Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Policies)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2015

Notes to Financial Statements

Management's Statement and Policies (Policies)

MicroVision, Inc. is a pioneer in LBS technology that we market under our brand name PicoP®. We have developed our proprietary PicoP scanning technology that can be adopted by our customers to create high-resolution miniature projection and three-dimensional sensing and image capture solutions that use laser diodes as the light source. Our PicoP scanning technology incorporates our patented expertise in two-dimensional MEMS, lasers, optics, and electronics to create a small form factor scanning engine with lower power needs than many other technologies that projects high-quality video and still image and/or uses depth sensing to capture three-dimensional data.

Going Concern and Management's Plan

Based on our current operating plan, and assuming no additional funds from our existing ATM facility, we anticipate that we have sufficient cash and cash equivalents to fund our operations through June 2016. We will require additional cash to fund our operating plan past that time. We plan to obtain additional cash through the issuance of equity or debt securities and/or product sales and licensing activities. There can be no assurance that additional cash will be available or that, if available, it will be available on terms acceptable to us on a timely basis. If adequate funds are not available on a timely basis, we intend to consider limiting our operations substantially. This limitation of operations could include reducing our planned investment in our production capabilities or research and development projects, staff, operating costs, capital expenditures.

Our capital requirements will depend on many factors, including, but not limited to, the rate at which ODMs or OEMs introduce products incorporating PicoP scanning technology and the market acceptance and competitive position of such products. If revenues are less than anticipated, if the mix of revenues vary from anticipated amounts, or if expenses exceed the amounts budgeted, we may require additional capital earlier than expected to further the development of our technologies, for expenses associated with product development, and to respond to competitive pressures or to meet unanticipated development difficulties. In addition, our operating plan provides for the development of strategic relationships with systems and equipment manufacturers that may require additional investments by us.

We have received a report from our independent registered public accounting firm regarding the consolidated financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2015 that includes an explanatory paragraph expressing substantial doubt about our ability to continue as a going concern. These consolidated financial statements are prepared assuming we will continue as a going concern.

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 our estimates. We have identified the following areas where estimates and assumptions have been made in preparing the financial statements: revenue recognition, inventory valuation, valuation of share-based payments, intangibles impairment assessment and related disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities.

Principles of Consolidation

These consolidated financial statements are prepared assuming we will continue as a going concern.

Fair value of financial instruments

Fair value 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, and requires an entity to maximize the use of observable valuation inputs and minimize the use of unobservable inputs. 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.

Our financial instruments include cash and cash equivalents, accounts receivable, accounts payable and accrued liabilities. The carrying value of our financial instruments approximates fair value due to their short maturities.

Cash and cash equivalents

Our cash equivalents are comprised of money market savings accounts.

Intangible assets

Our intangible assets consist exclusively of purchased patents. The patents are amortized using the straight-line method over their estimated period of benefit, ranging from one to seventeen years. Intangible assets are reviewed for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate the carrying value may not be recoverable. Recoverability of these assets is measured by comparison of their carrying values to the projected undiscounted net cash flows associated with the related intangible assets or group of assets over their remaining lives. Measurement of an impairment loss for our intangible assets is based on the difference between the fair value of the asset and its carrying value.

Inventory

Inventory consists of raw materials and finished goods assemblies. Inventory is stated at the lower of cost or market. Management periodically assesses the need to account for obsolescence of inventory and adjusts 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 management determines that it is not probable that the inventory will be consumed through the normal course of business 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 cash

As of December 31, 2015 and 2014, restricted cash was in money market savings accounts and serve as collateral for $435,000 in irrevocable letters of credit. The restricted cash balance includes two letters of credit which are outstanding in connection with a lease agreement for our corporate headquarters building in Redmond, Washington. The balance is required over the term of the lease, which expires in January 2019.

Revenue recognition

We recognize revenue when: (i) persuasive evidence of an arrangement exists, (ii) delivery has occurred and there are no uncertainties regarding customer acceptance, (iii) fees are fixed or determinable, and (iv) collection is reasonably assured.

We generate revenue from many sources and activities. We enter into arrangements that can include various combinations of product sales, services, and licensing activities. For multiple-element arrangements, we use a hierarchy to determine the contract consideration to be used for allocating revenue to deliverables: (i) vendor-specific objective evidence of fair value (VSOE), (ii) third party evidence of selling price (TPE), and (iii) best estimate of selling price. To date, our sources can be classified as: product revenue, royalty revenue, contract revenue, or development revenue.

Product revenue

Product revenue is revenue from our sales of our products, which are MEMS and ASICs. Our product sales generally include acceptance provisions. We recognize product revenue upon acceptance of the product by the customer or the expiration of the contractual acceptance period, after which there are no rights of return. Provisions are made for warranties at the time revenue is recognized. Our product revenue, from period to period, may vary substantially due to the timing of product orders from customers, product shipments, production constraints and availability of components and raw materials.

