Patents by Inventor Stefano Paolo Rivolta

Stefano Paolo Rivolta 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: 20240134468
    Abstract: A method includes receiving electrostatic sensor data in a processor of an electronic device from an electrostatic sensor mounted behind a touchscreen of the electronic device and using the electrostatic sensor data to determine when the touchscreen is being used. Based on whether or not the touchscreen is being used, an on-table detection (OTD) algorithm is selected from a plurality of available OTD algorithms. In one or more examples, the OTD algorithm may also be selected based on the current device mode of the electronic device, which may be determined from a lid angle, a screen angle, and a keyboard angle of the electronic device. The selected OTD algorithm is run to determine whether or not the electronic device is located on a stationary or stable surface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 19, 2022
    Publication date: April 25, 2024
    Inventors: Stefano Paolo Rivolta, Federico Rizzardini
  • Patent number: 11942107
    Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to a device and method for detecting presence or absence of human speech. The device and method utilize a low-power accelerometer. The device and method generate an acceleration signal using the accelerometer, filter the acceleration signal with a band pass filter or a high pass filter, determine at least one calculation of the filtered acceleration signal, detect a presence or absence of a voice based on the at least one calculation, and output a detection signal that indicates the presence or absence of the voice. The device and method are well suited for portable audio devices, such as true wireless stereo headphones, that have a limited power supply.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 2021
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2024
    Assignee: STMICROELECTRONICS S.r.l.
    Inventors: Stefano Paolo Rivolta, Federico Rizzardini, Lorenzo Bracco, Roberto Mura
  • Publication number: 20240090800
    Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to a wearable electronic device, such as a watch, that includes one or more optical sensors. In order to determine accuracy of measurements by the optical sensors, the device detects whether or not the optical sensors are in physical contact with the user's skin. The device detects a level of contact between the user's skin and the optical sensors based on electrostatic charge variation measurements, and generates a contact reliability index (CRI) based on the level of contact. Operation of the optical sensors are adjusted based on the CRI.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 20, 2022
    Publication date: March 21, 2024
    Applicant: STMICROELECTRONICS S.R.L.
    Inventors: Stefano Paolo RIVOLTA, Roberto MURA
  • Patent number: 11921548
    Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to a detection method of a first or second state of a foldable electronic device including a first and a second hardware element tiltable to each other and accommodating a first and a second electrode which are in contact with each other when the foldable electronic device is in the first state and at a distance from each other otherwise. The detection method includes: acquiring a first and a second charge variation signal indicative of environmental electric/electrostatic charge variations detected by the first and second electrodes; generating a differential signal indicative of a difference between the first and the second charge variation signals; generating, as a function of the differential signal, one or more feature signals; and generating, as a function of the one or more feature signals, a contact signal indicative of the first or second states of the foldable electronic device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 2022
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2024
    Assignee: STMICROELECTRONICS S.r.l.
    Inventors: Stefano Paolo Rivolta, Roberto Mura, Lorenzo Bracco, Federico Rizzardini
  • Publication number: 20240044647
    Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to a device configured to detect whether the device is in a bag or outside of the bag. The device determines whether the device is in or outside of the bag based on distance measurements generated by at least one proximity sensor and motion measurements generated by at least one motion sensor. By using both distance measurements and motion measurements, the device is able to detect whether the device is in the bag or outside of the bag with high accuracy and robustness.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 11, 2023
    Publication date: February 8, 2024
    Applicant: STMICROELECTRONICS S.r.l.
    Inventors: Stefano Paolo RIVOLTA, Federico RIZZARDINI, Lorenzo BRACCO, Roberto MURA
  • Publication number: 20240045514
    Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to pick-up state detection for an electronic device, such as a laptop. In a pick-up state, the device is picked or lifted up from a surface, such as a table. A power state of the device is adjusted in response to detecting the pick-up state. For example, the device is in a hibernate state while set on the table, and is switched to a working state in response to detecting the pick-up state.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 5, 2022
    Publication date: February 8, 2024
    Applicant: STMICROELECTRONICS S.R.L.
    Inventors: Stefano Paolo RIVOLTA, Roberto MURA
  • Publication number: 20240044934
    Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to pick-up state detection for an electronic device, such as a laptop. In a pick-up state, the device is picked or lifted up from a surface, such as a table. A power state of the device is adjusted in response to detecting the pick-up state. For example, the device is in a hibernate state while set on the table, and is switched to a working state in response to detecting the pick-up state.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 13, 2023
    Publication date: February 8, 2024
    Applicant: STMICROELECTRONICS S.R.L.
