Light Blue Optics (LBO) today announced the availability of Light Work™ – a WVGA laser-based miniature projection module with LVDS interface for ease of integration into a wide range of industrial and digital signage products. Light Work™ is LBO’s second product release and will be demonstrated on their booth #21747 in South Hall 1 at the Consumer Electronics Show (CES 10) in Las Vegas. This news follows LBO’s recent announcement of their first reference product Light Touch™ and the global companies including Foxconn, Microsoft and Toshiba working with the Company to bring its unique projection technology to market.

To deliver Light Work™ to the industrial and digital signage market, Light Blue Optics is working with a global network of value-added resellers, selected for their strong design-in ethos, proven experience at providing innovative display solutions and outstanding market coverage. The network includes:

system elektronik Gmbh (German-speaking & Benelux regions), EG Electronics AB (Nordic territories), Review Display Systems Ltd (United Kingdom & Ireland), DCD Display Solutions srl (Italy), Satori Electric Co. Ltd (Japan) and Edge Electronics Inc. (United States).

The Light Work™ projection module is suitable for a wide range of both front and rear projection applications, including novel human machine interfaces; structured lighting for industrial assembly and manufacturing; innovative architectural lighting and configurable signage; advertising and point-of-sale displays; and displays requiring high-brightness symbols and graphics. To facilitate product development, Light Work™ can be supplied as a development kit.

Powered by LBO’s proprietary holographic laser projection technology, Light Work™ delivers high-quality WVGA resolution images and 35 lumens for typical symbology content. The technology enables perfect projection onto curved surfaces, opening up exciting new opportunities in product design. Laser light sources deliver highly saturated colours and images that are always in focus, while a wide throw angle (83 degrees horizontal x 48 degrees vertical) creates large images at close proximity to the projection module, minimizing equipment dimensions. The system’s low power consumption allows Light Work™ to be battery operated if required.

Light Blue Optics VP of Sales & Marketing, Chris Hoggarth, said; “Light Work™ has been designed in close consultation with our partners and built to meet the demanding requirements of the industrial segment. We believe our unique technology has the power to become ubiquitous, seamlessly integrated not only into hand-held devices, but also into industrial equipment, consumer appliances, vehicles and the built environment. Our global network of value-added resellers will enable LBO to fulfill the needs of industrial customers and appliance manufacturers and we are delighted to announce our collaboration.”

Notes to Editors:

Light Blue Optics (www.lightblueoptics.com)
Light Blue Optics (LBO) is a privately-funded company developing and supplying miniature projection systems for use in high volume applications in markets including automotive, digital signage and consumer electronics.

Powered by our proprietary HLP™ technology, our products create bright, high-resolution images that are always in focus, work on all manner of surfaces, and can even respond to touch. We believe that HLP™ technology will soon become ubiquitous – seamlessly integrated into our homes, vehicles and personal devices, and changing the way we see and interact with the world.

Light Blue Optics is headquartered in Cambridge, UK with a Development Facility in Colorado Springs, USA. The Company is funded by a syndicate of investors including Robert Bosch Venture Capital, Earlybird Venture Capital, Capital-E, NESTA and Encore Ventures, a division of DFJ Esprit.

For more information, please contact:
Tamara Roukaerts
Director of Communications, Light Blue Optics
+44 (0)1223 428525
tamara.roukaerts@lightblueoptics.com

DCD Display Solutions srl (www.dcd.it)
DCD Display Solution srl, based in Torino, Italy, is a specialist supplier of display solutions for a wide variety of industrial and other applications. The company’s philosophy is “The full solution for all visualization requests” and the company’s capability spans display devices, including TFT-LCD from 2.2” to 82”, interface cards, inverters, power supplies, touch technology, backlight components and associated accessories. Many of the company’s projects involve sophisticated customization or unusual design challenges, and the company prides itself on its flexibility and quick response to customer needs.

