Patents by Inventor Kearson M. McNulty

Kearson M. McNulty 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: 20260119201
    Abstract: Systems and methods support docking of an Information Handling System (IHS) to a docking station. A docking connection is detected from the IHS to a docking station that provides use of peripheral devices that are coupled to the docking station. However, the docking station is determined to be unrecognized such that it is not associated with a docking profile in a library of docking profiles available to the IHS. A docking profile is generated, such as bey a remote docking support service, for use of the docking station according to known preferences of a user of the IHS. The generated docking profile is adjusted based on the library of docking profiles, where the adjustments migrate user preferences from one or more of the docking profiles to the generated docking profile.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 25, 2024
    Publication date: April 30, 2026
    Applicant: Dell Products L.P.
    Inventors: Trent A. Buys, Kearson M. McNulty, Cherian Samuel Mathews
  • Publication number: 20260122440
    Abstract: An Information Handling System (IHS) provides audio spatial notifications through an audio environment agent. The agent identifies microphones and audio playback devices, creating sensitivity and range profiles. Diagnostic sound waves identify acoustic characteristics such as occlusions, distortions, and echoes. The system automatically alters speaker outputs to modify audio within the environment, optimizing spatial separation for notifications. The method includes executing an operating system with the agent, identifying audio components, and producing diagnostic sound waves. The system modifies audio signals to create acoustic separation between notifications and other audio content, enhancing user awareness of notification sources.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 30, 2024
    Publication date: April 30, 2026
    Applicant: Dell Products L.P.
    Inventors: Kearson M. Mcnulty, David Allen Dyson, Walter Kemp
  • Publication number: 20260119112
    Abstract: An agent application tracks a physical presence status of the user with respect to an information handling system (IHS) and also tracks a use status of a headset or other wearable audio device. The agent application may initialize or change audio input settings and audio output settings based on at least the two statuses.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 25, 2024
    Publication date: April 30, 2026
    Applicant: Dell Products L.P.
    Inventors: Kearson M. McNulty, Walter Kemp, Kai Wang
  • Publication number: 20260119190
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for dynamically assigning keyboard scan codes during the manufacturing process of an Information Handling System (IHS). The method involves loading an operating system onto the IHS, utilizing a diagnostic tool to read customer order data, and determining appropriate keyboard scan code settings based on the order data and operating system requirements. The default BIOS scan codes are then modified to align with these settings, enabling the use of a generic keyboard to support multiple configurations and ensuring all keys have defined functions relevant to the operating system and customer preferences.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 31, 2024
    Publication date: April 30, 2026
    Applicant: Dell Products L.P.
    Inventors: Jimmy L. Griffith, Kearson M. Mcnulty, Walter Kemp
  • Publication number: 20260119411
    Abstract: Systems and methods support docking of an Information Handling System (IHS) to a docking station. A default docking connection of the IHS to the docking station is detected, the connection providing use peripheral devices coupled to the docking station. Respective identities of the docking station and of the peripheral devices are determined. The respective identities are used to query a remote docking support service for a complete set of capabilities of the docking station and of the peripheral devices. Unused capabilities of the docking station or of the peripheral devices are identified that are supported by the IHS. The default docking connection is modified by configuring the IHS to utilize at least a portion of the unused capabilities of docking station or of the peripheral devices coupled to the docking station.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 25, 2024
    Publication date: April 30, 2026
    Applicant: Dell Products L.P.
    Inventors: Kearson M. McNulty, Trent A. Buys, Cherian Samuel Mathews
  • Publication number: 20260119185
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for dynamic switching of keyboard scan codes in an Information Handling System (IHS) is disclosed. The system includes an embedded controller (EC) interfacing with a BIOS to manage scan codes, a bootloader for setting keycodes based on boot menu items, and an operating system agent for adjusting scan codes according to the OS context. The method allows for manual and automatic remapping of keys, ensuring compatibility across different operating systems and enhancing user control over keyboard functionality. This approach addresses mismatched OS and keyboard layouts, improving productivity and user satisfaction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 30, 2024
    Publication date: April 30, 2026
    Applicant: Dell Products L.P.
    Inventors: Kearson M. Mcnulty, Walter Kemp, Suraj M Varma
  • Patent number: 12615259
    Abstract: Systems and methods provide Information Handling Systems (IHSs) that are restricted to communications with a plurality of allowed network resources. An IHS detects a request for access to a network resource. Upon detecting the request, the IHS identifies a factory-provisioned network address that is stored by the IHS and that specifies a location of an adaptive allow list that specifies a listing of the allowed network resources to which the IHS is restricted. The adaptive allow list is loaded from the factory-provisioned network address and used to reject the request for access to the network resource when the network resource is not in the listing of allowed network resources from the adaptive allow list. Through modifications to the adaptive allow lists, administrators can modify the network resource that may be accessed by the IHS.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 2023
    Date of Patent: April 28, 2026
    Assignee: Dell Products L.P.
