Patents Assigned to Hillcrest Laboratories, Inc.
  • Patent number: 7719261
    Abstract: Systems and methods according to exemplary embodiments address, among other features, the area of calibrating a sensor using a constant vector field. In one exemplary embodiment, a method for calibrating a sensor includes the steps of placing the sensor in a cube, rotating the cube between a plurality of different orientations, collecting at least one reading from the sensor from each of the plurality of different orientations and calibrating the sensor using the collected readings.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 27, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 18, 2010
    Assignee: Hillcrest Laboratories, Inc.
    Inventors: Friedrich Geck, Matthew G. Liberty, Mark Turner
  • Publication number: 20100086022
    Abstract: Exemplary embodiments of the present invention provide methods and systems for communicating and processing data in communication networks, e.g., cable networks and/or interactive television networks. Selective use of different data streams and encoding techniques enable sophisticated user interfaces to be generated on client devices having varying processing capabilities. MPEG encoding techniques have reduced complexity to enable better response time to user requests. Specialized user interface features, such as hoverzooming, are enabled.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 9, 2009
    Publication date: April 8, 2010
    Applicant: HILLCREST LABORATORIES, INC.
    Inventors: Frank A. Hunleth, Charles W.K. Gritton, Kevin M. Conroy, Ryan Stoner
  • Patent number: 7634793
    Abstract: Exemplary embodiments of the present invention provide methods and systems for communicating and processing data in communication networks, e.g., cable networks and/or interactive television networks. Selective use of different data streams and encoding techniques enable sophisticated user interfaces to be generated on client devices having varying processing capabilities. MPEG encoding techniques have reduced complexity to enable better response time to user requests. Specialized user interface features, such as hoverzooming, are enabled.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 15, 2009
    Assignee: Hillcrest Laboratories, Inc.
    Inventors: Frank A. Hunleth, Charles W. K. Gritton, Kevin M. Conroy, Ryan Stoner
  • Patent number: 7535456
    Abstract: Systems and methods according to the present invention describe 3D pointing devices and methods which detect movement of the 3D pointing device and remove unintentional movement from the output readings.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 19, 2009
    Assignee: Hillcrest Laboratories, Inc.
    Inventors: Matthew G. Liberty, Frank A. Hunleth
  • Patent number: 7493341
    Abstract: Exemplary embodiments of the present invention provide methods and systems for supplying rich multimedia metadata usable to generate, e.g., sophisticated entertainment user interfaces in the home. These methods and systems can be implemented as a server-based software application that feeds multiple, diverse clients. The server functionality could be distributed, even co-located physically with one or more clients, or centralized. The server aggregates, filters, validates, augments and links metadata from disparate sources. The server transforms the metadata into a more manageable and extensible internal format. The server communicates with client devices using a schema-independent protocol, providing metadata in the appropriate format that suites the clients needs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 17, 2009
    Assignee: Hillcrest Laboratories, Inc.
    Inventors: Bruce Israel, Charles W. K. Gritton, Frank A. Hunleth, Stephen Scheirey, Daniel S. Simpkins, Ryan Stoner, Yizhong Wang
  • Patent number: 7489299
    Abstract: Systems and methods according to the present invention address these needs and others by providing a 3D pointing device and methods for 3D pointing which provide accurate translation of movement of the 3D pointing device into user interface commands, e.g., cursor movement. According to exemplary embodiments of the present invention, a 3D pointing device includes a plurality of accelerometers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 10, 2009
    Assignee: Hillcrest Laboratories, Inc.
    Inventors: Matthew G. Liberty, Daniel S. Simpkins
  • Patent number: 7489298
    Abstract: Systems and methods according to the present invention address these needs and others by providing a handheld device, e.g., a 3D pointing device, which uses at least one sensor to detect motion of the handheld device. The detected motion can then be mapped into a desired output, e.g., cursor movement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 10, 2009
    Assignee: Hillcrest Laboratories, Inc.
    Inventors: Matthew G. Liberty, Daniel S. Simpkins, Charles W. K. Gritton, Mark Turner, Frank A. Hunleth
  • Patent number: 7484184
    Abstract: A method for actuating a button on a graphical user interface (GUI) is disclosed. The method includes navigating a graphical cursor corresponding to an input device onto the button, activating a fence around a border of the button if the navigation occurs via a pre-defined portion of the border and navigating the graphical cursor away from the button via a pre-defined area of the button.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 27, 2009
    Assignee: Hillcrest Laboratories, Inc.
