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Summary of significant accounting policies
12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2011
Accounting Policies [Abstract]  
Significant Accounting Policies [Text Block]
2.     Summary of significant accounting policies
 
Principles of Consolidation
 
The preparation of our consolidated financial statements is in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“GAAP”) and include the accounts of Neonode Inc. and its wholly owned Swedish subsidiary Neonode Technologies AB.  All intercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation.
 
Reclassification
 
Certain amounts in the 2010 financial statements have been reclassified to conform to the current year presentation.
 
Estimates
 
The preparation of financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires making estimates and assumptions that affect, at the date of the financial statements, the reported amounts of assets and liabilities, disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities and the reported amounts of revenue and expenses. Actual results could differ from these estimates. Significant estimates include, but are not limited to, collectibility of accounts receivables, recoverability of long-lived assets, the valuation allowance related to our deferred tax assets, the fair value of derivative liabilities, and the fair value of securities such as options and warrants issued for stock-based compensation and in certain financing transactions.
 
Cash and Cash Equivalents
 
We have not had any liquid investments other than normal cash deposits with bank institutions to date. If in the future the Company purchases cash equivalents, the Company will consider all highly liquid investments with original maturities of three months of less to be cash equivalents.
  
Concentration of Cash Balance Risks
 
Cash balances are maintained at various banks in the U.S. and Sweden. At times, deposits held with financial institutions in the United States of America may exceed the amount of insurance provided by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (“FDIC”), which provides basic deposit coverage with limits up to $250,000 per owner. In addition to the basic insurance deposit coverage, the FDIC is providing temporary unlimited coverage for non-interest bearing transaction accounts through December 31, 2012. The Swedish government provides insurance coverage up to 100,000 euro per customer and covers deposits in all types of accounts. As of December 31, 2011, the Company has approximately $1.2 million in excess of insurance limits.
 
Accounts Receivable and Allowance for Doubtful Accounts  
 
Our accounts receivable are stated at net realizable value. Our policy is to maintain allowances for estimated losses resulting from the inability of our customers to make required payments. Credit limits are established through a process of reviewing the financial history and stability of each customer. Where appropriate, we obtain credit rating reports and financial statements of the customer when determining or modifying its credit limits. We regularly evaluate the collectibility of our trade receivable balances based on a combination of factors. When a customer’s account balance becomes past due, we initiate dialogue with the customer to determine the cause. If it is determined that the customer will be unable to meet its financial obligation, such as in the case of a bankruptcy filing, deterioration in the customer’s operating results or financial position or other material events impacting its business, we record a specific allowance to reduce the related receivable to the amount we expect to recover. Should all efforts fail to recover the related receivable, we will write-off the account. We also record an allowance for all customers based on certain other factors including the length of time the receivables are past due and historical collection experience with customers.  An allowance for doubtful accounts was not necessary at December 31, 2011 and 2010.
 
Debt issuance Costs
 
Debt issuance costs represent costs incurred in connection with the issuance of the convertible notes payable. Debt issuance costs are amortized over the term of the financing instrument on a straight-line basis, which approximates the effective interest method.
 
Property and Equipment
 
Property and equipment are stated at cost, net of accumulated depreciation and amortization. Depreciation and amortization are computed using the straight-line method based upon estimated useful lives of the assets ranging from three to five years as follows:
 
  Estimated useful lives
   
Computer equipment
3 years
Furniture and fixtures
5 years
 
Equipment purchased under capital leases is amortized on a straight-line basis over the estimated useful life of the asset or term of the lease, whichever is shorter.
 
Upon retirement or sale of property and equipment, cost and accumulated depreciation and amortization are removed from the accounts and any gains or losses are reflected in the consolidated statement of operations. Maintenance and repairs are charged to expense as incurred.
 
Long-Lived Assets
 
We assess any impairment by estimating the future cash flow from the associated asset in accordance with relevant accounting guidance. If the estimated undiscounted future cash flow related to these assets decreases or the useful life is shorter than originally estimated, we may incur charges for impairment of these assets. The impairment is based on the estimated discounted cash flow associated with the asset.  At December 31, 2011, we believe there is no impairment of our long-lived assets. There can be no assurance, however, that market conditions will not change or sufficient commercial demand for our products and services will materialize, which could result in impairment of long-lived assets in the future.
  
