公开(公告)号：US20140188369A1

公开(公告)日：2014-07-03

申请号：US14097852

申请日：2013-12-05

Applicant: STMicroelectronics S.r.I.

Inventor： GiovanniLuca TORRISI ,  CalogeroAndrea TRECARICHI

IPC: F02P9/00

CPC classification number: F02P9/00 ,  F02P3/051 ,  F02P3/0552 ,  F02P17/12 ,  F02P2017/121

Abstract: A control apparatus of an engine ignition spark plug includes a switch having a control terminal and an output terminal connected to an external transformer. The switch assumes a closed state for supplying energy to the transformer, and an open state for the transformer to supply energy to the spark plug. A measuring module measures a time duration where, in the open state, a voltage at the output terminal of the switch decreases from a first value to a second value. A detecting module detects an operating condition of the spark plug based on comparing the measured time duration to a time threshold, and to generate a detecting signal based on the comparing.

Abstract translation: 发动机点火火花塞的控制装置包括具有连接到外部变压器的控制端子和输出端子的开关。 开关处于向变压器供电的关闭状态，以及变压器向火花塞供电的打开状态。 测量模块测量在开启状态下开关输出端的电压从第一值降至第二值的持续时间。 检测模块基于将测量的持续时间与时间阈值进行比较来检测火花塞的运行状况，并且基于该比较产生检测信号。

公开(公告)号：US20140116501A1

公开(公告)日：2014-05-01

申请号：US14055397

申请日：2013-10-16

Applicant: STMICROELECTRONICS S.r.I.

Inventor： Cosimo GERARDI ,  Cristina TRINGALI ,  Sebastiano RAVESI ,  Marina FOTI ,  NoemiGraziana SPARTA' ,  Corrado ACCARDI ,  Stella LOVERSO

IPC: H01L31/075 ,  H01L31/0224 ,  H01L31/18 ,  H01L31/0376

CPC classification number: H01L31/075 ,  H01L31/03762 ,  H01L31/03926 ,  H01L31/1896 ,  H01L31/202 ,  Y02E10/548 ,  Y02P70/521

Abstract: A photovoltaic cell may include a hydrogenated amorphous silicon layer including a n-type doped region and a p-type doped region. The n-type doped region may be separated from the p-type doped region by an intrinsic region. The photovoltaic cell may include a front transparent electrode connected to the n-type doped region, and a rear electrode connected to the p-type doped region. The efficiency may be optimized for indoor lighting values by tuning the value of the H2/SiH4 ratio of the hydrogenated amorphous silicon layer.

Abstract translation: 光伏电池可以包括包括n型掺杂区域和p型掺杂区域的氢化非晶硅层。 n型掺杂区域可以通过固有区域与p型掺杂区域分离。 光伏电池可以包括连接到n型掺杂区域的前透明电极和连接到p型掺杂区域的后电极。 可以通过调节氢化非晶硅层的H 2 / SiH 4比值来优化室内照明值的效率。

公开(公告)号：US20140078096A1

公开(公告)日：2014-03-20

申请号：US13717766

申请日：2012-12-18

Applicant: STMICROELECTRONICS S.R.I. ,  STMICROELECTRONICS ASIA PACIFIC PTE. LTD.

Inventor： Kien Beng Tan ,  Ernesto Lasalandra ,  Tommaso Ungaretti ,  Yannick Guedon ,  Dianbo Guo ,  Paolo Angelini ,  Giovanni Carlo Tripoli

IPC: G06F3/044

CPC classification number: G01R27/2605 ,  G06F3/0416 ,  G06F3/044 ,  G06F2203/04104

Abstract: Capacitance sensing circuits and methods are provided. A dual mode capacitance sensing circuit includes a capacitance-to-voltage converter having an amplifier and an integration capacitance coupled between an output and an inverting input of the amplifier, and a dual mode switching circuit responsive to mutual mode control signals for a controlling signal supplied from a capacitive touch matrix to the capacitance-to-voltage converter in a mutual capacitance sensing mode and responsive to self mode control signals for controlling signals supplied from the capacitive touch matrix to the capacitance-to-voltage converter in a self capacitance sensing mode, wherein the capacitance sensing circuit is configurable for operation in the mutual capacitance sensing mode or the self capacitance sensing mode.

