Patents by Inventor Charles W. K. Gritton
Charles W. K. Gritton 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).
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Patent number: 8432358Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: April 17, 2012Date of Patent: April 30, 2013Assignee: Hillcrest Laboratories, Inc.Inventors: Frank A. Hunleth, Negar Moshiri, William J. Napier, Daniel S. Simpkins, Frank J. Wroblewski, Kevin Conroy, Charles W. K. Gritton
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Patent number: 8412748Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: April 1, 2012Date of Patent: April 2, 2013Assignee: Hillcrest Laboratories, Inc.Inventors: Bruce Israel, III, Charles W. K. Gritton, Frank A. Hunleth, Stephen Scheirey, Daniel S. Simpkins, Ryan Stoner, Yizhong Wang
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Patent number: 8407022Abstract: A bias value associated with a sensor, e.g., a time-varying, non-zero value which is output from a sensor when it is motionless, is estimated using at least two, different bias estimating techniques. A resultant combined or selected bias estimate may then be used to compensate the biased output of the sensor in, e.g., a 3D pointing device.Type: GrantFiled: December 17, 2010Date of Patent: March 26, 2013Assignee: Hillcrest Laboratories, Inc.Inventors: Hua Sheng, Matthew G. Liberty, Christopher D. Roller, Charles W. K. Gritton
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Publication number: 20120287351Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: April 16, 2012Publication date: November 15, 2012Applicant: HILLCREST LABORATORIES, INC.Inventors: Steven FRANCZ, Daniel S. SIMPKINS, Frank J. WROBLEWSKI, Friedrich GECK, Negar MOSHIRI, Charles W.K. GRITTON, Arvind Kumar GUPTA
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Publication number: 20120204210Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: April 17, 2012Publication date: August 9, 2012Applicant: Hillcrest Laboratories, Inc.Inventors: Frank A. HUNLETH, Negar MOSHIRI, William J. NAPIER, Daniel S. SIMPKINS, Frank J. WROBLEWSKI, Kevin CONROY, Charles W.K. GRITTON
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Publication number: 20120203624Abstract: Systems and methods provide techniques for associating advertisements with relevant content on a user interface.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 23, 2012Publication date: August 9, 2012Applicant: HILLCREST LABORATORIES, INC.Inventors: Chistian M. CURTIS, Charles W.K. GRITTON
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Publication number: 20120185492Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: April 1, 2012Publication date: July 19, 2012Applicant: HILLCREST LABORATORIES, INC.Inventors: Bruce Israel, Charles W.K. Gritton, Frank A. Hunleth, Stephen Scheirey, Daniel S. Simpkins, Ryan Stoner, Yizhong Wang
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Publication number: 20120154449Abstract: A visual whiteboard can be provided as an application, or component of a TV internet browser, for operation on a smart TV. The visual whiteboard provides a lightweight social networking mechanism, e.g., for groups who have physical access to the same smart TV. Content identifiers or other group information can be posted to the visual whiteboard by the authorized users for subsequent display on the corresponding smart TV.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 15, 2011Publication date: June 21, 2012Applicant: HILLCREST LABORATORIES, INC.Inventors: Daniel Bloomfield RAMAGEM, Charles W.K. GRITTON, Negar MOSHIRI, Stephen SCHEIREY, William A. ROUADY, Daniel S. SIMPKINS
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Patent number: 8180672Abstract: Systems and methods provide techniques for associating advertisements with relevant content on a user interface. A method for placing advertisements on a user interface includes providing a user interface having a plurality of user interface screens, at least some of the plurality of user interface screens containing user-selectable control objects, and determining which of a plurality of advertisements to display on a user interface screen based on at least one of the following criteria: topical relevance, contextual relevance, path relevance and cognitive prominence.Type: GrantFiled: February 16, 2007Date of Patent: May 15, 2012Assignee: Hillcrest Laboratories, Inc.Inventors: Christian M. Curtis, Charles W. K. Gritton
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Patent number: 8169405Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: November 22, 2010Date of Patent: May 1, 2012Assignee: Hillcrest Laboratories, Inc.Inventors: Frank A. Hunleth, Negar Moshiri, William J. Napier, Daniel S. Simpkins, Frank J. Wroblewski, Kevin Conroy, Charles W. K. Gritton