Edge Electronics Inc. (www.edgeelectronics.com)
Edge Electronics, Inc., based in Bohemia, NY, is a leading franchised distributor of electronic components (Active, Passive, and Interconnect) and display solutions (LCDs and related products). Founded in 1990, we are a certified Women’s Business Enterprise (WBE) that has grown to be established while maintaining flexibility. In fact Edge was recently ranked number 30 among U.S. distributors by Purchasing.com.

EG Electronics AB (www.egdisplay.com)
EG Electronics is one of the leading distributors on the Nordic electronics market. EG Electronics offer selected components and systems with a high technical content, requiring both in-depth technical expertise and knowledge about the customer’s operations, as well as reliable and efficient logistics. The customers are found primarily among manufacturers in the telecom, commercial vehicle, industrial automation, contract manufacturers of electronics and medical technology industries. EG Electronics is a part of ElektronikGruppen BK AB, listed on the NASDAQ OMX Exchange Stockholm.

Electronics Link Japan Ltd (www.ElectronicsLinkJapan.com)
Electronics Link Japan Ltd (ELJ) is based in Yokohama, Japan and is the Japan Representative Office for Light Blue Optics. ELJ provides a local presence for foreign technology companies in the Japanese market to help them grow their business, and provides a local point of contact for Japanese companies wishing to do business with ELJ clients.

Review Display Systems Ltd (www.review-displays.co.uk)
Review Display Systems Ltd is a leading supplier of Industrial flat panel display technologies such as TFT and Liquid Crystal Displays (LCD) together with associated Touch Screens and Single board computer solutions. For over 25 years Review Display Systems has been representing some of the world’s leading Manufacturers of TFT, LCD and Plasma display panels, together with range of integration products such as Touch Screens, Analogue TFT controller boards and Industrial single board computers solutions.

Satori Electric Co. Ltd (www.satori.co.jp)
SATORI ELECTRIC CO., LTD. is one of the leading distributors in Japan primarily handling products manufactured by NEC Corp., principally electronic components and equipment. SATORI’s main activities are distribution of integrated circuits (ICs), discrete semiconductors, general electronic components and electronic equipment, also development of display systems for POS and KIOSK terminals, digital signage and amusement applications which are designed based on LCDs and touch screens to meet the growing market demand lately. SATORI has 4 subsidiaries and 14 sales offices in Japan and 15 overseas sales offices worldwide.

system elektronik Gmbh (www.systemelektronik.de)
system elektronik GmbH is a system house specialized for reliable HMI interfaces and display systems with focus on industrial and medical applications and solutions. The company offers technologies and products for process visualization and automation purposes. Various display mediums, driver electronics and their embedded integration is the main field of activity. Founded in 1980, system elektronik has a design-in experience of around 30 years with display technologies and offers a mix of dynamics and experience.

Light Blue Optics (LBO) has announced a list of global companies working with the Company to bring its unique projection technology to market; Adobe, CSR, Foxconn, Interbrand, Microsoft, Micron, Nichia, Opnext, Photop and Toshiba. Light Blue Optics’ first reference product is Light Touch™ – an interactive projector that transforms any flat surface into a 10″ touch screen. Light Touch™ was unveiled yesterday (06 Jan) at an invitation-only product launch at the Consumer Electronics Show (CES 10) in Las Vegas and will be demonstrated at the Light Blue Optics booth #21747, South Hall 1, Las Vegas Convention Center from 07 Jan until 10 Jan.

Alan Tam, senior product marketing manager, Flash Platform at Adobe said, “Light Touch™ is an innovative technology platform that creates a touch screen on any flat surface. We’re pleased that Light Touch™ comes with support for Adobe Flash technology, which will open up a world of exciting Flash based applications for Light Blue Optics’ new projection technology.”

Matthew Philips, Senior Vice President of CSR’s Handset Business Unit said; “CSR has delivered its UniFi UF6026 Wi-Fi and BlueCore6 Bluetooth silicon to Light Touch™ enabling seamless device to device communication and applications that can directly access the internet. Light Touch™ combines LBO’s and CSR’s technology and opens up rich functionality such as social networking, multimedia sharing and electronic point of sale.”

