Summary of significant accounting policies - Note 2

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2011

Organization Consolidation Abstract

Summary of significant accounting policies - Note 2

2. Summary of significant accounting policies

Use of estimates

The preparation of financial statements in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles of the United States requires us to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates. We have identified the following areas where significant estimates and assumptions have been made in preparing the financial statements: revenue recognition, valuation of share-based compensation, allowance for uncollectible receivables, inventory valuation and valuation of derivative financial instruments.

Principles of consolidation

Our consolidated financial statements include the accounts of MicroVision, Inc. and MicroVision Innovations Singapore Pte. Ltd. ("MicroVision Singapore"), a wholly owned foreign subsidiary. MicroVision Singapore was incorporated in April 2011 and is engaged in advanced research and development activities and operation support functions for MicroVision, Inc. There were no material intercompany accounts and transactions during the year ended December 31, 2011.

Cash and cash equivalents; investment securities, available-for-sale; and fair value of financial instruments

Our financial instruments include cash and cash equivalents, investments available-for-sale, accounts receivable, accounts payable, accrued liabilities and long-term debt. Excluding the long term debt, the carrying value of our financial instruments approximates fair value due to their short maturities. The carrying amount of long-term debt at December 31, 2011 and 2010 was not materially different from the fair value based on rates available for similar types of arrangements.

The fair value of financial instruments is defined as the exchange price that would be received for an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants. As such, fair value is a market-based measurement that should be determined based on assumptions that market participants would use in pricing an asset or liability. As a basis for considering such assumptions, the authoritative guidance establishes a three level fair value inputs hierarchy, with Level 1 being observable inputs such as quoted market prices in active markets, Level 2 being observable inputs that are not sufficiently active to qualify as Level 1, and Level 3 being inputs that are unobservable by market participants outside of the Company and must be estimated using assumptions we develop. We use market data, assumptions and risks we believe market participants would use in measuring the fair value of the asset or liability, including the risks inherent in the inputs and the valuation techniques. We disclose the lowest level input significant to each category of asset or liability. We use inputs which are as observable as possible and the methods most applicable to the specific situation of each company or valued item.

We consider fair valued assets impaired when the fair value is less than cost. When the impairment is significant, we judge whether the impairment is temporary or other-than-temporary. An impairment is generally considered to be other-than-temporary and recorded as such in the period when there is deemed sufficient reason to conclude that the fair value of the asset is not expected to recover to the recorded fair value prior to the expected time of sale or maturity. We classify other-than-temporary fair value impairments into one of two categories: "credit" or "other factors". Other-than-temporary impairments are charged to current earnings if they are of the "credit" type or recorded to other comprehensive loss if they are due to "other factors".

Our cash equivalents and investment securities available-for-sale are comprised of money market savings accounts and equity securities. We classify investment securities available-for-sale purchased with 90 days or less remaining until contractual maturities as cash equivalents. Investment securities purchased with more than 90 days until contractual maturities are classified as current investment securities available-for-sale on the consolidated balance sheet with unrealized gains and losses included in the consolidated statement of comprehensive loss. Interest income, realized gains and losses, and other-than-temporary credit type impairments are recognized in the period earned or incurred and presented separately in the consolidated statement of operations. Changes in the fair values of derivatives are realized in the period of remeasurement and recorded in Gain (loss) on derivative instruments, net in the consolidated statement of operations. The cost of securities sold is based on the specific identification method.

Intangible assets

Our intangible assets consist entirely of purchased patents. The patents are amortized using the straight-line method over their estimated period of benefit, ranging from one to 17 years. We evaluate the recoverability of intangible assets periodically by taking into account events or circumstances that may warrant revised estimates of useful lives or that indicate the asset may be impaired.

Inventory

Inventory consists of raw material and finished goods for our pico projectors and ROV products. Inventory is recorded at the lower of cost or market with cost determined on a net realizable value basis. We periodically assess the need to provide for obsolescence of inventory and adjust the carrying value of inventory to its net realizable value when required. In addition, we reduce the value of our inventory to its estimated scrap value when we determine that it is not probable that the inventory will be consumed through normal production during the next twelve months.

Property and equipment

Property and equipment is stated at cost and depreciated over the estimated useful lives of the assets (two to five years) using the straight-line method. Leasehold improvements are depreciated over the shorter of estimated useful lives or the lease term. Costs for repairs and maintenance are charged to expense as incurred and expenditures for major improvements are capitalized at cost. Gains or losses on the disposition of assets are reflected in the income statements at the time of disposal.

