These slides use concepts from my (Jeff Funk) course entitled analyzing hi-tech opportunities to analyze how the economic feasibility of pico projectors is becoming better through improvements in MEMS (digital micro mirrors), lasers, LEDs, and integrated circuits. These improvements will likely make pico-projectors economically feasible in a number of existing and new applications.

1. Samsung Beam @ MWC 2012
MT5009 Analyzing Hi-Tech Opportunities – Pico Projectors Slide 1

2. MT5009 Analyzing Hi-Tech
Opportunities
Instructor: Prof Jeffrey Funk
Team Members:
Guo Wei (A0081877)
Kian Soon Thon (A0082048)
Lim Jan Pang Alex (A0077119)
Lim Jui Kiap Jackson (A 0076909)
Mayuri Ramesh (A0094156)
Wah Wah Soe (A0033795)
Wu Qing He Austin (A0082035)
MT5009 Analyzing Hi-Tech Opportunities – Pico Projectors 2

3. Introduction & History of Pico Projector
Key Technologies
Dimension of Performance & Consumers’ Benefits
Key Components & Areas of Improvement
Pico Projector Technologies Comparison
Pico Projector Applications
Business Opportunities & Market forecast
Conclusion
Appendix
Reference
MT5009 Analyzing Hi-Tech Opportunities – Pico Projectors Slide 3

4. What is a Pico Projector?
A small-format handheld projector uses the same
technology that powers standard projectors and rear-
projection TVs.
Form Factors
Standalone projector
Integrated component in mobile devices
MT5009 Analyzing Hi-Tech Opportunities – Pico Projectors Slide 4

5. 2010:
2009: - AAXA launched
Most pico Pico L1 (LSP)
projectors still - MicroVision
2008: launched 1st
widely
- Optoma criticized for commercial LSP
launched having projector,
2006: “World’s First” insufficient SHOWWX
1st public Pico Projector, brightness
showcase PK101 (DLP)
by Digislide - AAXA launched
2003: P1 Jr (LCoS)
Concept
introduced
by Explay
MT5009 Analyzing Hi-Tech Opportunities – Pico Projectors Slide 5

6. Technology Basic Operation
Power source – battery Power up the system
Electronics ICs Image Sensing & transforming into
electronics signal
Light sources Electronic signals drive light sources with
different colors and intensities down
different paths
Combiner optics Different light paths are combined into one
path demonstrating a palette of colors
MEMS Copy the image pixel-by-pixel and project
the image using micromirror
MT5009 Analyzing Hi-Tech Opportunities – Pico Projectors Slide 6

7. Benefits to consumer
Portability
Resolution
Setup time
Cost
Space saving
Flexible projection screen
Compatibility
MT5009 Analyzing Hi-Tech Opportunities – Pico Projectors Slide 7

8. Watching video
Sharing photo
Reading document
Making presentations
Playing video games
MT5009 Analyzing Hi-Tech Opportunities – Pico Projectors Slide 8

9. Pacific Media Associates (PMA), the worldwide market
information experts on front projectors conducted survey
on (Jan 2012), current use and future purchase intentions
for pico projectors.
The survey covered future demand for pico projectors,
attach and embedded rates for various mobile devices, and
key features, applications, and price points.
Year Organizational Individual
respondents consumers
2009 44% 53%
2012 90% 78%
Pico-Projectors End User Survey for Purchase Intentions
MT5009 Analyzing Hi-Tech Opportunities – Pico Projectors Slide 9

10. 1) Rechargeable Battery
5) MEMS (Digital Micromirror
2) ICs ( Image Processor, Device, scanning mirrors)
Microcontroller)
Pico Projector
3) Light Source (LED, Laser diodes) 4) Optics ( Dichromatic Mirrors ,
Projection Lenses)
MT5009 Analyzing Hi-Tech Opportunities – Pico Projectors Slide 10

11. Battery Size & Weight Factors:
• Li-ion battery is the best known candidate for highest output energy
density with lightest weight and smallest size.
MT5009 Analyzing Hi-Tech Opportunities – Pico Projectors Slide 11

12. Battery Life Efficiency:
• Li-ion battery has above average DoD cycles but the highest power
efficiency among the rest.
*DoD: Depth of discharge
MT5009 Analyzing Hi-Tech Opportunities – Pico Projectors Slide 12

13. IC Development:
• IC development has been
following Moore’s Law for
the past 20 years.
• The technology trend is
vital in supporting pico-
projector development in
terms:
Size shrinkage
Better power efficiency
Faster boot up
MT5009 Analyzing Hi-Tech Opportunities – Pico Projectors Slide 13

14. Light Source: LED
The gamut area for LED illumination is Evolution of high-brightness LEDs
compared with the common HDTV shows their efficiency exceeding that
reference standard (Rec. 709). of traditional lighting sources in the
LED exhibits improved color gamut. coming years.
MT5009 Analyzing Hi-Tech Opportunities – Pico Projectors Slide 14