Foreign Currency Translation and Transaction Gains and Losses
 
The functional currency of our foreign subsidiary is the applicable local currency, the Swedish Krona. The translation from Swedish Krona to U.S. Dollars is performed for balance sheet accounts using current exchange rates in effect at the balance sheet date and for income statement accounts using a weighted average exchange rate during the period. Gains or losses resulting from translation are included as a separate component of accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) in the accompanying consolidated statements of stockholders’ equity (deficit) and comprehensive loss. Gains or losses resulting from foreign currency transactions are included in general and administrative expenses in the accompanying consolidated statements of operations and were $44,000 and $23,000 during the years ended December 31, 2011 and 2010, respectively. Foreign currency translation gains were $76,000 and $33,000 during the years ended December 31, 2011 and 2010, respectively.
 
Liabilities for Warrants and Embedded Derivatives  
 
We do not enter into derivative contracts for purposes of risk management or speculation.  However, from time to time, we enter into contracts that are not considered derivative financial instruments in their entirety but that include embedded derivative features, such as conversion features that contain anti-dilution rights. Such embedded derivatives are assessed at inception of the contract and every reporting period, depending on their characteristics, and are accounted for as separate derivative financial instruments pursuant to accounting guidance, if such embedded conversion features, if freestanding, would meet the classification of a liability. Accounting guidance requires that we analyze all material contracts and determine whether or not they contain embedded derivatives. Any such embedded conversion features that meet the above criteria are then bifurcated from their host contract and recorded on the consolidated balance sheet at fair value and the changes in the fair value of these derivatives are recorded each period in the consolidated statements of operations as an increase or decrease to non-cash charges.
 
Similarly, if warrants meet the criteria in accordance with accounting guidance to be classified as liabilities, then the fair value of the warrants are recorded on the consolidated balance sheet at their fair values, and any changes in such fair values are recorded each period in the consolidated statements of operations as an increase or decrease to non-cash charges.
 
Concentration of Credit and Business Risks
 
In the short term, we anticipate that we will depend on a limited number of customers for substantially all of our future revenue. Failure to anticipate or respond adequately to technological developments in our industry, changes in customer or supplier requirements or changes in regulatory requirements or industry standards, or any significant delays in the development or introduction of products or services, could have a material adverse effect on our business, operating results and cash flows.
 
Our accounts receivable as of December 31, 2011 was due from five customers. Our net revenues for the year ended December 31, 2011 was earned from seven customers. Our customers are located in the U.S., Europe and Asia. Customers which accounted for 10% or more of our net revenues during the year ended December 31, 2011 are as follows:
 
·  
Amazon accounted for 40%
·  
Barnes & Noble accounted for 26%
·  
Sony Corporation accounted for 21%
·  
KOBO Inc. accounted for 11%
 
Our accounts receivable as of December 31, 2010 was due from six customers. Our revenues for the year ended December 31, 2010 was earned from seven customers of whom two customers accounted for approximately 84% of our net revenues for the year. Customers which accounted for 10% or more of our net revenues during the year ended December 31, 2010 are as follows:
 
·  
Sony Corporation accounted for 46%
·  
Sony Ericsson Mobile Communications AB accounted for 38%
 
Risk and Uncertainties
 
Our long-term success is dependent on our obtaining sufficient capital to fund our operations and to develop our products, and on our bringing such products to the worldwide market and obtaining sufficient sales volume to be profitable. To achieve these objectives, we may be required to raise additional capital through public or private financings or other arrangements. If additional capital is needed we cannot be assured that such financings will be available on terms attractive to us, if at all. Such financings may be dilutive to our stockholders and may contain restrictive covenants.
 
We are subject to certain risks common to technology-based companies in similar stages of development. Principal risks include risks relating to the uncertainty of market acceptance for our products, a history of losses since inception, our ability to remain competitive in response to new technologies, the costs to defend, as well as risks of losing patents and intellectual property rights, a reliance on a limited number of suppliers, the uncertainty of demand for our products in certain markets, our ability to manage growth effectively, our dependence on key members of our management and development team, our limited experience in conducting operations internationally, and our ability to obtain adequate capital to fund future operations.
  
We are exposed to a number of economic and industry factors that could result in portions of our technology becoming obsolete or not gaining market acceptance. These factors include, but are not limited to, technological changes in our markets, our ability to meet changing customer requirements, competitive pressures in products and prices, and the ability of our customers to manufacture and sell their products that incorporate our technology.
 