    Inventors: Walter Kemp, Kearson M. McNulty, Harpreet Narula
  • Publication number: 20260111065
    Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for powering an Information Handling System (IHS). Two or more power sources are identified that are available for providing power to the IHS, with the available power sources ranked with a highest ranked (e.g., “greenest”) of the power sources designated as a most preferred power source and the lowest ranked designated as a least preferred power source. A power forecast for the IHS is determined and one or more time windows during the power forecast are identified during which the highest ranked of the plurality of power sources is available. Power draws by the IHS are then scheduled from the highest ranked of the power sources during the identified one or more time windows. Iterate to a next ranked power source, time windows are identified in the remaining power forecast intervals during which the next ranked power source is available.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 22, 2024
    Publication date: April 23, 2026
    Applicant: Dell Products L.P.
    Inventors: Kearson M. McNulty, Suraj M Varma, Marcus Daniel Molner
  • Publication number: 20260111068
    Abstract: Methods and systems include operation of an Information Handling System (IHS) that supports user defined battery life for charge stored in one or more rechargeable batteries of the IHS. A request by a user of the IHS is detected for operation of the IHS for a first duration using only power from the rechargeable batteries. In response, use of the power stored in the rechargeable batteries is configured such that the life of the rechargeable batteries is at least as long as the first duration specified by the user.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 22, 2024
    Publication date: April 23, 2026
    Applicant: Dell Products L.P.
    Inventors: Suraj M Varma, Kearson M. McNulty, Marcus Daniel Molner
  • Patent number: 12608213
    Abstract: Systems and methods for providing a secure motherboard replacement are described. In some embodiments, an Information Handling System (IHS) may include a processor and a memory coupled to the processor, the memory having program instructions that, upon execution, cause the IHS to, when a replacement motherboard is booted for the first time, attach to a device that stores one or more BIOS entitlements associated with the IHS, configure a BIOS on the replacement motherboard with the BIOS entitlements, and complete booting of the IHS into a normal mode of operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2024
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2026
    Assignee: Dell Products L.P.
    Inventors: Kearson M. McNulty, Marcus Daniel Molner, Jimmy L. Griffith, Trent A. Buys, David Allen Dyson, Suraj M Varma, Walter Kemp
  • Publication number: 20260077264
    Abstract: Systems and methods for intelligent Human Interface Devices (HIDs) for gaming. In some embodiments, an HID may include a processor; and a memory coupled to the processor, the memory having program instructions stored thereon that, upon execution, cause the processor to: process raw user input via a selected gaming Artificial Intelligence (AI) model to produce processed user input; and transmit the processed user input to an Information Handling System (IHS) coupled to the HID during a gaming session.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 16, 2024
    Publication date: March 19, 2026
    Applicant: Dell Products L.P.
    Inventors: Kearson M. McNulty, Walter Kemp, Trent A. Buys
  • Publication number: 20260079585
    Abstract: Systems and methods for intelligent Human Interface Device (HID) operations. In some embodiments, a keyboard may include a processor; and a memory coupled to the processor, the memory having program instructions stored thereon that, upon execution, cause the processor to: process raw user input based, at least in part, upon a writing style Artificial Intelligence (AI) model, to produce processed user input; and transmit the processed user input to an Information Handling System (IHS) coupled to the keyboard.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 16, 2024
    Publication date: March 19, 2026
    Applicant: Dell Products L.P.
    Inventors: Walter Kemp, Kearson M. McNulty, Kai Wang
  • Patent number: 12578806
    Abstract: Systems and methods for intelligent Human Interface Device (HID) operations. In some embodiments, a keyboard may include a processor; and a memory coupled to the processor, the memory having program instructions stored thereon that, upon execution, cause the processor to: process raw user input based, at least in part, upon a writing style Artificial Intelligence (AI) model, to produce processed user input; and transmit the processed user input to an Information Handling System (IHS) coupled to the keyboard.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 2024
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2026
    Assignee: Dell Products L.P.