15. Light Source: Laser
• Huge range of colors, highest contrast, sharpest image compared to
DLP and LCOS technology (5 times).
• Smaller package size & reduced complexity, ideal for mobile device.
• More expensive than DLP & LCOS (~1/3 of the total cost).
• Current Challenge: True Green Laser Diodes are not commercially
available
MT5009 Analyzing Hi-Tech Opportunities – Pico Projectors Slide 15

16. Light Source: Cost vs Brightness
• Lamp cost is nearly
independent of lumen
output.
• LED projectors with >2000
lumens is not available
due to tech limitation
• Laser cost increases with
lumen output
Implications:
•New LED technology required to improve brightness.
•Laser suppliers need to drive down cost while improve efficiency.
MT5009 Analyzing Hi-Tech Opportunities – Pico Projectors Slide 16

17. Improvement Lens Technology:
• The current biggest problems with pico projectors lens are high
manufacturing cost and poor brightness in bright rooms.
• New lens technologies undergone development which may
potentially improve the limitations:
Fly-eye lens, consists of 250micro-lenses, enables pico projectors
to display in sun-filled rooms.
Wafer lever optics (WLO), has potential to drive down lens
manufacturing cost significantly.
MT5009 Analyzing Hi-Tech Opportunities – Pico Projectors Slide 17

18. MEMS: Digital Micromirror Device
The digital micromirror display (DMD) has approximately six million
transistors to two million mechanical micromirrors. -> Ref: Younse,
Jack M. “Mirrors on a Chip.” IEEE Spectrum, November 1993.
MT5009 Analyzing Hi-Tech Opportunities – Pico Projectors Slide 18

19. Main Technologies
DLP LCoS LBS
(Digital Light Processing) (Liquid Crystal on Silicon) (Laser Beam Streering)
Technology
- Reflective imaging - Reflective imaging - Image scanning
technology using technology using technology using
Key Features micro-mirror. liquid crystal. directed laser beams
- RGB color delivered - RGB color delivered - RGB color delivered
sequentially simultaneously. simultaneously
- Compact & small size - High resolution - Focus free
- High contrast - No rainbow effect - Low power
Advantages - No color degradation - Smooth pixel edges consumption
- Small size
- Rainbow effect - Larger size - Laser is expensive
Disadvantages - Sharp pixel edges - Potential color - Speckle
degradation - Eye safety
MT5009 Analyzing Hi-Tech Opportunities – Pico Projectors Slide 19

20. DLP (Digital Light Processing)
Image is created by
microscopically small mirrors
Mirrors are in the Digital
Micromirror Device (DMD)
Each mirror represents one
or more pixels in the
projected image
LED-based DLPs are used in
pico-projector
MT5009 Analyzing Hi-Tech Opportunities – Pico Projectors Slide 20

21. LCoS (Liquid Crystal on Silicon)
Micro-projection technology
Reflective technology that
uses liquid crystals
Working by opening and
closing of liquid crystal
MT5009 Analyzing Hi-Tech Opportunities – Pico Projectors Slide 21

22. LBS (Laser Beam Steering)
Uses Laser beams to
generate “pixel pulses”
MEMS scanning mirror directs
the beam of light
All visible colors can be
produced
MT5009 Analyzing Hi-Tech Opportunities – Pico Projectors Slide 22

23. Dimensions of
DLP LCoS LBS Preference
Performance
Optoma AAXA P1 MicroVision
Sample PK101 Jr SHOWWX NA
Avr Retail Price (USD) 179 104 349 LCos
Lamp Life (hr) 20k 15k 20k* DLP/LBS
Brightness (lumen) 11 ANSI 10 ANSI 15 ANSI LBS
Speaker (W) 0.5 (m) 1.0 (m) NA LCos
Weight (kg) 0.1 0.1 0.1 Same
Size (cm) 1x5x10 2x6x10 2x6x12 DLP
Throw Dist (m) 2.6 2.4 2.5 DLP/LBS
Resolution 480x320 640x480 848x480 LBS
Contrast 1000:1 1000:1 5000:1 LBS
Battery Life 2hr 1.5hr 2hr DLP/LBS
MT5009 Analyzing Hi-Tech Opportunities – Pico Projectors Slide 23

24. Stand-alone Pico-projectors
3M MPro120 Projector
Optoma Pico PK-101
Ever Win EWP1000
Optoma Pico Projectors PK201 and
PK301
MT5009 Analyzing Hi-Tech Opportunities – Pico Projectors Slide 24

25. Mobile Phone Pico-projectors
Samsung i8520 Galaxy
the LG eXpo Projector Phone
NTT DoCoMo F-04B
MT5009 Analyzing Hi-Tech Opportunities – Pico Projectors Slide 25

26. Camera/Camcorder Pico-projectors
Nikon Coolpix S1000pj
Sony HDR-PJ50V
GE PJ1 projector camera
MT5009 Analyzing Hi-Tech Opportunities – Pico Projectors Slide 26

