Patents by Inventor James T. Gillon

James T. Gillon 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: 11791644
    Abstract: An information handling system includes an motion sensor, an embedded controller, and a battery charge indicator. The motion sensor detects a battery charge request, and provides a trigger signal in response to the battery charge request being detected. The embedded controller receives the trigger signal from the motion sensor, and requests a relative state of charge of a battery in response to the trigger signal. The embedded controller then receives the relative state of charge of the battery, and provides a relative state of charge indication signal. The battery charge indicator receives the relative state of charge indication signal, and outputs an indication of the relative state of charge of the battery based on relative state of charge indication signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2023
    Assignee: Dell Products L.P.
    Inventors: Geroncio O. Tan, Danilo O. Tan, Timothy C. Shaw, James T. Gillon
  • Publication number: 20210099001
    Abstract: An information handling system includes an motion sensor, an embedded controller, and a battery charge indicator. The motion sensor detects a battery charge request, and provides a trigger signal in response to the battery charge request being detected. The embedded controller receives the trigger signal from the motion sensor, and requests a relative state of charge of a battery in response to the trigger signal. The embedded controller then receives the relative state of charge of the battery, and provides a relative state of charge indication signal. The battery charge indicator receives the relative state of charge indication signal, and outputs an indication of the relative state of charge of the battery based on relative state of charge indication signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 15, 2020
    Publication date: April 1, 2021
    Inventors: Geroncio O. Tan, Danilo O. Tan, Timothy C. Shaw, James T. Gillon
  • Patent number: 10923931
    Abstract: An information handling system includes an motion sensor, an embedded controller, and a battery charge indicator. The motion sensor detects a battery charge request, and provides a trigger signal in response to the battery charge request being detected. The embedded controller receives the trigger signal from the motion sensor, and requests a relative state of charge of a battery in response to the trigger signal. The embedded controller then receives the relative state of charge of the battery, and provides a relative state of charge indication signal. The battery charge indicator receives the relative state of charge indication signal, and outputs an indication of the relative state of charge of the battery based on relative state of charge indication signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2021
    Assignee: Dell Products, L.P.
    Inventors: Geroncio O. Tan, Danilo O. Tan, Timothy C. Shaw, James T. Gillon
  • Patent number: 10789074
    Abstract: Systems and methods for providing pre-boot services in an Information Handling System (IHS) having Operating System (OS)-specific hardware and/or firmware components. In some embodiments, an IHS may include an Embedded Controller (EC), a first Operating System (OS)-specific chip coupled to the EC, and a second OS-specific chip coupled to the EC, where the EC is configured to cause the IHS to: in a first mode of operation, perform a first boot procedure using the first OS-specific chip; and in a second mode of operation, perform a second boot procedure using the second OS-specific chip.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 29, 2020
    Assignee: Dell Products, L.P.
    Inventors: Anand Prakash Joshi, Christian L. Critz, Alok Pant, James T. Gillon, Adolfo S. Montero
  • Patent number: 10747548
    Abstract: Systems and methods for manufacturing Information Handling Systems (IHSs) with Operating System (OS)-specific hardware and/or firmware components. In some embodiments, an IHS may include a first Operating System (OS)-specific chip coupled to a motherboard; and an Embedded Controller (EC) coupled to the motherboard, the EC configured to execute program instructions that cause the IHS to, in response to a user interface device having a second OS-specific chip being coupled to the IHS during manufacturing of the IHS deactivate the first OS-specific chip and activate the second OS-specific chip.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 18, 2020
    Assignee: Dell Products, L.P.
    Inventors: Bradford Edward Vier, Christian L. Critz, James T. Gillon
  • Patent number: 10739843
    Abstract: In one or more embodiments, one or more systems, methods, and/or processes may provide low power state entry signals to multiple devices of an information handling system. After providing the low power state entry signals to the multiple devices, the one or more systems, methods, and/or processes may receive a first status signal from a first device of the multiple devices within an amount of time; may determine that the first status signal from the first device was received within the amount of time; may determine that a second status signal from a second device of the multiple devices was not received within the amount of time; may log that the first status signal from the first device was received within the amount of time; and may log that the second status signal from the second device was not received within the amount of time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 11, 2020
    Assignee: Dell Products L.P.
