MicroVision (MVIS) 10-K 16 Mar 15 2014 FY Annual report Financial data

Document_and_Entity_Informatio

Document and Entity Information (USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014	Mar. 11, 2015	Jun. 30, 2014
Document And Entity Information
Entity Registrant Name	Microvision Inc
Entity Central Index Key	65770
Document Type	10-K
Document Period End Date	31-Dec-14
Amendment Flag	FALSE
Current Fiscal Year End Date	-19
Is Entity a Well-known Seasoned Issuer?	No
Is Entity a Voluntary Filer?	No
Is Entity's Reporting Status Current?	Yes
Entity Filer Category	Accelerated Filer
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		44,776,000
Document Fiscal Period Focus	FY
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2014
Entity Public Float			$87,400,000

Consolidated_Balance_Sheets

Consolidated Balance Sheets (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Current assets
Cash and cash equivalents	$8,349	$5,375
Accounts receivable, net of allowances of $52 and $373	669	24
Inventory	116	49
Other current assets	491	336
Total current assets	9,625	5,784
Property and equipment, net	894	1,065
Restricted cash	435	435
Intangible assets	973	1,145
Other assets	18	18
Total assets	11,945	8,447
Current liabilities
Accounts payable	1,626	1,610
Accrued liabilities	2,729	2,470
Billings on uncompleted contracts in excess of related costs	230	680
Warrant liability	0	4,902
Total current liabilities	4,585	9,662
Deferred rent, net of current portion	488	481
Total liabilities	5,073	10,143
Commitments and contingencies (Note 11)
Shareholders Equity (Deficit)
Preferred stock, par value $.001; 25,000 shares authorized; 0 and 0 shares issued and outstanding	0	0
Common stock, par value $.001; 100,000 shares authorized; 44,758 and 32,069 shares issued and outstanding at December 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively	45	32
Additional paid-in capital	475,656	448,981
Accumulated deficit	-468,829	-450,709
Total shareholders' equity (deficit)	6,872	-1,696
Total liabilities and shareholders' equity (deficit)	$11,945	$8,447

Consolidated_Balance_Sheets_Pa

Consolidated Balance Sheets (Parenthetical) (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified
Assets
Allowance for doubtful accounts	$52	$373
Stockholders equity
Preferred stock, par value	$0.00	$0.00
Preferred stock, shares authorized	25,000,000	25,000,000
Preferred stock, shares issued	0	0
Common stock, par value	$0.00	$0.00
Common stock, shares authorized	100,000,000	100,000,000
Common stock, shares issued	44,758,000	32,069,000
Common stock, shares outstanding	44,758,000	32,069,000

Consolidated_Statements_of_Ope

Consolidated Statements of Operations (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Income Statement [Abstract]
Development revenue	$1,691	$2,909
Product revenue	392	2,341
Contract revenue	1,402	602
Total revenue	3,485	5,852
Cost of product revenue	228	1,518
Cost of contract revenue	816	283
Total cost of revenue	1,044	1,801
Gross margin	2,441	4,051
Research and development expense	9,067	10,544
Sales, marketing, general and administrative expense	7,005	8,757
Gain on sale of previously reserved inventory	-463	-156
Total operating expenses	15,609	19,145
Loss from operations	-13,168	-15,094
Gain (loss) on warrant exchange	-4,967	1,900
Other income (expense)	15	16
Net loss	($18,120)	($13,178)
Net loss per share - basic and diluted	($0.44)	($0.47)
Weighted-average shares outstanding - basic and diluted	41,599	28,025