    Inventor: Frank J. Wroblewski
  • Patent number: 7478247
    Abstract: Methods and systems for improving the security of devices to prevent unauthorized access to designs and software code are described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 13, 2009
    Assignee: Hillcrest Laboratories, Inc.
    Inventors: Arno Penzias, Charles W. K. Gritton
  • Publication number: 20080291163
    Abstract: Systems and methods according to the present invention describe 3D pointing devices which enhance usability by transforming sensed motion data from a first frame of reference (e.g., the body of the 3D pointing device) into a second frame of reference (e.g., a user's frame of reference). One exemplary embodiment of the present invention removes effects associated with a tilt orientation in which the 3D pointing device is held by a user.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 8, 2008
    Publication date: November 27, 2008
    Applicant: Hillcrest Laboratories, Inc.
    Inventor: Matthew G. LIBERTY
  • Publication number: 20080222675
    Abstract: Systems and methods according to the present invention provide a user interface for television control functionality.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 24, 2007
    Publication date: September 11, 2008
    Applicant: Hillcrest Laboratories, Inc.
    Inventors: Negar Moshiri, Frank J. Wroblewski, William J. Napier, Frank A. Hunleth, Daniel S. Simpkins, Kevin M. Conroy, Peter Wood, Neel Goyal, Jason Witenstein-Weaver, Adam Mark, Scott Anthony Stanchfield
  • Patent number: 7414611
    Abstract: Systems and methods according to the present invention describe 3D pointing devices which enhance usability by transforming sensed motion data from a first frame of reference (e.g., the body of the 3D pointing device) into a second frame of reference (e.g., a user's frame of reference). One exemplary embodiment of the present invention removes effects associated with a tilt orientation in which the 3D pointing device is held by a user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 19, 2008
    Assignee: Hillcrest Laboratories, Inc.
    Inventor: Matthew G. Liberty
  • Publication number: 20080158155
    Abstract: Systems and methods according to the present invention address these needs and others by providing a handheld device, e.g., a 3D pointing device, which uses hand tremor as an input. One or more sensors within the handheld device detect a user's hand tremor and identify the user based on the detected tremor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 21, 2007
    Publication date: July 3, 2008
    Applicant: Hillcrest Laboratories, Inc.
    Inventors: Matthew G. Liberty, Christopher D. Roller, Daniel S. Simpkins, Charles W.K. Gritton
  • Publication number: 20080158154
    Abstract: Systems and methods according to the present invention address these needs and others by providing a handheld device, e.g., a 3D pointing device, which uses at least one sensor to detect motion of the handheld device. The detected motion can then be mapped into a desired output, e.g., cursor movement.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 20, 2007
    Publication date: July 3, 2008
    Applicant: Hillcrest Laboratories, Inc.
    Inventors: Matthew G. Liberty, Daniel S. Simpkins, Charles W.K. Gritton, Mark Turner, Frank A. Hunleth
  • Patent number: 7386806
    Abstract: Systems and methods according to the present invention provide layout structures and methods for user interfaces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 5, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 10, 2008
    Assignee: Hillcrest Laboratories, Inc.
    Inventor: Frank J. Wroblewski
  • Publication number: 20080082927
    Abstract: A navigation interface display system generates a navigation element that organizes television programming data in an easy-to-use manner. The navigation element employs a hierarchical display protocol for a plurality of selection items that represent the various television programs, channels, and/or networks. The hierarchical display scheme displays a limited number of active selection items at a first magnification level and additional active selection items at a second magnification level. In addition, the selection items are displayed on distinctive areas or features of the navigation element, where such features represent different content genres or categories. Subcategories can also be displayed in a hierarchical manner, thus providing additional information related to the content as the magnification level of the navigation element changes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 31, 2007
    Publication date: April 3, 2008
    Applicant: Hillcrest Laboratories, Inc.
    Inventor: Brett Kelts
  • Publication number: 20080063381
    Abstract: Systems and methods according to the present invention provide a user interface for digital video recording (DVR) functionality.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 24, 2007
    Publication date: March 13, 2008
    Applicant: Hillcrest Laboratories, Inc.
    Inventors: Kevin Conroy, Negar Moshiri, Jason Witenstein-Weaver
  • Patent number: D586331
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 10, 2009
    Assignee: Hillcrest Laboratories, Inc.
    Inventors: Steven Francz, Friedrich Geck
  • Patent number: D589521
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2009
    Assignee: Hillcrest Laboratories, Inc.
    Inventors: William J. Napier, Negar Moshiri, Frank A. Hunleth
  • Patent number: D620925
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 3, 2010
    Assignee: Hillcrest Laboratories, Inc.
    Inventors: Friedrich G. Geck, Lauren M. Rathmann