Patents by Inventor Frank A. Hunleth

Frank A. Hunleth 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: 8412748
    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: April 1, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2013
    Assignee: Hillcrest Laboratories, Inc.
    Inventors: Bruce Israel, III, Charles W. K. Gritton, Frank A. Hunleth, Stephen Scheirey, Daniel S. Simpkins, Ryan Stoner, Yizhong Wang
  • Patent number: 8359545
    Abstract: Systems and methods according to the present invention provide a user interface for scrolling through lists of information on user interfaces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 22, 2013
    Assignee: Hillcrest Laboratories, Inc.
    Inventors: Tom Pixley, Dave Aufderheide, Frank Hunleth
  • Publication number: 20120307151
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for merging a plurality of video inputs resulting in a single coherent output. More specifically, in one exemplary embodiment, a device embeds alpha red green blue (ARGB) data in an RGB stream which allows for preservation of the alpha channel over the video interface link.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 28, 2011
    Publication date: December 6, 2012
    Applicant: HILLCREST LABORATORIES, INC.
    Inventor: Frank A. Hunleth
  • Publication number: 20120271711
    Abstract: Systems and methods according to exemplary embodiments provide for overlaying graphics onto a received video content and generating a composite output. The method for overlaying graphics by a first device on top of a video content includes: receiving the video content; overlaying a first graphics on top of the video content; creating a composite output of the video content and the overlaid first graphics; and transmitting the composite output to a television (TV).
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 6, 2011
    Publication date: October 25, 2012
    Applicant: HILLCREST LABORATORIES, INC.
    Inventors: Negar Moshiri, Frank A. Hunleth, Stephen Scheirey, William Rouady
  • Publication number: 20120204210
    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: April 17, 2012
    Publication date: August 9, 2012
    Applicant: 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: 8237657
    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: January 30, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2012
    Assignee: Hillcrest Laboratories, Inc.
    Inventors: Matthew G. Liberty, Frank A. Hunleth
  • Publication number: 20120185492
    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: April 1, 2012
    Publication date: July 19, 2012
    Applicant: HILLCREST LABORATORIES, INC.
    Inventors: Bruce Israel, Charles W.K. Gritton, Frank A. Hunleth, Stephen Scheirey, Daniel S. Simpkins, Ryan Stoner, Yizhong Wang
  • Publication number: 20120119995
    Abstract: Keyboardless text entry methods and systems are described. Various display tools are used in conjunction with, for example, pointing, scrolling and/or clicking actions to enter text into an interface. Once display tool is a pie widget shape, another display tool uses a box like shape containing other box like shapes which are scaled according to a propationate chance of containing the desirable selection.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 4, 2011
    Publication date: May 17, 2012
    Applicant: HILLCREST COMMUNICATIONS, INC.
    Inventors: Frank A. HUNLETH, Frank J. WROBLEWSKI, Daniel S. SIMPKINS
  • Patent number: 8169405
    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: November 22, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2012
    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: 8161082
    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: February 16, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2012
    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: 8046705
    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: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2011
    Assignee: Hillcrest Laboratories, Inc.
    Inventors: Frank A. Hunleth, Negar Moshiri, William J. Napier, Daniel S. Simpkins, Frank J. Wroblewski
  • Publication number: 20110231484
    Abstract: Inputs toward a TV Internet Browser are selectively remapped to enable proper operation of the browser. For example, back commands can be remapped into escape commands when the browser is displaying content using a FLASH or SILVERLIGHT plug-in module.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 22, 2011
    Publication date: September 22, 2011
    Applicant: HILLCREST LABORATORIES, INC.
    Inventors: John Townsend BURGESS, III, Neel GOYAL, Frank A. HUNLETH
  • Publication number: 20110219395
    Abstract: Systems and methods according to the present invention provide a user interface for television control functionality.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 20, 2011
    Publication date: September 8, 2011
    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
  • Publication number: 20110067068
    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: November 22, 2010
    Publication date: March 17, 2011
    Applicant: 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: 7839385
    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: February 14, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 23, 2010
    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: 7834849
    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: January 5, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 16, 2010
    Assignee: Hillcrest Laboratories, Inc.
    Inventors: Frank A. Hunleth, Negar Moshiri, William J. Napier, Daniel S. Simpkins, Frank J. Wroblewski
  • 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
  • Publication number: 20090183200
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: January 7, 2009
    Publication date: July 16, 2009
    Inventors: Charles W.K. Gritton, Frank A. Hunleth, Stephen Scheirey
  • Publication number: 20090150735
    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: February 16, 2009
    Publication date: June 11, 2009
    Inventors: Bruce ISRAEL, Charles W.K. GRITTON, Frank A. HUNLETH, Stephen SCHEIREY, Daniel S. SIMPKINS, Ryan STONER, Yizhong WANG