Patents by Inventor Piero Malcovati

Piero Malcovati 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: 20240088844
    Abstract: Signal processing is applied to a digital audio input signal to provide an analog audio output signal using a switching converter circuit driven by a pulse-width-modulated (PWM) signal. The analog audio output signal is sensed to provide an analog feedback signal. The signal processing that is applied includes: converting the digital audio input signal to producing an analog replica; producing an analog error signal indicative of a difference between the analog replica of the digital input signal and the analog feedback signal; converting the analog error signal to produce a digital error signal; digitally filtering the digital error signal to produce a filtered digital error signal; and generating the PWM signal from the filtered digital error signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 8, 2023
    Publication date: March 14, 2024
    Applicant: STMicroelectronics S.r.l.
    Inventors: Edoardo BOTTI, Francesco STILGENBAUER, Piero MALCOVATI, Edoardo BONIZZONI, Matteo DE FERRARI
  • Publication number: 20230386514
    Abstract: According to an embodiment, a circuit includes a biasing and a low-frequency recovery circuit. The biasing circuit includes a voltage digital to analog converter (V-DAC), a differential difference amplifier coupled to the V-DAC, a common-mode feedback (CMFB) amplifier coupled to the differential difference amplifier, and a first pair of transistors arranged as a high-impedance structure and coupled to the differential difference amplifier and the CMFB amplifier. The low-frequency recovery circuit includes a current digital to analog converter (C-DAC), a second pair of transistors arranged as a high-impedance structure and coupled to the first pair of transistors, a pair of resistors having a resistance value equal to half a resistance of the resistive sensor, the pair of resistors arranged between the second pair of transistors and coupled to the C-DAC, and a gain circuit coupled to shared nodes between the second pair of transistors and the pair of resistors.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 28, 2023
    Publication date: November 30, 2023
    Inventors: Dario Livornesi, Alessio Emanuele Vergani, Paolo Pulici, Francesco Piscitelli, Enrico Mammei, Mojtaba Mohammadi Abdevand, Piero Malcovati, Edoardo Bonizzoni
  • Publication number: 20220412813
    Abstract: The described technology is generally directed towards an electrical current based temperature sensor and temperature information digitizer, referred to herein as a “temperature digitizer”. The temperature digitizer can include a sensor core, a digital to analog converter, a current comparator, and a processor. The processor can be configured to perform multiple current comparisons using the sensor core, digital to analog converter, and current comparator, and the processor can generate a digital code that reflects the results of the multiple current comparisons. The digital code represents the temperature.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 28, 2021
    Publication date: December 29, 2022
    Inventors: Daniele Gardino, Michele Folz, Antonio Aprile, Piero Malcovati, Raffaele Boi, Edoardo Bonizzoni
  • Patent number: 11087780
    Abstract: A voice-activity detector (VAD) system comprises a microphone operable to receive and to process audio inputs from an environment to generate an analog audio input signal. The system further comprises an analog VAD operable to process the analog audio input signal to perform an initial detection of human speech, and operable to send a wake up command to a digital signal processing chain to awaken the digital signal processing chain from a sleep mode, when the analog VAD detects human speech. Further, the system comprises the digital signal processing chain operable to process the analog audio input signal to perform a secondary detection of human speech, and operable to output a signal indicating that human speech is detected, when the digital signal processing chain detects human speech. In one or more embodiments, the secondary detection of human speech is more accurate than the initial detection of human speech.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 10, 2021
    Assignee: SYNAPTICS INCORPORATED
    Inventors: Lorenzo Crespi, Marco Croce, Andrea Baschirotto, Piero Malcovati
  • Patent number: 10516942
    Abstract: An electronic circuit for a microphone and a microphone are disclosed. In an embodiment, the electronic circuit includes a sigma-delta modulator having a configurable resolution and a mode selector, wherein the sigma-delta modulator is selectively operable in at least two operation modes and the mode selector is configured to determine a desired operation mode dependent on an externally provided control signal and to select the resolution of the sigma-delta modulator according to the determined operation mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 9, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 24, 2019
