Patents by Inventor Merle Jackson Wood

Merle Jackson Wood 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: 20230352941
    Abstract: A method and system for supplying power at a voltage selected from a plurality of voltages. Power is initially received at a first voltage. Embodiments communicate with an AC adapter to get device identification and see if the AC adapter supports other voltages. If so, embodiments communicate with the AC adapter to get more information about the adapter and identify what voltages the adapter is capable of providing. If one of the voltages would allow an information handling system to operate more efficiently, embodiments negotiate a power supply contract to operate at a second voltage. When the information handling system powers down, the system resets to operation at the initial voltage.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 28, 2022
    Publication date: November 2, 2023
    Inventors: Wei-Cheng Yu, Merle Jackson Wood, Tsung-Cheng Liao, Chin-Jui Liu, Andrew Thomas Sultenfuss, Chi Che Wu
  • Publication number: 20230128943
    Abstract: Described are computer implemented methods, a system and a power supply amplifier (PSA) that supports compliance testing of the PSA. The power supplies power to a powered device/information handling system. A voltage of synchronous rectifier (SR) gate is measured and compared to a calculated sense voltage at a sense resistor of the PSA. If the sense voltage is zero, received current of the PSA bypasses a first blocking MOSFET and a second blocking MOSFET for over voltage protection. If the sense voltage is not zero, the received current passes through the first blocking MOSFET.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 26, 2021
    Publication date: April 27, 2023
    Applicant: Dell Products L.P.
    Inventors: Wei Cheng Yu, Merle Jackson Wood, III, Geroncio Ong Tan, Chi Che Wu
  • Patent number: 11599149
    Abstract: Systems and method are provided in which docking stations provide power to an Information Handling System (IHS) that is coupled to the docking station and provide the IHS with access to I/O (Input/Output) devices coupled to the docking station. Docking stations include a power circuit receiving a supply of DC power from an external power source. Docking stations also include a docking port used by the docking station to supply DC power to the docked IHS. Docking stations also include an I/O port the receives a connection from an external display, where a DC power input is received via the I/O port from the coupled external display. A controller of the docking station apportions the DC power input received from the coupled external display between operations of the docking station and the DC power supplied to the IHS via the docking port.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 2021
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2023
    Assignee: Dell Products, L.P.
    Inventors: Srinivas Kamepalli, Merle Jackson Wood, III, Marcin M. Nowak
  • Publication number: 20230039167
    Abstract: Systems and method are provided in which docking stations provide power to an Information Handling System (IHS) that is coupled to the docking station and provide the IHS with access to I/O (Input/Output) devices coupled to the docking station. Docking stations include a power circuit receiving a supply of DC power from an external power source. Docking stations also include a docking port used by the docking station to supply DC power to the docked IHS. Docking stations also include an I/O port the receives a connection from an external display, where a DC power input is received via the I/O port from the coupled external display. A controller of the docking station apportions the DC power input received from the coupled external display between operations of the docking station and the DC power supplied to the IHS via the docking port.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 6, 2021
    Publication date: February 9, 2023
    Applicant: Dell Products, L.P.
    Inventors: Srinivas Kamepalli, Merle Jackson Wood, III, Marcin M. Nowak
  • Patent number: 11507140
    Abstract: A docking station according to embodiments provides power to an Information Handling System (IHS) coupled to the docking station. The docking station includes a first power circuit supporting a first power output according to a power delivery protocol limited to a first power level. The docking station also includes a second power circuit supporting a second power output for providing the input power of the docking station to the IHS. A controller of the docking station determines whether the IHS requires power using the power delivery protocol and selects the operation of the first or second power circuit. The docking station may support dual of such selectable power pathways using a docking cable joined from two individual cables, where each cable provides a separate power and/or data coupling. The docking station thus supports powering devices according to a power delivery protocol or using the input power to the docking station.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 2021
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2022
    Assignee: Dell Products, L.P.
