Patents by Inventor Jose Antonio Vieira Formenti

Jose Antonio Vieira Formenti 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: 20240128744
    Abstract: A circuit includes input terminals adapted to be coupled to a battery; a ground terminal; and an electrostatic discharge (ESD) protection circuit coupled to the input terminals. The ESD protection circuit includes: a switch coupled between the ground terminal and the input terminals; and a control circuit coupled to the input terminals and to the switch. The control circuit is configured to: detect an ESD event at one of the input terminals; detect a transient voltage at one of the input terminals, in which the transient voltage is caused by an initial coupling of that input terminal to the battery; detect a condition in which the switch has been closed for longer than a threshold amount of time; close the switch responsive to the detected ESD event; and open the switch responsive to the detected transient voltage or the detected condition.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 27, 2023
    Publication date: April 18, 2024
    Inventors: Jose Antonio Vieira Formenti, Zhao Fang
  • Patent number: 11894673
    Abstract: A circuit includes input terminals adapted to be coupled to a battery; a ground terminal; and an electrostatic discharge (ESD) protection circuit coupled to the input terminals. The ESD protection circuit includes: a switch coupled between the ground terminal and the input terminals; and a control circuit coupled to the input terminals and to the switch. The control circuit is configured to: detect an ESD event at one of the input terminals; detect a transient voltage at one of the input terminals, in which the transient voltage is caused by an initial coupling of that input terminal to the battery; detect a condition in which the switch has been closed for longer than a threshold amount of time; close the switch responsive to the detected ESD event; and open the switch responsive to the detected transient voltage or the detected condition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2024
    Assignee: TEXAS INSTRUMENTS INCORPORATED
    Inventors: Jose Antonio Vieira Formenti, Zhao Fang
  • Publication number: 20230085882
    Abstract: A system includes a first multiplexer and a second multiplexer. The first multiplexer has a first multiplexer input, a second multiplexer input, and a first multiplexer output. The second multiplexer has a third multiplexer input, a fourth multiplexer input, and a second multiplexer output. A first analog-to-digital converter (ADC) has a first ADC input and a second ADC input. The first ADC input is coupled to the first multiplexer output. A second ADC has a third ADC input and a fourth ADC input. The third ADC input is coupled to the second multiplexer output. A first measurement channel pin is coupled to the first multiplexer input and to the third ADC input. A busbar pin is coupled to the second multiplexer input and the third multiplexer input.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 29, 2022
    Publication date: March 23, 2023
    Inventors: Tahar ALLAG, Jose Antonio Vieira FORMENTI
  • Patent number: 11536773
    Abstract: An electronic device includes an ADC, a multiplexer, a voltage reference circuit, an analog circuit, and a digital circuit. The ADC has a signal input, a reference input, and an output. The multiplexer has signal inputs and a signal output coupled to the signal input of the ADC. The voltage reference circuit has an output coupled to the reference input of the ADC, a first strain sensor coupled to a first signal input of the multiplexer, a second strain sensor coupled to a second signal input of the multiplexer, and a temperature sensor. The analog circuit has an input coupled to a battery, and an output coupled to a fourth signal input of the multiplexer. The digital circuit is coupled to the output of the ADC and stores correction parameters for correcting a converted battery voltage value from the ADC.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2021
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2022
    Assignee: TEXAS INSTRUMENTS INCORPORATED
    Inventors: Jose Antonio Vieira Formenti, Michael Szelong, Takao Oshida, Tobias Bernhard Fritz, Vishnu Ravinuthula
  • Publication number: 20220187378
    Abstract: An electronic device includes an ADC, a multiplexer, a voltage reference circuit, an analog circuit, and a digital circuit. The ADC has a signal input, a reference input, and an output. The multiplexer has signal inputs and a signal output coupled to the signal input of the ADC. The voltage reference circuit has an output coupled to the reference input of the ADC, a first strain sensor coupled to a first signal input of the multiplexer, a second strain sensor coupled to a second signal input of the multiplexer, and a temperature sensor. The analog circuit has an input coupled to a battery, and an output coupled to a fourth signal input of the multiplexer. The digital circuit is coupled to the output of the ADC and stores correction parameters for correcting a converted battery voltage value from the ADC.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 30, 2021
    Publication date: June 16, 2022
    Applicant: Texas Instruments Incorporated
    Inventors: Jose Antonio Vieira Formenti, Michael Szelong, Takao Oshida, Tobias Bernhard Fritz, Vishnu Ravinuthula
  • Publication number: 20220020915
    Abstract: In described examples, a circuit includes an analog frontend arranged to generate an analog stress compensating signal in response to a to-be-compensated analog signal and a first-axis stress sensing signal. The analog frontend can comprise a first precision component (e.g., 220) arranged on a piezoelectric material and arranged to generate the to-be-compensated analog signal that is affected by a stress exerted in the piezoelectric material and a directional stress sensor arranged on the piezoelectric material and coupled to the first precision component. The directional stress sensor is arranged to generate the first-axis sensing signal in response to a longitudinal resultant of a stress exerted in the piezoelectric material. A compensating circuit is arranged to generate a compensated output signal in response to the compensating analog signal and to-be-compensated analog signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 17, 2020
    Publication date: January 20, 2022
    Inventors: Umidjon Nurmetov, Ralf Peter Brederlow, Baher Haroun, Jose Antonio Vieira Formenti, Michael Szelong, Tobias Bernhard Fritz
