Patents by Inventor Luigi Franchini
Luigi Franchini 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: 20240094265Abstract: A method for sensing current includes (a) generating a first current signal representing magnitude of current flowing through a sensing element while a first switching device is in its on-state and a second switching device is in its off-state, each of the first switching device and the second switching device being electrically coupled to the sensing element, (b) generating a second current signal representing magnitude of current flowing through the sensing element while the first switching device is in its off-state and the second switching device is in its on-state, and (c) generating a composite current signal from the first current signal and the second current signal, the composite current signal representing magnitude of current flowing through the sensing element.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 11, 2023Publication date: March 21, 2024Inventors: Luigi Franchini, Matteo Carlo Crotti, Mariangela Di Carlo
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Patent number: 11726193Abstract: A filter circuit for an imaging device including a probe configured to propagate an ultrasonic wave through an object includes a diode bridge configured to receive, from a transducer of the probe, a composite signal that includes a test signal and a reflected signal. The reflected signal corresponds to reflected waves sensed by the transducer in response to the ultrasonic wave propagated through the object. The diode bridge is further configured to block the test signal from the composite signal and pass the reflected signal. The filter circuit further includes an output node configured to output the reflected signal and a first node and a second node that connect the diode bridge to a bias voltage. The bias voltage causes a bias current to flow from the first node to the second node through the diode bridge.Type: GrantFiled: January 11, 2021Date of Patent: August 15, 2023Assignee: Maxim Integrated Products, Inc.Inventors: Luigi Franchini, Roberto Alini, Filippo Cevini
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Patent number: 11335492Abstract: A solenoid plunger movement detection system and method can include: detecting current supplied to a solenoid with a current sensor; converting the current supplied to the solenoid into a digital signal with a counter coupled to a first comparator; detecting a peak within the digital signal with a peak detector; comparing the peak to the digital signal with a second comparator coupled to the peak detector; measuring a dip from the peak and measuring a trough with the second comparator; generating a fault when the peak and the trough indicate a smooth current ramp to the solenoid; receiving configurable parameters for processing the digital signal with a signal processor; and providing configurable parameters to the counter, the second comparator, the signal processor, or a combination thereof with an interface.Type: GrantFiled: April 13, 2020Date of Patent: May 17, 2022Assignee: MAXIM INTEGRATED PRODUCTS, INC.Inventors: Roberto Casiraghi, Luigi Franchini, Pietro Introini
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Publication number: 20210132205Abstract: A transmit/receive system for an imaging device includes a transmit circuit configured to generate and output test pulses to a transducer of a probe to cause the probe to propagate an ultrasonic wave through an object. A receive circuit is configured to receive, from the transducer, a composite signal that includes the test pulses output by the transmit circuit and a reflected signal corresponding to reflected waves sensed by the transducer in response to the ultrasonic wave propagated through the object and filter the test pulses from the composite signal and output the reflected signal in accordance with a predetermined minimum frequency of the reflected signal.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 11, 2021Publication date: May 6, 2021Inventors: Luigi FRANCHINI, Roberto ALINI, Filippo CEVINI
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Patent number: 10890651Abstract: A transmit/receive system for an imaging device includes a transmit circuit configured to generate and output test pulses to a transducer of a probe to cause the probe to propagate an ultrasonic wave through an object. A receive circuit is configured to receive, from the transducer, a composite signal that includes the test pulses output by the transmit circuit and a reflected signal corresponding to reflected waves sensed by the transducer in response to the ultrasonic wave propagated through the object and filter the test pulses from the composite signal and output the reflected signal in accordance with a predetermined minimum frequency of the reflected signal.Type: GrantFiled: May 7, 2018Date of Patent: January 12, 2021Assignee: Maxim Integrated Products, Inc.Inventors: Luigi Franchini, Roberto Alini, Filippo Cevini