Abstract translation: 提供电容感测电路和方法。 双模电容感测电路包括具有放大器和耦合在放大器的输出和反相输入端之间的积分电容器的电容 - 电压转换器，以及响应于所提供的控制信号的相互模式控制信号的双模式切换电路 在互电容感测模式中从电容式触摸矩阵到电容 - 电压转换器，并且响应用于在自电容感测模式下控制从电容式触摸矩阵提供给电容 - 电压转换器的信号的自发模式控制信号， 其中电容感测电路可配置为在互电容感测模式或自电容感测模式下操作。

公开(公告)号：US20140063641A1

公开(公告)日：2014-03-06

申请号：US14013968

申请日：2013-08-29

Applicant: STMicroelectronics S.r.I.

Inventor： Ezio Galbiati

IPC: G11B19/20 ,  G11B21/12

CPC classification number: G11B19/2063 ,  G11B5/54 ,  G11B21/12 ,  H02P6/182 ,  H02P6/24 ,  H02P25/028 ,  H02P25/034

Abstract: A control circuit of a voice coil motor is configured to move at least one read/write head of an hard disk into a parking position. The control circuit compares a received supply signal with a reference signal having a minimum value and a maximum value and a frequency. When the value of the supply signal is between the minimum value and the maximum value of the reference signal, the controller causes alternation of a working condition of the voice coil motor, when the value of said supply signal is higher than the value of the reference signal, and of a stop condition of the voice coil motor, when the value of said supply signal is lower than the value of the reference signal, with a frequency equal to the frequency of said reference signal.

Abstract translation: 音圈电机的控制电路被配置为将至少一个硬盘的读/写头移动到停放位置。 控制电路将接收到的电源信号与具有最小值和最大值和频率的参考信号进行比较。 当供给信号的值在参考信号的最小值和最大值之间时，当所述供给信号的值高于参考值时，控制器使音圈马达的工作状态发生变化 信号和音圈电动机的停止状态，当所述电源信号的值低于参考信号的值时，其频率等于所述参考信号的频率。

公开(公告)号：US20140062430A1

公开(公告)日：2014-03-06

申请号：US14014896

申请日：2013-08-30

Applicant: STMicroelectronics S.r.I.

Inventor： Osvaldo Enrico Zambetti ,  Daniele Giorgetti ,  Alessandro Zafarana

IPC: G05F1/10

CPC classification number: G05F1/10 ,  H02M3/1584 ,  H02M2001/0032 ,  H02M2003/1566 ,  Y02B70/16

Abstract: In a multi-phase power supply voltage regulator functioning at a nominal switching frequency, one or more phases are kept off for optimizing energy efficiency at relatively low load conditions. Reactivation of stand-by phases in response to a load increase transient is made more efficiently by exploiting information already present in the output voltage control loop. The technique comprises a) deriving from the control loop information on the equivalent nominal switching frequency given by the product of the nominal switching frequency by the number of active phases; b) updating at every beat of a clock signal the instantaneous value of the equivalent switching frequency; c) determining the band of equivalent switching frequency values to which the instantaneous value belongs; d) logically combining the equivalent switching frequency information with a determined band of output current level, for switching on one or more stand-by phases in response to a load increase transient.

Abstract translation: 在标称开关频率下工作的多相电源电压调节器中，一个或多个相位被保持关闭，以在相对低的负载条件下优化能量效率。 通过利用已经存在于输出电压控制回路中的信息，更有效地重新启动响应于负载增加瞬态的待机阶段。 该技术包括：a）从控制环路得出关于由标称开关频率乘积给出的等效标称开关频率与有效相位数的信息; b）在时钟信号的每个节拍上更新等效开关频率的瞬时值; c）确定瞬时值所属的等效开关频率值的频带; d）将等效开关频率信息与确定的输出电流电平的频带进行逻辑组合，以响应于负载增加瞬态来接通一个或多个待机阶段。

公开(公告)号：US20130301950A1

公开(公告)日：2013-11-14

申请号：US13869665

申请日：2013-04-24

Applicant: STMicroelectronics S.r.I.

