Overview
The CMOS image sensors are taking a growing share of the image sensor market. We design, develop and market high-performance, high-resolution and cost-effective CMOS, image sensors for use in mobile camera phones and other applications.
We also intend to develop and market our products for integration into emerging applications requiring high resolution image sensors, such as automobiles, biometrics, medical devices, pattern recognition, security and surveillance systems and toys. We believe our core engineers will be able to utilize their extensive experience and expertise in CCD and CMOS image sensors to develop more advanced products and integrate multi-functional features into existing products in order to grow our business.
 Security Applications / CIF / VGA /
Our image sensors and cameras have various security applications for industrial, retail and residential settings. They also are used portably in videophones. In the residential space, there is a rapidly increasing market for low-end security systems hooked up to a TV or PC. These cameras usually have sensor NTSC/PAL (510 * 480 pixels, 768 * 576 pixels) or VGA (640 * 480) resolutions. The low price of these devices is leading to strong sales. Also, there are significant videoconferencing applications. Previously, these were confined to high data-rate networks; but utility is expanding as more broadband infrastructure is established worldwide.
 Automotive Applications / VGA / 1.3M / NTSC/PAL /
Image sensors in the automotive industry have great potential. The image sensors for automotive will be dominated by CMOS sensors as the requirements are different from the consumer market or the industrial or medical markets. Dynamic range, temperature range, cost, speed and many others are key parameters that need to be optimized. For this reason, automotive sensors differ from the other market's sensors and need to use different design and processing techniques in order to achieve the automotive specifications. One reason that drives the use of CMOS imaging sensors in the automotive industry is the more safety standards imposed and more automobile manufacturers begin to upgrade cars, market revenues for image sensors are expected to increase since their low cost and design capabilities make them ideal for these applications. CMOS are used in automotive applications such as face recognition, blind spot detection, rear-view mirrors, and rain detectors for windshield wipers. The intelligent airbag system, designed to gauge the position and the size of the occupant accurately, is expected to generate immediate revenues for manufacturers.
We have already worked in the automotive industry and have had developed our products.
 PC Camera Applications / CIF / VGA / 1.3M / 2.0M / 3.2M /
PC Cameras were the first volume application for CMOS image sensors. PC Camera vendors, such as Logitech, as an our major customer, Creative Labs made use of CMOS image sensors because of their low cost and high level or integration, when compared to CCDs. The vast majority of PC Camera use either .CIF of 1over 11 Inch or VGA (640 * 480) resolutions sensors. Market potential is going to move into a product of high resolutions sensors in the future.
 Medical Applications / VGA / 1.3M / NTSC/PAL /
Medical and scientific markets encompass everything from cameras for endoscopic surgery to x-rays, and microscopes to telescopes. Currently, the most pronounced application for CMOS in medical applications is the pillcam. The pillcam features a large vitamin sized embedded with a transmitter, light-emitting diodes to illuminate the gastro-intestinal tract, and a CMOS camera module.
Market potential is enormous as well given that millions of endoscopic procedures are performed each year in around the world. Endoscopy procedures are expected to take place each year because demand for healthcare services is expected to increase yearly to 2010. As of Jan. 2005, we have developed pillcam prototypes that appear ready to market.
 Mobile Applications / VGA / 1.3M / 2.0M / 3.2M /
The mobile phone camera market has been an interesting and lucrative market for image sensor manufacturers. Most new cellular phone designs are camera phones. According to the market research firm of IDC's Worldwide Mobile Phone Qview, Dec. 2004, 59% of all phones shipped in 2005 forecast camera phones.
Our mobile CMOS image sensors create high-crystal image quality, performance, features, and the sensors make possible smaller, high-performance products that take better-quality pictures as well as complete camera systems-on-a-chip (SOCs) that integrate many of the camera functions onto the chip itself. From CIF of 1over 11 Inch to 3.2megapixels of 1over 3.1 Inch, Pixelplus's mobile imaging products are offered in many resolutions, with a variety of features to meet a wide range of application needs.
 PlusVision Applications
Discover Pixelplus' "PlusVision" technology platform based on our highly specialized 'System-On-A-Chip' ("SoC") referred to as the "PM1001". Designed from our highly experienced image signal processing ("ISP") techniques embedded in the SoC image sensor, the PM1001 provides multiple key functions which are necessary to achieve low-power, low-cost, and small-size vision systems without sacrificing cost and performance.
By incorporating our PlusVision technology platform, those systems which require additional security and pattern recognition capabilities can be implemented with greater ease and efficiency. Our PlusVision technology platform is assembled in a system-in-package consisting of the PM1001 and the relevant memory necessary to implement target applications, including various pattern recognition systems such as the personal iris identification system, character recognition system, and character input system based on camera scan.
Our experience in camera SoC technology and module development may effectively answer your system requirement to build a total solution by incorporating the Vision System Developer with your camera system. We provide a complete selection of CMOS image sensors, ranging from CIF to 2.0 megapixel resolutions which can be easily interfaced to our PlusVision technology platform via standard YUV, RGB, or serial interfaces such as SMIA,MDDI, or MIPI.
Pixelplus is currently sampling the PM1001 for application in mobile phones, PDAs, and PC mouses, among other products. Our iris identification engine embedded in the PM1001 is powered by a 32-bit RISC micro controller unit and hard-wired software algorithms, as well as an on-chip memory to accelerate image processing functions which are necessary in various pattern recognition applications. We expect that the patented iris recognition algorithm will enable our customers to differentiate their products by enabling them to design safe, smart, light and accurate systems.
 Toy Applications / CIF / VGA / NTSC/PAL /
The toy market currently mainly consists of CMOS-enabled cameras targeted at the youth market, such as the early plug-in camera for GameBoy. This camera employs CMOS Image sensors, due to its low cost and low power consumption. Pixelplus is planning to focus on a price of up to $1 for toy product, which has a small form-factor and feature lower resolution of the CIF standard. From CIF of 1over 11 Inch to VGA of 1over 6.2 Inch, Pixelplus's Toy imaging products are offered in many resolutions, with a variety of features.
 Dual Mode Camera Applications / CIF / VGA /
Dual mode cameras refer to Mobile Phone cameras and PC Cameras, primarily using CMOS Image Sensors, though the resolutions tend to be slightly higher, due to the digital still camera functionality.
Our product of PO2010 (1 over 7.2 Inch) and PO3010 (1 over 11 Inch), as a class of CIF, have used in dual camera mobile phone in the Japanese market.
 Other Applications / CIF / VGA / NTSC/PAL /
We're planning to be developed market our products for integration into emerging applications such as Biometric industry, Multifunction Peripherals, Barcode Scanners, PMP (Potable Multimedia Player) Market. These applications have, traditionally, been a small but profitable niche for CCD manufacturers. In 2007, we expect that area CMOS image sensors surpass to CCDs for the first time. Overall, total area revenue should increase at 10.5% annually for the length of the forecast. CMOS revenue growth will exceed due to higher rates.
|
CMOS Image Sensor Applications