NEW ON-CHIP TECHNOLOGY ENABLES FAST IMAGE CAPTURE ON CAMERA PHONES
SUNNYVALE, CA and LUND, Sweden — June 28, 2007 — OmniVision Technologies, Inc. (Nasdaq: OVTI), a world leading supplier of CMOS image sensors for high-volume applications, and Scalado, a leader in mobile imaging software solutions for fast and memory efficient image processing, today announced a technology collaboration poised to significantly improve the camera phone user experience.
As part of the collaboration, OmniVision added a unique hardware feature to its new 3-megapixel OV3640 CameraChip™ enabling cameras to take optimal advantage of Scalado’s SpeedView™ technology, allowing faster picture taking and faster photo viewing on camera phones.
The OV3640 is built on OmniVision’s newest OmniPixel®3 architecture, and is the world’s first sensor completely compatible with Scalado’s SpeedView technology, creating a much improved image capturing experience. SpeedView technology produces a unique what-you-see-is-whatyou-get (WYSIWYG) experience. The new WYSIWYG Capturing™ technology in the sensor allows users to capture what is actually seen in the viewfinder and instantly replay the captured image, instead of capturing a photo several frames later. Additionally, SpeedView technology enables real-time viewing, zooming and panning of the captured images (10-20 images per second) in the phone’s image gallery with no additional hardware. This is critical for capturing spontaneous moments or a quick sequence of events.
“Long capture and shot-to-shot times have been a constant complaint ever since the megapixel race began,” said Sami Niemi, CTO for Scalado. “The WYSIWYG Capturing technology makes it possible to really capture the moment, which is the true essence of any camera phone. Add to that instant photo file maneuvering so users can find and share pictures quickly and easily, and we have addressed another major complaint cited by the majority of camera phone users.”
“Our collaboration with Scalado is a critical element in our ongoing commitment to bringing a better overall experience to the camera phone user,” said James He, Chief Operating Officer at OmniVision. “OmniVision’s focus has long been to improve camera performance and user friendliness, both through sensor-level improvements and the addition of new features. The OV3640’s image stabilization function allows camera phone users to take better pictures, and adding a faster (MIPI) interface eases the sharing of images. Now with the addition of the Scalado SpeedView technology, we can extend our improvements beyond the sensor.”
About Scalado Scalado
AB is a Swedish imaging software company that focuses on the wireless device industry. It provides mobile imaging software solutions that are powerful, scalable and modular for any camera phone. Its mission is to make imaging on mobile phones more efficient – bringing higher usability for end-users and cutting hardware costs for device manufacturers. With unique and patented software technologies, it is solving critical performance issues with less memory and CPU requirements.
Founded in 2000, Scalado has its head office in IDEON Research Park in Lund, Sweden. The company’s principal shareholders are IVS A/S, Industrifonden, Teknoseed AB and the company’s founders. For more information, please visit www.scalado.com
Safe-Harbor Language
Certain statements in this press release, including statements regarding the performance, achievements and capabilities of the OV3640 CMOS image sensor, are forward-looking statements that are subject to risks and uncertainties. These risks and uncertainties, which could cause the forward-looking statements and OmniVision’s results to differ materially, include, without limitation: potential errors, design flaws or other problems with the OV3640 CMOS image sensor; risks associated with building customer acceptance of and demand for the OV3640; the development of the market for CMOS sensors in the camera phone market as well as in markets for other portable applications incorporating image sensors; the rapid changes in technical requirements for camera phone products; competitive risks; as well as other risks detailed from time to time in OmniVision’s Securities and Exchange Commission filings and reports, including, but not limited to, OmniVision’s most recent annual report filed on Form 10-K. OmniVision expressly disclaims any obligation to update information contained in any forward-looking statement whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.