    Assignee: TDK CORPORATION
    Inventors: Gino Rocca, Daifi Haoues Sassene, Fabrizio Conso, Marco De Blasi, Marco Grassi, Piero Malcovati, Andrea Baschirotto
  • Publication number: 20190198043
    Abstract: A voice-activity detector (VAD) system comprises a microphone operable to receive and to process audio inputs from an environment to generate an analog audio input signal. The system further comprises an analog VAD operable to process the analog audio input signal to perform an initial detection of human speech, and operable to send a wake up command to a digital signal processing chain to awaken the digital signal processing chain from a sleep mode, when the analog VAD detects human speech. Further, the system comprises the digital signal processing chain operable to process the analog audio input signal to perform a secondary detection of human speech, and operable to output a signal indicating that human speech is detected, when the digital signal processing chain detects human speech. In one or more embodiments, the secondary detection of human speech is more accurate than the initial detection of human speech.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 20, 2018
    Publication date: June 27, 2019
    Inventors: Lorenzo Crespi, Marco Croce, Andrea Baschirotto, Piero Malcovati
  • Publication number: 20190195820
    Abstract: An integrated humidity and temperature sensor includes a humidity sensor configured to output a signal corresponding to a first humidity value at a first time and a second humidity value at a second time, a temperature sensor configured to output a signal corresponding to a first temperature at the first time and a second temperature at the second time, a heating element configured to raise a temperature of the humidity sensor and the temperature sensor between the first time and the second time, and a processor device configured to determine a drift value of the humidity sensor according to the first and the second temperatures and the first and the second humidity values. The processor device is also configured to adjust the humidity sensor by the drift value. Adjustment of the humidity sensor can be a shift of an output of the humidity sensor by the drift value.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 22, 2017
    Publication date: June 27, 2019
    Inventors: Andrea FORNASARI, Raffaele BOI, Alberto Luca DEMARZIANI, Massimo MASCOTTO, Emanuele QUARTIERI, Piero MALCOVATI, Stefano MANGIAROTTI
  • Publication number: 20190082258
    Abstract: An electronic circuit for a microphone and a microphone are disclosed. In an embodiment, the electronic circuit includes a sigma-delta modulator having a configurable resolution and a mode selector, wherein the sigma-delta modulator is selectively operable in at least two operation modes and the mode selector is configured to determine a desired operation mode dependent on an externally provided control signal and to select the resolution of the sigma-delta modulator according to the determined operation mode.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 9, 2015
    Publication date: March 14, 2019
    Inventors: Gino Rocca, Daifi Haoues Sassene, Fabrizio Conso, Marco De Blasi, Marco Grassi, Piero Malcovati, Andrea Baschirotto
  • Patent number: 9893632
    Abstract: An electrical circuit for providing electrical power for use in powering electronic devices, such as monitors, televisions, white goods, data centers, and telecom circuit boards, is described herein. The electrical circuit includes a voltage reduction circuit cell that includes a first capacitor, a second capacitor, a switching circuit, and a hold capacitor. The switching circuit includes a plurality of switching devices that are coupled to the first and the second capacitors for delivering power from an input terminal to an output terminal. The plurality of switching devices includes at least two switching devices that are coupled to ground. The voltage reduction circuit cell also includes a controller for operating the switching circuit in a plurality of operational modes to deliver an output power signal at a desired voltage level.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 15, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2018
    Assignee: Advanced Charging Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Michael H. Freeman, W. J. “Jim” Weaver, Jr., Mitchael C. Freeman, Robert Dieter, Andrea Baschirotto, Piero Malcovati, Marco Grassi, Glenn Noufer, Randall L. Sandusky, Neaz E. Farooqi, Jim Devoy, Silvia Jaeckel, Madison Hayes Yarbro Freeman