    Inventor: Stefano Paolo RIVOLTA
  • Patent number: 11821732
    Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to a device configured to detect whether the device is in a bag or outside of the bag. The device determines whether the device is in or outside of the bag based on distance measurements generated by at least one proximity sensor and motion measurements generated by at least one motion sensor. By using both distance measurements and motion measurements, the device is able to detect whether the device is in the bag or outside of the bag with high accuracy and robustness.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 7, 2021
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2023
    Assignee: STMICROELECTRONICS S.r.l.
    Inventors: Stefano Paolo Rivolta, Federico Rizzardini, Lorenzo Bracco, Roberto Mura
  • Publication number: 20230359262
    Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to a device configured to detect whether the device is in a bag or being taken out of the bag. The device determines whether the device is in a bag or being taken out of the bag based on motion measurements generated by a motion sensor and electrostatic charge measurements generated by an electrostatic charge sensor. By using both distance measurements and motion measurements, the device is able to detect whether the device is in the bag or being taken out of the bag with high efficiency, accuracy, and robustness.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 21, 2023
    Publication date: November 9, 2023
    Applicant: STMICROELECTRONICS S.r.l.
    Inventors: Stefano Paolo RIVOLTA, Roberto MURA, Marco BIANCO
  • Patent number: 11755095
    Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to a device configured to detect whether the device is in a bag or being taken out of the bag. The device determines whether the device is in a bag or being taken out of the bag based on motion measurements generated by a motion sensor and electrostatic charge measurements generated by an electrostatic charge sensor. By using both distance measurements and motion measurements, the device is able to detect whether the device is in the bag or being taken out of the bag with high efficiency, accuracy, and robustness.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 2021
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2023
    Assignee: STMICROELECTRONICS S.r.l.
    Inventors: Stefano Paolo Rivolta, Roberto Mura, Marco Bianco
  • Publication number: 20230283939
    Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to input detection for electronic devices using electrostatic charge sensors. The devices and methods disclosed herein utilize electrostatic charge sensors to detect various touch gestures, such as long and short touches, single/double/triple taps, and swipes; and perform in-ear detection.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 3, 2022
    Publication date: September 7, 2023
    Applicant: STMICROELECTRONICS S.r.l.
    Inventors: Federico RIZZARDINI, Lorenzo BRACCO, Andrea LABOMBARDA, Mauro BARDONE, Stefano Paolo RIVOLTA, Federico IACCARINO
  • Publication number: 20230251078
    Abstract: A method is provided for controlling an electronic apparatus on the basis of a value of a lid angle between a first hardware element accommodating a first magnetometer and a second hardware element accommodating a second magnetometer. The method includes acquiring, through the magnetometers, first signals representing an orientation of the hardware elements. A calibration parameter indicative of a condition of calibration of the magnetometers is generated on the basis of the first signals. A reliability value indicative of a condition of reliability of the first signals is generated on the basis of the first signals. A first intermediate value of the lid angle is calculated on the basis of the first signals. A current value of the lid angle is calculated on the basis of the calibration parameter, of the reliability value, and of the first intermediate value, and the electronic apparatus is controlled on the basis of the current value.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 13, 2023
    Publication date: August 10, 2023
    Applicant: STMICROELECTRONICS S.r.l.
    Inventors: Federico RIZZARDINI, Stefano Paolo RIVOLTA, Lorenzo BRACCO, Marco BIANCO
  • Patent number: 11721202
    Abstract: A remote access device and methods of operation thereof are provided for accessing a physical object or location. The remote access device includes an accelerometer, a wireless transmitter, and control circuitry. The control circuitry causes the wireless transmitter to transition between a first operating mode and a second operating mode in response to receiving signals from the accelerometer indicating a first change in motion states of the remote access device. The control circuitry causes the wireless transmitter to transition between a first operating mode and a second operating mode in response to receiving signals from the accelerometer indicating a second change in motion states of the remote access device. The control circuitry further causes the wireless transmitter to transition between the first operating mode and the second operating mode in response to receiving signals from the accelerometer indicating a third change in motion states of the remote access device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 2021
    Date of Patent: August 8, 2023
    Assignee: STMICROELECTRONICS S.r.l.