Consolidated_Statements_of_Sha

Consolidated Statements of Shareholders' Equity (USD $)	Common stock	Additional paid-in capital	Accumulated deficit	Total
Beginning balances at Dec. 31, 2012	$25,000	$442,560,000	($437,531,000)	$5,054,000
Beginning balances, shares at Dec. 31, 2012	25,237,000
Share-based compensation expense	0	1,589,000	0	1,589,000
Share-based compensation expense, shares	323,000
Exercise of options	0	41,000	0	41,000
Exercise of options, shares	23,000
Sales of common stock and warrants	7,000	4,255,000	0	4,262,000
Sales of common stock and warrants, shares	6,128,000
Exchange of warrants	0	536,000	0	536,000
Exchange of warrants, shares	358,000
Net loss	0	0	-13,178,000	-13,178,000
Ending balances at Dec. 31, 2013	32,000	448,981,000	-450,709,000	-1,696,000
Ending balances, shares at Dec. 31, 2013	32,069,000
Share-based compensation expense	0	705,000	0	705,000
Share-based compensation expense, shares	105,000
Sales of common stock and warrants	9,000	16,105,000	0	16,114,000
Sales of common stock and warrants, shares	8,871,000
Exchange of warrants	4,000	9,865,000	0	9,869,000
Exchange of warrants, shares	3,713,000
Net loss	0	0	-18,120,000	-18,120,000
Ending balances at Dec. 31, 2014	$45,000	$475,656,000	($468,829,000)	$6,872,000
Ending balances, shares at Dec. 31, 2014	44,758,000

Consolidated_Statements_of_Cas

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Cash flows from operating activities
Net loss	($18,120)	($13,178)
Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash used in operations:
Depreciation	414	923
Amortization of intangible assets	132	158
Impairment of intangible assets	40	277
Non-cash share-based compensation expense	713	1,606
(Gain) loss on warrant exchange	4,967	-1,900
Inventory write-downs	42	303
Other non-cash adjustments	-91	-66
Change in:
Accounts receivable, net	-645	1,091
Inventory	-109	145
Other current and non-current assets	-155	884
Accounts payable	-25	-1,486
Accrued liabilities	335	-1,387
Deferred revenue	0	-609
Billings on uncompleted contracts in excess of related costs	-450	582
Net cash used in operating activities	-12,952	-12,657
Cash flows from investing activities
Proceeds on sale of property and equipment	34	35
Purchases of property and equipment	-207	-375
Net cash used in investing activities	-173	-340
Cash flows from financing activities
Principal payments under capital leases and long-term debt	-15	-120
Net proceeds from issuance of common stock and warrants	16,114	11,642
Net cash provided by financing activities	16,099	11,522
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents	2,974	-1,475
Cash and cash equivalents, at beginning of period	5,375	6,850
Cash and cash equivalents, at end of period	8,349	5,375
Supplemental disclosure of cash flow information
Cash paid for interest	3	12
Supplemental schedule of non-cash investing and financing activities
Non-cash additions to property and equipment	101	407
Issuance of common stock for exchange of warrants	$9,869	$536

1_The_Company_and_liquidity

1. The Company and liquidity	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Notes to Financial Statements
The Company and liquidty - Note 1	1. The Company and liquidity
	MicroVision, Inc. (the "Company") is developing its proprietary PicoP® display technology which can be used by our customers to create high-resolution miniature laser display and imaging engines. Our PicoP display technology uses our widely patented expertise in two dimensional Micro-Electrical Mechanical Systems (MEMS), lasers, optics, and electronics to create a high quality video or still image from a small form factor device with lower power needs than conventional display technologies. Our ingredient brand strategy is to develop and supply PicoP display technology directly or through licensing arrangements to original device manufacturers (ODMs) and original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) in various market segments, including consumer electronics and automotive, for integration into their products.
	Based on our current operating plan, and including the $8.0 million payment received under a licensing agreement that was executed with our customer in March 2015, we anticipate that we have sufficient cash and cash equivalents to fund our operations through December 2015. We will require additional cash to fund our operating plan past that time. We plan to obtain additional cash through sales and licensing activities and/or the issuance of equity or debt securities. 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 development projects resulting in reductions in staff, operating costs, capital expenditures and investments in research and development.
	Our capital requirements will depend on many factors, including, but not limited to, the rate at which OEMs or ODMs introduce products incorporating the PicoP display and image capture technologies 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, 2014 that includes an explanatory paragraph expressing substantial doubt about our ability to continue as a going concern. These consolidated financial statements are prepared assuming the Company will continue as a going concern.

