Patents by Inventor Natale Aiello
Natale Aiello 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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Patent number: 10642331Abstract: An electronic device may include a transducer configured to generate an electrical output responsive to an input, and a data storage element configured to change state responsive to the transducer. The electronic device may include a power circuit configured to turn on and supply power responsive to the data storage element changing state, and a processing circuit configured to be powered by the power circuit.Type: GrantFiled: November 29, 2017Date of Patent: May 5, 2020Assignee: STMICROELECTRONICS S.R.L.Inventors: Roberto Larosa, Daniele Mangano, Riccardo Condorelli, Giulio Zoppi, Natale Aiello
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Publication number: 20180081416Abstract: An electronic device may include a transducer configured to generate an electrical output responsive to an input, and a data storage element configured to change state responsive to the transducer. The electronic device may include a power circuit configured to turn on and supply power responsive to the data storage element changing state, and a processing circuit configured to be powered by the power circuit.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 29, 2017Publication date: March 22, 2018Applicant: STMicroelectronics S.r.l.Inventors: Roberto Larosa, Daniele Mangano, Riccardo Condorelli, Giulio Zoppi, Natale Aiello
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Patent number: 9912227Abstract: A device for driving a power supply start-up circuit may include a logic unit for storing an operating state of equipment, where the logic unit is activatable by a start-up signal reaching a start-up threshold. The device may also include a detector, where the detector provides a signal to the logic unit indicating a drop in the signal below a drop threshold. The detector may enable the logic unit to continue operating in the presence of a failure of a power supply to store the operating state of the equipment upon occurrence of the failure of the power supply. In addition, the device may include a start-up circuit sensitive to a power supply signal, where the start-up circuit is activatable by the power supply signal as restored after the failure, and the start-up circuit may provide the start-up signal reaching the start-up threshold upon the power supply signal being restored.Type: GrantFiled: December 10, 2015Date of Patent: March 6, 2018Assignee: STMicroelectronics S.r.l.Inventors: Giulio Zoppi, Roberto Larosa, Natale Aiello
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Patent number: 9886074Abstract: An electronic device may include a transducer configured to generate an electrical output responsive to an input, and a data storage element configured to change state responsive to the transducer. The electronic device may include a power circuit configured to turn on and supply power responsive to the data storage element changing state, and a processing circuit configured to be powered by the power circuit.Type: GrantFiled: November 17, 2015Date of Patent: February 6, 2018Assignee: STMICROELECTRONICS S.R.L.Inventors: Roberto Larosa, Daniele Mangano, Riccardo Condorelli, Giulio Zoppi, Natale Aiello
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Patent number: 9673714Abstract: A power supply apparatus includes a power supply circuit and a power-on circuit. The power-on circuit detects a remotely transmitted control signal and causes a transition of the power supply circuit to a turned on state. The power-on circuit includes a transducer configured to provide a power-on signal in response to the remote control signal. The transducer triggers transition to the turned on state through a switch driven by the power-on signal output from the transducer and arranged to supply a power supply circuit enable signal. A DC blocking capacitor is connected between an output of the transducer and a control terminal of the switch.Type: GrantFiled: April 23, 2015Date of Patent: June 6, 2017Assignee: STMicroelectronics S.r.l.Inventors: Natale Aiello, Giulio Zoppi, Roberto Larosa
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Publication number: 20170139461Abstract: An electronic device may include a transducer configured to generate an electrical output responsive to an input, and a data storage element configured to change state responsive to the transducer. The electronic device may include a power circuit configured to turn on and supply power responsive to the data storage element changing state, and a processing circuit configured to be powered by the power circuit.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 17, 2015Publication date: May 18, 2017Inventors: Roberto LAROSA, Daniele Mangano, Riccardo Condorelli, Giulio Zoppi, Natale Aiello
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Patent number: 9461534Abstract: A power supply includes a power supply circuit and a power-on circuit controlling transitioning of the power supply circuit to a turned-on state. The power-on circuit includes a code driver, a controller coupled to the power supply circuit and code driver, and a transducer to detect a wireless control signal and generate an enable signal based thereupon. A transistor has a first conduction terminal coupled to the code driver, a second conduction terminal coupled to the controller, and a control terminal coupled to the transducer to receive the enable signal so the transistor switches based thereupon. The code driver detects a code embedded in the wireless control signal based upon switching of the transistor, and generates a power on signal for the controller based upon the code. The controller causes the power supply circuit to transition from the turned-off state to the turned-on state based upon the power on signal.Type: GrantFiled: March 23, 2015Date of Patent: October 4, 2016Assignee: STMicroelectronics S.r.l.Inventors: Roberto Larosa, Giulio Zoppi, Natale Aiello
