Preboot Wireless HID Pairing via Embedded Management Controller

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing computing devices require a separate dongle device for wireless HID pairing during the preboot stage, which can be lost or forgotten, causing inconvenience and limiting functionality until the OS is fully booted, and results in additional costs and waste.

Innovation Solution

Incorporating a system-on-a-chip management controller within the computing device that enables wireless HID pairing independently of the OS, allowing pairing and input functionality during the preboot stage without a dongle.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If a separate dongle device is used for wireless HID pairing during preboot stage, then wireless HID pairing is enabled, but device complexity increases and risk of device loss occurs

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvewireless HID pairing capabilityVSAvoidsystem complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the wireless HID pairing functionality into the computing device's existing management controller or chipset, eliminating the need for a separate dongle device. The management controller, which already manages system resources and boot processes, is enhanced to handle wireless HID communications directly, thereby reducing system complexity while maintaining pairing capability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The management controller is designed to perform multiple functions including system resource management, boot process control, and wireless HID pairing. By making the management controller universal and multi-functional, the patent eliminates the need for dedicated dongle devices while maintaining all necessary capabilities during preboot stage.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Ease of operation

If a separate dongle device is used for wireless HID pairing, then wireless functionality is available during preboot, but additional costs and waste are incurred

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvewireless HID accessibilityVSAvoidmaterial waste

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSLoss of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines wireless HID pairing functionality into the computing device itself, eliminating the need for separate dongle devices that would otherwise be discarded or lost. This integration reduces material waste while maintaining ease of wireless HID operation during preboot stage.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Productivity

If wireless capabilities are dependent on OS boot, then system resources are optimized, but functionality is limited during preboot stage

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesystem resource efficiencyVSAvoidpreboot functionality

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments wireless communication capabilities into two paths: one dependent on OS boot for full functionality, and another independent path through the management controller for preboot HID pairing. This segmentation allows selective activation of wireless features based on system state, maintaining resource efficiency while enabling necessary preboot functionality.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The management controller acts as an intermediary that enables wireless HID pairing during preboot stage without requiring full OS boot. It mediates between the hardware resources and HID devices, allowing limited but functional wireless communication before the operating system is fully operational.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

4Reliability

If dongle device is required for HID pairing, then pairing is possible during preboot, but user convenience decreases due to potential loss

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepairing availabilityVSAvoiduser convenience

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the pairing functionality into the computing device, eliminating the separate dongle that users could lose. The management controller handles pairing directly, ensuring reliability while improving user convenience by removing the physical accessory requirement.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Data Source

PatentUS12591436B2Dongle-less wireless human interface device (HID) pairing during data processing system in preboot

Publication Date: 2026.03.31 DELL PROD LP

AI summary

Methods and systems for managing data processing systems during a startup process of the data processing systems are disclosed. A human interface device (HID) is paired with a management controller of a data processing system instead of a dongle device is configured as a pair with the HID. No dongle devices are connected or plugged into any external-facing ports of the data processing system. The management controller includes a processor that operates separately and independently from a main processor of the data processing system that is responsible for initiating and executing a bootup sequence of the data processing system. The data processing system, while still in the startup process before an operating system (OS) of the data processing system is fully booted and operational, is controlled by the HID through the management controller instead of the non-existent dongle device.