Summary_of_significant_account

Summary of significant accounting policies - Note 2	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Organization Consolidation Abstract
Summary of significant accounting policies - Note 2	2. Summary of significant accounting policies
	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 prudent estimates and assumptions have been made in preparing the financial statements: revenue recognition, valuation of share-based payments, and impairment assessment.
	Cash and cash equivalents and 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. The hierarchy is summarized below.
	Level 1 - Observable inputs such as quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities,
	Level 2 - Observable inputs such as quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities in markets that are not sufficiently active to qualify as Level 1 or, other inputs that are derived principally from or corroborated by observable market data by correlation or other means, and
	Level 3 - Unobservable inputs for which there is little or no market data, which requires us to develop our own assumptions, which are significant to the measurement of the fair values.
	Our financial instruments include cash and cash equivalents, accounts receivable, accounts payable, accrued liabilities, long-term debt and warrant liabilities. Excluding the long term debt and warrant liabilities, the carrying value of our financial instruments approximates fair value due to their short maturities. The carrying amount of long-term debt at December 31, 2013 was not materially different from the fair value based on rates available for similar types of arrangements. In combination with our registered direct offerings of common stock in May and September 2013, we issued warrants to purchase common stock. Based on the terms in the conditional exchange provision of the warrants issued, we made the determination to classify the warrants as a liability given that the exchange provision could result in the issuance of a variable number of shares of common stock. At each balance sheet date that the warrants were outstanding, we evaluated the warrant liability and any change in value was recorded as a non-operating gain or loss on the statement of operations. Due to the exchange provision of the warrants, the determination of the fair value of the warrant liability varied depending on our common stock price. Because the price of our common stock was less than the exercise price of the warrant, we calculated the fair value of the warrant liability as the fair value of the common stock that would have been required to be issued to settle the exchange provision of the warrant.
	There were no assets or liabilities measured at fair value using level 2 or 3 valuation inputs as of December 31, 2014.
	The valuation inputs hierarchy classification for the warrant liability measured at fair value on a recurring basis is summarized below as of December 31, 2013.
	As of December 31, 2013:		Level 1		Level 2		Level 3		Total
	Liabilities
	Warrant liabilities	$	-	$	4,902,000	$	-	$	4,902,000
		$	-	$	4,902,000	$	-	$	4,902,000
	Our cash equivalents are comprised of money market savings accounts and equity securities. We classify investment securities available-for-sale purchased with 90 days or less remaining until contractual maturity as cash equivalents.
	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 17 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 recorded at the lower of cost or market with cost determined on a net realizable value basis. We periodically assess the need to account for obsolescence of inventory and adjust 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 we determine that it is not probable that the inventory will be consumed through normal production 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, 2014 and 2013, 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 generate revenue from many sources and activities. To date, our sources can be classified as development revenue, product revenue, or contract revenue.
	Development revenue
	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 are 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.
	We recognize development revenue as work progresses on an agreement and as our customer accepts the deliverables using a proportional method based on the lesser of the cumulative proportion of total planned costs to be incurred under the agreement or the cash payments received plus outstanding billings for work accepted by the customer. Since our collaborative agreements generally require some level of technology development, the actual costs required to complete a contract can vary from our estimates. The proportional revenue recognition method we use for collaborative research and development agreements includes adjustments for revisions to estimated total agreement costs. 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.
	Product revenue
	Product revenue is recognized when there is sufficient evidence of an arrangement, delivery has occurred, the fee is fixed or determinable, and collection is reasonably assured. Product revenue is recognized either upon expiration of the contractual acceptance period after which there are no rights of return, or net of estimated returns and allowances. Provisions are made for warranties at the time revenue is recognized.
	Contract revenue