Ming Chang, Senior Director of Foxconn said; “Foxconn rarely works with early-stage companies such as Light Blue Optics, so this partnership is indicative of our belief in LBO’s proprietary HLP™ technology. It has the unique potential to create a new class of power efficient, bright mobile displays with applications across multiple high volume markets and we are pleased to be working with LBO to fulfill that potential.”

Graham Hales, Managing Director of Interbrand said; “At Interbrand, we have changed the world’s view of branding by creating and managing brands as valuable business assets. Light Blue Optics has the potential to change the way we see and interact with the world, and we are proud to be partners in helping them articulate that unique value through their brand.”

Bruce Spenner, Senior Director of Microdisplay at Micron said, “Light Blue Optics has used Micron’s FLCOS microdisplay technology as a phase modulating device to create a compelling new product – one that turns any flat surface into a touch screen. We look forward to extending our relationship with LBO and stimulating innovative design for interactive projection.”

Steven Bathiche, Microsoft Applied Sciences Group said, “Microsoft envisions a future of ubiquitous computing where every surface becomes a computer, and as part of this vision we collaborate on development with numerous third parties, including Light Blue Optics. We are pleased that Light Blue Optics has incorporated some of our research into Light Touch™ their first mobile interactive projector, bringing the future of surface computers everywhere closer.”

Shigeki Okauchi, General Manager, Nichia said; “Laser technology enables projection systems to deliver images with vibrant colours that are always in focus. We are delighted to be supplying our blue laser technology as part of Light Touch™ – this exciting new mobile interactive projector.”

Gilles Bouchard, President and CEO of Opnext said; “We have worked closely with Light Blue Optics to integrate our red laser technology into Light Touch™, a ground breaking projection technology that has all the advantages of lasers while delivering eye safe, speckle-free images to the consumer market.”

Sunny Sun, President of Photop Technologies said; “Light Blue Optics HLP™ technology has the inherent flexibility to leverage the advantages of our green laser technology to the full, delivering superior image quality to the consumer market through Light Touch™.”

Takeshi Iwamoto, VP Custom SOC and Foundry and Business Unit, Toshiba America Electronic Components, Inc. (TAEC) said, “At Toshiba we see the opportunities for Light Touch™ extending beyond consumer electronics and into retail spaces, the workplace and the home. As a world leader and innovator in high technology across diverse markets, Toshiba is a natural choice for a leading-edge company such as Light Blue Optics.”

Light Blue Optics’ CEO, Chris Harris said, “At Light Blue Optics, we believe that display technology can improve the way we see and interact with the world. To bring our world-changing products to market, we’re working with global corporations that share this belief – Adobe, CSR, Foxconn, Interbrand, Microsoft, Micron, Nichia, Opnext, Photop and Toshiba. Strong relationships such as these will help enable our Company to realise its vision and become the world’s leading supplier of miniature projection systems.”

Notes to Editors:

Light Blue Optics (www.lightblueoptics.com)
Light Blue Optics is a privately-funded company developing and supplying miniature projection systems for use in high volume applications in markets including automotive, digital signage and consumer electronics.

Powered by our proprietary HLP™ technology, our products create bright, high-resolution images that are always in focus, work on all manner of surface, and can even respond to touch. We believe that HLP™ technology will soon become ubiquitous – seamlessly integrated into our homes, vehicles and personal devices, and changing the way we see and interact with the world.

Light Blue Optics is headquartered in Cambridge, UK with a Development Facility in Colorado Springs, USA. The Company is funded by a syndicate of investors including Robert Bosch Venture Capital, Earlybird Venture Capital, Capital-E, NESTA and Encore Ventures, a division of DFJ Esprit.

For more information, please contact:
Tamara Roukaerts
Director of Communications, Light Blue Optics
+44 (0)1223 428525
tamara.roukaerts@lightblueoptics.com

Light Blue Optics (LBO) today announced its first product – Light Touch™ – an interactive projector that turns any flat surface into a 10″ touch screen. Light Touch™ not only frees multimedia content from the confines of the small screen, but also lets users interact with that content in the same way as they expect to on their other hand-held devices – using touch technology. The invite-only product launch will take place tomorrow evening (6 Jan 2010) at the Consumer Electronics Show (CES 10) in Las Vegas. Light Touch™ is a reference product and will be made available to Light Blue Optics’ OEM customers and other strategic partners.