27. Gaming
MT5009 Analyzing Hi-Tech Opportunities – Pico Projectors Slide 27

28. Hand Gesture Recognition
SixthSense
Omnitouch
MT5009 Analyzing Hi-Tech Opportunities – Pico Projectors Slide 28

29. 3D pico-projection and Embedded pico projectors
3D prototype pico projector
MT5009 Analyzing Hi-Tech Opportunities – Pico Projectors Slide 29

30. Pointer-based computer
control
(US Patent #6,952,198)
System and method for
communication with enhanced
optical pointer
(US Patent #7,091,949)
(US Patent #6,275,214)
Computer presentation system
and method with optical tracking
of wireless pointer
MT5009 Analyzing Hi-Tech Opportunities – Pico Projectors Slide 30

31. Due to improvement of components, pico-
projectors can be integrated into:
Gaming Application
eg. Integrated into game console
Hand Gesture Recognition
eg. Virtual keyboard
Computing Devices
3D Imaging Devices
Toy
MT5009 Analyzing Hi-Tech Opportunities – Pico Projectors Slide 31

32. Source: Insight Media
[2012 SOLID STATE PROJECTOR REPORT]
MT5009 Analyzing Hi-Tech Opportunities – Pico Projectors Slide 32

33. Technologies Forecast Market Segment
Toy Projector
LCoS
Virtual Keyboard
Smartphone
DLP Camera
Camcorder
Presentation
Consumer
LBS Gaming
Microscope
3D Imaging
MT5009 Analyzing Hi-Tech Opportunities – Pico Projectors Slide 33

34. Operating System (OS) for Mobiles – As the
Pico projector will be a new interface to the
mobiles and iphone, there will be scope for
the new operating systems to merge these
new applications
MT5009 Analyzing Hi-Tech Opportunities – Pico Projectors Slide 34

35. Worldwide MEMS Market Forecast
MEMS sensors and actuators are employed in a variety of
additional sectors, including data processing, printers,
projector, automotive, aerospace etc.
The rising demand for DLPs in front-projectors and pico
projectors, has put TI to reclaim the lead.
MT5009 Analyzing Hi-Tech Opportunities – Pico Projectors Slide 35

36. Projected Sales Volume in 2018: 140 Millions Units
Forecasted Revenues in 2018: USD 14 Billions
Source: DisplaySearch Pocket Projector Technology and Market Forecast Report
MT5009 Analyzing Hi-Tech Opportunities – Pico Projectors Slide 36

37. MT5009 Analyzing Hi-Tech Opportunities – Pico Projectors Slide 37

38. Projecting a New World of Images
MT5009 Analyzing Hi-Tech Opportunities – Pico Projectors Slide 38

39. Price Range for Portable Projectors
MT5009 Analyzing Hi-Tech Opportunities – Pico Projectors Slide 39

40. Pico projector is an emerging technology that applies the
use of an image projector in a handheld device.
Various technology paradigms have been analyzed with
respective improvement methodology.
The components built up a complete pico projector system
have been dissected in detail to study the dimensions of
performance and improvement rate.
Comparison of different technology used in pico projectors
has been addressed with respect to the value propositions.
Current applications and potential future application of
pico projector are further discussed.
Last but not least, the opportunities of various market
segments are presented with cost effectiveness in
geometrical scaling improvement.
MT5009 Analyzing Hi-Tech Opportunities – Pico Projectors Slide 40

41. Chart shows the current and future resolution for
Pico-projectors
Currently, Pico – Projector can only deliver
resolution up to WXGA.
MT5009 Analyzing Hi-Tech Opportunities – Pico Projectors Slide 41

42. MT5009 Analyzing Hi-Tech Opportunities – Pico Projectors Slide 42

43. Source: BeLight Vol7 2011
MT5009 Analyzing Hi-Tech Opportunities – Pico Projectors Slide 43

44. This figure shows the expected penetration of integrated
and companion pico-projectors into the total available
market of systems that could benefit from pico-projectors
MT5009 Analyzing Hi-Tech Opportunities – Pico Projectors Slide 44

45. Nano projector development
http://www.azonano.com/nanotechnology-news-index.aspx
Global Pico Projector Market, Market Research Report
http://www.marketsandmarkets.com/Market-Reports/pico-projector-market-196.html
Pico Projectors
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pico_Projector
Power Source comparison
http://www.electricitystorage.org/technology/storage_technologies/technology_comparison
Light source definition
http://www.photonics.com/Article.aspx?AID=31045
Fundamentals: Advanced semiconductor processes
http://www2.electronicproducts.com/Fundamentals_Advanced_semiconductor_processes-article-
fabd_fun_advanced_semi_processes_feb2012-html.aspx
In-Stat: Pico projector market to exceed $1.1B in 5 years
http://www.microvision.com/displayground/pico-projectors/instat-pico-projector-market-to-
exceed-11b-in-5-years/
Best selling pico-projector update (March 2011)
http://www.picoprojector-info.com/tags/market-reports
Pico Projector Market Penetration
http://www.insightmedia.info/reports/2007picoprojdetails.php
MT5009 Analyzing Hi-Tech Opportunities – Pico Projectors Slide 45