A significant portion of our business is conducted in currencies other than the U.S. dollar (the currency in which our consolidated financial statements are reported), primarily the Swedish Krona and, to a lesser extent, the Euro. We incur a significant portion of our expenses in Swedish Krona, including a significant portion of our product development expense and a substantial portion of our general and administrative expenses. As a result, appreciation of the value of the Swedish Krona relative to the other currencies, particularly the U.S. dollar, could adversely affect operating results. We do not currently undertake hedging transactions to cover our currency exposure, but we may choose to hedge a portion of our currency exposure in the future as it deems appropriate.
 
Our future success depends on market acceptance of our technology as well as our ability to introduce new versions of our technology to meet the evolving needs of our customers.
 
Revenue Recognition
 
Engineering Services:
 
We may sell engineering consulting services to our customers on a flat rate or hourly rate basis. We recognize revenue from these services when all of the following conditions are met: (1) evidence existed of an arrangement with the customer, typically consisting of a purchase order or contract; (2) our services were performed and risk of loss passed to the customer; (3) we completed all of the necessary terms of the contract; (4) the amount of revenue to which we were entitled was fixed or determinable; and (5) we believed it was probable that we would be able to collect the amount due from the customer. To the extent that one or more of these conditions has not been satisfied, we defer recognition of revenue.  Generally, we recognize revenue as the engineering services stipulated under the contact are completed and accepted by our customers.  
 
Licensing Revenues:
 
We also derive revenue from the licensing of internally developed intellectual property (“IP”). We enter into IP licensing agreements that generally provide licensees the right to incorporate our IP components in their products with terms and conditions that vary by licensee. The IP licensing agreements generally include a nonexclusive license for the underlying IP. Fees under these agreements may include license fees relating to our IP and royalties payable following the sale by our licensees of products incorporating the licensed technology. The license for our IP has standalone value and can be used by the licensee without maintenance and support. As of September 30, 2011, Neonode meets all the accounting requirements for revenue recognition as per unit royalty products are distributed or licensed by the Company’s customers.   For technology license arrangements that do not require significant modification or customization of the underlying technology, we recognize new technology license revenue when: (1) we enter into a legally binding arrangement with a customer for the license of technology; (2) customer distributes or license the products; (3) customer payment is deemed fixed or determinable and free of contingencies or significant uncertainties; and (4) collection is reasonably assured.
 
Prior to September 30, 2011, we deferred the technology license fee revenue until such time as the warranty period stipulated in the license agreement expired because we did not have sufficient historical experience in estimating potential warranty costs.  From June 2010 to December 31, 2011, we entered into 12 technology license contracts with customers.  During that time there were no warranty related costs incurred for any customer products after they have been released to market.  During the quarter ended September 30, 2011, the Company performed an analysis and determined that it had sufficient historical evidence regarding estimated warranty costs and therefore began recognizing technology license fee revenues, net of warranty costs, if any, as the products incorporating the Neonode technology are distributed or licensed by our customers, assuming all other revenue recognition criteria has been met.  Our customers report to us the quantities of products distributed by them after the end of the reporting period stipulated in the contract, generally 30 to 45 days after the end of the month or quarter.  The effect of this change in accounting estimate was to increase net revenues by $236,000 during the year ended December 31, 2011, and decrease net loss per share by $0.01 for the year ended December 31, 2011.
 
Explicit return rights are not offered to customers. There have been no returns through December 31, 2011.
 
Hardware Products:
 
We may from time-to-time develop custom hardware products for our customers that incorporate our touchscreen technology. Our policy is to recognize revenue from hardware product sales when title transfers and risk of loss has passed to the customer, which is generally upon shipment of our hardware products to our customers. We will estimate expected sales returns and record the amount as a reduction of revenue and cost of hardware and other revenue at the time of shipment. To date, we have not sold any hardware products.
  
Software Products:
 
We may derive revenues from software licensing sales.  We will account for the licensing of software in accordance with accounting guidance and such guidance requires judgment, including whether a software arrangement includes multiple elements, and if so, whether vendor-specific objective evidence (“VSOE”) of fair value exists for those elements.
 
For software license arrangements that do not require significant modification or customization of the underlying software, we will recognize new software license revenue when: (1) we enter into a legally binding arrangement with a customer for the license of software; (2) we deliver the products; (3) customer payment is deemed fixed or determinable and free of contingencies or significant uncertainties; and (4) collection is reasonably assured.
 
On January 1, 2011, we adopted new authoritative guidance on a prospective basis for revenue arrangements containing multiple deliverables. This guidance requires us to allocate revenues to all deliverables based on their relative selling price using a specific hierarchy. The hierarchy is as follows: vendor-specific objective evidence (“VSOE”), third-party evidence of selling price (“TPE”) or best estimate of selling price (“BESP”).
 
