Hillcrest Labs invented Freespace motion-control technology and the first motion-controlled remote for television

Television

Television is a telecommunication medium for transmitting and receiving moving images that can be monochrome or colored, with accompanying sound...

. Freespace allows users to control image

Image

An image is an artifact, for example a two-dimensional picture, that has a similar appearance to some subject—usually a physical object or a person.-Characteristics:...

s on a screen by using natural motions, allowing for a new way of interacting with television content. It is currently used in several products, such as the Magic Wand motion-sensing remotes that come with some of LG Electronics’ televisions. Other licensees of Freespace include Logitech, Sony’s videogame division, Universal Electronics and Zillion TV Hillcrest also invented the first graphical zoomable interface for television and Kylo, the first Web browser optimized for television. Hillcrest is based in Rockville, Maryland

Rockville, Maryland

Rockville is the county seat of Montgomery County, Maryland, United States. It is a major incorporated city in the central part of Montgomery County and forms part of the Baltimore-Washington Metropolitan Area. The 2010 U.S...

.

History

Founded in 2001 as Hillcrest Communications, the company changed its name to Hillcrest Laboratories in 2005. Founder Dan Simpkins, who had previously founded SALIX technologies, recognized that television content was becoming increasingly difficult to navigate, and he wanted to make it easier. Hillcrest developed Freespace motion sensing technology, which translates a user’s gestures into screen motion. This allows a remote control to operate as a mouse for the television. The company also developed a graphical, zoomable interface for television content. Early investors included Grotech Ventures, New Enterprise Associates and Columbia Capital.

Timeline

In 2006, Hillcrest introduced its first products: the Loop pointer and the HoME television navigation system, with a graphical, zoomable interface.

In 2007, Logitech licensed Hillcrest’s technology for the MX Air, a mouse that could be used in the air.

In 2008, Hillcrest licensed its technology to Kodak, for the Kodak Theatre HD Player and Pointer Remote. Also in 2008, Universal Electronics and Texas Instruments licensed Freespace for use in remote controls.

In 2009, Hillcrest released the Loop pointer for sale directly to consumers. PC World Magazine named The Loop pointer one of the “top 100 products of the year” and one of the “greatest tech designs ever.” Also in 2009, Nintendo

Nintendo

is a multinational corporation located in Kyoto, Japan. Founded on September 23, 1889 by Fusajiro Yamauchi, it produced handmade hanafuda cards. By 1963, the company had tried several small niche businesses, such as a cab company and a love hotel....

 and Hillcrest settled a patent infringement lawsuit that Hillcrest had brought. Terms of the settlement were not disclosed.

In 2010, Hillcrest released the Kylo browser, a free Web browser for Windows and Mac OSX, optimized for viewing on a TV screen. Hulu blocked users of Kylo from accessing the site. Hillcrest released a new version that worked with Hulu, and Hulu blocked it again. Also in 2010, LG came out with the Magic Motion remote, which used Hillcrest’s technology to allow users to change channels with gestures.

In 2011, Hillcrest raised new funding from NEA, AllianceBernstein, Columbia Capital, and Grotech Ventures.

Technology and current products

Freespace Motion Control Technology

Freespace Motion Control Technology combines intelligent motion algorithms with MEMS accelerometers, gyroscopes and other sensors to translate natural motions into cursor movement. The software compensates for human tremor and inadvertent movement, consistently generating intended cursor movement.

The Freespace MotionEngine software is embedded in the Roku 2 Big Game Remote, released in 2011, which uses Freespace to control Roku’s streaming players. Freespace is also used by LG for its Smart TVs and Magic Motion Remote. The Logitech MX Air Mouse uses Freespace, and Popular Mechanics called this mouse the “best pointer we’ve tried.” Another Freespace-enabled product is the Universal Electronics remote control.

The Loop pointer

The Loop pointer, enabled by Hillcrest’s Freespace technology, is like a mouse for television. Replacing the traditional 50-button remote control, the Loop senses the viewer’s wrist movements and translates the gestures into onscreen movement. It has four buttons and a scroll wheel. The Loop uses radio waves to communicate with a USB antenna connected to a computer that is also connected to the television, so it doesn’t need to be pointed at the PC, or even have a direct line of sight.

The Scoop pointer

The Scoop pointer is a Freespace enabled in-air mouse that is lighter and newer than the Loop. It has nine programmable buttons and a scroll wheel.

Kylo Web browser

Kylo is a free Web browser that is optimized for the TV screen with a 10-foot user interface

10-foot user interface

In computing a 10-foot user interface is a software GUI designed for display on a large television with interaction using a regular television-style remote control."10 foot" refers to the fact that the GUI's...

. It has large fonts and buttons, and an onscreen keyboard. The Kylo browser was released in March of 2010, and is available for Windows and Mac OSX.

Awards

• CES Best of Innovations in the video accessories category (2006)
• Popular Mechanics Editors Choice (2007)
• The Gazette of Politics and Business 25 CEOs You Need to Know (2008)

• Washington Smart CEO Future 50 (2009)
• PC World Top 100 (2009)
• CES Innovations Design and Engineering Award Honoree (2010, 2011, 2012)