    Inventors: Nicholas D. Grobelny, James T. Gillon, Christian L. Critz
  • Publication number: 20190356148
    Abstract: An information handling system includes an motion sensor, an embedded controller, and a battery charge indicator. The motion sensor detects a battery charge request, and provides a trigger signal in response to the battery charge request being detected. The embedded controller receives the trigger signal from the motion sensor, and requests a relative state of charge of a battery in response to the trigger signal. The embedded controller then receives the relative state of charge of the battery, and provides a relative state of charge indication signal. The battery charge indicator receives the relative state of charge indication signal, and outputs an indication of the relative state of charge of the battery based on relative state of charge indication signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 17, 2018
    Publication date: November 21, 2019
    Inventors: Geroncio O. Tan, Danilo O. Tan, Timothy C. Shaw, James T. Gillon
  • Publication number: 20190258309
    Abstract: In one or more embodiments, one or more systems, methods, and/or processes may provide low power state entry signals to multiple devices of an information handling system. After providing the low power state entry signals to the multiple devices, the one or more systems, methods, and/or processes may receive a first status signal from a first device of the multiple devices within an amount of time; may determine that the first status signal from the first device was received within the amount of time; may determine that a second status signal from a second device of the multiple devices was not received within the amount of time; may log that the first status signal from the first device was received within the amount of time; and may log that the second status signal from the second device was not received within the amount of time.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 21, 2018
    Publication date: August 22, 2019
    Inventors: Nicholas D. Grobelny, James T. Gillon, Christian L. Critz
  • Publication number: 20190243660
    Abstract: Systems and methods for providing pre-boot services in an Information Handling System (IHS) having Operating System (OS)-specific hardware and/or firmware components. In some embodiments, an IHS may include an Embedded Controller (EC), a first Operating System (OS)-specific chip coupled to the EC, and a second OS-specific chip coupled to the EC, where the EC is configured to cause the IHS to: in a first mode of operation, perform a first boot procedure using the first OS-specific chip; and in a second mode of operation, perform a second boot procedure using the second OS-specific chip.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 1, 2018
    Publication date: August 8, 2019
    Applicant: Dell Products, L.P.
    Inventors: Anand Prakash Joshi, Christian L. Critz, Alok Pant, James T. Gillon, Adolfo S. Montero
  • Publication number: 20190243657
    Abstract: Systems and methods for manufacturing Information Handling Systems (IHSs) with Operating System (OS)-specific hardware and/or firmware components. In some embodiments, an IHS may include a first Operating System (OS)-specific chip coupled to a motherboard; and an Embedded Controller (EC) coupled to the motherboard, the EC configured to execute program instructions that cause the IHS to, in response to a user interface device having a second OS-specific chip being coupled to the IHS during manufacturing of the IHS deactivate the first OS-specific chip and activate the second OS-specific chip.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 20, 2018
    Publication date: August 8, 2019
    Applicant: Dell Products, L.P.
    Inventors: Bradford Edward Vier, Christian L. Critz, James T. Gillon
  • Patent number: 10268616
    Abstract: Embodiments of systems and methods for selectively enabling and disabling protocols of a USB-C port are provided herein. According to one embodiment, a method for selectively enabling one or more protocols of a USB-C port on an information handling system (IHS) includes determining, upon system boot, if the IHS is connected via the USB-C port to a peripheral device that is authorized for use with the information handling system. If the peripheral device is not authorized for use with the IHS, the method may disable all protocols of the USB-C port. If the peripheral device is authorized for use with the IHS, the method may enable one or more protocols of the USB-C port.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2019
    Assignee: Dell Products L.P.
    Inventors: Adolfo S. Montero, James T. Gillon, Marcin M. Nowak
  • Publication number: 20190042503
    Abstract: Embodiments of systems and methods for selectively enabling and disabling protocols of a USB-C port are provided herein. According to one embodiment, a method for selectively enabling one or more protocols of a USB-C port on an information handling system (IHS) includes determining, upon system boot, if the IHS is connected via the USB-C port to a peripheral device that is authorized for use with the information handling system. If the peripheral device is not authorized for use with the IHS, the method may disable all protocols of the USB-C port.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 1, 2017
    Publication date: February 7, 2019
    Inventors: Adolfo S. Montero, James T. Gillon, Marcin M. Nowak
  • Patent number: 9984221
    Abstract: A computer-implemented method provides power to a fingerprint reader while the remaining components of the information handling system are held in a low power, non-operating state. Placement of a finger across the fingerprint reader is detected with the information handling system in the non-operating state. A fingerprint is read and a corresponding fingerprint image is generated. The fingerprint image is buffered and an embedded controller is triggered to start an authentication device having a secure storage. The fingerprint image is compared to a fingerprint template contained in the secure storage. In response to the fingerprint image matching the fingerprint template, the authentication device signals the embedded controller to activate a user authenticated wake-up cycle to provide power to the other components of the information handling system such that the information handling system activates an operating system and enters a fully powered and user authenticated, operational state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2018
    Assignee: Dell Products, L.P.