    Inventors: Merle Jackson Wood, III, Marcin M. Nowak
  • Patent number: 11437914
    Abstract: As an example, a power supply may provide a particular voltage of multiple voltages based on a power profile provided by a universal serial bus Type C (USB-C) integrated circuit (IC) built-in to a USB-C port of a computing device. A power factor correction (PFC) converter may provide an output voltage that varies according to the power profile. The output voltage of the PFC converter may be used as an input to an inductor-inductor-capacitor (LLC) converter. The LLC converter may produce an output voltage that varies in voltage level proportionally to the PFC converter output voltage. The PFC converter may provide a voltage to the LLC converter that causes the LLC converter to provide an amount of voltage indicated in the power profile sent by the USB-C IC of the computing device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 2020
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2022
    Assignee: Dell Products L.P.
    Inventors: Wei-Cheng Yu, Merle Jackson Wood, III, Tsung-Cheng Liao, Geroncio Ong Tan, James C C Wu, Wen-Yung Chang
  • Patent number: 11372049
    Abstract: Methods, systems, and computer programs encoded on computer storage medium, for identifying, for a power source, a lookup table (LUT) that includes, for each condition of the power source, i) a maximum power (p-max) of the power source for the condition and ii) a sustained power (p-sus) of the power source for the condition; examining the LUT to define calibration triggers associated with the conditions; identifying an event that satisfies a particular calibration trigger of the calibration triggers; in response to identifying the event, creating a workload for the power source; in response to the workload, determining for a particular condition associated with the particular calibration trigger, an updated p-max value for the particular condition and an updated p-sus value of the power source for the particular condition; and updating the LUT, for the particular condition, based on the updated p-max value and the updated p-sus value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 28, 2022
    Assignee: Dell Products L.P.
    Inventors: Richard C. Thompson, Merle Jackson Wood, Mohammed K. Hijazi, Adolfo S. Montero
  • Patent number: 11334133
    Abstract: An information handling system including a processor; a battery; a charger module a voltage regulator module connected between the charger module and the processor, the voltage regulator module configured to receive power from the charger module and provide a regulated voltage to the processor; a OVP module configured to determine that the regulated voltage output from the voltage regulator module is above a first threshold, and in response, provide a first signal to the charger module to indicating that the regulated voltage is above the first threshold; a UVP module configured to determine that the charger voltage output from the charger module is below a second threshold, and in response, provide a second signal to the charger module indicating that the charger voltage is below the second threshold, wherein the charger module, in response to receiving both the first signal and the second signal, changes to an off power state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2022
    Assignee: Dell Products L.P.
    Inventors: Andy Liu, Gary Charles, Merle Jackson Wood
  • Patent number: 11301021
    Abstract: Methods, systems, and computer programs encoded on computer storage medium, for polling a battery management unit (BMU) that is coupled to a battery power source, the polling including identifying parameters associated with the battery power source and are stored by registers; determining that an AC power source is not actively providing power to the IHS; determining that the battery power source does not support dynamic battery power technology (DBPT); determining that the RSoC of the battery power source is greater than a first threshold percentage and less than a second threshold percentage; determining an updated processor peak power (PPP) value based on i) the RSOC, ii) a minimum PPP of the processor at the first threshold percentage, and iii) a maximum PPP of the processor at the second threshold percentage; and updating the registers based on the updated PPP.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2022
    Assignee: Dell Products L.P.
    Inventors: Merle Jackson Wood, Andy Liu, Jessica Chin, Adolfo S. Montero
  • Publication number: 20220026951
    Abstract: A docking station according to embodiments provides power to an Information Handling System (IHS) coupled to the docking station. The docking station includes a first power circuit supporting a first power output according to a power delivery protocol limited to a first power level. The docking station also includes a second power circuit supporting a second power output for providing the input power of the docking station to the IHS. A controller of the docking station determines whether the IHS requires power using the power delivery protocol and selects the operation of the first or second power circuit. The docking station may support dual of such selectable power pathways using a docking cable joined from two individual cables, where each cable provides a separate power and/or data coupling. The docking station thus supports powering devices according to a power delivery protocol or using the input power to the docking station.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 6, 2021
    Publication date: January 27, 2022
    Applicant: Dell Products, L.P.