Light Touch™ incorporates LBO’s proprietary holographic laser projection technology (HLP™), creating bright, high-quality WVGA resolution video images that are always in focus. HLP™ enables extremely wide throw angles, resulting in large images being created at close proximity to the projector’s aperture. HLP™ can also correct for distortion and optical aberrations in software, enabling novel table-top projection. A unique optical architecture delivers a Class 1 laser safety classification making HLP™ and devices that incorporate it eye safe.

Light Touch™ includes an infra-red touch sensing system that transforms the projected image into a virtual 10″ touch screen. The user can control the projector and interact with multimedia content and applications simply by touching the projected image. Light Touch™ runs Adobe Flash Lite 3.1, leveraging a large existing developer community and enabling the rapid development of innovative applications. WiFi and Bluetooth connectivity enable device to device communication and applications that connect directly to the internet such as social networking, multimedia sharing and electronic point of sale. Light Touch™ is equipped with 2GB of onboard Flash memory and has a Micro SD card slot that supports up to 32GB. Light Touch™ can be wall powered or battery operated, with a run-time of 2 hours before recharging is required.

Light Blue Optics’ CEO, Chris Harris said “At LBO, we believe that today’s consumer is no longer a passive viewer of multimedia content. People expect to engage, interact and share content and our first product enables them to do that in new and exciting ways. The opportunities for Light Touch™ extend beyond consumer electronics into retail spaces, the workplace and the home – profoundly changing the way people interact with multimedia content and the built environment. By enabling such diverse and compelling use cases, LBO aims to become the world’s leading supplier of miniature projection systems.”

Light Touch™ has been named a CES Innovations Honoree in two categories: Media Players and Personal Electronics.

Notes to Editors:

Light Blue Optics (www.lightblueoptics.com)
Light Blue Optics is a privately-funded company developing and supplying miniature projection systems for use in high volume applications in markets including automotive, digital signage and consumer electronics.

Powered by our proprietary HLP™ technology, our products create bright, high-resolution images that are always in focus, work on all manner of surface, and can even respond to touch. We believe that HLP™ technology will soon become ubiquitous – seamlessly integrated into our homes, vehicles and personal devices, and changing the way we see and interact with the world.

Light Blue Optics is headquartered in Cambridge, UK with a Development Facility in Colorado Springs, USA. The Company is funded by a syndicate of investors including Robert Bosch Venture Capital, Earlybird Venture Capital, Capital-E, NESTA and Encore Ventures, a division of DFJ Esprit.

For more information, please contact:
Tamara Roukaerts
Director of Communications, Light Blue Optics
+44 (0)1223 428525
tamara.roukaerts@lightblueoptics.com

Light Blue Optics (LBO), the industry-leading developer and supplier of laser-based pico projection systems, today announced closing of a US$15 million Series ‘A’ extension. Robert Bosch Venture Capital GmbH (RBVC) led the extension, with existing investors 3i Group plc, Earlybird Venture Capital, Capital-E and NESTA also participating. The money will enable LBO to accelerate its product development roadmap across multiple markets including automotive, industrial and consumer electronics. The Company’s first product – a projection engine suitable for integration into an accessory pico projector – is scheduled for release to OEM customers in Q4 09.

Light Blue Optics’ holographic laser projection technology delivers vibrant colours and focus-free operation, whilst maintaining the Class 1 laser safety classification essential to consumer electronics applications. Uniquely, the projection system can be touch-enabled, meaning any flat surface such as a table can be instantly transformed into a touch-sensitive display, eliminating the need for a touch screen and allowing users to interact with multi-media content in new and exciting ways.