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Publication number: 20160241130Abstract: A device for driving a power supply start-up circuit may include a logic unit for storing an operating state of equipment, where the logic unit is activatable by a start-up signal reaching a start-up threshold. The device may also include a detector, where the detector provides a signal to the logic unit indicating a drop in the signal below a drop threshold. The detector may enable the logic unit to continue operating in the presence of a failure of a power supply to store the operating state of the equipment upon occurrence of the failure of the power supply. In addition, the device may include a start-up circuit sensitive to a power supply signal, where the start-up circuit is activatable by the power supply signal as restored after the failure, and the start-up circuit may provide the start-up signal reaching the start-up threshold upon the power supply signal being restored.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 10, 2015Publication date: August 18, 2016Inventors: Giulio ZOPPI, Roberto LAROSA, Natale AIELLO
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Patent number: 9118250Abstract: A power supply circuit for an electrical appliance, including a turning-on stage configured for determining a transition from a turned-off state, in which the power supply circuit is off and does not supply electric power, to a turned-on state of the power supply circuit. The turning-on stage includes a transducer of the remote-control type configured for triggering the transition in response to the reception of a wireless signal. In some embodiments, operating power is transmitted from a remote controller to a control circuit of the electronic equipment, such that the electronic equipment can be turned on remotely but draws zero standby power.Type: GrantFiled: March 15, 2013Date of Patent: August 25, 2015Assignee: STMICROELECTRONICS S.R.L.Inventors: Natale Aiello, Giuseppe Palmisano, Roberto La Rosa, Alessandro Finocchiaro
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Publication number: 20150229222Abstract: A power supply apparatus includes a power supply circuit and a power-on circuit. The power-on circuit detects a remotely transmitted control signal and causes a transition of the power supply circuit to a turned on state. The power-on circuit includes a transducer configured to provide a power-on signal in response to the remote control signal. The transducer triggers transition to the turned on state through a switch driven by the power-on signal output from the transducer and arranged to supply a power supply circuit enable signal. A DC blocking capacitor is connected between an output of the transducer and a control terminal of the switch.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 23, 2015Publication date: August 13, 2015Applicant: STMicroelectronics S.r.l.Inventors: Natale Aiello, Giulio Zoppi, Roberto Larosa
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Publication number: 20150194876Abstract: A power supply includes a power supply circuit and a power-on circuit controlling transitioning of the power supply circuit to a turned-on state. The power-on circuit includes a code driver, a controller coupled to the power supply circuit and code driver, and a transducer to detect a wireless control signal and generate an enable signal based thereupon. A transistor has a first conduction terminal coupled to the code driver, a second conduction terminal coupled to the controller, and a control terminal coupled to the transducer to receive the enable signal so the transistor switches based thereupon. The code driver detects a code embedded in the wireless control signal based upon switching of the transistor, and generates a power on signal for the controller based upon the code. The controller causes the power supply circuit to transition from the turned-off state to the turned-on state based upon the power on signal.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 23, 2015Publication date: July 9, 2015Applicant: STMicroelectronics S.r.l.Inventors: Roberto Larosa, Giulio Zoppi, Natale Aiello
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Patent number: 9071158Abstract: A power supply apparatus includes a power supply circuit and a power-on circuit. The power-on circuit detects a remotely transmitted control signal and causes a transition of the power supply circuit to a turned on state. The power-on circuit includes a transducer configured to provide a power-on signal in response to the remote control signal. The transducer triggers transition to the turned on state through a switch driven by the power-on signal output from the transducer and arranged to supply a power supply circuit enable signal. A DC blocking capacitor is connected between an output of the transducer and a control terminal of the switch.Type: GrantFiled: August 19, 2013Date of Patent: June 30, 2015Assignee: STMicroelectronics S.r.l.Inventors: Roberto Larosa, Giulio Zoppi, Natale Aiello
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Patent number: 8933592Abstract: A power supply circuit for an electrical appliance, including a turning-on stage configured for determining a transition from a turned-off state, in which the power supply circuit is off and does not supply electric power, to a turned-on state of the power supply circuit. The turning-on stage includes a transducer of the remote-control type configured for triggering the transition in response to the reception of a wireless signal.Type: GrantFiled: March 17, 2010Date of Patent: January 13, 2015Assignee: STMicroelectronics S.R.L.Inventor: Natale Aiello
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Patent number: 8890363Abstract: A solar energy plant may include a DC bus, photovoltaic panels coupled in parallel to the DC bus, each photovoltaic panel having a DC/DC converter, and a first controller controlling the DC/DC converter depending on whether a voltage on the DC bus is equal to or greater than a first threshold and lower than or equal to a second threshold. The solar energy plant may include a DC/AC inverter coupled to the DC bus and outputting an output AC voltage, an auxiliary start-up power supply charging a parasitic capacitance on the DC bus up to the first threshold, and a second controller turning on the auxiliary start-up power supply based upon a start command, and turning off the auxiliary start-up power supply and simultaneously turning on the DC/AC inverter.Type: GrantFiled: September 22, 2011Date of Patent: November 18, 2014Assignee: STMicroelectronics S.R.L.Inventors: Natale Aiello, Francesco Giovanni Gennaro, Giuseppe Scuderi