    Inventors: Merle Jackson Wood, III, Marcin M. Nowak
  • Publication number: 20210333855
    Abstract: An information handling system including a processor; a battery; a charger module a voltage regulator module connected between the charger module and the processor, the voltage regulator module configured to receive power from the charger module and provide a regulated voltage to the processor; a OVP module configured to determine that the regulated voltage output from the voltage regulator module is above a first threshold, and in response, provide a first signal to the charger module to indicating that the regulated voltage is above the first threshold; a UVP module configured to determine that the charger voltage output from the charger module is below a second threshold, and in response, provide a second signal to the charger module indicating that the charger voltage is below the second threshold, wherein the charger module, in response to receiving both the first signal and the second signal, changes to an off power state.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 24, 2020
    Publication date: October 28, 2021
    Inventors: Andy Liu, Gary Charles, Merle Jackson Wood
  • Patent number: 11150698
    Abstract: A docking station according to embodiments provides power to an Information Handling System (IHS) coupled to the docking station. The docking station includes a first power circuit supporting a first power output according to a power delivery protocol limited to a first power level. The docking station also includes a second power circuit supporting a second power output for providing the input power of the docking station to the IHS. A controller of the docking station determines whether the IHS requires power using the power delivery protocol and selects the operation of the first or second power circuit. The docking station may support dual of such selectable power pathways using a docking cable joined from two individual cables, where each cable provides a separate power and/or data coupling. The docking station thus supports powering devices according to a power delivery protocol or using the input power to the docking station.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 1, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 19, 2021
    Assignee: Dell Products, L.P.
    Inventors: Merle Jackson Wood, III, Marcin M. Nowak
  • Publication number: 20210249961
    Abstract: As an example, a power supply may provide a particular voltage of multiple voltages based on a power profile provided by a universal serial bus Type C (USB-C) integrated circuit (IC) built-in to a USB-C port of a computing device. A power factor correction (PFC) converter may provide an output voltage that varies according to the power profile. The output voltage of the PFC converter may be used as an input to an inductor-inductor-capacitor (LLC) converter. The LLC converter may produce an output voltage that varies in voltage level proportionally to the PFC converter output voltage. The PFC converter may provide a voltage to the LLC converter that causes the LLC converter to provide an amount of voltage indicated in the power profile sent by the USB-C IC of the computing device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 12, 2020
    Publication date: August 12, 2021
    Inventors: WEI-CHENG YU, MERLE JACKSON WOOD, III, TSUNG-CHENG LIAO, GERONCIO ONG TAN, JAMES CC WU, WEN-YUNG CHANG
  • Patent number: 10923910
    Abstract: In accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure, an information handling system may include at least one information handling resource and a power system for delivering electrical energy to the at least one information handling resource. The power system may include a battery and a direct-current (DC) input for receiving a DC power source for delivering electrical energy to the at least one information handling resource and charging the battery. The power system may be configured to, based on at least one of an operational state the battery and a power mode of the information handling system, configure an input power draw limit via the DC input.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2021
    Assignee: Dell Products L.P.
    Inventors: Rick C. Thompson, Merle Jackson Wood, III, Mohammad Hijazi
  • Publication number: 20210026433
    Abstract: Methods, systems, and computer programs encoded on computer storage medium, for polling a battery management unit (BMU) that is coupled to a battery power source, the polling including identifying parameters associated with the battery power source and are stored by registers; determining that an AC power source is not actively providing power to the IHS; determining that the battery power source does not support dynamic battery power technology (DBPT); determining that the RSoC of the battery power source is greater than a first threshold percentage and less than a second threshold percentage; determining an updated processor peak power (PPP) value based on i) the RSOC, ii) a minimum PPP of the processor at the first threshold percentage, and iii) a maximum PPP of the processor at the second threshold percentage; and updating the registers based on the updated PPP.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 23, 2019
    Publication date: January 28, 2021
    Inventors: Merle Jackson Wood, Andy Liu, Jessica Chin, Adolfo S. Montero
  • Publication number: 20200348723
    Abstract: A docking station according to embodiments provides power to an Information Handling System (IHS) coupled to the docking station. The docking station includes a first power circuit supporting a first power output according to a power delivery protocol limited to a first power level. The docking station also includes a second power circuit supporting a second power output for providing the input power of the docking station to the IHS. A controller of the docking station determines whether the IHS requires power using the power delivery protocol and selects the operation of the first or second power circuit. The docking station may support dual of such selectable power pathways using a docking cable joined from two individual cables, where each cable provides a separate power and/or data coupling. The docking station thus supports powering devices according to a power delivery protocol or using the input power to the docking station.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 1, 2019
    Publication date: November 5, 2020
    Applicant: Dell Products, L.P.
