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).

  • Patent number: 10642331
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 5, 2020
    Assignee: STMICROELECTRONICS S.R.L.
    Inventors: Roberto Larosa, Daniele Mangano, Riccardo Condorelli, Giulio Zoppi, Natale Aiello
  • Publication number: 20180081416
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: November 29, 2017
    Publication date: March 22, 2018
    Applicant: STMicroelectronics S.r.l.
    Inventors: Roberto Larosa, Daniele Mangano, Riccardo Condorelli, Giulio Zoppi, Natale Aiello
  • Patent number: 9912227
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2018
    Assignee: STMicroelectronics S.r.l.
    Inventors: Giulio Zoppi, Roberto Larosa, Natale Aiello
  • Patent number: 9886074
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2018
    Assignee: STMICROELECTRONICS S.R.L.
    Inventors: Roberto Larosa, Daniele Mangano, Riccardo Condorelli, Giulio Zoppi, Natale Aiello
  • Patent number: 9673714
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2017
    Assignee: STMicroelectronics S.r.l.
    Inventors: Natale Aiello, Giulio Zoppi, Roberto Larosa
  • Publication number: 20170139461
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: November 17, 2015
    Publication date: May 18, 2017
    Inventors: Roberto LAROSA, Daniele Mangano, Riccardo Condorelli, Giulio Zoppi, Natale Aiello
  • Patent number: 9461534
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 4, 2016
    Assignee: STMicroelectronics S.r.l.
    Inventors: Roberto Larosa, Giulio Zoppi, Natale Aiello
  • Publication number: 20160241130
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: December 10, 2015
    Publication date: August 18, 2016
    Inventors: Giulio ZOPPI, Roberto LAROSA, Natale AIELLO
  • Patent number: 9118250
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 25, 2015
    Assignee: STMICROELECTRONICS S.R.L.
    Inventors: Natale Aiello, Giuseppe Palmisano, Roberto La Rosa, Alessandro Finocchiaro
  • Publication number: 20150229222
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: April 23, 2015
    Publication date: August 13, 2015
    Applicant: STMicroelectronics S.r.l.
    Inventors: Natale Aiello, Giulio Zoppi, Roberto Larosa
  • Publication number: 20150194876
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: March 23, 2015
    Publication date: July 9, 2015
    Applicant: STMicroelectronics S.r.l.
    Inventors: Roberto Larosa, Giulio Zoppi, Natale Aiello
  • Patent number: 9071158
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 30, 2015
    Assignee: STMicroelectronics S.r.l.
    Inventors: Roberto Larosa, Giulio Zoppi, Natale Aiello
  • Patent number: 8933592
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 13, 2015
    Assignee: STMicroelectronics S.R.L.
    Inventor: Natale Aiello
  • Patent number: 8890363
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2014
    Assignee: STMicroelectronics S.R.L.
    Inventors: Natale Aiello, Francesco Giovanni Gennaro, Giuseppe Scuderi
  • Patent number: 8842402
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 23, 2014
    Assignee: STMicroelectronics S.R.L.
    Inventors: Tiziana Teresa Signorelli, Francesco Pulvirenti, Natale Aiello
  • Publication number: 20140056040
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: August 19, 2013
    Publication date: February 27, 2014
    Applicant: STMICROELECTRONICS S.R.L.
    Inventors: Roberto Larosa, Giulio Zoppi, Natale Aiello
  • Publication number: 20130272037
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Publication date: October 17, 2013
    Inventors: Natale Aiello, Giuseppe Palmisano, Roberto La Rosa, Alessandro Finocchiaro
  • Publication number: 20120091810
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: September 22, 2011
    Publication date: April 19, 2012
    Applicant: STMicroelectronics S.r.I.
    Inventors: Natale AIELLO, Francesco Giovanni GENNARO, Giuseppe SCUDERI
  • Publication number: 20120057379
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: March 17, 2010
    Publication date: March 8, 2012
    Applicant: STMicroelectronics S.r.l.
    Inventor: Natale Aiello
  • Patent number: 8125159
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2012
    Assignee: STMicroelectronics S.r.l.
    Inventor: Natale Aiello