Fulfillment and delivery of the backlog is dependent upon the successful supply chain development and delivery of required components to us.  From time to time, raw materials and manufacturing delays and components received that do not meet quality standards have resulted in delivery delays to our customers.

Royalty revenue

Royalty revenue is revenue under license agreements to our PicoP scanning technology. We recognize revenue on upfront license fees over the expected time frame that we provide services or have ongoing obligations under the agreement. Ongoing per unit royalties are reported by the customer and are recognized as revenue in the period in which the data becomes available to us.

Contract revenue

Contract revenue includes revenue from support service contracts and the sale of prototype units and evaluation kits incorporating our PicoP scanning technology. Our contract revenue in a particular period is dependent upon when we enter into a contract, the value of the contracts we have entered into, and the availability of technical resources to perform work on the contracts. We recognize contract revenue upon acceptance of the deliverables by the customer or expiration of the contractual acceptance period, after which there are no rights of return.

We recognize contract revenue on long-term, cost plus fixed fee, and fixed price contracts using the percentage-of-completion method. Our analysis of these contracts also contemplates whether contracts should be combined or segmented. The combination of two or more contracts requires judgment in determining whether the intent of entering into the contracts was effectively to enter into a single project, which should be combined to reflect an overall profit rate. Similarly, we may segment a project, which may consist of a single contract or group of contracts, with varying rates of profitability. Judgment in determining whether a single contract or group of contracts may be segmented based on the arrangement negotiated and the performance criteria. The decision to combine a group of contracts or segment a contract could change the amount of revenue and gross profit recorded in a given period.

Under the percentage-of-completion method, revenue is recognized as work progresses on the contract. The percentage-of-completion method relies on estimates of total expected contract revenue and costs. At the end of each period, we estimate the labor, material and other costs required to complete the contract using data provided by our technical team, project managers, vendors, outside consultants, and others and compare these to costs incurred to date.

Recognized revenues are subject to amendments for actual costs incurred. Amendments to revenue and costs to complete estimates are recognized in the period in which the facts become known. In the future, amendments to estimates could significantly impact recognized revenue in any one reporting period. If we are unable to estimate costs on a contract, revenue is recognized using the completed-contract method. Under the completed-contract method, revenue and contract costs are deferred and both are recognized when all deliverables are completed.

Development revenue

Development revenue is revenue from performance on collaborative research and development agreements with commercial customers researching and developing commercial applications for our technology. We evaluate the performance criteria and terms of our collaborative research and development agreements to determine whether revenue should be recognized under a performance-based method or milestone method. Significant items included in our evaluation include the following:

• The nature of our obligation under the agreement;
• Whether provisions leading to variable revenues exist;
• Whether any payments are refundable;
• Whether the deliverables should be treated as one unit of accounting or separated into multiple units;
• Whether substantive milestones exist;
• Whether milestone payments are commensurate with either our level of effort or the increase in value of the customer's rights; and
• Whether a licensing agreement exists.

At the end of each period, we evaluate total estimated costs for each agreement. Amendments to the estimated costs are recognized in the period in which the facts become known. The costs for work performed under collaborative research and development agreements are expensed in the periods incurred and included in the Statement of Operations in research and development expense.

Cost of revenue

Cost of product 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, or charged to us by our contract manufacturers in the manufacture of these products. Indirect costs include labor, manufacturing overhead, and other costs associated with operating our manufacturing capabilities and capacity. Manufacturing overhead includes the costs of procuring, inspecting and storing material, facility and depreciation costs and reserves for estimated warranty expenses, and is allocated to cost of product revenue based on the proportion of indirect labor which supported production activities. The cost of product revenue, as a percentage of product revenue, can fluctuate significantly from period to period, depending on the product mix and volume, the level of manufacturing overhead expense and the volume of direct material purchased.

Cost of contract revenue

Cost of contract revenue includes both the direct and allocated indirect costs of providing support services and producing prototype units and evaluation kits. Direct costs include labor, materials and other costs incurred directly in producing prototype units and evaluation kits or performing on a contract. 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 and major customers and suppliers

Concentration of credit risk

Financial instruments that potentially subject us to a concentration of credit risk are primarily cash equivalents and accounts receivable. We typically do not require collateral from our customers. As of December 31, 2015, our cash and cash equivalents are comprised of short-term highly rated money market savings accounts.

Concentration of major customers and suppliers

In 2015, 98% of our total revenue was generated from sales to one commercial customer, Sony Corporation. In 2014 and 2013, two commercial customers in each year accounted for 65% and 86% of our revenue, respectively. At December 31, 2015 and 2014, one commercial customer accounted for 91% and 80%, respectively, of our accounts receivable balance. A significant concentration of our components and the products we sell are currently manufactured and obtained from single or limited-source suppliers, which are primarily located in foreign countries. The loss of any single or limited-source supplier, the failure of any of these suppliers to perform as expected, or the disruption in the supply chain of components from these suppliers could subject us to risks and uncertainties regarding, but not limited to, increased cost of sales, possible loss of revenues, or significant delays in product deliveries, any of which could adversely affect our financial condition and operating results.

