DDD.L Regulatory News (DDD)

12 Oct 2005 07:00

DDD Group PLC12 October 2005 DDD AWARDED KEY KOREAN PATENT COVERING 2D TO 3D CONVERSION Santa Monica, Calif. (October 12, 2005) 3/4 DDD Group plc (AIM: DDD), the 3Dsoftware and content company, today announces that it has received notificationof allowance from the Korean patent office of its key "Dynamic Depth Cueing" ("DDC") technology. DDC is a core DDD technology that enables existing photo, film or video images to be converted for display in stereo 3D. The new Korean patent extends DDD's coverage of technologies which allow theconversion of existing 2D content libraries to 3D and their delivery in a formatthat remains compatible with today's 2D screens. The DDC patents enable a widerange of mass market 3D applications for viewing on 3D 'without glasses' displayscreens. DDC regenerates 3D information that is not recorded when a conventional film orvideo camera is used. Once the 3D information is recreated, it is then used tomanipulate the underlying 2D image, allowing 2D images to be transformed to 3Dfor a wide variety of 3D display formats ranging from large format IMAX(R) filmsto the latest generation of mobile telephone 3D displays. Dr. Julien Flack, Chief Technology Officer of DDD commented, "The approval ofDDD's key 2D to 3D conversion and transmission patent in Korea is an importantstep since so many of the emerging 3D display technologies are being developedin Asia. The fact that DDD's content solutions are protected by a largeinternational patent library is a becoming an increasingly relevant factor whenour consumer electronics and display partners are considering the legalimplications of launching their 3D products in various markets." Enquiries: DDD GroupChris Yewdall, President & CEO +1 310 566-3340e-mail: info@ddd.com Bell Pottinger Corporate & FinancialNick Lambert +44 (0) 20 7861-3232 Notes to Editors About DDD • DDD, also known as Dynamic Digital Depth, is transforming the viewing experience with applications for glasses-free 3D displays. Its patented technologies enable 3D viewing without glasses; simple integration of computer graphics applications with 3D displays; supply of 3D content through 2D to 3D conversion; and 3D transmission over existing networks. DDD is quoted on the London Stock Exchange's Alternative Investment Market (AIM: DDD). • A new category of flat screen LCD and plasma displays are being developed and marketed by major consumer electronics companies that provide stereoscopic 3D images without the need for the viewer to wear glasses. Stereoscopic 3D images appear to have natural in and off-screen depth. 3D displays have already been included with mobile telephones in Japan and in desktop PC displays and notebook computers in North America and Japan. • In 2003 and 2004, DoCoMo introduced two models of Sharp mobile telephone that included a 3D LCD display developed by Sharp Corporation. DoCoMo sold approximately 2.8 million 3D mobile telephones in Japan. • DDD's solutions provide an important bridge between conventional two dimensional (2D) applications and content and the new 3D displays. Normal 2D pictures, video and computer graphics images are manipulated by DDD's patented software enabling them to be displayed on 3D displays without requiring the content to be created specially for a 3D display. DDD recently announced the ability to automatically convert still photographs and DVD video to 3D without any pre processing of the 2D image. • DDD licenses these software applications, marketed under the TriDef(R) and DDD Mobile TM brand names, to manufacturers for inclusion with the 3D display products supplied to end users. DDD also licenses the software directly to end users who already own 3D displays and through an international sales channel. Sharp Corporation and DDD entered into a multi year software licensing agreement in October 2003 that allows Sharp to include a bundle of five of DDD's 3D software applications with Sharp's Actius range of 3D notebook PCs sold in Japan and America. • DDD expects to license the DDD Mobile software library to handset makers who wish to include 3D LCD displays in a variety of wireless devices including next generation smartphones and PDAs. The licensing arrangements are expected to yield a per unit royalty to DDD based on the number of wireless devices manufactured by the licensee. These projects may also yield one time development and integration fees associated with assisting the manufacturer in the successful integration of the DDD software with the 3D wireless device. • DDD also intends to generate income through the conversion of existing libraries of premium mobile content including wallpaper, animations and movies. The company expects to participate in a share of the income paid by wireless subscribers who download 3D content that has been converted to 3D by DDD. • DDD is currently expanding the product range to allow its content solutions to be used on future 3D display products including consumer television. More information is available at www.DDD.com. This information is provided by RNS The company news service from the London Stock Exchange