Restricted investments

As of December 31, 2011, restricted investments were in money market savings accounts and serve as collateral for $786,000 in irrevocable letters of credit. The restricted investments balance includes two letters of credit totaling $436,000 which are outstanding in connection with a lease agreement for our corporate headquarters building in Redmond, WA. The required balance decreases over the term of the lease, which expires in 2013. Also included in the restricted investments balance was a $350,000 letter of credit which was outstanding under the terms of a supplier agreement, and expired in January 2012.

Revenue recognition

Product revenue is recognized when there is sufficient evidence of an arrangement, delivery has occurred, the fee is fixed or determinable, and collection is reasonably assured. We have entered into agreements with resellers and distributors, as well as selling directly to the public. Sales made to resellers and distributors are recognized using either the sell-through method or upon expiration of the contractually agreed-upon acceptance period, depending on the volume of the sale. Some of the agreements with resellers and distributors contain price-protection clauses, and revenue is recognized net of these amounts. Sales made directly to the public are recognized either upon expiration of the contractual acceptance period after which there are no rights of return, or net of estimated returns and allowances. Provisions are made for warranties at the time revenue is recorded.

Contract revenue has primarily been generated from contracts to develop the light scanning technology and to produce demonstration units for commercial enterprises and the U.S. government. We recognize contract revenue as work progresses on long-term cost plus fixed fee and fixed price contracts using the percentage-of-completion method, which relies on estimates of total expected contract revenue and costs. Our revenue contracts generally include a statement of the work we are to complete and the total fee we will earn from the contract. When we begin work on the contract and at the end of each accounting period, we estimate the labor, material, and other cost required to complete the statement of work compared to cost incurred to date. We use information provided by our technical team, project managers, vendors, outside consultants and others to develop our cost estimates. Since our contracts generally require some level of technology development to complete, the actual cost required to complete a statement of work can vary from our estimates. We have developed processes that allow us to reasonably estimate the cost to complete a contract. Historically, we have made only immaterial revisions in the estimates to complete the contract at each reporting period. Recognized revenues are subject to revisions as the contract progresses to completion and actual revenue and cost become certain. Revisions in revenue estimates are reflected in the period in which the facts that give rise to the revision become known. In the future, revisions in these estimates could significantly impact recognized revenue in any one reporting period. The U.S. government can terminate a contract with us at any time for convenience. If the U.S. government cancels a contract, we would receive payment for work performed and costs committed to prior to the cancellation.

We recognize losses, if any, as soon as identified. Losses occur when the estimated direct and indirect costs to complete the contract exceed unrecognized revenue. We evaluate the reserve for contract losses on a contract-by-contract basis.

We recognize contract revenue for prototype units and evaluation kits for development work upon acceptance or the expiration of the acceptance period, when there is sufficient evidence of an arrangement, the selling price is fixed or determinable and collection is reasonably assured.

Cost of revenue

Cost of product revenue includes the direct and allocated indirect costs of manufacturing products sold to customers. Direct costs include labor, materials and other costs incurred directly in the manufacture of these products. Indirect costs include labor and other costs associated with operating our manufacturing capabilities and capacity.

Cost of contract revenue includes both the direct and allocated indirect costs of performing on development contracts and producing prototype units and evaluation kits. Direct costs include labor, materials and other costs incurred directly in performing on a contract or producing prototype units and evaluation kits. Indirect costs include labor and other costs associated with operating our research and development department and building our technical capabilities and capacity. Cost of contract revenue is determined by the level of direct and indirect costs incurred, which can fluctuate substantially from period to period.

Our overhead, which includes the costs of procuring, inspecting and storing material, and facility and depreciation costs, is allocated to inventory, cost of product revenue, cost of contract revenue, and research and development expense based on the level of effort supporting production or research and development activity.

Concentration of credit risk and sales to major customers

Concentration of Credit Risk

Financial instruments that potentially subject us to concentrations of credit risk are primarily cash equivalents, investment securities available-for-sale and accounts receivable. We typically do not require collateral from our customers. Our investment policy generally directs investment managers to select investments to achieve the following goals: preservation of principal, adequate liquidity and return. As of December 31, 2011, our cash and cash equivalents and investments securities portfolio are comprised of short-term highly rated money market savings accounts and equity investments.