When a sale involves multiple elements, we will allocate the entire fee from the arrangement to each respective element based on VSOE of fair value and recognize revenue when each element’s revenue recognition criteria are met. VSOE of fair value for each element is established based on the price charged when the same element is sold separately. We have established VSOE for our software licenses based on historical stand-alone sales to third parties or from the stated renewal rates contained in the customer contracts. Maintenance service revenue is recognized on a straight-line basis over the support period.
 
We have not yet demonstrated VSOE for the professional services that are rendered in conjunction with our software license sales. In accordance with the hierarchy we would attempt to establish the selling price of professional services using TPE. Our product contains significant differentiation such that the comparable pricing of products with similar functionality cannot be obtained. We are typically not able to obtain TPE for professional services.
 
When we are unable to establish selling prices using VSOE or TPE, we use BESP. The objective of BESP is to determine the price at which we would transact a sale if professional services were sold on a stand-alone basis. BESP is generally used for offerings that are not typically sold on a stand-alone basis or for highly customized offerings.
 
We will also continue to defer revenues that represent undelivered post-delivery engineering support until the engineering support has been completed and the software product is accepted. To date, we have not sold any software products.
 
The adoption of this guidance did not have a material effect on our consolidated financial statements.
 
Deferred Revenue
 
From time-to-time the Company receives pre-payments from its customers related to future services or future license fee revenues. The Company defers these revenues until the services have been provided or until the license fees are earned.
 
Advertising
 
Advertising costs are expensed as incurred. Advertising costs amounted to approximately $241,000 and $28,000 for the years ended December 31, 2011 and 2010, respectively.
 
Product Research and Development
 
Research and development (“R&D”) costs are expensed as incurred. R&D costs consist mainly of personnel related costs in addition to some external consultancy costs such as testing, certifying and measurements.
 
Stock-Based Compensation Expense
 
We measure the cost of employee services received in exchange for an award of equity instruments, including share options, based on the fair value of the award on the grant date, and recognize the value as compensation expense over the period the employee is required to provide services in exchange for the award, usually the vesting period, net of estimated forfeitures.
  
We account for equity instruments issued to non-employees at their fair value and the unvested portion is re-measured each reporting period as long as the instrument requires variable accounting.
 
When determining stock-based compensation expense involving options and warrants, we determine the estimated fair value of options and warrants using the Black-Scholes option pricing model.
 
Accounting for Debt Issued with Detachable Stock Purchase Warrants and Beneficial Conversion Features
 
We account for debt issued with stock purchase warrants by allocating the proceeds of the debt between the debt and the detachable warrants based on the relative fair values of the debt security without the warrants and the warrants themselves, if the warrants are equity instruments.   The relative fair value of the warrants is recorded as a debt discount and amortized to expense over the life of the related debt using the straight-line method, which approximates the effective interest method. At each balance sheet date, we make a determination if these warrant instruments should be classified as liabilities or equity, and reclassify them if the circumstances dictate.
 
In certain instances, the Company enters into convertible notes that provide for an effective or actual rate of conversion that is below market value, and the embedded conversion feature does not qualify for derivative treatment (a “BCF”).  In these instances, we account for the value of the BCF as a debt discount, which is then amortized to expense over the life of the related debt using the straight-line method, which approximates the effective interest method.
 
Income Taxes
 
We recognize deferred tax liabilities and assets for the expected future tax consequences of items that have been included in the consolidated financial statements or tax returns. We estimate income taxes based on rates in effect in each of the jurisdictions in which we operate. Deferred income tax assets and liabilities are determined based upon differences between the financial statement and income tax bases of assets and liabilities using enacted tax rates in effect for the year in which the differences are expected to reverse. The realization of deferred tax assets is based on historical tax positions and expectations about future taxable income. Valuation allowances are recorded against net deferred tax assets when, in our opinion, realization is uncertain based on the “not more likely than not” criteria of the accounting guidance.
 
Based on the uncertainty of future pre-tax income, we fully reserved our net deferred tax assets as of December 31, 2011 and 2010. In the event we were to determine that we would be able to realize our deferred tax assets in the future, an adjustment to the deferred tax asset would increase income in the period such a determination was made. The provision for income taxes represents the net change in deferred tax amounts, plus income taxes payable for the current period.
 
Effective January 1, 2007, we adopted the relevant accounting guidance related to uncertain tax positions, which provisions include a two-step approach to recognizing, de-recognizing and measuring uncertain tax positions.  As a result, we did not recognize a liability for unrecognized tax benefits.  As of December 31, 2011 and 2010, we had no unrecognized tax benefits.
 