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Publication number: 20200328019Abstract: A solenoid plunger movement detection system and method can include: detecting current supplied to a solenoid with a current sensor; converting the current supplied to the solenoid into a digital signal with a counter coupled to a first comparator; detecting a peak within the digital signal with a peak detector; comparing the peak to the digital signal with a second comparator coupled to the peak detector; measuring a dip from the peak and measuring a trough with the second comparator; generating a fault when the peak and the trough indicate a smooth current ramp to the solenoid; receiving configurable parameters for processing the digital signal with a signal processor; and providing configurable parameters to the counter, the second comparator, the signal processor, or a combination thereof with an interface.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 13, 2020Publication date: October 15, 2020Applicant: Maxim Integrated Products, Inc.Inventors: Roberto Casiraghi, Luigi Franchini, Pietro Introini
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Publication number: 20180252801Abstract: A transmit/receive system for an imaging device includes a transmit circuit configured to generate and output test pulses to a transducer of a probe to cause the probe to propagate an ultrasonic wave through an object. A receive circuit is configured to receive, from the transducer, a composite signal that includes the test pulses output by the transmit circuit and a reflected signal corresponding to reflected waves sensed by the transducer in response to the ultrasonic wave propagated through the object and filter the test pulses from the composite signal and output the reflected signal in accordance with a predetermined minimum frequency of the reflected signal.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 7, 2018Publication date: September 6, 2018Inventors: Luigi FRANCHINI, Roberto Alini, Filippo Cevini
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Patent number: 9971026Abstract: A transmit circuit outputs test pulses to a probe including a transducer to generate an image of a test object. A composite signal including the test pulses and a reflected signal is output by the transducer. A receive circuit receives the composite signal including the test pulses and the reflected signal and includes a filter circuit that filters the test pulses from the composite signal and passes the reflected signal. An impedance of the filter circuit is equal to substantially zero when the reflected signal is within a predetermined frequency range. A clipper circuit limits a magnitude of an output of the filter circuit. An amplifier amplifies the output of the filter circuit and that outputs an amplified voltage. A processing module generates a signal for displaying the image of the test object based on the amplified voltage.Type: GrantFiled: August 11, 2014Date of Patent: May 15, 2018Assignee: Maxim Integrated Products, Inc.Inventors: Luigi Franchini, Roberto Alini, Filippo Cevini
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Publication number: 20140347955Abstract: A transmit circuit outputs test pulses to a probe including a transducer to generate an image of a test object. A composite signal including the test pulses and a reflected signal is output by the transducer. A receive circuit receives the composite signal including the test pulses and the reflected signal and includes a filter circuit that filters the test pulses from the composite signal and passes the reflected signal. An impedance of the filter circuit is equal to substantially zero when the reflected signal is within a predetermined frequency range. A clipper circuit limits a magnitude of an output of the filter circuit. An amplifier amplifies the output of the filter circuit and that outputs an amplified voltage. A processing module generates a signal for displaying the image of the test object based on the amplified voltage.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 11, 2014Publication date: November 27, 2014Inventors: Luigi Franchini, Roberto Alini, Filippo Cevini
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Patent number: 8854131Abstract: In an example embodiment, a method for bidirectional signal propagation comprises: a) sensing a voltage level of a first signal at a first port; b) coupling the first port to an output of an amplifier with a solid state switch if the voltage level of the first signal is less than a threshold voltage, whereby a second signal applied to a second port coupled to an input of the amplifier is propagated in a first direction from the second port to the first port; and c) bypassing the amplifier if the voltage level of the first signal is greater than the threshold voltage such that the first signal is propagated in a second direction from the first port to the second port.Type: GrantFiled: June 17, 2013Date of Patent: October 7, 2014Assignee: MAXIM Integrated Products, Inc.Inventors: Luigi Franchini, Diego Maiocchi, Roberto Amadio
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Patent number: 8804457Abstract: A transceiver for an ultrasonic imaging device includes a transmit circuit and a receive circuit. The transmit circuit outputs test pulses to a probe including a transducer to generate an image of a test object. A composite signal including the test pulses and a reflected signal is output by the transducer. The receive circuit receives the composite signal including the test pulses and the reflected signal and includes a filter circuit. The filter circuit filters the test pulses from the composite signal and passes the reflected signal. An impedance of the filter circuit is equal to substantially zero when the reflected signal is within a predetermined frequency range.Type: GrantFiled: March 31, 2011Date of Patent: August 12, 2014Assignee: Maxim Integrated Products, Inc.Inventors: Luigi Franchini, Roberto Alini, Filippo Cevini
