Patents by Inventor Daniel S. Simpkins

Daniel S. Simpkins 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).

  • Patent number: 11157091
    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: November 19, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 26, 2021
    Assignee: IDHL Holdings, Inc.
    Inventors: Matthew G. Liberty, Daniel S. Simpkins, Charles W. K. Gritton, Mark Turner, Frank A. Hunleth
  • Patent number: 10873718
    Abstract: Systems and methods for using a touch screen are provided herein. In some exemplary embodiments, the touch screen is used as a backup remote to a display and can be used as a 3D pointing device. The touch screen can be an overlay on display surface to control the display. Alternatively, the touch screen can be retractable and ejectable from the display housing. In addition, the touch screen can be wearable. Further, the touch screen can function to control one or more devices, e.g., television, set-top box, DVR, gaming consoles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 22, 2020
    Assignee: InterDigital Madison Patent Holdings, SAS
    Inventors: Daniel S. Simpkins, Charles W. K. Gritton
  • Publication number: 20200110474
    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: November 19, 2019
    Publication date: April 9, 2020
    Inventors: Matthew G. LIBERTY, Daniel S. SIMPKINS, Charles W. K. GRITTON, Mark TURNER, Frank A. HUNLETH
  • Patent number: 10545577
    Abstract: A 3D pointing device for use with a content delivery system is provided. The pointing device can operate in one of at least one of two modes: a first 3D or scrolling mode, and a second non-3D mode that can also be referred to as an up-down-left-right (UDLR) mode. The pointing device can include one or more directional sensors, to provide orientation and movement information. For either of the at least two modes, an optical finger navigation module is provided that can detect movement of a user's finger or object across its screen, and provides a predetermined threshold that must be exceeded before movement information is generated from the OFN module. The pointing device can generate scroll and UDLR commands based on the information from the orientation and movement sensors, as well as the OFN module, or can provide the information from the orientation and movement sensors to a user interface that can generate the appropriate scrolling or UDLR commands for use by the content delivery system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 5, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 28, 2020
    Assignee: IDHL Holdings, Inc.
    Inventors: Daniel S. Simpkins, Joseph Tanen
  • Patent number: 10514776
    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: January 5, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 24, 2019
    Assignee: IDHL Holdings, Inc.
    Inventors: Matthew G. Liberty, Daniel S. Simpkins, Charles W. K. Gritton, Mark Turner, Frank A. Hunleth
  • Publication number: 20180113589
    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 free space 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: December 20, 2017
    Publication date: April 26, 2018
    Inventors: Frank A. Hunleth, Daniel S. Simpkins, Charles W.K. Gritton
  • Publication number: 20170180670
    Abstract: Systems and methods for using a touch screen are provided herein. In some exemplary embodiments, the touch screen is used as a backup remote to a display and can be used as a 3D pointing device. The touch screen can be an overlay on display surface to control the display. Alternatively, the touch screen can be retractable and ejectable from the display housing. In addition, the touch screen can be wearable. Further, the touch screen can function to control one or more devices, e.g., television, set-top box, DVR, gaming consoles.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 2, 2015
    Publication date: June 22, 2017
    Inventors: Daniel S. SIMPKINS, Charles W.K. GRITTON
  • Publication number: 20170139486
    Abstract: A 3D pointing device for use with a content delivery system is provided. The pointing device can operate in one of at least one of two modes: a first 3D or scrolling mode, and a second non-3D mode that can also be referred to as an up-down-left-right (UDLR) mode. The pointing device can include one or more directional sensors, to provide orientation and movement information. For either of the at least two modes, an optical finger navigation module is provided that can detect movement of a user's finger or object across its screen, and provides a predetermined threshold that must be exceeded before movement information is generated from the OFN module. The pointing device can generate scroll and UDLR commands based on the information from the orientation and movement sensors, as well as the OFN module, or can provide the information from the orientation and movement sensors to a user interface that can generate the appropriate scrolling or UDLR commands for use by the content delivery system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 5, 2017
    Publication date: May 18, 2017
    Inventors: Daniel S. SIMPKINS, Joseph TANEN
  • Publication number: 20170108943
    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: January 5, 2017
    Publication date: April 20, 2017
    Inventors: Matthew G. LIBERTY, Daniel S. SIMPKINS, Charles W. K. GRITTON, Mark TURNER, Frank A. HUNLETH
  • Patent number: 9575570
    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: February 11, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2017
    Assignee: HILLCREST LABORATORIES, INC.