  • Publication number: 20200395753
    Abstract: A circuit includes input terminals adapted to be coupled to a battery; a ground terminal; and an electrostatic discharge (ESD) protection circuit coupled to the input terminals. The ESD protection circuit includes: a switch coupled between the ground terminal and the input terminals; and a control circuit coupled to the input terminals and to the switch. The control circuit is configured to: detect an ESD event at one of the input terminals; detect a transient voltage at one of the input terminals, in which the transient voltage is caused by an initial coupling of that input terminal to the battery; detect a condition in which the switch has been closed for longer than a threshold amount of time; close the switch responsive to the detected ESD event; and open the switch responsive to the detected transient voltage or the detected condition.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 17, 2020
    Publication date: December 17, 2020
    Inventors: Jose Antonio Vieira FORMENTI, Zhao FANG
  • Patent number: 8125189
    Abstract: A system is provided for charging a battery with an AC adapter. The system includes a first closed loop electrical path between the battery and the AC adapter. The first closed loop electrical path includes a first monitoring circuit for monitoring at least one first parameter of the system and a control circuit for dynamically adjusting the AC adapter output to the battery in response to the at least one first parameter exceeding an associated predetermined threshold. The system includes a second closed loop electrical path between the battery and the AC adapter. The second closed loop electrical path includes a second monitoring circuit for monitoring at least one second parameter of the system and a protection circuit responsive to the at least one second parameter exceeding an associated predetermined threshold for protecting the system until the AC adapter reaches a predetermined value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2012
    Assignee: Texas Instruments Incorporated
    Inventor: Jose Antonio Vieira Formenti
  • Patent number: 7755330
    Abstract: Disclosed are methods, circuits, and systems for implementing an AC voltage adapter and battery charger system in a closed loop topology. Embodiments of the invention include methods for controlling an AC adapter charging a battery with steps for using a closed loop configuration to monitor one or more selected parameters in the charging loop. Feedback to the AC adapter is used for dynamically controlling the adapter output voltage. A preferred embodiment exemplifies a closed loop circuit for battery charging. The circuit includes an AC adapter and a monitoring circuit for monitoring the closed loop and for providing feedback to the AC adapter, controlling the adapter output voltage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 13, 2010
    Assignee: Texas Instruments Incorporated
    Inventors: Jose Antonio Vieira Formenti, Robert Martinez
  • Patent number: 7595619
    Abstract: A feedback loop in a variable power supply has an adjustable response speed based on operating conditions of the power supply. The response speed can be increased upon encountering a transient to improve response performance to the transient. A response speed control for the control loop modifies or bypasses a major low frequency pole in a compensation network in the control loop to increase response speed. The control limits fast response duration or impact with respect to the low frequency pole to avoid instability issues. The control may include counters or timers to selectively disable or enable the fast response function. The control can operate based on an error feedback signal and a reference to determine when a fast response should be applied. The resulting power supply system provides robust, well-regulated power, with fast responses to system transients.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 29, 2009
    Assignee: Texas Instruments Incorporated
    Inventor: Jose Antonio Vieira Formenti
  • Patent number: 7535123
    Abstract: An apparatus for selectively coupling a system with a first power supply or a second power supply includes: (a) a first switch for effecting a first coupling of the system with the first power supply; (b) a second switch for effecting a second coupling of the system with the second power supply; (c) a first switch control unit coupled for controlling the first switch; (d) a second switch control unit coupled for controlling the second switch; (e) a connection director unit coupled with the first and second switch control units for providing control signals to effect the first and second coupling; at least one of the first and second coupling being effected as an initial coupling establishing a generally time-dependent increasing current between the system and one power supply and a continuing coupling establishing a substantially constant operating current between the system and the one power supply.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 19, 2009
    Assignee: Texas Instruments Incorporated
    Inventors: Jose Antonio Vieira Formenti, Mark Allen Hamlett
  • Publication number: 20080253053
    Abstract: A system is provided for charging a battery with an AC adapter. The system includes a first closed loop electrical path between the battery and the AC adapter. The first closed loop electrical path includes a first monitoring circuit for monitoring at least one first parameter of the system and a control circuit for dynamically adjusting the AC adapter output to the battery in response to the at least one first parameter exceeding an associated predetermined threshold. The system includes a second closed loop electrical path between the battery and the AC adapter. The second closed loop electrical path includes a second monitoring circuit for monitoring at least one second parameter of the system and a protection circuit responsive to the at least one second parameter exceeding an associated predetermined threshold for protecting the system until the AC adapter reaches a predetermined value.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 11, 2008
    Publication date: October 16, 2008
    Applicant: TEXAS INSTRUMENTS INCORPORATED
    Inventor: Jose Antonio Vieira Formenti
  • Patent number: 7408326