Inventor： Mario Vigliar ,  Gian Domenico Licciardo

IPC: G06T5/50

CPC classification number: G06T5/50 ,  G06T1/20 ,  G06T5/003

Abstract: A hardware architecture is applied to the calculation of a Difference-of-Gaussian filter, which is typically employed in image processing algorithms. The architecture has a modular structure to easily allow the matching of the desired delay/area ratio as well as a high computational accuracy. A new solution is provided for the implementation of multiply-accumulators which allows a significant reduction of area with respect to the conventional architectures.

Abstract translation: 硬件架构被应用于高斯差分滤波器的计算，该滤波器通常用于图像处理算法中。 该架构具有模块化结构，可以容易地匹配所需的延迟/面积比以及高计算精度。 为实现多重累加器提供了一种新的解决方案，其允许相对于常规架构的面积显着减小。

公开(公告)号：US20130285056A1

公开(公告)日：2013-10-31

申请号：US13869124

申请日：2013-04-24

Applicant: STMICROELECTRONICS S.R.I.

Inventor： Alberto PAGANI ,  Federico Giovanni ZIGLIOLI

IPC: H01L21/02 ,  H01L23/544

CPC classification number: H01L21/02 ,  H01L22/14 ,  H01L23/544 ,  H01L24/03 ,  H01L24/05 ,  H01L24/13 ,  H01L24/16 ,  H01L24/45 ,  H01L24/48 ,  H01L24/94 ,  H01L24/98 ,  H01L25/0657 ,  H01L2224/02145 ,  H01L2224/0215 ,  H01L2224/02185 ,  H01L2224/022 ,  H01L2224/02215 ,  H01L2224/037 ,  H01L2224/03849 ,  H01L2224/0401 ,  H01L2224/04042 ,  H01L2224/04073 ,  H01L2224/05006 ,  H01L2224/05082 ,  H01L2224/05124 ,  H01L2224/05144 ,  H01L2224/05147 ,  H01L2224/05155 ,  H01L2224/05164 ,  H01L2224/05169 ,  H01L2224/05601 ,  H01L2224/05609 ,  H01L2224/05611 ,  H01L2224/05618 ,  H01L2224/05644 ,  H01L2224/05681 ,  H01L2224/13025 ,  H01L2224/131 ,  H01L2224/16147 ,  H01L2224/45099 ,  H01L2224/48453 ,  H01L2224/48463 ,  H01L2224/81203 ,  H01L2224/81205 ,  H01L2224/81375 ,  H01L2224/81815 ,  H01L2224/81895 ,  H01L2224/85375 ,  H01L2224/85805 ,  H01L2224/94 ,  H01L2225/06513 ,  H01L2924/00011 ,  H01L2924/00014 ,  H01L2924/0132 ,  H01L2924/01322 ,  H01L2924/12042 ,  H01L2924/141 ,  H01L2924/143 ,  H01L2924/1461 ,  H01L2924/351 ,  H01L2924/01079 ,  H01L2924/0103 ,  H01L2924/0105 ,  H01L2924/01047 ,  H01L2924/01029 ,  H01L2924/05442 ,  H01L2224/81 ,  H01L2924/01073 ,  H01L2924/00 ,  H01L2224/81805

Abstract: A semiconductor structure includes at least a semiconductor body, a delimiting structure delimiting a cup-shaped recess in the body and a conductive region in the recess. The conductive region is made of a low-melting-temperature material, having a melting temperature lower than that of the materials forming the delimiting structure.

Abstract translation: 半导体结构至少包括半导体本体，限定本体中的杯形凹部的限定结构和凹部中的导电区域。 导电区域由低熔点材料制成，其熔点低于形成限定结构的材料的熔融温度。

公开(公告)号：US20130279751A1

公开(公告)日：2013-10-24

申请号：US13869639

申请日：2013-04-24

Applicant: STMICROELECTRONICS S.R.I.

Inventor： Arcangelo Ranieri Bruna ,  Danilo Pietro Pau

IPC: G06K9/62

Abstract: Apparatus and methods to unwarp at least portions of distorted, electronically-captured images are described. Keypoints, instead of an entire image, may be unwarped and used in various machine-vision algorithms, such as object recognition, image matching, and 3D reconstruction algorithms. When using unwarped keypoints, the machine-vision algorithms may perform reliably irrespective of distortions that may be introduced by one or more image capture systems.

