Hillcrest Labs was a sensor processing technology company that developed free space
motion-control
Motion control is a sub-field of automation, encompassing the systems or sub-systems involved in moving parts of machines in a controlled manner. Motion control systems are extensively used in a variety of fields for automation purposes, includi ...
technology and the first motion-controlled remote for
television
Television (TV) is a telecommunication medium for transmitting moving images and sound. Additionally, the term can refer to a physical television set rather than the medium of transmission. Television is a mass medium for advertising, ...
.
[''The Washington Post'' May 1, 2011. Steven Overly]
As the TV market shifts, Hillcrest Labs may find its spotlight moment.
/ref> Hillcrest also invented the first graphical zoomable interface for television[''Bloomberg Businessweek''. Retrieved November 11, 2011.]
Hillcrest Laboratories, Inc.
/ref> The company, based in Rockville, Maryland
Rockville is a city in and the county seat of Montgomery County, Maryland, United States, and is part of the Washington metropolitan area. The 2020 United States census, 2020 census tabulated Rockville's population at 67,117, making it the fourth ...
, was acquired by CEVA
Ceva, the ancient Ceba, is a small Italy, Italian town in the province of Cuneo, region of Piedmont, east of Cuneo. It lies on the right bank of the Tanaro River, Tanaro on a wedge of land between that river and the Cevetta stream.
History
In th ...
in July 2019.
History
Founded in 2001 as Hillcrest Communications, the company changed its name to Hillcrest Laboratories in 2005.motion sensing
A motion detector is an electrical device that utilizes a sensor to detect nearby motion (motion detection). Such a device is often integrated as a component of a system that automatically performs a task or alerts a user of motion in an area. ...
technology, which translates a user's gestures into screen motion. This allows a remote control to operate as a mouse for the television.New Enterprise Associates
New Enterprise Associates (NEA) is an American-based venture capital firm. NEA focuses investment stages ranging from seed stage through growth stage across an array of industry sectors. With over $25 billion in committed capital, NEA is one of t ...
, and Columbia Capital.[''Techjournal South'' April 13, 2011]
Rockville-based Hillcrest Labs nabs $5.5M for motion control tech.
/ref>
Timeline
In 2006, Hillcrest introduced its first products: the Loop pointer and the Home television navigation system, with a graphical, zoomable interface.[''PC World'' October 2, 2006. Dan Tynan]
/ref>[''PC Magazine'' January 11, 2006. Jeremy Kaplan]
Anywhere, Anytime TV.
/ref>[''Cnet.com'' November 8, 2006. Michael Kanellos]
/ref>[''Popular Mechanics'' 2007. Retrieved November 11, 2011. Glen Derene]
Wii 2.0: Loop remote lets you click by gesture.
/ref>
In 2007, Logitech licensed Hillcrest's technology for the MX Air, a mouse that could be used in the air.[''Popular Mechanics'' October 1, 2009]
Logitech's MX Air Cordless Laser Mouse: Best Pointer We've Tried (with Video).
/ref>
In 2008, Hillcrest licensed its technology to Kodak
The Eastman Kodak Company, referred to simply as Kodak (), is an American public company that produces various products related to its historic basis in film photography. The company is headquartered in Rochester, New York, and is incorporated i ...
, for the Kodak Theater HD Player and Pointer Remote.[''Engadget'' January 22, 2009. Paul Miller]
Kodak's Theatre HD Player with gyro-based Pointer Remote unboxed and reviewed.
/ref>[''The Wall Street Journal'' November 26, 2008. Katherine Boehret]
Family Snapshots in the Splendor of HD.
/ref> Also in 2008, Universal Electronics
Universal Electronics Inc. (UEI) is an American smart home technology provider and manufacturer of universal remote controls, IoT devices such as voice-enabled smart home hubs, smart thermostats, home sensors; as well as a white label digital ass ...
and Texas Instruments
Texas Instruments Incorporated (TI) is an American multinational semiconductor company headquartered in Dallas, Texas. It is one of the top 10 semiconductor companies worldwide based on sales volume. The company's focus is on developing analog ...
licensed Freespace for use in remote controls.[''Electronic Design'' October 8, 2008]
Remote Controls Exploit Freespace Technology.