	We recognize contract revenue on the sale of prototype units and evaluation kits 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. Under the percentage-of-completion method, revenue is recognized as work progresses on the contract. Our analysis of these contracts also contemplates whether contracts should be combined or segmented. We combine closely related contracts when all the applicable criteria under GAAP are met. 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, only if the applicable criteria under GAAP are met. Judgment also is involved in determining whether a single contract or group of contracts may be segmented based on how the arrangement was 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. The percentage-of-completion method relies on estimates of total expected contract revenue and costs. We have developed processes that allow us to make prudent estimates of the cost to complete a contract. When work begins on a contract, and at the end of each accounting 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 estimates are recognized in the period in which the facts become known. Historically, we have made only immaterial amendments to estimates to complete the contract at each reporting period. 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.
	We establish an allowance for estimated losses if the estimated cost to complete a contract exceeds the remaining contract value. The entire estimated loss is recognized in the period in which the loss becomes known. We determine the estimated cost to complete a contract through a detailed review of the work to be completed, the resources available to complete the work and the technical difficulty of the remaining work. If amendments to estimated costs to complete the contract are higher than the total contract revenue, the entire contract loss will be recognized. The actual cost to complete a contract can vary significantly from the estimated cost, due to a variety of factors including availability of technical staff, availability of materials and technical difficulties that arise during the course of a project.
	Cost of 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 in the manufacture of these products. Indirect costs include labor and other costs associated with operating our manufacturing capabilities and capacity.
	Cost of contract revenue includes both the direct and allocated indirect costs of performing on development contracts and producing prototype units and evaluation kits. Direct costs include labor, materials and other costs incurred directly in performing on a contract or producing prototype units and evaluation kits. 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
	Financial instruments that potentially subject us to concentrations of credit risk are primarily cash equivalents and accounts receivable. We typically do not require collateral from our customers. As of December 31, 2014, our cash and cash equivalents are comprised of short-term highly rated money market savings accounts.
	Concentration of Sales to Major Customers
	During 2014, two commercial customers accounted for 65% of our total revenue and one commercial customer accounted for 80% of our accounts receivable balance at December 31, 2014. During 2013, two commercial customers accounted for 86% of our total revenue.
	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.
	As of December 31, 2014 and 2013, we excluded the following convertible securities from diluted net loss per share as the effect of including them would have been anti-dilutive. The shares shown represent the number of shares of common stock which would be issued upon conversion in the respective years.
			December 31,
			2014		2013
	Options and private warrants		8,953,000		9,996,000
	Nonvested equity shares		60,000		108,000
			9,013,000		10,104,000
	Research and development
	Research and development expenses consist of costs incurred for internally funded research and product development activities as well as collaborative research and development activities that are funded by customers. These costs include compensation related costs of employees, share-based compensation, materials, subcontracted services, facility costs, and depreciation of facilities and lab equipment. 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 or unrestricted 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. The value of restricted or unrestricted shares is determined using the fair value method, which is based on the number of shares granted and the closing price of our common stock on the NASDAQ Global Market on the date of grant. The value of options is determined using the Black-Scholes option pricing model with estimates of option lives, stock price volatility and interest rates, then expensed over the periods of service allowing for pre-vest forfeitures. Changes in the estimated inputs or using other option valuation methods could result in materially different option values and share-based compensation expense. The following table shows the amount of share-based compensation expense included in each line item of the statement of operations for each period shown:
		Year Ended December 31,
		2014		2013
Cost of product revenue	$	-	$	1,000
Cost of contract revenue		28,000		19,000
Research and development expense		34,000		466,000
Sales, marketing, general and administrative expense		651,000		1,120,000
	$	713,000	$	1,606,000
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.
New accounting pronouncements
In May 2014, the Financial Accounting Standards Board ("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 GAAP. 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. ASU 2014-09 will be effective in the first quarter of fiscal 2017 and may be applied on a full retrospective or modified retrospective approach. We are still evaluating the impact of implementation of this standard 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.