Net Loss Per Share
 
Net loss per share amounts have been computed based on the weighted-average number of shares of common stock outstanding during the years ended December 31, 2011 and 2010. Net loss per share, assuming dilution amounts from common stock equivalents, is computed based on the weighted average number of shares of common stock and potential common stock equivalents outstanding during the period. The weighted average number of shares of common stock and potential common stock equivalents used in computing the net loss per share for years ended December 31, 2011 and 2010 exclude the potential common stock equivalents, as the effect would be anti-dilutive (see Note 15).
 
Comprehensive Loss
 
Our comprehensive loss includes foreign currency translation gains and losses.  The cumulative amount of translation gains and losses are reflected as a separate component in the consolidated statements of stockholders’ equity (deficit) and comprehensive loss.
 
Cash Flow Information
 
Cash flows in foreign currencies have been converted to U.S. dollars at an approximate weighted average exchange rate for the respective reporting periods. The weighted average exchange rate for the consolidated statements of operations was 6.50 and 7.21 Swedish Krona to one U.S. Dollar for the years ended December 31, 2011 and 2010, respectively. The exchange rate for the consolidated balance sheets was 6.92 and 6.78 Swedish Krona to one U.S. Dollar as of December 31, 2011 and 2010, respectively.
 
Fair Value of Financial Instruments
 
We disclose the estimated fair values for all financial instruments for which it is practicable to estimate fair value. Financial instruments including cash, accounts receivable, payables and current portions of long-term debt are deemed to approximate fair value due to their short maturities. The carrying amounts of long-term debt cannot be reasonably determined since no quoted market prices exist for these instruments and quoted prices for similar instruments cannot be located (see Note 6).
 
New Accounting Pronouncements
 
In September 2009, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued Accounting Standards Update (“ASU 2009-13”), Multiple-Deliverable Revenue Arrangements, which amends the revenue guidance under ASC Topic 605, Revenue Recognition , which describes the accounting for multiple-element arrangements. ASU 2009-13 addresses how to determine whether an arrangement involving multiple deliverables contains more than one unit of accounting and how arrangement consideration shall be measured and allocated to the separate units of accounting in the arrangement. ASU 2009-13 is effective on a prospective basis for the Company’s fiscal year 2011, with earlier adoption permitted. The Company adopted ASU 2009-13 on January 1, 2011 and determined that the adoption of this guidance did not have a material effect on the consolidated financial statements.
 
In September 2009, the FASB issued ASU 2009-14, Certain Revenue Arrangements That Include Software Elements (“ASU 2009-14”), which excludes tangible products containing software components and non-software components that function together to deliver product’s essential functionality from scope of ASC Topic 985, Software, which describes the accounting for software revenue recognition. ASU 2009-14 is effective on a prospective basis for the Company’s fiscal year 2011, with earlier adoption permitted. The Company adopted ASU 2009-14 on January 1, 2011 and determined that the adoption of this guidance did not have a material effect on the consolidated financial statements.
 
In May 2011, the FASB issued ASU No. 2011-4, Fair Value Measurement ("ASU 2011-04"). ASU 2011-04 amends existing guidance to achieve convergence in measurement and disclosure between U.S. GAAP and International Financial Reporting Standards ("IFRS"). ASU 2011-04 is effective for fiscal year 2012. The Company is currently evaluating the impact that ASU 2011-04 will have on its consolidated financial statements.
 
In June 2011, the FASB issued ASU No. 2011-05,   Presentation of Comprehensive Income (“ASU 2011-05”).  The provisions of ASU 2011-05 allow an entity the option to present the total 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.  In both choices, an entity is required to present each component of net income along with total net income, each component of other comprehensive income along with a total for other comprehensive income, and a total amount for comprehensive income.  The statement(s) are required to be presented with equal prominence as the other primary financial statements.  ASU No. 2011-05 eliminates the option to present the components of other comprehensive income as part of the statement of changes in shareholders’ equity but does not change the items that must be reported in other comprehensive income or when an item of other comprehensive income must be reclassified to net income.  Certain provisions of ASU No. 2011-05 are effective for the Company’s interim reporting period beginning on or after December 15, 2011, with retrospective application required.  The adoption of ASU No. 2011-05 is expected to result in presentation changes to the Company’s consolidated statements of operations and the addition of a consolidated statement of comprehensive income (loss).  The adoption of ASU No. 2011-05 will have no impact on the Company’s consolidated balance sheet.