In 2009, Hillcrest released the Loop pointer for sale directly to consumers.[''The New York Times'' December 9, 2009. Nick Bilton]
/ref>[''U.S. News Money'' November 23, 2009. David Lagesse]
iCandy: Tech Gifts Beautiful Inside and Out.
/ref>[''Bloomberg Business Week'' June 16, 2009. Christ Albrecht]
/ref> PC World Magazine
''PC World'' (stylized as PCWorld) is a global computer magazine published monthly by IDG. Since 2013, it has been an online-only publication.
It offers advice on various aspects of PCs and related items, the Internet, and other personal tec ...
named The Loop pointer one of the “top 100 products of the year”[''PC World'' October 26, 2009]
The PC World 100: Best Products of 2009.
/ref> and one of the “greatest tech designs ever.”[''PC World'' July 13, 2009]
/ref>
In 2010, Hillcrest released the Kylo browser, a free web browser for Microsoft Windows
Windows is a Product lining, product line of Proprietary software, proprietary graphical user interface, graphical operating systems developed and marketed by Microsoft. It is grouped into families and subfamilies that cater to particular sec ...
and Mac OS
Mac operating systems were developed by Apple Inc. in a succession of two major series.
In 1984, Apple debuted the operating system that is now known as the classic Mac OS with its release of the original Macintosh System Software. The system ...
X, optimized for viewing on a TV screen.[''Macworld.com'' Mar 22, 2010. Christopher Breen]
First Look: Kylo Media Browser.
/ref> Hulu
Hulu (, ) is an American Subscription business model, subscription streaming media service owned by Disney Streaming, a subsidiary of the Disney Entertainment segment of the Walt Disney Company. It was launched on October 29, 2007, initially as ...
blocked users of Kylo from accessing the site. Hillcrest released a new version that worked with Hulu, and Hulu blocked it again.[''The Washington Post'' May 28, 2010. Rob Pegoraro]
Kylo TV-friendly browser adds Hulu workaround (update: gets blocked again).
/ref> Also in 2010, LG came out with the Magic Motion remote, which used Hillcrest's technology to allow users to change channels with gestures.AllianceBernstein
AllianceBernstein Holding L.P. (AB) is a global asset management firm providing investment management and research services worldwide to institutional, high-net-worth and Investor, retail investors.
AllianceBernstein's headquarters are located ...
, Columbia Capital, and Grotech Ventures.[''Gigaom.com'' April 13, 2011. Janko Roettgers]
Hillcrest Labs Raises $5.5M to Remake Your TV Remote.
On December 20, 2016, InterDigital
InterDigital, Inc. is an American technology research and development company that provides wireless and video technologies for mobile devices, networks, and services worldwide. Founded in 1972, InterDigital is listed on the Nasdaq and is include ...
announced the acquisition of Hillcrest Labs.
In January 2018, Hillcrest Labs launched its FSP200 processor.
On July 22, 2019, CEVA announced the acquisition of Hillcrest Labs.
Technology and products
Freespace Motion Control Technology
Freespace Motion Control Technology combined motion algorithms with MEMS accelerometer
An accelerometer is a device that measures the proper acceleration of an object. Proper acceleration is the acceleration (the rate of change (mathematics), rate of change of velocity) of the object relative to an observer who is in free fall (tha ...
s, gyroscope
A gyroscope (from Ancient Greek γῦρος ''gŷros'', "round" and σκοπέω ''skopéō'', "to look") is a device used for measuring or maintaining Orientation (geometry), orientation and angular velocity. It is a spinning wheel or disc in ...
s, and other sensors to translate physical motions into cursor movement. The software compensates for human tremor and inadvertent movement, generating natural cursor movement.[''TechJournal South'' January 7, 2008]
Hillcrest Labs rings up $25M D round.
/ref>[''Electronic Design'' September 8, 2011. William Wong]
Natural User Interface Employs Sensor Integration.
/ref>[''Cable & Satellite International'' September/October, 2011. Stephen Cousins]
A view to a thrill.
The Freespace Motion Engine software was embedded in the Roku 2 "game remote", released in 2011, which uses Freespace to control Roku's streaming players.Logitech
Logitech International S.A. ( ) is a Swiss multinational manufacturer of computer peripherals and software. Headquartered in Lausanne, Switzerland, the company has offices throughout Europe, Asia, Oceania, and the Americas. It is a component of ...