    Inventors: Daniel L. Hamlin, James T. Gillon, Christian L. Critz
  • Patent number: 9792455
    Abstract: An information handling system (IHS) performs security policy enforcement using security policy data maintained in an embedded controller, which operates within a privileged environment. The security policy data identifies security policies established for the IHS. The EC is directly connected to a number of sensors from which the EC receives sensor data and to at least one integrated functional device. The EC determines whether the received sensor data fulfills any trigger condition of a security policy. If the received sensor data does not fulfill any trigger condition of a security policy described by the security policy data, the EC continues to monitor sensors for updated sensor data. However, if the received sensor data fulfills any trigger condition of the security policy, the EC performs a security measure that involves enabling, disabling, or resetting one or more of the at least one integrated functional devices that can be disabled.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2017
    Assignee: Dell Products, L.P.
    Inventors: James T. Gillon, Ricardo L. Martinez, Flaviu Cristian Chis
  • Patent number: 9652251
    Abstract: A pre-boot diagnostic display may be controlled by an embedded controller of an information handling system. The embedded controller may generate pre-boot diagnostic content during power on self-test (POST) of the information handling system. The pre-boot diagnostic content may be displayed to a user on a primary display of the information handling system during POST and before the information handling system is booted to an operating system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 16, 2017
    Assignee: Dell Products L.P.
    Inventor: James T. Gillon
  • Publication number: 20170132400
    Abstract: A computer-implemented method provides power to a fingerprint reader while the remaining components of the information handling system are held in a low power, non-operating state. Placement of a finger across the fingerprint reader is detected with the information handling system in the non-operating state. A fingerprint is read and a corresponding fingerprint image is generated. The fingerprint image is buffered and an embedded controller is triggered to start an authentication device having a secure storage. The fingerprint image is compared to a fingerprint template contained in the secure storage. In response to the fingerprint image matching the fingerprint template, the authentication device signals the embedded controller to activate a user authenticated wake-up cycle to provide power to the other components of the information handling system such that the information handling system activates an operating system and enters a fully powered and user authenticated, operational state.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 25, 2017
    Publication date: May 11, 2017
    Inventors: DANIEL L. HAMLIN, JAMES T. GILLON, CHRISTIAN L. CRITZ
  • Patent number: 9589121
    Abstract: A computer-implemented method provides power to a fingerprint reader while the remaining components of the information handling system are held in a low power, non-operating state. Placement of a finger across the fingerprint reader is detected with the information handling system in the non-operating state. A fingerprint is read and a corresponding fingerprint image is generated. The fingerprint image is buffered and an embedded controller is triggered to start an authentication device having a secure storage. The fingerprint image is compared to a fingerprint template contained in the secure storage. In response to the fingerprint image matching the fingerprint template, the authentication device signals the embedded controller to activate a user authenticated wake-up cycle to provide power to the other components of the information handling system such that the information handling system activates an operating system and enters a fully powered and user authenticated, operational state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2017
    Assignee: Dell Products, L.P.
    Inventors: Daniel L. Hamlin, James T. Gillon, Christian L. Critz
  • Patent number: 9537822
    Abstract: An information handling system (IHS) unambiguously addresses networked devices connected by a local area network (LAN) based network interface controller (NIC) by detecting a device descriptor of LAN-based NIC, determining that the device descriptor indicates a capability for assigning a reserve media access control (MAC) address to the networked device, writing the reserve MAC address in the LAN-based NIC of the networked device, and associating the reserve MAC address with the networked device in an inventory data structure for the IHS.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2017
    Assignee: Dell Products, L.P.
    Inventors: James T. Gillon, Thomas Voor, Nicholas D. Grobelny, Nathan F. Martell
  • Publication number: 20160246987
    Abstract: An information handling system (IHS) performs security policy enforcement using security policy data maintained in an embedded controller, which operates within a privileged environment. The security policy data identifies security policies established for the IHS. The EC is directly connected to a number of sensors from which the EC receives sensor data and to at least one integrated functional device. The EC determines whether the received sensor data fulfills any trigger condition of a security policy. If the received sensor data does not fulfill any trigger condition of a security policy described by the security policy data, the EC continues to monitor sensors for updated sensor data. However, if the received sensor data fulfills any trigger condition of the security policy, the EC performs a security measure that involves enabling, disabling, or resetting one or more of the at least one integrated functional devices that can be disabled.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 5, 2016
    Publication date: August 25, 2016
    Inventors: JAMES T. GILLON, RICARDO L. MARTINEZ, FLAVIU CRISTIAN CHIS
  • Patent number: RE49226
    Abstract: An information handling system (IHS) unambiguously addresses networked devices connected by a local area network (LAN) based network interface controller (NIC) by detecting a device descriptor of LAN-based NIC, determining that the device descriptor indicates a capability for assigning a reserve media access control (MAC) address to the networked device, writing the reserve MAC address in the LAN-based NIC of the networked device, and associating the reserve MAC address with the networked device in an inventory data structure for the IHS.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2022
    Assignee: Dell Products, L.P.
    Inventors: James T. Gillon, Thomas E. Voor, Nicholas D. Grobelny, Nathan F. Martell