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Patent number: 8161082Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: February 16, 2009Date of Patent: April 17, 2012Assignee: Hillcrest Laboratories, Inc.Inventors: Bruce Israel, Charles W. K. Gritton, Frank A. Hunleth, Stephen Scheirey, Daniel S. Simpkins, Ryan Stoner, Yizhong Wang
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Publication number: 20120030613Abstract: In one aspect, a widget mechanism for zooming and panning a content item is provided. The widget mechanism includes a first region including a miniaturized and complete version the content item. The widget mechanism further includes a second region including a displayed version of the content item. The displayed version represents a portion of the content item currently displayed on a display. The widget mechanism further includes a third region including a to be displayed version of the content item. The to be displayed version represents a portion of the content item to be displayed on the display upon actuation. The second region is smaller than and within the first region when the content item is zoomed and the second region is coextensive or substantially coextensive with the first region when the content item is fully not zoomed. The third region is adjustable within the first region.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 6, 2010Publication date: February 2, 2012Applicant: HILLCREST LABORATORIES, INC.Inventors: Negar Moshiri, Charles W. K. Gritton, Daniel S. Simpkins, Tom Pixley
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Publication number: 20110095979Abstract: A bias value associated with a sensor, e.g., a time-varying, non-zero value which is output from a sensor when it is motionless, is estimated using at least two, different bias estimating techniques. A resultant combined or selected bias estimate may then be used to compensate the biased output of the sensor in, e.g., a 3D pointing device.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 17, 2010Publication date: April 28, 2011Applicant: HILLCREST LABORATORIES, INC.Inventors: Hua SHENG, Matthew G. LIBERTY, Christopher D. ROLLER, Charles W.K. GRITTON
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Publication number: 20110067068Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: November 22, 2010Publication date: March 17, 2011Applicant: HILLCREST LABORATORIES, INC.Inventors: Frank A. HUNLETH, Negar MOSHIRI, William J. NAPIER, Daniel S. SIMPKINS, Frank J. Wroblewski, Kevin CONROY, Charles W.K. GRITTON
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Patent number: 7860676Abstract: A bias value associated with a sensor, e.g., a time-varying, non-zero value which is output from a sensor when it is motionless, is estimated using at least two, different bias estimating techniques. A resultant combined or selected bias estimate may then be used to compensate the biased output of the sensor in, e.g., a 3D pointing device.Type: GrantFiled: June 27, 2008Date of Patent: December 28, 2010Assignee: Hillcrest Laboratories, Inc.Inventors: Hua Sheng, Matthew G. Liberty, Christopher D. Roller, Charles W. K. Gritton
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Patent number: 7839385Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: February 14, 2006Date of Patent: November 23, 2010Assignee: Hillcrest Laboratories, Inc.Inventors: Frank A. Hunleth, Negar Moshiri, William J. Napier, Daniel S. Simpkins, Frank J. Wroblewski, Kevin Conroy, Charles W. K. Gritton
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Publication number: 20100086022Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: December 9, 2009Publication date: April 8, 2010Applicant: HILLCREST LABORATORIES, INC.Inventors: Frank A. Hunleth, Charles W.K. Gritton, Kevin M. Conroy, Ryan Stoner
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Patent number: 7634793Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: June 3, 2005Date of Patent: December 15, 2009Assignee: Hillcrest Laboratories, Inc.Inventors: Frank A. Hunleth, Charles W. K. Gritton, Kevin M. Conroy, Ryan Stoner
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Publication number: 20090183200Abstract: Systems and methods according to exemplary embodiments provide systems and methods for augmenting the capabilities of a client device. The client device can be augmented by a device which has additional processing and memory capability to perform additional functions such as, for example, the translation of desired media into a format usable by the client device.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 7, 2009Publication date: July 16, 2009Inventors: Charles W.K. Gritton, Frank A. Hunleth, Stephen Scheirey
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Publication number: 20090150735Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: February 16, 2009Publication date: June 11, 2009Inventors: Bruce ISRAEL, Charles W.K. GRITTON, Frank A. HUNLETH, Stephen SCHEIREY, Daniel S. SIMPKINS, Ryan STONER, Yizhong WANG