  • Patent number: 9780674
    Abstract: An electrical circuit for providing electrical power for use in powering electronic devices, such as monitors, televisions, white goods, data centers, and telecom circuit boards, is described herein. The electrical circuit includes a voltage reduction circuit cell that includes a first capacitor, a second capacitor, a switching circuit, and a hold capacitor. The switching circuit includes a plurality of switching devices that are coupled to the first and the second capacitors for delivering power from an input terminal to an output terminal. The plurality of switching devices includes at least two switching devices that are coupled to ground. The voltage reduction circuit cell also includes a controller for operating the switching circuit in a plurality of operational modes to deliver an output power signal at a desired voltage level.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2017
    Assignee: Advanced Charging Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Michael H. Freeman, W. J. “Jim” Weaver, Jr., Mitchael C. Freeman, Robert Dieter, Andrea Baschirotto, Piero Malcovati, Marco Grassi, Glenn Noufer, Randall L. Sandusky, Neaz Farooqi, Jim Devoy, Silvia Jaeckel, Madison Hayes Yarbro Freeman
  • Patent number: 9780677
    Abstract: An electrical circuit for providing electrical power for use in powering electronic devices is described herein. The electrical circuit includes a primary power circuit and a secondary power circuit. The primary power circuit receives an alternating current (AC) input power signal from an electrical power source and generates an intermediate direct current (DC) power signal. The intermediate DC power signal is generated at a first voltage level that is less than a voltage level of the AC input power signal. The secondary power circuit receives the intermediate DC power signal from the primary power circuit and delivers an output DC power signal to an electronic device. The output DC power signal is delivered at an output voltage level that is less than the first voltage level of the intermediate DC power signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2017
    Assignee: Advanced Charging Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Michael H. Freeman, W.J. “Jim” Weaver, Jr., Mitchael C. Freeman, Robert Dieter, Glenn Noufer, Randall L. Sandusky, Jim Sesters, Neaz E. Farooqi, Jim Devoy, Jay Cormier, Silvia Jaeckel, Andrea Baschirotto, Piero Malcovati
  • Patent number: 9762132
    Abstract: An electrical circuit for providing electrical power for use in powering electronic devices, such as monitors, televisions, white goods, data centers, and telecom circuit boards, is described herein. The electrical circuit includes an input terminal configured to receive an input power signal, an output terminal configured to provide an output power signal, and a forward converter coupled to the input and output terminals. The forward converter includes a transformer, and a primary side regulation circuit coupled to a primary side of the transformer. The primary side regulation circuit includes a switching device coupled to the primary side, a current sense circuit configured to sense a current level on the primary side, and a controller configured to generate a pulse-width modulated control signal delivered to the switching device as a function of the sensed current level to regulate the transformer to deliver the output power signal at a desired voltage level.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2017
    Assignee: Advanced Charging Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Michael H. Freeman, W. J. “Jim” Weaver, Jr., Mitchael C. Freeman, Robert Dieter, Andrea Baschirotto, Piero Malcovati, Marco Grassi, Glenn Noufer, Randall L. Sandusky, Neaz Farooqi, Jim Devoy, Silvia Jaeckel, Madison Hayes Yarbro Freeman
  • Patent number: 9748852
    Abstract: An electrical circuit for providing electrical power for use in powering electronic devices, such as monitors, televisions, white goods, data centers, and telecom circuit boards, is described herein. The electrical circuit includes an input terminal configured to receive an input power signal, an output terminal configured to provide an output power signal, and a plurality of voltage reduction circuit cells coupled between the input terminal and the output terminal. Each of the voltage reduction circuit cells includes a pair of flyback capacitors, a switching circuit, and a hold capacitor. The switching device is configured to operate the corresponding voltage reduction circuit cell at a charging phase and at a discharging phase. The plurality of voltage reduction circuit cells are configured to deliver the output power signal having a voltage level that is less than the voltage level of the input power signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2017