    Inventors: Walter Kemp, Kearson M. McNulty, Kai Wang
  • Publication number: 20260072807
    Abstract: Systems and methods for intelligent Human Interface Devices (HIDs). In some embodiments, an HID may include a processor and a memory coupled to the processor, the memory having program instructions stored thereon that, upon execution, cause the HID to: receive data from a sensor coupled to the processor; and transmit an indication of an input received by the processor to an Information Handling System (IHS) coupled to the HID in response to a determination, by the processor, that the data matches a biometric profile.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 6, 2024
    Publication date: March 12, 2026
    Applicant: Dell Products L.P.
    Inventors: Walter Kemp, Kearson M. McNulty, Marcus Daniel Molner
  • Publication number: 20260037271
    Abstract: Systems and methods for providing a secure motherboard replacement are described. In some embodiments, an Information Handling System (IHS) may include a processor and a memory coupled to the processor, the memory having program instructions that, upon execution, cause the IHS to, when a replacement motherboard is booted for the first time, attach to a device that stores one or more BIOS entitlements associated with the IHS, configure a BIOS on the replacement motherboard with the BIOS entitlements, and complete booting of the IHS into a normal mode of operation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 30, 2024
    Publication date: February 5, 2026
    Applicant: Dell Products L.P.
    Inventors: Kearson M. McNulty, Marcus Daniel Molner, Jimmy L. Griffith, Trent A. Buys, David Allen Dyson, Suraj M Varma, Walter Kemp
  • Publication number: 20260030012
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure provide a software updating system and method that updates software in IHSs while in transit or while in storage to keep the software images up to date with the latest fixes and security patches. According to one embodiment, an Information Handling System (IHS) includes executable instructions to, after manufacture of a target computing device and before end user access to the target computing device, communicate with a vendor support site to identify a version of software on the target computing device, download the version of software from the vendor support site, and communicate with the target computing device to install the version of software on the target computing device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 29, 2024
    Publication date: January 29, 2026
    Applicant: Dell Products L.P.
    Inventors: Marcus Daniel Molner, Suraj M Varma, Kearson M. McNulty, Walter Kemp, Trent A. Buys, Jimmy L. Griffith, David Allen Dyson
  • Publication number: 20260030578
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure provide an Information Handling System (IHS) productivity optimization system that may be used to optimize an IHS during its early lifecycle. According to one embodiment, an Information Handling System (IHS) includes executable instructions to create a temporary workspace for the end user, and as the IHS is being configured for use by the end user, provide the workspace for use by the user on the IHS. When the configuration of the IHS is completed, the instructions begin providing the IHS for use by the user.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 29, 2024
    Publication date: January 29, 2026
    Applicant: Dell Products L.P.
    Inventors: Kearson M. McNulty, Marcus Daniel Molner, Jimmy L. Griffith, Trent A. Buys, David Allen Dyson, Suraj M Varma, Walter Kemp
  • Publication number: 20260031995
    Abstract: Systems and methods for providing a Basic Input/Output System (BIOS) password retention system that may be used for motherboard replacement are disclosed. According to one embodiment, an Information Handling System (IHS) includes computer-executable instructions to, when a replacement motherboard is booted on the HIS, obtain An encrypted BIOS password associated with a previous motherboard that has been removed from the IHS, configure the BIOS password on the replacement motherboard without providing a clear text version of the BIOS pw, and complete booting of the IHS into a normal mode of operation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 23, 2024
    Publication date: January 29, 2026
    Applicant: Dell Products L.P.
    Inventors: Kearson M. McNulty, Walter Kemp, Marcus Daniel Molner
  • Publication number: 20260023572
    Abstract: Systems and methods for providing a BIOS entitlement retention system that may be used for motherboard replacement using a QR code. According to one embodiment, an Information Handling System (IHS) includes computer-executable instructions to, when a replacement motherboard is booted for the first time, retrieve, from a QR code, one or more Basic Input/Output System (BIOS) entitlements associated with the IHS, configure a BIOS on the replacement motherboard using the BIOS entitlements, and complete booting of the IHS into a normal mode of operation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 19, 2024
    Publication date: January 22, 2026
    Applicant: Dell Products L.P.
    Inventors: Marcus Daniel Molner, Kearson M. McNulty, Trent A. Buys
  • Publication number: 20260023923
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure provide a template engine that configures the applications and services in an IHS (e.g., computing device) using parameters that have different namespace scopes or organizational origins. According to one embodiment, the template engine is stored in a memory and executed by a processor to receive a data structure associated with an application, wherein the data structure comprises at least one custom parameter for the application, generate an answer file using the template file, and using the answer file, custom configure the application on a target computing device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 18, 2024
    Publication date: January 22, 2026
    Applicant: Dell Products L.P.
    Inventors: Walter Kemp, Kearson M. McNulty, Jimmy L. Griffith