Patents by Inventor Roy W. Stedman

Roy W. Stedman 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: 7082529
    Abstract: An information handling system (IHS) stores display characteristics information of the last display coupled to the IHS prior to a boot or suspend/resume operation. Upon receipt of a boot or resume command, time is saved by the IHS using the last display characteristics information to activate the current display if the current display characteristics information is the same as the last display characteristics information. Otherwise, the display is reinitialized which consumes more time in the boot or resume process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 2003
    Date of Patent: July 25, 2006
    Assignee: Dell Products L.P.
    Inventors: Thomas Cantwell, Geoffrey Dunlap, Joe E. Goodart, Yuan-Chang Lo, Roy W. Stedman
  • Publication number: 20040215953
    Abstract: An information handling system (IHS) stores display characteristics information of the last display coupled to the IHS prior to a boot or suspend/resume operation. Upon receipt of a boot or resume command, time is saved by the IHS using the last display characteristics information to activate the current display if the current display characteristics information is the same as the last display characteristics information. Otherwise, the display is reinitialized which consumes more time in the boot or resume process.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 25, 2003
    Publication date: October 28, 2004
    Applicant: Dell Products L.P.
    Inventors: Thomas Cantwell, Geoffrey Dunlap, Joe E. Goodart, Yuan-Chang Lo, Roy W. Stedman
  • Publication number: 20040128496
    Abstract: A method and system for automated support in a computer system. The computer system has a service button, and pressing of the service button causes a bit to be set in a register in the chip set. Setting of the bit generates an interrupt signal that is received and processed in a manner dependent on whether the computer system is in a booting state or a non-booting state. If the computer system is in a booting state, the bit is checked at a predetermined point in the booting sequence, and if set, a service application is initiated at that time. If the computer is not in a booting state, a second interrupt is generated, causing the service application to be initiated. A timer is initiated substantially with pressing of the service button, and if the service application reaches a predetermined point before the timer reaches a predetermined value, it will clear the timer. If not, the system will follow a predetermined reboot protocol.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 7, 2003
    Publication date: July 1, 2004
    Inventors: Thomas Vrhel, Gary D. Huber, Roy W. Stedman, James Van Artsdalen, Krishnamurthy Venkatramani
  • Patent number: 6606716
    Abstract: A method and system for automated support in a computer system. The computer system has a service button, and pressing of the service button causes a bit to be set in a register in the chip set. Setting of the bit generates an interrupt signal that is received and processed in a manner dependent on whether the computer system is in a booting state or a non-booting state. If the computer system is in a booting state, the bit is checked at a predetermined point in the booting sequence, and if set, a service application is initiated at that time. If the computer is not in a booting state, a second interrupt is generated, causing the service application to be initiated. A timer is initiated substantially with pressing of the service button, and if the service application reaches a predetermined point before the timer reaches a predetermined value, it will clear the timer. If not, the system will follow a predetermined reboot protocol.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 1999
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2003
    Assignee: Dell USA, L.P.
    Inventors: Thomas Vrhel, Jr., Gary D. Huber, Roy W. Stedman, James Van Artsdalen, Krishnamurthy Venkatramani
  • Patent number: 6512526
    Abstract: A computer system and method allows customization of a desktop of a user in a multiple user environment, such as a windows type operating system. Configuration files trigger a program to execute upon the invocation of the operating system by the user and install or delete elements. The program has a list associated with the program wherein if the list contains at least one element, the program checks whether the at least one element in the list has been executed on a desktop of a user; and if the elment has not been executed for the user, the program executes the at least one element. The at least one element may include custom desktop components. Configuration files may include a registry.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 1999
    Date of Patent: January 28, 2003
    Assignee: Dell USA, L.P.
    Inventors: James P. McGlothlin, Roy W. Stedman
  • Patent number: 6463515
    Abstract: System and methods for recovering memory for computer systems are disclosed. A method for recovering physical memory within a computer system having a memory device is disclosed. The method includes detecting an event associated with the system, allocating memory based upon the detected event, and accessing at least one portion of physical memory in association with the allocated memory. Upon accessing physical memory the method further includes deallocating at least one portion of physical memory, wherein the deallocated physical memory is operable to be used in association with the event.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 2000
    Date of Patent: October 8, 2002
    Assignee: Dell Products L.P.
    Inventors: Roy W. Stedman, Gary D. Huber, Thomas Vrhel, Jr.
  • Patent number: 6262726
    Abstract: A manufacturing process, computer system and method for modifying a graphical user interface and allow customization of the graphical user interface, such as a windows type operating system. Manufacturing process copies operating system, configuration files, application programs, graphical image files, and installation programs onto the computer systems nonvolatile storage device. Configuration files trigger the installation programs to execute upon the first invocation of the operating system by the user and install the custom desktop components. Configuration files may include a registry. Installation programs add graphical images related to applications or Active Desktop components. A plurality of users with separate profile and desktop layouts for each user may have each of the plurality of user's graphical user interface modified. Removal of the graphical image may following the execution of the related application or Active Desktop component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 9, 1998
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2001
    Assignee: Dell U.S.A., L.P.
    Inventors: Roy W. Stedman, James McGlothlin
  • Patent number: 5675364
    Abstract: A computer system with communication path from a display to a host system is disclosed. The display provides an on/off switch cycled indication when the display's on/off switch is cycled. The host system provides a wakeup signal to the display when the host system receives the on/off switch cycled indication to transition the display from a display power saving mode of operation to a full power mode of operation. Such a computer system advantageously provides an intuitive wakeup control function.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 1995
    Date of Patent: October 7, 1997
    Assignee: Dell USA, L.P.
    Inventors: Roy W. Stedman, Brian L. Kaisner