    Assignee: Advanced Charging Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Michael H. Freeman, W. J. Weaver, Jr., Mitchael C. Freeman, Robert Dieter, Andrea Baschirotto, Piero Malcovati, Marco Grassi, Glenn Noufer, Randall L. Sandusky, Neaz Farooqi, Jim Devoy, Silvia Jaeckel, Madison Hayes Yarbro Freeman
  • Patent number: 9673717
    Abstract: An electrical circuit for providing electrical power for use in powering electronic devices, such as monitors, televisions, white goods, data centers, and telecom circuit boards, is described herein. The electrical circuit includes an input terminal configured to receive an input power signal, an output terminal configured to provide an output power signal, and a plurality of voltage reduction circuit cells coupled between the input terminal and the output terminal. Each of the voltage reduction circuit cells includes a pair of flyback capacitors, a switching circuit, and a hold capacitor. The switching device is configured to operate the corresponding voltage reduction circuit cell at a charging phase and at a discharging phase. The plurality of voltage reduction circuit cells are configured to deliver the output power signal having a voltage level that is less than the voltage level of the input power signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 15, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2017
    Assignee: ADVANCED CHARGING TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Michael H. Freeman, W. J. “Jim” Weaver, Jr., Mitchael C. Freeman, Robert Dieter, Andrea Baschirotto, Piero Malcovati, Marco Grassi, Glenn Noufer, Randall L. Sandusky, Neaz E. Farooqi, Jim Devoy, Silvia Jaeckel, Madison Hayes Yarbro Freeman
  • Publication number: 20170133842
    Abstract: An electrical circuit for providing electrical power for use in powering electronic devices, such as monitors, televisions, white goods, data centers, and telecom circuit boards, is described herein. The electrical circuit includes a voltage reduction circuit cell that includes a first capacitor, a second capacitor, a switching circuit, and a hold capacitor. The switching circuit includes a plurality of switching devices that are coupled to the first and the second capacitors for delivering power from an input terminal to an output terminal. The plurality of switching devices includes at least two switching devices that are coupled to ground. The voltage reduction circuit cell also includes a controller for operating the switching circuit in a plurality of operational modes to deliver an output power signal at a desired voltage level.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 16, 2016
    Publication date: May 11, 2017
    Inventors: Michael H. Freeman, W.J. "Jim" Weaver, JR., Mitchael C. Freeman, Robert Dieter, Glenn Noufer, Randall L. Sandusky, Jim Sesters, Neaz E. Farooqi, Jim Devoy, Jay Cormier, Madison Hayes Yarbro Freeman, Andrea Baschirotto, Piero Malcovati
  • Patent number: 9602016
    Abstract: An electrical circuit for providing electrical power for use in powering electronic devices, such as monitors, televisions, white goods, data centers, and telecom circuit boards, is described herein. The electrical circuit includes an input terminal configured to receive an input power signal, an output terminal configured to provide an output power signal, and a forward converter coupled to the input and output terminals. The forward converter includes a transformer, and a primary side regulation circuit coupled to a primary side of the transformer. The primary side regulation circuit includes a switching device coupled to the primary side, a current sense circuit configured to sense a current level on the primary side, and a controller configured to generate a pulse-width modulated control signal delivered to the switching device as a function of the sensed current level to regulate the transformer to deliver the output power signal at a desired voltage level.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 15, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2017
    Assignee: ADVANCED CHARGING TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Michael H. Freeman, W. J. Weaver, Jr., Mitchael C. Freeman, Robert Dieter, Andrea Baschirotto, Piero Malcovati, Marco Grassi, Glenn Noufer, Randall L. Sandusky, Neaz E. Farooqi, Jim Devoy, Silvia Jaeckel, Madison Hayes Yarbro Freeman
  • Publication number: 20160365802
