OmniVision Introduces Integrated Night Vision Capability in Automotive Sensor Products

OmniVision Introduces Integrated Night Vision Capability in Automotive Sensor Products

August 14, 2007

    SUNNYVALE, Calif., Aug. 14 /Xinhua-PRNewswire/ -- 

    OmniVision Technologies, Inc. (Nasdaq: OVTI), a leading
independent supplier of CMOS CameraChip(TM) image sensors
for high-volume applications, today unveiled near infrared
(NIR) capability, an important proprietary enhancement, to
its portfolio of single-chip automotive CMOS image sensors.
 With integrated NIR capability, OmniVision's automotive
sensors can operate in dual mode, allowing them to function
equally well in both day and night vision applications, and
thus eliminate the need for two separate solutions. The NIR
capability significantly improves functionality for
automotive safety and security applications while allowing
OEMs and automotive manufacturers to simplify system
designs and reduce the overall system bills of material.

    The new night vision capability is made possible by the
development and successful implementation of a number of
process-level enhancements that expand the sensor's
spectral light sensitivity up to 1050 nanometers, the
equivalent of NIR sensitivity.  This enhanced sensitivity
enables OmniVision sensors to perform object detection in
complete darkness with the support of only a few very
low-power light emitting diodes (LEDs) and allows
automotive cameras to see both beyond and outside the range
of a vehicle's headlights.

    "We have significantly enhanced the versatility of
our sensors by providing our customers with a product that
can perform exceptionally well in both day and night vision
applications," commented Inayat Khajasha, Senior
Product Marketing Manager at OmniVision. "During
daylight hours, our sensor provides a standard color image
and then, as soon as natural light levels fall below a
pre-determined Lux level, the sensor automatically switches
to black and white night vision mode."
  
    The dual mode night vision capability offered by
OmniVision's sensors is especially useful in driver
assistance and safety applications, such as pedestrian,
object and sign detection, as well as rear view or backup
camera applications. A growing number of automotive
security applications are also using image sensors, one
example being `black box' anti-theft camera systems that
record video when activated by motion detection around or
inside the vehicle. These sensors provide excellent night
vision using just a single, low-power LED, which has a
negligible effect on vehicle battery life, so the system
will remain active even when the vehicle is not operated
for lengthy periods of time.

    "The development of many automotive security
applications that effectively utilize night vision
capabilities is being driven in part by the automotive
insurance industry," Khajasha added. "Vehicles
with these monitoring and recording systems qualify for
lower insurance premiums because they reduce the risk of
theft, vandalism and other vehicle-related crimes."

    OmniVision's automotive sensors incorporating NIR night
vision capability are currently being sampled by multiple
automotive customers. OmniVision plans to offer NIR
capability as a standard feature across its entire line of
automotive products.

    About OmniVision

    OmniVision Technologies designs and markets
high-performance semiconductor image sensors. Its
OmniPixel(R) and CameraChip(TM) products are highly
integrated single-chip CMOS image sensors for mass-market
consumer and commercial applications such as mobile phones,
digital still cameras, security and surveillance systems,
interactive video games, PCs and automotive imaging
systems. Additional information is available at
http://www.ovt.com .

    Safe Harbor Statement

    Certain statements in this press release, including
statements regarding the performance and capabilities of
the enhanced portfolio of single-chip automotive CMOS image
sensors, are forward-looking statements that are subject to
risks and uncertainties.  These risks and uncertainties,
which could cause the forward-looking statements and
OmniVision's results to differ materially, include, without
limitation: potential errors, design flaws or other problems
with the near infrared capability of the portfolio of single
chip automotive CMOS image sensors, risks associated with
building customer acceptance of and demand for products and
applications incorporating the infrared capability;
competitive risks; as well as other risks detailed from
time to time in OmniVision's Securities and Exchange
Commission filings and reports, including, but not limited
to, OmniVision's most recent Annual Report filed on Form
10-K for the fiscal year ended April 30, 2007.  OmniVision
expressly disclaims any obligation to update information
contained in any forward-looking statement whether as a
result of new information, future events or otherwise.

    OmniVision(R), OmniVision logo and OmniPixel(R) are
registered trademarks of OmniVision Technologies, Inc.,
CameraChip(TM) is a trademark of OmniVision Technologies,
Inc.


    For more information, please contact:

    Investor Relations:

     Steven Horwitz
     OmniVision Technologies, Inc.
     Tel:   [phone]

    Media:

     Martijn Pierik
     Impress Public Relations
     Tel:   [phone]
     Email: [e-mail]

     Scott Foster
     OmniVision Technologies, Inc.
     Tel:   [phone]
     Email: [e-mail]