Abstract translation: 描述了至少部分失真的电子捕获图像的装置和方法。 关键点，而不是整个图像，可能被不必要地使用在各种机器视觉算法，如对象识别，图像匹配和3D重建算法。 当使用不相关的关键点时，机器视觉算法可以可靠地执行，而不管可能由一个或多个图像捕获系统引入的失真。

公开(公告)号：US20130256661A1

公开(公告)日：2013-10-03

申请号：US13855321

申请日：2013-04-02

Applicant: STMICROELECTRONICS S.R.I.

Inventor： Alberto PAGANI

IPC: H01L21/66 ,  H01L21/768

CPC classification number: H01L22/34 ,  H01L21/743 ,  H01L21/76898 ,  H01L22/14

Abstract: An embodiment of a process for manufacturing a system for electrical testing of a through via extending in a vertical direction through a substrate of semiconductor material envisages integrating an electrical testing circuit in the body to enable detection of at least one electrical parameter of the through via through a microelectronic buried structure defining an electrical path between electrical-connection elements towards the outside and a buried end of the through via; the integration step envisages providing a trench and forming a doped buried region at the bottom of the trench, having a doping opposite to that of the substrate so as to form a semiconductor junction, defining the electrical path when it is forward biased; in particular, the semiconductor junction has a junction area smaller than the area of a surface of the conductive region in a horizontal plane transverse to the vertical direction, in such a way as to have a reduced reverse saturation current.

Abstract translation: 用于制造用于沿垂直方向延伸穿过半导体材料的基底的通孔的电测试的系统的实施例设想将身体中的电测试电路集成以使得能够检测穿通通孔的至少一个电参数 微电子掩埋结构，其限定朝向外部的电连接元件和通孔的埋入端之间的电路径; 集成步骤设想提供沟槽并在沟槽的底部形成掺杂的掩埋区域，其具有与衬底的掺杂相反的掺杂，以便形成半导体结，当正向偏置时限定电路径; 特别地，半导体结具有比横向于垂直方向的水平面中的导电区域的表面的面积小的结面积，使得具有减小的反向饱和电流。

公开(公告)号：US20130239686A1

公开(公告)日：2013-09-19

申请号：US13888170

申请日：2013-05-06

Applicant: STMICROELECTRONICS S.R.I.

Inventor： Gabriele Cazzaniga ,  Luca Coronato ,  Barbara Simoni

IPC: G01P15/125 ,  G01P15/02

CPC classification number: G01P15/125 ,  G01C19/5712 ,  G01C19/5755 ,  G01C19/5769 ,  G01P15/02 ,  G01P2015/0831

Abstract: A MEMS detection structure is provided with: a substrate having a top surface, on which a first fixed-electrode arrangement is set; a sensing mass, extending in a plane and suspended above the substrate and above the first fixed-electrode arrangement at a separation distance; and connection elastic elements that support the sensing mass so that it is free to rotate out of the plane about an axis of rotation, modifying the separation distance, as a function of a quantity to be detected along an axis orthogonal to the plane. The MEMS detection structure also includes: a coupling mass, suspended above the substrate and connected to the sensing mass via the connection elastic elements; and an anchoring arrangement, which anchors the coupling mass to the substrate with a first point of constraint, set at a distance from the axis of rotation and in a position corresponding to the first fixed-electrode arrangement.

Abstract translation: MEMS检测结构设置有：具有顶表面的基板，其上设置有第一固定电极布置; 感测质量块，在平面内延伸并悬挂在衬底上方，并以分隔距离悬挂在第一固定电极装置上方; 以及连接弹性元件，其支撑感测质量，使得其可以围绕旋转轴线自由地旋转离开平面，根据沿着与该平面垂直的轴线被检测的量来修改分离距离。 MEMS检测结构还包括：耦合质量块，悬挂在衬底上并通过连接弹性元件连接到感测质量块; 以及锚定装置，其将耦合质量块固定到具有第一限制点的衬底上，该第一约束点设置在距旋转轴线一定距离处，并且位于对应于第一固定电极装置的位置。