Patents by Inventor Robert Cittadini

Robert Cittadini 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: 8487704
    Abstract: A method generates a reference voltage by steps including: generating a reference signal from a voltage source; generating a comparison signal of the reference signal with a voltage reference; sampling the comparison signal; adjusting a numerical value as a function of the result of the comparison and of the numerical value; and converting the current numerical value into a voltage corresponding to the reference voltage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 16, 2013
    Assignee: STMicroelectronics (Grenoble 2) SAS
    Inventors: Vincent Rabary, Frédéric Goutti, Robert Cittadini, Alexandre Huffenus, Gael Pillonnet
  • Publication number: 20120126892
    Abstract: A method generates a reference voltage by steps including: generating a reference signal from a voltage source; generating a comparison signal of the reference signal with a voltage reference; sampling the comparison signal; adjusting a numerical value as a function of the result of the comparison and of the numerical value; and converting the current numerical value into a voltage corresponding to the reference voltage.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 8, 2011
    Publication date: May 24, 2012
    Applicant: STMICROELECTRONICS (GRENOBLE 2) SAS
    Inventors: Vincent Rabary, Frédéric Goutti, Robert Cittadini, Alexandre Huffenus, Gael Pillonnet
  • Patent number: 8054130
    Abstract: A method and corresponding circuit that adjusts the gain of an audio output stage having a class D amplifier, this method including the steps of setting the gain to a nominal value, analyzing an output signal during successive clock periods, counting the number of clock periods during which the signal is in a state corresponding to a saturation, decreasing the gain if the number reaches, before the end of a first time interval, a value corresponding to a first percentage, maintaining the gain constant if, at the end of a second time interval, different from the first interval, the number corresponds to a second percentage being comprised between the first percentage and a third percentage, and increasing the gain if, at the end of the second time interval, the number corresponds to a fourth percentage, lower than the third percentage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2011
    Assignee: STMicroelectronics (Grenoble 2) SAS
    Inventors: Vincent Rabary, Robert Cittadini, Alexandre Huffenus, Gaël Pillonnet
  • Publication number: 20100253429
    Abstract: A method and corresponding circuit that adjusts the gain of an audio output stage having a class D amplifier, this method including the steps of setting the gain to a nominal value, analyzing an output signal during successive clock periods, counting the number of clock periods during which the signal is in a state corresponding to a saturation, decreasing the gain if the number reaches, before the end of a first time interval, a value corresponding to a first percentage, maintaining the gain constant if, at the end of a second time interval, different from the first interval, the number corresponds to a second percentage being comprised between the first percentage and a third percentage, and increasing the gain if, at the end of the second time interval, the number corresponds to a fourth percentage, lower than the third percentage.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 31, 2010
    Publication date: October 7, 2010
    Applicant: STMICROELECTRONICS (GRENOBLE 2) SAS
    Inventors: Vincent Rabary, Robert Cittadini, Alexandre Huffenus, Gaël Pillonnet
  • Patent number: 7420397
    Abstract: An inhibit circuit which produces an inhibit signal when a variation in a power supply potential is detected includes a comparator having a negative input connected to a generator producing a reference potential and a positive input connected to an output of a first image circuit producing a first potential that is an image of the power supply potential. The first image circuit includes a diode and a circuit for the production of a reference current parallel-connected between a common point to which the power supply potential is applied and an output of the first image circuit connected to the positive input of the comparator. The circuit has particular utility in portable integrated circuits with very low consumption when idle such as in mobile telephony.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2008
    Assignee: STMicroelectronics SA
    Inventors: Christophe Forel, Robert Cittadini
  • Patent number: 7053704
    Abstract: A power amplifier circuit including first and second cascade-assembled operational amplifiers having respective first inputs receiving a reference voltage across a decoupling capacitor, respective outputs of which are connected across a load and are looped back on respective second inputs, the second input of the first amplifier receiving, from a coupling capacitor, an input voltage to be amplified, the amplifier circuit including means for separately charging the coupling and decoupling capacitors, upon circuit power-on, from an off or standby state, and means for inhibiting the amplifiers at least during the separate charging.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2006
    Assignee: STMicroelectronics S.A.
    Inventors: Christophe Forel, Robert Cittadini
  • Publication number: 20050280451
    Abstract: An inhibit circuit which produces an inhibit signal when a variation in a power supply potential is detected includes a comparator having a negative input connected to a generator producing a reference potential and a positive input connected to an output of a first image circuit producing a first potential that is an image of the power supply potential. The first image circuit includes a diode and a circuit for the production of a reference current parallel-connected between a common point to which the power supply potential is applied and an output of the first image circuit connected to the positive input of the comparator. The circuit has particular utility in portable integrated circuits with very low consumption when idle such as in mobile telephony.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 1, 2005
    Publication date: December 22, 2005
    Inventors: Christophe Forel, Robert Cittadini
  • Publication number: 20040212427
    Abstract: A power amplifier circuit including first and second cascade-assembled operational amplifiers having respective first inputs receiving a reference voltage across a decoupling capacitor, respective outputs of which are connected across a load and are looped back on respective second inputs, the second input of the first amplifier receiving, from a coupling capacitor, an input voltage to be amplified, the amplifier circuit including means for separately charging the coupling and decoupling capacitors, upon circuit power-on, from an off or standby state, and means for inhibiting the amplifiers at least during the separate charging.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 1, 2004
    Publication date: October 28, 2004
    Inventors: Christophe Forel, Robert Cittadini
  • Patent number: 6693803
    Abstract: The coupling device comprises a transformer having a primary winding in series with a two-way switch controlled via an optocoupler and a three-position selector switch by a control circuit. In standby mode, the switch is connected to an oscillator defining a switching frequency (49 kHz) ensuring power supply of the control circuit, which circuit is able to detect the presence of a carrier on the transformer secondary winding. In receipt mode, the switch is closed and the control circuit analyzes the modulated information received on the transformer secondary winding. In transmission mode, the control circuit causes switching of the switch at the information modulation frequency (132 khz), performing both power supply of the control circuit and transmission of the information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 17, 2004
    Assignee: Schneider Electric Industries SAS
    Inventors: Bruno Beranger, Oleg Garelli, Robert Cittadini
  • Publication number: 20030063478
    Abstract: The coupling device comprises a transformer having a primary winding in series with a two-way switch controlled via an optocoupler and a three-position selector switch by a control circuit. In standby mode, the switch is connected to an oscillator defining a switching frequency (49 kHz) ensuring power supply of the control circuit, which circuit is able to detect the presence of a carrier on the transformer secondary winding. In receipt mode, the switch is closed and the control circuit analyzes the modulated information received on the transformer secondary winding. In transmission mode, the control circuit causes switching of the switch at the information modulation frequency (132 khz), performing both power supply of the control circuit and transmission of the information.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 26, 2002
    Publication date: April 3, 2003
    Applicant: Schneider Electric Industries SAS
    Inventors: Bruno Beranger, Oleg Garelli, Robert Cittadini