DETROIT, March 8 /PRNewswire/ -- Omron Automotive Electronics, Inc., today
announced the introduction of a proprietary, advanced electronic miniature
camera for automotive safety applications.  The new High Dynamic Range CMOS
(HDRC(R)) camera provides a dynamic range significantly higher than competing
products in high- and low-light conditions, such as tunnels, in blinding
sunlight and after dark.
    "Advanced driver assist systems now under development will increase
safety," said Jerry Bricker, vice president and general sales manager at Omron
Automotive.  "These systems provide increased visibility for blind spot
detection, lane departure, collision warning, and other functions.  This image
sensor and camera will meet or exceed the needs for advanced driver assist
systems."
    The HDRC(R) camera was developed by IMS VISION, a joint venture between
Omron Automotive's parent company, Omron Corporation-Japan, and the Institute
for Microelectronics Stuttgart (IMS CHIPS).  It represents the next generation
High Dynamic Range CMOS (HDRC(R)) camera using conventional complementary
metal-oxide semiconductor (CMOS) technology.  Omron Automotive retains the
exclusive selling rights in the global automotive market.
    "A ten-fold improvement in performance was achieved with significant
innovation in HDRC(R) pixels and signal paths," said Bernd Hoefflinger,
director of IMS CHIPS and chairman of the IMS VISION Advisory Board.
    The advanced camera technology is available in automotive prototype form.
It is expected to appear on cars and trucks by the latter part of the decade.
"Our HDRC(R) camera provides vision that is superior to the human eye and
senses images necessary to enhance the safety and convenience of those in and
out of the vehicle," said Bricker.
    The HDRC(R) camera produces clear electronic digital images that allow an
advanced driver assistance system to function throughout a broad range of
light levels.  It detects light levels over an intensity range of 170 dB, a
significant improvement compared to conventional CCD cameras.  They typically
have a limited dynamic range of 60dB.  This makes the camera ideal for use in
difficult viewing conditions.  The HDRC camera does not require an F-stop or
shutter control and no additional light source is needed.  It also has
superior near-infrared region sensitivity.  It can detect images that are
irradiated with near-infrared light outside the range of normal headlights.

    About Omron
    Omron Automotive Electronics, headquartered in Novi, Michigan, USA, is a
division of Omron Automotive Electronic Components Company, Nagoya, Japan.
Omron Automotive designs and manufactures a wide range of advanced electronic
control units and sensors, including laser radar sensors, remote keyless entry
systems and power window and sliding door anti-pinch controls.  Other products
include various ergonomic switch assemblies and PCB and plug-in relays. The
division has 700 employees in North America with one manufacturing facility in
the U.S. and two in Canada.   Sales for the 2002 fiscal year were $200
million.
    Omron Corporation was founded as a maker of relays for x-ray timers in
1933.  In addition to automotive electronic components, the company's major
markets include industrial automation, electronic and mechanical components
for commercial and industrial uses, healthcare products, ATM machines, card
readers and traffic control systems, plus new ventures into intelligent
transportation systems, information technology and wireless communications.
The corporation has more than 23,000 employees in 30 countries globally.
Fiscal year 2002 sales exceeded $5 billion.

    IMS VISION is headquartered in Stuttgart, Germany.  IMS CHIPS is a German
public foundation for contract research.  It is ISO 9001 certified for the
development and manufacturing of innovative CMOS systems.  Since the formation
of the joint venture with Omron Automotive, all HDRC technology and products
developed by IMS CHIPS are exclusively licensed to IMS VISION.

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