Interview with Light Blue Optics' VP of Business Development

Light Blue Optics (LBO) is working towards a touch-enabled holographic laser LOCS projection engine. LBO has just raised 15M$, and plans to release their first module in Q4 2009.

Dr. Edward Buckley, LBO's VP Business Development has agreed to answer a few questions we had. Edward has a PhD from the University of Cambridge, is a senior member of the Society for Information Display (SID), and is one of the founders of LBO. Prior to his position at Light Blue Optics, he worked with a variety of organisations, including a telecommunications consultancy and a multinational aerospace & defence company.

Q: Hello Edward, can you tell us a little bit about LBO?

Light Blue Optics (LBO) is a Cambridge-based company, developing and supplying a radically new display technology: holographic laser projection. This completely unique approach to projection creates bright, high-resolution images that remain in focus at all distances from the projector.  Our technology will enable a new generation of highly efficient, low-cost miniature projection systems with applications across a range of high-volume markets including consumer electronics and automotive. We believe that this projection 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. LBO is funded by a group of investors including 3i Group plc., Robert Bosch Venture Capital GmbH, Earlybird Venture Capital and Capital-E.

Q: Can you explain your holographic laser projection system?
LBO’s novel approach to projection has a range of differentiating features and benefits. The term “holographic” refers not to the projected image, but to the method of projection. A diffraction pattern of the desired 2D image, calculated using LBO’s patented holographic algorithms, is displayed on a tiny custom-designed Liquid Crystal on Silicon (LCOS) microdisplay. When illuminated by coherent laser light, the desired 2D image is projected, remaining in focus at all distances.

Light blue optics concept

Q: Your system is using an LCoS display, made by DisplayTech (now Micron). What made you choose DisplayTech's LCoS panel?

LBO selected Displaytech (now Micron) as a component supplier because of their unrivaled experience in Ferroelectric Liquid Crystal on Silicon (FLCOS) technologies. Micron manufacture a custom, ultra-compact, highly efficient and low-cost FLCOS microdisplay device, exclusively for use in LBO's miniature projection systems.

Q: You got a lot of attention with your 'touch-enabled' technology. Can you explain how this actually works?

LBO's system enables a completely new product configuration where the user can control the projector and interact with multi-media content simply by touching the projected image. Our technology's uniquely wide throw angle and ability to correct for image distortion in the software allows for a novel table-down projection mode and the integration of infra-red sensing technology. An infra-red beam is superimposed over the projected image, and a sensor detects whenever and wherever the image is touched. 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 and new revenue opportunities for content providers and carriers. 

Q: You say you have patented speckle-reduction techniques... I'd be happy to learn more of how you plan to solve this annoying issue.

Our systems implement a combination of three speckle removal techniques inside the projection device (two of which are proprietary) resulting in a high-quality viewing experience.

Q: Your first module is planned to be released in Q4 2009. Can you give us some specifications? (resolution, brightness, contrast, size, etc)

LBO’s first product release is an optical subsystem that can enable a small accessory projector - commonly known as a pico-projector. Around 100cc in size, these pico-projectors will create bright, high-quality video and still images in WVGA resolution, producing 10 - 15 lumens 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.

Q: A few days ago you announced a 15M$ fund raising (well done!), in addition to 26M$ raised a couple of years ago. How will you use that money? Will it allow you to reach revenues?

The money will enable LBO to accelerate its product development road map across multiple markets including automotive, industrial and consumer electronics.

Q: Do you aim the first product to be used for standalone 'companion' projectors, or to be embedded in phones or other devices?

The Company's first product – a  30cc projection engine suitable for integration into an accessory pico projector – is scheduled for release to OEM customers in Q4 09.

Q: Where do you see the LBO in 5 years?
Our vision is to become the world's largest supplier of miniature projection systems.

Thanks Edward, for this interesting interview, good luck to you and to LBO!