Patents by Inventor Ken Nicholas
Ken Nicholas 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).
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Publication number: 20240135484Abstract: An information handling system sets, in response to a power event, a discrete graphics processing unit to transmit graphics data to an external display monitor and an internal display panel. In response to determining that a hybrid graphics mode is enabled and that a video driver has been loaded, the system switches a source of the graphics data to the internal display panel from the discrete graphics processing unit to an integrated graphics processing unit while keeping the discrete graphics processing unit to provide the graphics data to the external display monitor.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 23, 2022Publication date: April 25, 2024Inventors: Ken Nicholas, Ivan Guerra, William D. Leara, Ahsan Habib
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Patent number: 11773865Abstract: A variable height fan of an information handling system includes a first fan having a first hub and a first plurality of fan blades. A second fan impeller includes a second hub and a second plurality of fan blades. The first hub slides along the second hub as the variable height fan transitions between an expanded position and a collapsed position. Interior edges of the first hub are in physical communication with exterior edges of the second hub, and the second fan impeller drives the first fan impeller through the physical communication between the interior edges of the first hub and the exterior edges of the second hub.Type: GrantFiled: July 30, 2021Date of Patent: October 3, 2023Assignee: Dell Products L.P.Inventors: Qinghong He, Jay Zill, Ken Nicholas
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Patent number: 11755518Abstract: An information handling system includes a USB-C port, first and second processors, and a USB-C power delivery controller. The first processor couples to the USB-C port utilizing a first connection type. The second processor couples to the USB-C port utilizing a second connection type. The USB-C power delivery controller includes first registers associated with the first processor and second registers associated with the second processor. The first processor utilizes the first registers to communicate with the USB-C port. The second processor utilizes the second registers to communicate with the USB-C port.Type: GrantFiled: June 28, 2021Date of Patent: September 12, 2023Assignee: Dell Products L.P.Inventors: Ken Nicholas, Marcin M. Nowak
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Patent number: 11592882Abstract: A variable fin stack for cooling components in a chassis of a portable information handling system. The variable fin stack comprises a first array of fins coupled to a first conduit and a second array of fins coupled to a second conduit. When the chassis is in a compact configuration for use in a mobile mode, fins in the second array of fins are positioned between fins in the first array of fins and the chassis maintains a form factor. When the chassis is in an expanded configuration for use in a workstation mode, the second array of fins is withdrawn from the first array of fins and the increased surface area provides increased cooling of components operating at higher power levels.Type: GrantFiled: June 5, 2020Date of Patent: February 28, 2023Assignee: Dell Products L.P.Inventors: Ken Nicholas, Qinghong He, Jay Matthew Zill
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Publication number: 20230030793Abstract: A variable height fan of an information handling system includes a first fan having a first hub and a first plurality of fan blades. A second fan impeller includes a second hub and a second plurality of fan blades. The first hub slides along the second hub as the variable height fan transitions between an expanded position and a collapsed position. Interior edges of the first hub are in physical communication with exterior edges of the second hub, and the second fan impeller drives the first fan impeller through the physical communication between the interior edges of the first hub and the exterior edges of the second hub.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 30, 2021Publication date: February 2, 2023Inventors: Qinghong He, Jay Zill, Ken Nicholas
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Publication number: 20220413857Abstract: An information handling system includes a USB-C port, first and second processors, and a USB-C power delivery controller. The first processor couples to the USB-C port utilizing a first connection type. The second processor couples to the USB-C port utilizing a second connection type. The USB-C power delivery controller includes first registers associated with the first processor and second registers associated with the second processor. The first processor utilizes the first registers to communicate with the USB-C port. The second processor utilizes the second registers to communicate with the USB-C port.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 28, 2021Publication date: December 29, 2022Inventors: Ken Nicholas, Marcin M. Nowak
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Publication number: 20220397949Abstract: An information handling system includes a USB-C port and a USB-C power delivery controller. The USB-C power delivery controller includes connection preference information, and is configured to detect that a device has been plugged into the USB-C port, determine that the device supports a first connection type and a second connection type, determine that the first connection type has a higher connection priority than the second connection type, and establish a connection between the information handling system and the device utilizing the second connection type based upon the connection preference information.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 14, 2021Publication date: December 15, 2022Inventors: Ken Nicholas, Marcin M. Nowak
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Patent number: 11513575Abstract: An information handling system includes a USB-C port and a USB-C power delivery controller. The USB-C power delivery controller includes connection preference information, and is configured to detect that a device has been plugged into the USB-C port, determine that the device supports a first connection type and a second connection type, determine that the first connection type has a higher connection priority than the second connection type, and establish a connection between the information handling system and the device utilizing the second connection type based upon the connection preference information.Type: GrantFiled: June 14, 2021Date of Patent: November 29, 2022Assignee: Dell Products L.P.Inventors: Ken Nicholas, Marcin M. Nowak
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Patent number: 11240931Abstract: An information handling system may include a processor, a memory, and a power source; a base chassis including an outer cover surface; a variable height fan including: a main shaft including a cavity formed centrally within the main shaft; a first set of fan blades operatively coupled to the main shaft; a slide shaft placed within the cavity of the main shaft where the slide shaft is operatively coupled to the main shaft to rotate with the main shaft; a second set of fan blades operatively coupled to the slide shaft; a biasing member to bias the slide shaft to extend out of the main shaft; and a contact point prominence as a rotational point interface with the slide shaft operatively coupled to the outer cover surface.Type: GrantFiled: July 16, 2020Date of Patent: February 1, 2022Assignee: Dell Products, LPInventors: Qinghong He, Jay M. Zill, Ken Nicholas
