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Publication number: 20120187921Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: April 13, 2010Publication date: July 26, 2012Applicant: ST-ERICSSON SAInventors: Giuseppe Platania, Vincenzo Polisi, Patrizia Milazzo
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Patent number: 7768150Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: May 7, 2008Date of Patent: August 3, 2010Assignees: STMicroelectronics S.r.l., STMicroelectronics S.A.Inventors: Giuseppe Platania, Jerome Nebon, Patrizia Milazzo, Alexandre Balmefrezol, Vincenzo Polisi
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Publication number: 20100148684Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: January 20, 2010Publication date: June 17, 2010Applicant: STMICROELECTRONICS S.R.L.Inventors: Gianluca Ragonesi, Patrizia Milazzo, Salvatore Musumeci, Giuseppe Platania
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Patent number: 7705543Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: February 9, 2006Date of Patent: April 27, 2010Assignee: STMicroelectronics S.r.l.Inventors: Gianluca Ragonesi, Patrizia Milazzo, Salvatore Musumeci, Giuseppe Platania
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Patent number: 7609237Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: February 9, 2006Date of Patent: October 27, 2009Assignee: STMicroelectronics S.r.l.Inventors: Gianluca Ragonesi, Patrizia Milazzo, Salvatore Musumeci, Giuseppe Platania
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Publication number: 20090058363Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: August 28, 2008Publication date: March 5, 2009Applicants: STMicroelectronics S.r.l., STMicroelectronics S. A.Inventors: Giuseppe Platania, Jerome Nebon, Patrizia Milazzo, Alexandre Balmefrezol
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Publication number: 20080278002Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: May 7, 2008Publication date: November 13, 2008Applicants: STMicroelectronics S.R.L., STMicroelectronics S.A.Inventors: Giuseppe Platania, Jerome Nebon, Patrizia Milazzo, Alexandre Balmefrezol, Vincenzo Polisi
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Publication number: 20060192498Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: February 9, 2006Publication date: August 31, 2006Applicant: STMicroelectronics S.r.l.Inventors: Gianluca Ragonesi, Patrizia Milazzo, Salvatore Musumeci, Giuseppe Platania
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Publication number: 20060186827Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: February 9, 2006Publication date: August 24, 2006Applicant: STMicroelectronics S.r.l.Inventors: Gianluca Ragonesi, Patrizia Milazzo, Salvatore Musumeci, Giuseppe Platania