Dr. Claus Schmidt, Managing Director of Robert Bosch Venture Capital said; “RBVC has a remit to invest in technologies of ground-breaking strategic importance and LBO has all the characteristics of a great investment. The Company impressed us with their potential to create and capture a new product category of mobile, energy-efficient, interactive displays. Their proprietary technology will open up entirely new applications and revenue opportunities in markets such as consumer electronics and we are pleased to join the existing investors in supporting this exciting venture.”

LBO also announced today the hire of Paul Goodridge as Chief Financial Officer. Paul brings with him 20 years of financial management experience and an impressive track record for company growth. Prior to joining LBO, Paul was Director of Finance at CSR plc for 8 years, managing the company’s migration from being venture-backed, through to its floatation on the London Stock Exchange and subsequent promotion to the FTSE 250.

Light Blue Optics’ CFO, Paul Goodridge said; “It’s rare to find an early-stage company with the high-growth profile of LBO. The Company has clear competitive advantage, excellent customer traction and a vast market opportunity. I am delighted to become part of the LBO team at this exciting time, and look forward to working with all our stakeholders to build significant value.”

Light Blue Optics’ CEO, Dr. Chris Harris added; “This $15 million financing round will enable LBO to accelerate its product development roadmap and address a wider range of applications. It’s a very exciting opportunity, not least in the consumer electronics space where the market for pico projectors has been forecast to exceed US$1 billion within 5 years. We now have the world-beating technology, experienced team and strong investor syndicate in place to realise that opportunity and become the world’s leading supplier of miniature projection systems.”

Notes to Editors:

For further information, please contact:

Light Blue Optics:
Tamara Roukaerts
Director of Communications
+44 (0)1223 428525
tamara.roukaerts@lightblueoptics.com

Light Blue Optics (www.lightblueoptics.com)
Light Blue Optics (LBO) is a privately-owned developer and supplier of miniature projection systems.

Based on the Company’s patented holographic laser projection technology, LBO systems deliver high-quality video images that remain in focus at all distances. Their efficiency, small form factor, robustness and cost advantages make them ideally suited for deployment in multiple markets including automotive, industrial and consumer electronics.

LBO is funded by a group of investors including 3i plc., Robert Bosch Venture Capital GmbH, Earlybird Venture Capital and Capital-E.

Robert Bosch Venture Capital GmbH (www.rbvc.com)
Robert Bosch Venture Capital GmbH (RBVC) is the corporate venture company of the Robert Bosch GmbH, one of the largest private companies worldwide with more than €45.1 billion ($60 billion) of sales. Founded in 1886, Bosch is a leading global supplier of automotive, industrial technology, consumer goods and building technology.

RBVC invests in start-up companies either directly or via venture capital funds on a worldwide basis. Investment focus: Technology companies along the line of Bosch current and future business. RBVC provides capital for minority stakes in start-ups from early to expansion stage.

3i plc (www.3i.com)
3i is an international leader in private equity. We focus on Buyouts, Growth Capital and Infrastructure and invest across Europe, Asia and North America. Our competitive advantage comes from our international network and the strength and breadth of our business relationships. These underpin the value that we deliver to our portfolio, shareholders and fund investors.

Capital-E (www.capital-e.com)
Capital-E is an early stage venture fund focused exclusively on micro- and nanoelectronics related ventures in Europe. We help initiate and grow businesses with venture capital, sound advice and access to a broad industry network and research ecosystem. Through its entrenched relationship with IMEC, the largest independent research centre in micro- and nano-electronics in Europe, the fund and its ventures can directly rely on the support of over 1500 specialised scientists and engineers, as well as leverage on IMEC’s 500+ worldwide industrial partners such as NXP, Infineon, STMicroelectronics, Intel, Panasonic, Texas Instruments, Samsung and TSMC to speed up the process of market entry. The fund is managed by an independent team with a balanced mix of entrepreneurial, industrial and VC experience.

Earlybird (www.earlybird.com)
Earlybird Venture Capital was established in 1997 and is one of the most successful European venture investors with over €400M under management. Earlybird invests in innovative, fast growing companies with outstanding management teams and high growth potential on international markets within the sectors software, semi-conductor technology, information and communication technology, internet based services, cleantech and medtech. Earlybird’s portfolio currently includes more than 20 companies in seven European countries. Since inception Earlybird has invested in more than 58 companies.