    Abstract: A system interface having an interface for dual battery packs provides for power up sequencing of battery packs and pack switching under the control of a host processor within associated system electronics. The host processor communicates with each battery pack via a pack interface that includes a single wire mode control signal and a single wire status signal. The mode control signal allows the host processor to control the operational mode of selector switches within the respective battery pack. The single wire status signal provides status information to the host processor regarding the state of the selector switches within the respective battery pack. The mode and status signals are multi-state signals that permit at least three states to be identified via the single wire interface. Selector switches are provided only in the battery packs. No selector switches are included in the system electronics to minimize voltage drops between the selected battery pack and the system electronics.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 5, 2008
    Assignee: Texas Instruments Incorporated
    Inventors: Jose Antonio Vieira Formenti, Garry Ross Elder
  • Publication number: 20080129121
    Abstract: An apparatus for selectively coupling a system with a first power supply or a second power supply includes: (a) a first switch for effecting a first coupling of the system with the first power supply; (b) a second switch for effecting a second coupling of the system with the second power supply; (c) a first switch control unit coupled for controlling the first switch; (d) a second switch control unit coupled for controlling the second switch; (e) a connection director unit coupled with the first and second switch control units for providing control signals to effect the first and second coupling; at least one of the first and second coupling being effected as an initial coupling establishing a generally time-dependent increasing current between the system and one power supply and a continuing coupling establishing a substantially constant operating current between the system and the one power supply.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 23, 2007
    Publication date: June 5, 2008
    Applicant: TEXAS INSTRUMENTS INCORPORATED
    Inventors: Jose Antonio Vieira Formenti, Mark Allen Hamlett
  • Patent number: 6969972
    Abstract: The present invention comprises a combination of a new circuit topology utilizing microcontroller (202, 302) and a modified logic control circuit which enables the replacement of a Schottky diode, commonly used in series with AC adapter, by a MOS transistor switch (212, 312) to implement airline mode operation of a system, with the added benefits of more efficient power dissipation and minimization of sparking or arcing at the power input terminal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2005
    Assignee: Texas Instruments Incorporated
    Inventor: Jose Antonio Vieira Formenti
  • Patent number: 6957048
    Abstract: Multiple battery systems and switching networks are provided for portable electronic devices. A single switching cell is provided per battery and a load switch coupled to a battery power bus to achieve proper connectivity and isolation between batteries, a load and a charger. The single switching cells are configured as a back-to-back MOSFET switch devices. The charger is also coupled to the battery power bus and can be enabled when AC power to the portable electronic device is not available. The present invention facilitates selective connection of battery packs in a multiple battery system to a load or a charger, while still maintaining isolation between battery packs, the load and the charger.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 2002
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2005
    Assignee: Texas Instruments Incorporated
    Inventor: Jose Antonio Vieira Formenti
  • Publication number: 20040192407
    Abstract: Multiple battery systems and switching networks are provided for portable electronic devices. A single switching cell is provided per battery and a load switch coupled to a battery power bus to achieve proper connectivity and isolation between batteries, a load and a charger. The single switching cells are configured as a back-to-back MOSFET switch devices. The charger is also coupled to the battery power bus and can be enabled when AC power to the portable electronic device is not available. The present invention facilitates selective connection of battery packs in a multiple battery system to a load or a charger, while still maintaining isolation between battery packs, the load and the charger.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 16, 2002
    Publication date: September 30, 2004
    Inventor: Jose Antonio Vieira Formenti
  • Patent number: 6650089
    Abstract: A capacity gauge is provided that measures a selected battery capacity of a plurality of batteries in a multiple battery system. A capacity gauge and a battery current sense resistor reside on the end equipment, while the battery pack contains minimal information associated with the battery pack. Control circuits provide for proper pack selection and pack connection timing, as well as capacity gauge synchronization. Power up/down circuits provide power to control logic, the selection circuits and capacity gauge at power up, power down and battery pack removal. The system is powered by a selected battery pack after the battery pack selection is executed, and the selected battery pack monitored by the capacity gauge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2003
    Assignee: Texas Instruments Incorporated
    Inventors: David Freeman, Jose Antonio Vieira Formenti
  • Patent number: 6487469
    Abstract: A system for project management integration includes a design database having design data stored in a hierarchical manner representable by design hierarchical data. The system further includes a schedule database having scheduling data stored in a hierarchical manner representable by schedule hierarchical data. The system also includes an integration module in communication with the design database and the schedule database, the integration module operable to compare the design hierarchical data and the schedule hierarchical data in response to changes to one of the design or schedule databases, the integration module further operable to change one of the design and schedule databases in response thereto.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 1999
    Date of Patent: November 26, 2002
    Assignee: Texas Instruments Incorporated
    Inventor: Jose Antonio Vieira Formenti