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Publication number: 20140015605Abstract: In an example embodiment, a method for bidirectional signal propagation comprises: a) sensing a voltage level of a first signal at a first port; b) coupling the first port to an output of an amplifier with a solid state switch if the voltage level of the first signal is less than a threshold voltage, whereby a second signal applied to a second port coupled to an input of the amplifier is propagated in a first direction from the second port to the first port; and c) bypassing the amplifier if the voltage level of the first signal is greater than the threshold voltage such that the first signal is propagated in a second direction from the first port to the second port.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 17, 2013Publication date: January 16, 2014Applicant: Maxim Integrated Products, Inc.Inventors: Luigi Franchini, Diego Maiocchi, Roberto Amadio
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Patent number: 8465432Abstract: In an example embodiment, a method for bidirectional signal propagation comprises: a) sensing a voltage level of a first signal at a first port; b) coupling the first port to an output of an amplifier with a solid state switch if the voltage level of the first signal is less than a threshold voltage, whereby a second signal applied to a second port coupled to an input of the amplifier is propagated in a first direction from the second port to the first port; and c) bypassing the amplifier if the voltage level of the first signal is greater than the threshold voltage such that the first signal is propagated in a second direction from the first port to the second port.Type: GrantFiled: September 5, 2010Date of Patent: June 18, 2013Assignee: Maxim Integrated Products, Inc.Inventors: Luigi Franchini, Diego Maiocchi, Roberto Amadio
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Publication number: 20120250462Abstract: A transceiver for an ultrasonic imaging device includes a transmit circuit and a receive circuit. The transmit circuit outputs test pulses to a probe including a transducer to generate an image of a test object. A composite signal including the test pulses and a reflected signal is output by the transducer. The receive circuit receives the composite signal including the test pulses and the reflected signal and includes a filter circuit. The filter circuit filters the test pulses from the composite signal and passes the reflected signal. An impedance of the filter circuit is equal to substantially zero when the reflected signal is within a predetermined frequency range.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 31, 2011Publication date: October 4, 2012Applicant: Maxim Integrated Products, Inc.Inventors: Luigi Franchini, Roberto Alini, Filippo Cevini
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Publication number: 20120059265Abstract: In an example embodiment, a method for bidirectional signal propagation comprises: a) sensing a voltage level of a first signal at a first port; b) coupling the first port to an output of an amplifier with a solid state switch if the voltage level of the first signal is less than a threshold voltage, whereby a second signal applied to a second port coupled to an input of the amplifier is propagated in a first direction from the second port to the first port; and c) bypassing the amplifier if the voltage level of the first signal is greater than the threshold voltage such that the first signal is propagated in a second direction from the first port to the second port.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 5, 2010Publication date: March 8, 2012Inventors: Luigi Franchini, Diego Maiocchi, Roberto Amadio
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Patent number: 6346852Abstract: A class D amplifier includes an input integrating stage and a modulating stage for modulating the integrated input signal output by the integrating stage. The modulating stage uses as a carrier an alternate waveform of a frequency sufficiently higher than the frequency band of the analog input signal. The modulating stage further outputs a digital signal switching between a positive voltage and a negative voltage, and whose average value represents an amplified replica of the input analog signal. The class D amplifier further includes an output power stage producing an output digital signal. A feedback line including a resistor is connected between the output of the output power stage and an input node of an operational amplifier. The class D amplifier also includes a low-pass filter reconstructing an output analog signal, and a delay stage.Type: GrantFiled: April 25, 2000Date of Patent: February 12, 2002Assignee: STMicroeletronics S.r.l.Inventors: Marco Masini, Luigi Franchini, Eric Labbe