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.

Research and development

Research and development expense consists of compensation related costs of employees and contractors engaged in internal research and product development activities, direct material to support development programs, laboratory operations, outsourced development and processing work, and other operating expenses. We assign our research and development resources based on the business opportunity of the available projects, the skill mix of the resources available and the contractual commitments we have made to our customers. Research and development costs are expensed as incurred.

Share-based compensation

We issue share-based compensation to employees in the form of options exercisable into our common stock and restricted shares of our common stock. We account for equity instruments issued to employees using the straight-line attribution method of allocating the fair value of share-based compensation expense over the requisite service period of the related award. We determine the fair value of options using the Black-Scholes option pricing model with estimates of option lives, stock price volatility and interest rates, expensed over the periods of service, allowing for pre-vest forfeitures. The fair value of restricted shares is determined by the number of shares granted and the closing price of our common stock on the NASDAQ Global Market on the date of grant. Changes in the estimated inputs, or using other option valuation methods, could result in materially different option values and share-based compensation expense.

Reclassifications

Certain reclassifications have been made to prior year financial statements to conform to classifications used in the current year. These reclassifications had no impact on net loss, shareholders' equity or cash flows, as previously reported.

Recent accounting pronouncements

In February 2016, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) issued Accounting Standards Update No. 2016-2 (ASU 2016-2), Leases (Topic 842). ASU 2016-2 requires lessees to recognize a right-of-use asset and lease liability in the balance sheet for all leases, including operating leases, with terms of more than twelve months. Recognition, measurement and presentation of expenses and cash flows from a lease by a lessee have not significantly changed from previous guidance. The amendments also require qualitative disclosures along with specific quantitative disclosures. The new guidance will be effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2018, and interim periods within those years, with early adoption permitted. The amendments must be applied on a modified retrospective basis. We are currently evaluating the impact that the adoption of this standard will have on our financial statements.

In November 2015, FASB issued Accounting Standards Update No. 2015-17 (ASU 2015-17), Income Taxes: Balance Sheet Classification of Deferred Taxes. ASU 2015-17 eliminates the current requirement to present deferred tax liabilities and assets as current and non-current on the balance sheet and requires that all deferred tax liabilities and asset, and any related valuation allowance, be classified as non-current on the balance sheet. ASU 2015-17 is effective for public entities in fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2016, and for the interim periods within those fiscal years. The new guidance can be applied retrospectively or prospectively and early adoption is permitted. We do not expect the implementation of this standard to have a material effect on our financial statements.

In July 2015, FASB issued Accounting Standards Update No. 2015-11 (ASU 2015-11), Inventory (Topic 330): Simplifying the Measurement of Inventory, which changes the measurement principle for inventory from the lower of cost or market to the lower of cost and net realizable value. ASU 2015-11 defines net realizable value as estimated selling prices in the ordinary course of business, less predictable costs of completion, disposal, and transportation. The new guidance must be applied on a prospective basis and is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2015, and interim periods within those years, with early adoption permitted. We do not expect the implementation of this standard to have a material effect on our financial statements.

In August 2014, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update No. 2014-15 (ASU 2014-15), Disclosure of Uncertainties about an Entity's Ability to Continue as a Going Concern, which provides guidance on determining when and how to disclose going concern uncertainties in the financial statements. The new standard requires management to perform interim and annual assessments of an entity's ability to continue as a going concern within one year of the date the financial statements are issued. An entity must provide certain disclosures if conditions or events raise substantial doubt about the entity's ability to continue as a going concern. ASU 2014-15 will be effective for annual periods ending after December 15, 2016, and interim periods thereafter, with early adoption permitted. We do not expect the implementation of this standard to have a material effect on our financial statements.

In May 2014, FASB issued Accounting Standards Update No. 2014-09 (ASU 2014-09), Revenue from Contracts with Customers, an updated standard on revenue recognition. ASU 2014-09 provides enhancements to the quality and consistency of how revenue is reported while also improving comparability in the financial statements of companies reporting using International Financial Reporting Standards and generally accepted accounting principles of the United States. The core principle of the new standard is for companies to recognize revenue to depict the transfer of goods or services to customers in amounts that reflect the consideration to which the company expects to be entitled in exchange for those goods or services. The new standard also will result in enhanced disclosures about revenue, provide guidance for transactions that were not previously addressed comprehensively, and improve guidance for multiple-element arrangements. In July 2015, the FASB voted to defer the effective date of this update for one year. ASU 2014-09 will be effective in the first quarter of fiscal 2018 and may be applied on a full retrospective or modified retrospective approach. We have not yet selected a transition method and we are currently evaluating the effect that the updated standard will have on our financial statements.

Adverse purchase commitments

We have periodically entered into noncancelable purchase contracts in order to ensure the availability of materials to support production of our products. We continuously assess our outstanding commitments and recognize a loss on purchase commitments, when required, if such commitments are in excess of our product needs or the costs are not expected to be recoverable.