    Abstract: An electrical circuit for providing electrical power for use in powering electronic devices is described herein. The electrical circuit includes a primary power circuit and a secondary power circuit. The primary power circuit receives an alternating current (AC) input power signal from an electrical power source and generates an intermediate direct current (DC) power signal. The intermediate DC power signal is generated at a first voltage level that is less than a voltage level of the AC input power signal. The secondary power circuit receives the intermediate DC power signal from the primary power circuit and delivers an output DC power signal to an electronic device. The output DC power signal is delivered at an output voltage level that is less than the first voltage level of the intermediate DC power signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 25, 2016
    Publication date: December 15, 2016
    Inventors: Michael H. Freeman, W.J. "Jim" Weaver, JR., Mitchael C. Freeman, Robert Dieter, Glenn Noufer, Randall L. Sandusky, Jim Sesters, Neaz E. Farooqi, Jim Devoy, Jay Cormier, Silvia Jaeckel, Andrea Baschirotto, Piero Malcovati
  • Patent number: 9431914
    Abstract: An electrical circuit for providing electrical power for use in powering electronic devices is described herein. The electrical circuit includes a primary power circuit and a secondary power circuit. The primary power circuit receives an alternating current (AC) input power signal from an electrical power source and generates an intermediate direct current (DC) power signal. The intermediate DC power signal is generated at a first voltage level that is less than a voltage level of the AC input power signal. The secondary power circuit receives the intermediate DC power signal from the primary power circuit and delivers an output DC power signal to an electronic device. The output DC power signal is delivered at an output voltage level that is less than the first voltage level of the intermediate DC power signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2016
    Assignee: ADVANCED CHARGING TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Michael H. Freeman, W.J. “Jim” Weaver, Jr., Mitchael C. Freeman, Robert Dieter, Glenn Noufer, Randall L. Sandusky, Jim Sesters, Neaz E. Farooqi, Jim Devoy, Jay Cormier, Silvia Jaeckel, Andrea Baschirotto, Piero Malcovati
  • Publication number: 20160134198
    Abstract: An electrical circuit for providing electrical power for use in powering electronic devices, such as monitors, televisions, white goods, data centers, and telecom circuit boards, is described herein. The electrical circuit includes an input terminal configured to receive an input power signal, an output terminal configured to provide an output power signal, and a plurality of voltage reduction circuit cells coupled between the input terminal and the output terminal. Each of the voltage reduction circuit cells includes a pair of flyback capacitors, a switching circuit, and a hold capacitor. The switching device is configured to operate the corresponding voltage reduction circuit cell at a charging phase and at a discharging phase. The plurality of voltage reduction circuit cells are configured to deliver the output power signal having a voltage level that is less than the voltage level of the input power signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 15, 2016
    Publication date: May 12, 2016
    Inventors: Michael H. Freeman, W.J. "Jim" Weaver, JR., Mitchael C. Freeman, Robert Dieter, Andrea Baschirotto, Piero Malcovati, Marco Grassi, Glenn Noufer, Randall L. Sandusky, Neaz E. Farooqi, Jim Devoy, Silvia Jaeckel, Madison Hayes Yarbro Freeman
  • Publication number: 20160126852
    Abstract: An electrical circuit for providing electrical power for use in powering electronic devices, such as monitors, televisions, white goods, data centers, and telecom circuit boards, is described herein. The electrical circuit includes an input terminal configured to receive an input power signal, an output terminal configured to provide an output power signal, and a forward converter coupled to the input and output terminals. The forward converter includes a transformer, and a primary side regulation circuit coupled to a primary side of the transformer. The primary side regulation circuit includes a switching device coupled to the primary side, a current sense circuit configured to sense a current level on the primary side, and a controller configured to generate a pulse-width modulated control signal delivered to the switching device as a function of the sensed current level to regulate the transformer to deliver the output power signal at a desired voltage level.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 15, 2016
    Publication date: May 5, 2016
    Inventors: Michael H. Freeman, W.J. "Jim" Weaver, JR., Mitchael C. Freeman, Robert Dieter, Andrea Baschirotto, Piero Malcovati, Marco Grassi, Glenn Noufer, Randall L. Sandusky, Neaz E. Farooqi, Jim Devoy, Silvia Jaeckel, Madison Hayes Yarbro Freeman