Patents Assigned to Hillcrest Laboratories, Inc.
  • Patent number: 7236156
    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: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 26, 2007
    Assignee: Hillcrest Laboratories, Inc.
    Inventors: Matthew G. Liberty, Christopher D. Roller, Daniel S. Simpkins, Charles W. K. Gritton
  • Publication number: 20070124097
    Abstract: Systems and methods according to the present invention address these needs and others by providing a system for calibrating a sensor using a constant vector field.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 27, 2006
    Publication date: May 31, 2007
    Applicant: Hillcrest Laboratories, Inc.
    Inventors: Friedrich Geck, Matthew Liberty, Mark Turner
  • Publication number: 20070113207
    Abstract: Systems and methods according to the present invention provide the ability for a system to realize when a handheld device is performing a gesture and to execute the associated command.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 16, 2006
    Publication date: May 17, 2007
    Applicant: Hillcrest Laboratories, Inc.
    Inventor: Charles Gritton
  • Publication number: 20070091068
    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: December 18, 2006
    Publication date: April 26, 2007
    Applicant: Hillcrest Laboratories, Inc.
    Inventor: Matthew Liberty
  • Publication number: 20070067798
    Abstract: Systems and methods according to the present invention address these needs and others by providing systems and devices for user interfaces that employ user interface objects.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 16, 2006
    Publication date: March 22, 2007
    Applicant: Hillcrest Laboratories, Inc.
    Inventor: Frank Wroblewski
  • Publication number: 20070035518
    Abstract: A remote control device, e.g., a 3D pointing device, has a ring-shaped or arcuate-shaped housing and at least one sensor mounted within the housing for sensing movement of said remote control device. The housing is adapted to promote a user's arm, hand and wrist to be substantially in a neutral position when the user is holding the remote control device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 3, 2006
    Publication date: February 15, 2007
    Applicant: Hillcrest Laboratories, Inc.
    Inventors: Steven Francz, Daniel Simpkins, Frank Wroblewski, Friedrich Geck, Negar Moshiri, Charles Gritton, Arvind Gupta
  • Patent number: 7158118
    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: May 2, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2007
    Assignee: Hillcrest Laboratories, Inc.
    Inventor: Matthew G. Liberty
  • Publication number: 20060262116
    Abstract: Systems and methods according to the present invention provide a user interface for interacting with user interface (UI) objects including global navigation objects.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 19, 2006
    Publication date: November 23, 2006
    Applicant: Hillcrest Laboratories, Inc.
    Inventors: Negar Moshiri, Frank Wroblewski, William Napier, Frank Hunleth, Jason Witenstein-Weaver
  • Patent number: 7139983
    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: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 2001
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2006
    Assignee: Hillcrest Laboratories, Inc.
    Inventor: Brett R. Kelts
  • Publication number: 20060250358
    Abstract: Systems and methods according to the present invention address these needs and others by providing a structure for navigating in a GUI with a handheld device, e.g., a 3D pointing device, which incorporates buttons and a scroll wheel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 4, 2006
    Publication date: November 9, 2006
    Applicant: Hillcrest Laboratories, Inc.
    Inventor: Frank Wroblewski
  • Publication number: 20060218587
    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: May 11, 2006
    Publication date: September 28, 2006
    Applicant: Hillcrest Laboratories, Inc.
    Inventor: Brett Kelts
  • Publication number: 20060218588
    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: May 11, 2006
    Publication date: September 28, 2006
    Applicant: Hillcrest Laboratories, Inc.
    Inventor: Brett Kelts
  • Publication number: 20060184966
    Abstract: Systems and methods according to the present invention provide a control framework for organizing, selecting and launching media items including graphical user interfaces coupled with an optional 3D control device for collection of the basic control primitives of point, click, scroll, hover and zoom which permit for easy and rapid selection of media items, e.g., movies, songs etc., from large or small collections. The remote control maps natural hand movements and gestures into relevant commands while the graphical display uses images, zooming for increased/decreased levels of detail and continuity of GUI objects to provide easy organization, selection and navigation among the media items by a user.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 14, 2006
    Publication date: August 17, 2006
    Applicant: Hillcrest Laboratories, Inc.
    Inventors: Frank Hunleth, Negar Moshiri, William Napier, Daniel Simpkins, Frank Wroblewski, Kevin Conroy, Charles Gritton
  • Publication number: 20060178212
    Abstract: A gaming system comprises a handheld user input device, a processor for receiving input data from the handheld user input device and a gaming application for receiving data from the processor based on the received input data from the handheld user input device. The handheld user input device emulates one of a plurality of different devices associated with the gaming application. Each of the plurality of different devices have a set of input commands associated therewith. The set of input commands associated with the one of a plurality of different devices includes a command based on one of motion and orientation of the handheld device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 23, 2005
    Publication date: August 10, 2006
    Applicant: Hillcrest Laboratories, Inc.
    Inventor: Arno Penzias
  • Publication number: 20060176403
    Abstract: Systems and methods according to the present invention provide software constructs (bricks) usable to create zoomable user interfaces. Bricks provide for parameterized variation of graphical displays, are reusuable and cascade across different scenes in the user interface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 5, 2006
    Publication date: August 10, 2006
    Applicant: Hillcrest Laboratories, Inc.
    Inventors: Charles Gritton, Dave Aufderheide, Kevin Conroy, Neel Goyal, Frank Hunleth, Stephen Scheirey, Daniel Simpkins
  • Publication number: 20060150215
    Abstract: Systems and methods according to the present invention provide layout structures and methods for user interfaces.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 5, 2006
    Publication date: July 6, 2006
    Applicant: Hillcrest Laboratories, Inc.
    Inventor: Frank Wroblewski
  • Publication number: 20060130013
    Abstract: Methods and systems for improving the security of devices to prevent unauthorized access to designs and software code are described.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 10, 2005
    Publication date: June 15, 2006
    Applicant: Hillcrest Laboratories, Inc.
    Inventors: Arno Penzias, Charles Gritton
  • Publication number: 20050283798
    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: June 3, 2005
    Publication date: December 22, 2005
    Applicant: Hillcrest Laboratories, Inc.
    Inventors: Frank Hunleth, Charles Gritton, Kevin Conroy, Ryan Stoner
  • Patent number: D527006
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2006
    Assignee: Hillcrest Laboratories, Inc.
    Inventors: Steven Francz, Friedrich Geck
  • Patent number: D528510
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 19, 2006
    Assignee: Hillcrest Laboratories, Inc.
    Inventors: Gerd Schmieta, Gretchen Wustrack, Dirk Ahlgrim