FotoNation® Partners With Kyocera to Develop Intelligent Automotive Camera Technology

Jointly Developed Solutions to Enable Next Generation of Automotive Vision Systems

Explosive Growth of Computer Vision in Cars, Source: Techno Systems Research, Gartner, Strategy Analytics (Graphic: Business Wire)

SAN JOSE, Calif.--()--FotoNation Limited, a wholly owned subsidiary of Tessera Technologies, Inc. (NASDAQ:TSRA) and the leading provider of computational imaging and computer vision solutions for consumer and enterprise applications, has partnered with Kyocera Corporation (NYSE:KYO) (TOKYO:6971) to develop advanced, intelligent, vision solutions for automotive applications. As part of the partnership and using FotoNation technology as a foundation, the two companies will jointly develop advanced computer vision solutions for the automotive market.

More stringent safety regulations and the promise of semi and fully autonomous vehicles are creating tremendous technology demands from automakers and automotive OEMs. By using the solutions that are being jointly developed by FotoNation and Kyocera, automakers and automotive OEMs will not only be able to enhance driver and pedestrian safety, but will also be able to accelerate the adoption of semi and fully autonomous vehicles.

Kyocera is a recognized provider of rear-view cameras systems to the automotive industry. This experience provides Kyocera with a deep understanding of the automotive industry’s future requirements for vision systems. Incorporating higher levels of intelligence into Kyocera’s camera systems will enable Kyocera to bring new, feature-rich products such as surround view cameras to market.

“These technologies will provide a safer driving environment for occupants and pedestrians in urban areas, by enabling cars to see and interact with drivers,” said Norio Okuda, Manager, Kyocera. “FotoNation is focused on delivering complex computational imaging solutions for automotive applications, and together we will develop technologies that will transform the future of driving.”

A pioneer in developing advanced computational imaging algorithms, FotoNation provides best-in-class hardware accelerated imaging solutions for a number of automotive applications including driver monitoring systems (DMS), driver identification, surround view, e-mirror, smart rearview cameras and 360 degree occupancy monitoring.

“Increasing interest from the automotive industry for vision systems to enhance vehicle safety represents an opportunity for significant growth for FotoNation, driven mainly by adoption of our advanced imaging systems by tier-one automotive suppliers and OEMs,” stated Sumat Mehra, senior vice president of marketing and business development at FotoNation. “Kyocera has a strong reputation as a leading technology innovator, and we are pleased to be working with them as a valued technology partner to bring these cutting-edge vision solutions to market.”

For more information about this significant automotive market opportunity please click here. For information about FotoNation, please visit http://www.fotonation.com/.

About KYOCERA

Kyocera Corporation (NYSE:KYO)(TOKYO:6971) (http://global.kyocera.com/), the parent and global headquarters of the Kyocera Group, was founded in 1959 as a producer of fine ceramics (also known as “advanced ceramics”). By combining these engineered materials with metals and integrating them with other technologies, Kyocera has become a leading supplier of electronic components, semiconductor packages, solar power generating systems, mobile phones, printers, copiers, cutting tools and industrial ceramics. During the year ended March 31, 2015, the company’s net sales totaled 1.53 trillion yen (approx. USD12.7 billion). Kyocera appears on the 2014 and 2015 listings of the “Top 100 Global Innovators” by Thomson Reuters, and is ranked #552 on Forbes magazine’s 2015 “Global 2000” listing of the world’s largest publicly traded companies.

About FotoNation

FotoNation is giving life to computational imaging by merging technology with emotion. With technology in more than 60% of global tier-one smartphones, FotoNation develops technologies that serve the computational imaging space for handsets and cameras, as well as the automotive, surveillance, security, and augmented reality markets. We create, innovate and deliver the next generation of computational imaging algorithms. We engineer new ways to reach the highest possible performance while keeping system requirements to a minimum. We have a long history of innovating and advancing the state of the art in image processing. More than a decade ago, we were the first to integrate a computational imaging solution in an embedded mobile device. Today, FotoNation remains the leader in computational photography and computer vision. Nearly 2 billion digital cameras and smart devices are powered by the imaging technologies designed by the sharp minds and passionate hearts of FotoNation engineers. For more information visit www.fotonation.com.

