IP Library Granted Patent US 12,645,517
Granted Patent B2
US 12,645,517 · App. 18/350,181 · Granted Jun 2, 2026

Device and method for determining the status of a used electronic device

Inventors: Robert James Norton, Jr. (Raleigh, NC); Justin Ringuette (Cary, NC); Sandy Collins (Durham, NC); Kevin W. Beck (Raleigh, NC)
Assignee: LENOVO (SINGAPORE) PTE. LTD.
G06F11/008
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 12,645,517
App. No.
18/350,181
Granted
Jun 2, 2026
Kind
B2
Abstract

A system for determining the status of an electronic device is provided that can include a diagnostic device having a memory to store executable instructions and one or more processors. When implementing the executable instructions, the one or more processors are configured to, in response to coupling to an electronic device, communicate diagnostic code to the electronic device related to a boot sequence of the electronic device and configure the electronic device with the diagnostic code to dynamically adjust the boot sequence of the electronic device to provide a secure output mode. The one or more processors can be also configured to receive a diagnostic state of the electronic device while operating in the secure output mode and communicate the diagnostic state to a user.

Claims (38)

1 . A system for determining the status of an electronic device comprising:

a diagnostic device having a memory to store executable instructions and one or more processors, when implementing the executable instructions, to:

in response to coupling to an electronic device, communicate diagnostic code to the electronic device related to a boot sequence of the electronic device;

prevent any boot sequence including the boot sequence;

force the electronic device into a secure output mode wherein only a diagnostic state of hardware and software of the electronic device are accessed and communicated;

receive the diagnostic state of the hardware and the software while operating in the secure output mode; and

communicate the diagnostic state to a user.

2 . The system of claim 1 , wherein the diagnostic state of the electronic device includes a last known diagnostic state of software of the electronic device.

3 . The system of claim 1 , wherein the diagnostic state of the electronic device includes a last known diagnostic state of hardware of the electronic device.

4 . The system of claim 1 , wherein the boot sequence is a basic input/output system boot sequence.

5 . The system of claim 1 , wherein to communicate the diagnostic state includes actuating an output device of the diagnostic device to provide an output.

6 . The system of claim 5 , wherein the output device is at least one of a light source, light emitting diode, or a speaker.

7 . The system of claim 5 , wherein the output includes a series of sounds, or a light pattern.

8 . The system of claim 1 , wherein the diagnostic device is portable and has a body with a communication port extending therefrom, and the communication port is configured to couple to the electronic device.

9 . The system of claim 1 , wherein to configure the electronic device with the diagnostic code to dynamically adjust the boot sequence of the electronic device to provide a secure output mode instead of the boot sequence includes preventing the boot sequence and forcing the system into the secure output mode.

10 . A method, comprising:

under control of one or more processors including program instructions to:

in response to coupling to an electronic device, communicate, from a diagnostic device, diagnostic code to the electronic device related to a boot sequence of the electronic device;

prevent any boot sequence including the boot sequence;

force the electronic device into a secure output mode wherein only a diagnostic state of hardware and software of the electronic device are accessed and communicated;

receive the diagnostic state of the hardware and the software while operating in the secure output mode; and

communicate the diagnostic state to a user.

11 . The method of claim 10 , wherein the diagnostic state of the electronic device includes a last known diagnostic state of software of the electronic device.

12 . The method of claim 10 , wherein the diagnostic state of the electronic device includes a last know diagnostic state of hardware of the electronic device.

13 . The method of claim 10 , wherein to communicate the diagnostic state includes actuating an output device of the diagnostic device to provide an output.

14 . A system for determining the status of an electronic device comprising:

a diagnostic device having a memory to store executable instructions and one or more processors, when implementing the executable instructions, to:

in response to coupling to an electronic device, communicate diagnostic code to the electronic device related to a boot sequence of the electronic device;

prevent any boot sequence including the boot sequence;

force the electronic device into a secure output mode wherein only a diagnostic state of hardware and software of the electronic device are accessed and communicated;

receive a diagnostic state of the hardware and the software while operating in the secure output mode, the diagnostic state including at least a last known diagnostic state of software of the electronic device, last known diagnostic state of hardware of the electronic device, or a last known state of the electronic device that is recorded and updated upon a shutdown process; and

communicate the diagnostic state to a user.

15 . The system of claim 14 , wherein the boot sequence is a basic input/output system boot sequence.

16 . The system of claim 14 , wherein to communicate the diagnostic state includes actuating an output device of the diagnostic device to provide an output.

17 . The system of claim 16 , wherein the output device is at least one of a light source, light emitting diode, or a speaker.

18 . The system of claim 16 , wherein the output includes a series of sounds, or a light pattern.

19 . The system of claim 14 , wherein the diagnostic device is portable and has a body with a communication port extending therefrom.

20 . The system of claim 19 , wherein the communication port is configured to couple to the electronic device.

Assignments (2)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Oct 17, 2023
From: LENOVO (UNITED STATES) INC.
To: LENOVO (SINGAPORE) PTE. LTD.
Reel/Frame 065256/0382 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Jul 11, 2023
From: NORTON, ROBERT JAMES, JR.; RINGUETTE, JUSTIN; COLLINS, SANDY; BECK, KEVIN W.
To: LENOVO (UNITED STATES) INC.
Reel/Frame 064211/0907 →
Continuity (1)
Related Publication 20250021416A1 · Jan 16, 2025
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