MX Air Mouse uses Freespace, and Popular Mechanics called this mouse the “best pointer we’ve tried.”image
An image or picture is a visual representation. An image can be Two-dimensional space, two-dimensional, such as a drawing, painting, or photograph, or Three-dimensional space, three-dimensional, such as a carving or sculpture. Images may be di ...
s on a screen by using intuitive motions, allowing for a more natural method of interacting with television content compared to directional pads. It is currently used in several products, such as the Magic Motion motion-sensing remote controls that come with some of LG Electronics’ televisions.[''The Wall Street Journal'' August 25, 2010. Nick Wingfield]
Hillcrest Sees More Movement from TV, Game Companies.
/ref>[''Engadget.com'' August 26, 2010. Tim Stevens]
Hillcrest Labs brings LG's Magic Motion remote to life, cheekily points out that Sony uses it, too.
[''PC Magazine'' August 26, 2010. Mark Hachman]
Hillcrest Wireless Mouse Coming to LG TVs, Sony Gaming.
/ref> Other licensees of Freespace include Logitech, Sony
is a Japanese multinational conglomerate (company), conglomerate headquartered at Sony City in Minato, Tokyo, Japan. The Sony Group encompasses various businesses, including Sony Corporation (electronics), Sony Semiconductor Solutions (i ...
's videogame division,Roku
Roku ( ) is a brand of consumer electronics that includes streaming players, smart TVs (and their operating systems), as well as a free TV streaming service. The brand is owned by Roku, Inc., an American company.
As of 2024, Roku is the U ...
,[''The Daily Record'' August 19, 2011]
Hillcrest Lab software licensed by Roku.
/ref>[''Engadget'' March 17, 2008. Steven Kim]
Universal Electronics licenses motion control, hopes you don't put your eye out.
and Zillion TV.[''The New York Times'' March 4, 2009. Saul Hansell]
ZillionTV: Another Set-Top Box, With Ads.
/ref>[''The New York Times'' March 5, 2009. Eric Taub]
“What’s On Tonight?” Just Got Easier.
/ref>
The Loop pointer
The Loop pointer, enabled by Hillcrest's Freespace technology, was designed to act as a mouse for television. Similar to the LG Magic Remote, the Loop senses the viewer's wrist movements and translates the gestures into onscreen movement. It has four buttons and a scroll wheel.[''Forbes.com'' November 16, 2007. Camilla Webster]
Dream Tech Toys
/ref>[''The New York Times'' June 15, 2009. Eric Taub]
A Wireless Mouse That's Surfaceless Too.
/ref>[''Gizmodo'' June 15, 2009. Mark Wilson]
The Loop Controls Your TV Like the Wii for $100
/ref>
The Scoop pointer
The Scoop pointer is a Freespace-enabled in-air mouse that succeeded its heavier Loop predecessor. It has nine buttons and a scroll wheel.10-foot user interface
In computing, 10-foot user interface, 10-foot UI or 3-meter user interface is a graphical user interface designed for televisions. Compared to desktop computer and smartphone user interfaces, it uses text and other interface elements that are ...
. It has large fonts and buttons, and an onscreen keyboard. The Kylo browser was released in March 2010, and was available for Microsoft Windows and Mac OS X. It was discontinued in 2019.
Legal
On August 19, 2008, Hillcrest Laboratories filed a complaint against Nintendo
is a Japanese Multinational corporation, multinational video game company headquartered in Kyoto. It develops, publishes, and releases both video games and video game consoles.
The history of Nintendo began when craftsman Fusajiro Yamauchi ...
with the U.S International Trade Commission, alleging that the Wii Remote
The Wii Remote, colloquially known as the Wiimote, is the primary game controller for Nintendo's Wii home video game console. An essential capability of the Wii Remote is its motion sensing capability, which allows the user to interact with an ...
infringed on three of its patents. A fourth Hillcrest patent (for graphical interfaces displayed on television screens) was also allegedly violated. Hillcrest sought a ban on Wii consoles imported to the U.S. On August 24, 2009, Nintendo and Hillcrest reached a settlement, although the terms were not publicly disclosed.
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)
See also
*
References
External links
*{{Official website, 1=http://www.hillcrestlabs.com (redirects to CEVA's website)
Companies based in Rockville, Maryland
Software companies established in 2001
Defunct software companies of the United States
Gesture recognition
2019 mergers and acquisitions
Defunct computer companies of the United States
Defunct computer hardware companies