    Inventors: Stefano Paolo Rivolta, Federico Rizzardini, Daniele Arceri, Alessandra Maria Rizzo Piazza Roncoroni, Marco Bianco
  • Patent number: 11719718
    Abstract: An embodiment system includes: a first motion sensor configured to generate first sensor data indicative of a first type of movement of an electronic device; a first feature detection circuit configured to determine at least one orientation-independent feature based on the first sensor data; and a classifying circuit configured to determine whether or not the electronic device is located on a stationary surface based on the at least one orientation-independent feature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 2021
    Date of Patent: August 8, 2023
    Assignee: STMicroelectronics S.r.l.
    Inventors: Stefano Paolo Rivolta, Federico Rizzardini
  • Patent number: 11669770
    Abstract: Technological advancements are disclosed that utilize inertial sensor data associated with a device to determine a new feature array and if the new feature array is within an existing class within a state space associated with the inertial sensor data. In response to the new feature array being included in the existing class, the new feature array is added to the existing class and a representation of the existing class in the state space is updated based on the new feature array and an existing representation of the existing class. In response to the new feature array not being included in the existing class, a new class is created based on the new feature array.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 28, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2023
    Assignee: STMICROELECTRONICS S.r.l.
    Inventors: Alberto Zancanato, Stefano Paolo Rivolta
  • Patent number: 11656071
    Abstract: A method is provided for controlling an electronic apparatus on the basis of a value of a lid angle between a first hardware element accommodating a first magnetometer and a second hardware element accommodating a second magnetometer. The method includes acquiring, through the magnetometers, first signals representing an orientation of the hardware elements. A calibration parameter indicative of a condition of calibration of the magnetometers is generated on the basis of the first signals. A reliability value indicative of a condition of reliability of the first signals is generated on the basis of the first signals. A first intermediate value of the lid angle is calculated on the basis of the first signals. A current value of the lid angle is calculated on the basis of the calibration parameter, of the reliability value, and of the first intermediate value, and the electronic apparatus is controlled on the basis of the current value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 2021
    Date of Patent: May 23, 2023
    Inventors: Federico Rizzardini, Stefano Paolo Rivolta, Lorenzo Bracco, Marco Bianco
  • Publication number: 20230125175
    Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to a detection method of a first or second state of a foldable electronic device including a first and a second hardware element tiltable to each other and accommodating a first and a second electrode which are in contact with each other when the foldable electronic device is in the first state and at a distance from each other otherwise. The detection method includes: acquiring a first and a second charge variation signal indicative of environmental electric/electrostatic charge variations detected by the first and second electrodes; generating a differential signal indicative of a difference between the first and the second charge variation signals; generating, as a function of the differential signal, one or more feature signals; and generating, as a function of the one or more feature signals, a contact signal indicative of the first or second states of the foldable electronic device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 17, 2022
    Publication date: April 27, 2023
    Applicant: STMICROELECTRONICS S.r.l.
    Inventors: Stefano Paolo RIVOLTA, Roberto MURA, Lorenzo BRACCO, Federico RIZZARDINI
  • Publication number: 20230071636
    Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to a device with enhanced human activity recognition. The device detects a human activity using one more motion sensors, and enhances the detected human activity depending on whether the device is in an indoor environment or an outdoor environment. The device utilizes one or more electrostatic charge sensors to determine whether the device is in an indoor environment or an outdoor environment. The device may also exclude gyroscope data when performing human activity recognition, and instead utilize electrostatic charge variation data in conjunction with acceleration data to perform human activity recognition.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 13, 2022
    Publication date: March 9, 2023
    Applicant: STMICROELECTRONICS S.r.l.
    Inventors: Stefano Paolo RIVOLTA, Roberto MURA, Michele FERRAINA
  • Publication number: 20230075382
    Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to a device with enhanced human activity recognition. The device detects a human activity using one more motion sensors, and enhances the detected human activity depending on whether the device is in an indoor environment or an outdoor environment. The device utilizes one or more electrostatic charge sensors to determine whether the device is in an indoor environment or an outdoor environment.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 27, 2021
    Publication date: March 9, 2023
    Applicant: STMICROELECTRONICS S.r.l.
    Inventors: Stefano Paolo RIVOLTA, Roberto MURA
  • Patent number: 11599178
    Abstract: An electronic device has sensing circuitry and control circuitry. The control circuitry generates, based on generated sensor data, information indicative of movement of the electronic device. The control circuitry generates control signals to control operation of the electronic device in a plurality of power states, including a working-power state, an intermediate-power state and a low-power state, based on the information indicative of movement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 2021
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2023
    Assignee: STMICROELECTRONICS S.r.l.
    Inventors: Stefano Paolo Rivolta, Marco Bianco, Roberto Mura, Federico Rizzardini, Lorenzo Bracco