As of December 31, 2009, we held $3.0 million par value student loan auction rate securities (SLARS), fair valued at approximately $2.7 million. In March and December 2010, one of the issuers redeemed a total of $200,000 of our SLARS at par value through a voluntary lottery redemption program. In December 2010, we sold our remaining SLARS for $2.4 million, resulting in a realized loss of $127,000 during the period. As of December 31, 2010, all of our total cash and cash equivalents and investment securities available-for-sale had variable interest rates or were equity investments traded in active markets.

Concentration of Sales to Major Customers

During 2011, two commercial customers accounted for 20% of our total revenue and three commercial customers accounted for 53% of our accounts receivable balance at December 31, 2011. During 2010, one commercial customer accounted for approximately 26% of total revenue and the same customer accounted for 62% of the accounts receivable balance at December 31, 2010. During 2009, the U.S. government accounted for approximately 43% of total revenue, with two government customers accounting for 24% and 17%, respectively, of total revenue. The U.S. government accounted for approximately 37% of the accounts receivable balance at December 31, 2009.

Income taxes

Deferred tax assets and liabilities are recorded for differences between the financial statement and tax bases of the assets and liabilities that will result in taxable or deductible amounts in the future, based on enacted tax laws and rates applicable to the periods in which the differences are expected to affect taxable income. Valuation allowances are established when necessary to reduce deferred tax assets to the amount expected to be realized. Income tax expense is recorded for the amount of income tax payable for the period increased or decreased by the change in deferred tax assets and liabilities during the period.

Net loss per share

Basic net loss per share is calculated using the weighted-average number of common shares outstanding during the periods. Net loss per share assuming dilution is calculated using the weighted-average number of common shares outstanding and the dilutive effect of all potentially dilutive securities, including common stock equivalents and convertible securities. Net loss per share assuming dilution is equal to basic net loss per share because the effect of dilutive securities outstanding during the periods including options and warrants computed using the treasury stock method, is anti-dilutive.

As of December 31, 2011, 2010, and 2009, we excluded the following convertible securities from diluted net loss per share as the effect of including them would have been anti-dilutive. The shares shown represent the number of shares of common stock which would be issued upon conversion in the respective years.

	December 31,
	2011	2010	2009
Publicly traded warrants	753,000	753,000	753,000
Options and private warrants	2,498,000	1,381,000	1,586,000
Nonvested equity shares	132,000	57,000	50,000
	3,383,000	2,191,000	2,389,000

Research and development

Research and development costs are expensed as incurred.

Long-lived assets

We evaluate the recoverability of our long-lived assets when an impairment is indicated based on expected undiscounted cash flows. We recognize impairment of the carrying value of long-lived assets, if any, based on the fair value of such assets.

Share-based compensation

We have one share-based incentive compensation plan. The plan is more fully described in Note 12.

We use the straight-line attribution method to allocate the fair value of share-based compensation awards over the requisite service period for each award. The following table shows the amount of share-based employee compensation expense included in the statements of operations for each period shown:

		Year Ended December 31,
		2011		2010		2009
Cost of contract revenue	$	143,000	$	29,000	$	101,000
Cost of product revenue		136,000		42,000		18,000
Research and development expense		1,329,000		1,343,000		1,213,000
Sales, marketing, general and administrative expense		1,648,000		1,994,000		1,956,000
	$	3,256,000	$	3,408,000	$	3,288,000

New accounting pronouncements

In May 2011, the FASB issued a new accounting standard on fair value measurements that clarifies the application of existing guidance and disclosure requirements, changes certain fair value measurement principles and requires additional disclosures about fair value measurements. The standard is effective for interim and annual periods beginning after December 15, 2011. The adoption of this standard is not expected to have a material impact on our financial statements.

In June 2011, the FASB issued a new accounting standard on the presentation of comprehensive income. The new standard requires the presentation of comprehensive income, the components of net income and the components of other comprehensive income either in a single continuous statement of comprehensive income or in two separate but consecutive statements. The new standard also requires presentation of adjustments for items that are reclassified from other comprehensive income to net income in the statement where the components of net income and the components of other comprehensive income are presented. The standard is effective for fiscal years, and interim periods within these years, beginning after December 15, 2011. The adoption of this standard is not expected to have a material impact on our financial statements.