About Tessera Technologies, Inc.

Tessera Technologies, Inc., including its Invensas and FotoNation subsidiaries, licenses technologies and intellectual property to customers for use in areas such as mobile computing and communications, memory and data storage, and 3D-IC technologies, among others. Our technologies include semiconductor packaging and interconnect solutions, and products and solutions for mobile and computational imaging, including our LifeFocusTM, FaceToolsTM, FacePowerTM, FotoSavvyTM, DigitalApertureTM, face beautification, red-eye removal, High Dynamic Range, autofocus, panorama, and image stabilization intellectual property. For more information, call +1.408.321.6000 or visit www.tessera.com.

Tessera, the Tessera logo, FotoNation, the FotoNation logo, FaceSavvy, FaceTools, FacePower, DigitalAperture, and LifeFocus are trademarks or registered trademarks of affiliated companies of Tessera Technologies, Inc. in the United States and other countries. All other company, brand and product names may be trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective companies.

Safe Harbor Statement

This press release contains forward-looking statements, which are made pursuant to the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ significantly from those projected, particularly with respect to FotoNation’s partnership and joint development with Kyocera and the characteristics, benefits, and features of FotoNation technologies. Material factors that may cause results to differ from the statements made include the plans or operations relating to the businesses of Tessera Technologies, Inc. (the "Company"); market or industry conditions; changes in patent laws, regulation or enforcement, or other factors that might affect the Company's ability to protect or realize the value of its intellectual property; the expiration of license agreements and the cessation of related royalty income; the failure, inability or refusal of licensees to pay royalties; initiation, delays, setbacks or losses relating to the Company's intellectual property or intellectual property litigations, or invalidation or limitation of key patents; fluctuations in operating results due to the timing of new license agreements and royalties, or due to legal costs; the risk of a decline in demand for semiconductors and products utilizing FotoNation technologies; failure by the industry to use technologies covered by the Company's patents; the expiration of the Company's patents; the Company's ability to successfully complete and integrate acquisitions of businesses; the risk of loss of, or decreases in production orders from, customers of acquired businesses; financial and regulatory risks associated with the international nature of the Company's businesses; failure of the Company's products to achieve technological feasibility or profitability; failure to successfully commercialize the Company's products; changes in demand for the products of the Company's customers; limited opportunities to license technologies due to high concentration in the markets for semiconductors and related products and smartphone imaging; and the impact of competing technologies on the demand for the Company's technologies. You are cautioned not to place undue reliance on the forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date of this release. The Company's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including its Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended Dec. 31, 2015 and its Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended Mar. 31, 2016, include more information about factors that could affect the Company's financial results. The Company assumes no obligation to update information contained in this press release. Although this release may remain available on the Company's website or elsewhere, its continued availability does not indicate that the Company is reaffirming or confirming any of the information contained herein.

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Contacts

PR Agency Contact:
Zeno Group
Dan Sorensen, +1 650-801-0944
Dan.sorensen@zenogroup.com
Company Contact:
Tessera Technologies
Adolph Hunter, +1 408-321-6710
ahunter@tessera.com
or
KYOCERA Corporation
Katsumi Yuuki
katsumi.yuuki.ke@kyocera.jp 

Release Summary

FotoNation Limited, a wholly owned subsidiary of Tessera Technologies, Inc., has partnered with Kyocera to develop advanced, intelligent, vision solutions for automotive applications.

Contacts

PR Agency Contact:
Zeno Group
Dan Sorensen, +1 650-801-0944
Dan.sorensen@zenogroup.com
Company Contact:
Tessera Technologies
Adolph Hunter, +1 408-321-6710
ahunter@tessera.com
or
KYOCERA Corporation
Katsumi Yuuki
katsumi.yuuki.ke@kyocera.jp