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Patent number: 8842402Abstract: A control circuit for a protection circuit device includes first and second voltage boosters, a comparator coupled thereto, and a MOSFET for bypassing a direct current (DC) source. The control circuit may include a control logic circuit having a first input coupled to an output of the comparator, a second input receiving a disable command signal, a first output coupled to an enable input of the first voltage booster, and a second output, and a four terminal path inversion switch. The control circuit may include a supply voltage line, a sensor coupled to the second input of the control logic circuit, to generate the disable command signal, and to force the MOSFET into a conduction mode, and an external command terminal coupled to the second input of the control logic circuit, to receive the disable command signal, and to force the MOSFET into the conduction mode.Type: GrantFiled: May 12, 2011Date of Patent: September 23, 2014Assignee: STMicroelectronics S.R.L.Inventors: Tiziana Teresa Signorelli, Francesco Pulvirenti, Natale Aiello
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Publication number: 20140056040Abstract: A power supply apparatus includes a power supply circuit and a power-on circuit. The power-on circuit detects a remotely transmitted control signal and causes a transition of the power supply circuit to a turned on state. The power-on circuit includes a transducer configured to provide a power-on signal in response to the remote control signal. The transducer triggers transition to the turned on state through a switch driven by the power-on signal output from the transducer and arranged to supply a power supply circuit enable signal. A DC blocking capacitor is connected between an output of the transducer and a control terminal of the switch.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 19, 2013Publication date: February 27, 2014Applicant: STMICROELECTRONICS S.R.L.Inventors: Roberto Larosa, Giulio Zoppi, Natale Aiello
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Publication number: 20130272037Abstract: A power supply circuit for an electrical appliance, including a turning-on stage configured for determining a transition from a turned-off state, in which the power supply circuit is off and does not supply electric power, to a turned-on state of the power supply circuit. The turning-on stage includes a transducer of the remote-control type configured for triggering the transition in response to the reception of a wireless signal. In some embodiments, operating power is transmitted from a remote controller to a control circuit of the electronic equipment, such that the electronic equipment can be turned on remotely but draws zero standby power.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 15, 2013Publication date: October 17, 2013Inventors: Natale Aiello, Giuseppe Palmisano, Roberto La Rosa, Alessandro Finocchiaro
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Publication number: 20120091810Abstract: A solar energy plant may include a DC bus, photovoltaic panels coupled in parallel to the DC bus, each photovoltaic panel having a DC/DC converter, and a first controller controlling the DC/DC converter depending on whether a voltage on the DC bus is equal to or greater than a first threshold and lower than or equal to a second threshold. The solar energy plant may include a DC/AC inverter coupled to the DC bus and outputting an output AC voltage, an auxiliary start-up power supply charging a parasitic capacitance on the DC bus up to the first threshold, and a second controller turning on the auxiliary start-up power supply based upon a start command, and turning off the auxiliary start-up power supply and simultaneously turning on the DC/AC inverter.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 22, 2011Publication date: April 19, 2012Applicant: STMicroelectronics S.r.I.Inventors: Natale AIELLO, Francesco Giovanni GENNARO, Giuseppe SCUDERI
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Publication number: 20120057379Abstract: A power supply circuit for an electrical appliance, including a turning-on stage configured for determining a transition from a turned-off state, in which the power supply circuit is off and does not supply electric power, to a turned-on state of the power supply circuit. The turning-on stage includes a transducer of the remote-control type configured for triggering the transition in response to the reception of a wireless signal.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 17, 2010Publication date: March 8, 2012Applicant: STMicroelectronics S.r.l.Inventor: Natale Aiello
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Patent number: 8125159Abstract: In a device for driving LEDs with variable light intensity, a supply stage has a first operating mode, in which a controlled supply current is generated, and a second operating mode, in which a controlled supply voltage is generated. A LED is connected to the supply stage, receives the controlled supply current or voltage, and has a turning-on threshold voltage higher than the controlled supply voltage. A current sensor generates a current-feedback signal that is correlated to the current flowing in the LED and is supplied to the supply stage in the first operating mode. An intensity-control stage generates a mode-control signal that is sent to the supply stage and controls sequential switching between the first and the second operating modes of the supply stage.Type: GrantFiled: May 4, 2010Date of Patent: February 28, 2012Assignee: STMicroelectronics S.r.l.Inventor: Natale Aiello