    Inventors: Merle Jackson Wood, III, Marcin M. Nowak
  • Publication number: 20200132778
    Abstract: Methods, systems, and computer programs encoded on computer storage medium, for identifying, for a power source, a lookup table (LUT) that includes, for each condition of the power source, i) a maximum power (p-max) of the power source for the condition and ii) a sustained power (p-sus) of the power source for the condition; examining the LUT to define calibration triggers associated with the conditions; identifying an event that satisfies a particular calibration trigger of the calibration triggers; in response to identifying the event, creating a workload for the power source; in response to the workload, determining for a particular condition associated with the particular calibration trigger, an updated p-max value for the particular condition and an updated p-sus value of the power source for the particular condition; and updating the LUT, for the particular condition, based on the updated p-max value and the updated p-sus value.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 25, 2018
    Publication date: April 30, 2020
    Inventors: Richard C. Thompson, Merle Jackson Wood, Mohammed K. Hijazi, Adolfo S. Montero
  • Patent number: 10601306
    Abstract: A power supply unit for an information handling system, including a filter module configured to filter an AC voltage signal; a rectifier module to rectify the filtered AC voltage signal to generate a DC voltage signal, the DC voltage signal proportional to the AC voltage signal; a voltage regulator module configured to determine that the DC voltage signal is above a threshold voltage level, and in response, clamp the DC voltage signal such that the clamped DC voltage signal i) is not proportional to the AC voltage signal and ii) is less than the threshold voltage level; a capacitor module to average peaks voltages of the clamped DC voltage signal; and a DC/DC converter to convert the averaged DC voltage signal to a converted DC voltage signal, the converted DC voltage signal having a desired DC voltage level.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 24, 2020
    Assignee: Dell Products L.P.
    Inventors: Wei Cheng Yu, Merle Jackson Wood, III, Chung-Cheng Liao, Chi Che Wu
  • Patent number: 10531530
    Abstract: Systems and methods for controlling a power adaptor Light-Emitting Diode (LED) indicator are described. In some embodiments, a method may include: detecting a coupling of a power adaptor to a voltage source; setting a plurality of transistors in a first configuration, where the first configuration provides power an LED coupled to the power adaptor via a cable; detecting a de-coupling of the power adaptor from the voltage source; and setting the plurality of transistors in a second configuration, where the second configuration ceases to provide power to the LED.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 3, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2020
    Assignee: Dell Products, L.P.
    Inventors: Wei-Cheng Yu, Tsung-Cheng Liao, Merle Jackson Wood, III, Wen-Yung Chang
  • Publication number: 20190104586
    Abstract: Systems and methods for controlling a power adaptor Light-Emitting Diode (LED) indicator are described. In some embodiments, a method may include: detecting a coupling of a power adaptor to a voltage source; setting a plurality of transistors in a first configuration, where the first configuration provides power an LED coupled to the power adaptor via a cable; detecting a de-coupling of the power adaptor from the voltage source; and setting the plurality of transistors in a second configuration, where the second configuration ceases to provide power to the LED.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 3, 2017
    Publication date: April 4, 2019
    Applicant: Dell Products, L.P.
    Inventors: Wei-Cheng Yu, Tsung-Cheng Liao, Merle Jackson Wood, III, Wen-Yung Chang