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Publication number: 20220022342Abstract: An information handling system may include a processor, a memory, and a power source; a base chassis including an outer cover surface; a variable height fan including: a main shaft including a cavity formed centrally within the main shaft; a first set of fan blades operatively coupled to the main shaft; a slide shaft placed within the cavity of the main shaft where the slide shaft is operatively coupled to the main shaft to rotate with the main shaft; a second set of fan blades operatively coupled to the slide shaft; a biasing member to bias the slide shaft to extend out of the main shaft; and a contact point prominence as a rotational point interface with the slide shaft operatively coupled to the outer cover surface.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 16, 2020Publication date: January 20, 2022Applicant: Dell Products, LPInventors: Qinghong He, Jay M. Zill, Ken Nicholas
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Publication number: 20210382532Abstract: A variable fin stack for cooling components in a chassis of a portable information handling system. The variable fin stack comprises a first array of fins coupled to a first conduit and a second array of fins coupled to a second conduit. When the chassis is in a compact configuration for use in a mobile mode, fins in the second array of fins are positioned between fins in the first array of fins and the chassis maintains a form factor. When the chassis is in an expanded configuration for use in a workstation mode, the second array of fins is withdrawn from the first array of fins and the increased surface area provides increased cooling of components operating at higher power levels.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 5, 2020Publication date: December 9, 2021Inventors: KEN NICHOLAS, QINGHONG HE, JAY MATTHEW ZILL
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Publication number: 20200031791Abstract: The present disclosure, in at least certain embodiments, is directed to shikimate (shikimic acid) analogues and compositions thereof, devices and kits which contain the shikimate analogues or compositions thereof, and methods of use of the compounds and compositions for treating and neutralizing irritant or odoriferous compounds on animate or inanimate surfaces or in atmospheres. Examples of such irritant and odoriferous compounds include urushiols from poison ivy, oak, and sumac and mercaptans of skunk spray.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 3, 2019Publication date: January 30, 2020Inventors: Lin Du, Robert Cichewicz, Ken Nicholas, Jianlan You
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Publication number: 20190038579Abstract: The present disclosure, in at least certain embodiments, is directed to shikimate (shikimic acid) analogues and compositions thereof, kits which contain the shikimate analogues or compositions thereof, and methods of use of the compounds and compositions for treating epithelial surfaces before or following exposure to irritants, allergens, and toxic agents (for example, urushiol).Type: ApplicationFiled: February 14, 2017Publication date: February 7, 2019Inventors: Lin Du, Robert Cichewicz, Ken Nicholas, Jianlan You
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Patent number: 7595796Abstract: A lifetime of a display is optimized by determining whether to control at least a portion of a display based on a lifetime metric. A plurality of display control options is identified in response to determining to control the portion of the display, and one of the display control options is selected.Type: GrantFiled: April 23, 2004Date of Patent: September 29, 2009Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.Inventors: Parthasarathy Ranganathan, William Hamburgen, Robert N. Mayo, Ken Nicholas
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Patent number: 7100062Abstract: A power management controller for conserving power in a device implementing power conservation states and a calendar-scheduler is disclosed. The calendar-scheduler records calendar-based events with associated time-of-occurrences. The controller is constructed and arranged to determine a maximum duration of time the device can remain in a reduced-power state while insuring the device can perform operations associated with a calendar-based event when that event occurs.Type: GrantFiled: January 28, 2003Date of Patent: August 29, 2006Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.Inventor: Ken Nicholas
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Publication number: 20050237319Abstract: A lifetime of a display is optimized by determining whether to control at least a portion of a display based on a lifetime metric. A plurality of display control options is identified in response to determining to control the portion of the display, and one of the display control options is selected.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 23, 2004Publication date: October 27, 2005Inventors: Parthasarathy Ranganathan, William Hamburgen, Robert Mayo, Ken Nicholas
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Publication number: 20040268003Abstract: A control circuit is adapted to receive a plurality of signals, each of the plurality of signals adapted to perform a separate respective function, and to combine the plurality of signals into a single signal adapted to perform each of the separate respective functions. For example, a device having a first type of processor is adapted to produce a plurality of signals, wherein each of the plurality of signals is produced for a different purpose, and having a circuit adapted to combine the plurality of signals into a single signal adapted to accomplish each different purpose. A coupling device is adapted to connect the device to another device, the coupling device having a connector adapted to receive the single signal but not the plurality of signals.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 24, 2003Publication date: December 30, 2004Inventor: Ken Nicholas
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Publication number: 20040148533Abstract: A power management controller for conserving power in a device implementing power conservation states and a calendar-scheduler is disclosed. The calendar-scheduler records calendar-based events with associated time-of-occurrences. The controller is constructed and arranged to determine a maximum duration of time the device can remain in a reduced-power state while insuring the device can perform operations associated with a calendar-based event when that event occurs.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 28, 2003Publication date: July 29, 2004Inventor: Ken Nicholas
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Patent number: D352128Type: GrantFiled: July 9, 1993Date of Patent: November 1, 1994Assignee: Hinkley Lighting, Inc.Inventor: Ken Nicholas