    Inventors: Matthew G. Liberty, Daniel S. Simpkins, Charles W. K. Gritton, Mark Turner, Frank A. Hunleth
  • Publication number: 20170048571
    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: Application
    Filed: October 31, 2016
    Publication date: February 16, 2017
    Inventors: Bruce ISRAEL, Charles W.K. GRITTON, Frank A. HUNLETH, Stephen SCHEIREY, Daniel S. SIMPKINS, Ryan STONER, Yizhong WANG
  • Patent number: 9571878
    Abstract: A 3D pointing device for use with a content delivery system is provided. The pointing device can operate in one of at least one of two modes: a first 3D or scrolling mode, and a second non-3D mode that can also be referred to as an up-down-left-right (UDLR) mode. The pointing device can include one or more directional sensors, to provide orientation and movement information. For either of the at least two modes, an optical finger navigation module is provided that can detect movement of a user's finger or object across its screen, and provides a predetermined threshold that must be exceeded before movement information is generated from the OFN module. The pointing device can generate scroll and UDLR commands based on the information from the orientation and movement sensors, as well as the OFN module, or can provide the information from the orientation and movement sensors to a user interface that can generate the appropriate scrolling or UDLR commands for use by the content delivery system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2017
    Assignee: HILLCREST LABORATORIES, INC.
    Inventors: Daniel S. Simpkins, Joseph Tanen
  • Patent number: 9503769
    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: December 17, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2016
    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: 9459783
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: January 6, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 4, 2016
    Assignee: HILLCREST LABORATORIES, INC.
    Inventors: Negar Moshiri, Charles W. K. Gritton, Daniel S. Simpkins, Tom Pixley
  • Patent number: 9436359
    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: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2016
    Assignee: HILLCREST LABORATORIES, INC.
    Inventors: Frank A. Hunleth, Negar Moshiri, William J. Napier, Daniel S. Simpkins, Frank J. Wroblewski, Kevin Conroy, Charles W.K. Gritton
  • Patent number: 9411428
    Abstract: A 3D pointing device includes a keyboard for character entry. In pointing mode, data from at least one motion sensor is provided, e.g., to be transmitted to a user interface for movement of a cursor. In text entry mode, data from at least one depressed key is provided, e.g., to be transmitted to a user interface for display thereon.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2016
    Assignee: HILLCREST LABORATORIES, INC.
    Inventors: Daniel S. Simpkins, Frank A. Hunleth, Kris Carter
  • Publication number: 20160188157
    Abstract: A method for navigating a pointer on a graphical user interface (GUI) includes the steps of: scrolling an input device to locate the pointer corresponding to the input device on a point of interest within the GUI, depressing an actuating button associated with the input device on the point of interest, obtaining a detailed view of the point of interest while centering the point of interest on the GUI and maintaining a position of the pointer on the point of interest.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 4, 2016
    Publication date: June 30, 2016
    Inventors: Frank A. HUNLETH, Daniel S. SIMPKINS
  • Patent number: 9377876
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 28, 2016
    Assignee: HILLCREST LABORATORIES, INC.
    Inventors: Daniel Bloomfield Ramagem, Charles W. K. Gritton, Negar Moshiri, Stephen Scheirey, William A. Rouady, Daniel S. Simpkins
  • Patent number: 9369659
    Abstract: Systems and methods according to the present invention provide a user interface for television control functionality.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2016
    Assignee: 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
  • Publication number: 20160162042
    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: February 11, 2016
    Publication date: June 9, 2016
    Inventors: Matthew G. LIBERTY, Daniel S. SIMPKINS, Charles W. K. GRITTON, Mark TURNER, Frank A. HUNLETH