Earlybird supports and accelerates entrepreneurial success while offering entrepreneurs profound experience in setting up young businesses and supporting companies from the cradle to profitability. Six of Earlybird’s technology companies have floated on four different European stock exchanges: Interhyp, Tipp24, Wilex, Esmertec, Entelos and NoemaLife. Additionally, Earlybird successfully sold its shareholding in element 5, Identify, Alantos, AbaXX, amaxa, dooyoo and Purple Labs.

NESTA (www.nesta.org.uk)
NESTA is the National Endowment for Science, Technology & the Arts. Its mission is to transform the UK’s capacity for innovation. NESTA Investments has the largest portfolios of early-stage businesses in the country and is a leading authority on how to grow new ideas. We have strict investment criteria, and work with companies that have high potential for growth, are at seed or start-up stage, and have the potential to attract syndicated support. When we do invest, we aim to maximise our investment by assigning mentors, part-time managers or specialist support. We also stimulate imaginative solutions to pressing social issues and shape policy to help the UK meet its national innovation challenges.

Light Blue Optics (LBO), today announced it will demonstrate its latest miniature projection systems to key customers and partners at Display Week, 31 May – 5 June in San Antonio TX, USA (SID 09). The Company’s first product – a projection engine suitable for integration into an accessory pico projector – is scheduled for release to Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs) in Q4 09.

Using LBO’s holographic laser projection technology, the systems create bright, high-quality video and still WVGA – QVGA images, producing 10 lumens or more depending on the content shown. As the technology is laser-based, images remain in focus at all distances from the projector and the need for a focus wheel is eliminated. A unique optical architecture enables the systems to be safe under all conditions of normal use, meeting the most stringent Class 1 laser safety classification and opening up a range of high-volume applications in markets such as consumer electronics.

LBO’s proprietary technology has an ultra-wide throw angle and the ability to correct for optical aberrations using software. These features enable LBO’s miniature projection systems to switch between conventional front projection onto a wall and a novel table-down projection mode where the device is placed on a table and the content is projected down onto the surface in front of it. The user is then able to view and share content in a comfortable way, without needing to hold the projector steady in their hand for extended periods of time. An additional product configuration allows the user to control the projector and interact with multimedia content simply by touching the projected image. Any flat surface such as a table can be instantly transformed into a touch-sensitive display, eliminating the need for a touch screen and opening up exciting new opportunities in device, application and user-interface design.

Light Blue Optics’ CEO, Dr. Chris Harris said, “LBO’s projection technology delivers all the benefits of a laser system such as vibrant colours and focus-free operation, whilst maintaining a Class 1 laser safety classification – essential to most consumer electronics applications. The combination of touch technology and table-down projection allows users to interact with multimedia content in new and exciting ways. By offering OEM customers the opportunity to create truly differentiating products around this uniquely enabling technology, we aim to become the world’s leading supplier of miniature projection systems.”

**Light Blue Optics & BMW AG to present joint paper at SID Symposium entitled “Novel Human-Machine-Interface (HMI) Design Enabled by Holographic Laser Projection” (Session 14.4, 3 June 2009)**

Notes to Editors:

Light Blue Optics (www.lightblueoptics.com)
Light Blue Optics (LBO) is a privately-owned developer and supplier of miniature projection systems.

Based on the Company’s patented holographic laser projection technology, LBO systems deliver high-quality video images that remain in focus at all distances. Their efficiency, small form factor, robustness and cost advantages make them ideally suited for deployment in multiple markets including automotive, industrial and consumer electronics.

LBO is funded by a group of investors including 3i plc., Earlybird Venture Capital and Capital-E.

LBO is demonstrating at SID 2009 by invitation only. For more information, please contact:

Tamara Roukaerts
Director of Communications
Light Blue Optics
+44 (0)1223 428525
tamara.roukaerts@lightblueoptics.com

© Light Blue Optics Ltd 2009