Longterm_contracts_Note_3

Long-term contracts - Note 3	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Notes to Financial Statements
Long-term contracts - Note 3	3. Long-term contracts
	In October 2014, we entered into a $1.5 million agreement for display module support services as part of the production readiness and commercialization of our PicoP® display technology into products being developed by a prominent electronics company. Based on the terms of this agreement, we will recognize contract revenue under the completed-contract method.
	In March 2013, we entered into a $4.6 million collaborative research and development agreement with a prominent electronics company to incorporate our PicoP® display technology into a display module that would enable a variety of new products. As of September 30, 2014, we had completed all deliverables and obligations under the collaborative research and development agreement and have recognized the full contract value of $4.6 million.
	The following table summarizes the costs incurred on our collaborative research and development agreements and revenue contracts (in thousands):
			December 31,
			2014		2013
	Costs and estimated earnings incurred on uncompleted contracts	$	314	$	2,909
	Billings on uncompleted contracts		-544		-3,589
		$	-230	$	-680
	Included in accompanying consolidated balance sheets under the following captions:
	Billings on uncompleted contracts in excess of
	related costs	$	-230	$	-680
		$	-230	$	-680

Inventory_Note_4

Inventory - Note 4	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Inventory Disclosure
Inventory - Note 4	4. Inventory
	Inventory consists of the following:
			December 31,
			2014		2013
	Raw materials	$	42,000	$	23,000
	Finished goods		74,000		26,000
		$	116,000	$	49,000
	The inventory at December 31, 2014 and 2013 consisted 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. In 2014 and 2013, we recorded inventory write-downs of $42,000 and $303,000, respectively. At December 31, 2014 and 2013, we have aggregate write-downs recorded of $6,927,000 and $7,964,000, respectively, offsetting inventory on hand deemed to be obsolete or scrap inventory.

Accrued_liabilities_Note_5

Accrued liabilities - Note 5	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Notes to Financial Statements
Accrued liabilities - Note 5	5. Accrued liabilities
	Accrued liabilities consist of the following:
			December 31,
			2014		2013
	Bonuses	$	889,000	$	725,000
	Payroll and payroll taxes		322,000		375,000
	Compensated absences		336,000		315,000
	Deferred rent credit		134,000		99,000
	Warranty		35,000		32,000
	Adverse purchase commitments		500,000		500,000
	Professional fees		78,000		76,000
	Other		435,000		348,000
		$	2,729,000	$	2,470,000

Property_and_equipment_net_Not

Property and equipment, net - Note 6	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Notes to Financial Statements
Property and equipment, net - Note 6	6. Property and equipment, net
	Property and equipment consists of the following:
			December 31,
			2014		2013
	Production equipment	$	3,078,000	$	2,943,000
	Leasehold improvements		494,000		502,000
	Computer hardware and software/lab equipment		4,486,000		4,373,000
	Office furniture and equipment		1,087,000		1,100,000
			9,145,000		8,918,000
	Less: Accumulated depreciation		-8,251,000		-7,853,000
		$	894,000	$	1,065,000
	Depreciation expense was $414,000 and $923,000 in 2014 and 2013, respectively.
	The capital leases are collateralized by the related assets financed and by security deposits held by the lessors under the lease agreements. The cost and accumulated depreciation of equipment under capital leases was $704,000 and $704,000, respectively, at December 31, 2014 and 2013.

Intangible_assets_Note_7

Intangible assets - Note 7	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Notes to Financial Statements
Intangible assets - Note 7	7. Intangible assets
	Our intangible assets consist exclusively of technology-based purchased patents. The patents are amortized using the straight-line method over their estimated period of benefit, ranging from one to 17 years. The gross value of our intangible assets was $1.6 million as of December 31, 2014 and 2013. Amortization expense was $132,000 and $158,000 in 2014 and 2013, respectively. In 2014, we recorded an impairment amounting to $40,000 on 5 patents that were abandoned in prosecution. In 2013, we recorded an impairment amounting to $277,000 on 42 patents that were abandoned in prosecution.
	The following table outlines the estimated future amortization expense related to intangible assets held at December 31, 2014:
	Year ended December 31,		Amount
	2015	$	128,000
	2016		127,000
	2017		116,000
	2018		115,000
	2019		115,000
	Thereafter		372,000
	Total	$	973,000

8_Common_stock

8. Common stock	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Notes to Financial Statements
Common stock - Note 8	8. Common stock
	In June 2014, we entered into an At-the-Market (ATM) equity agreement with Meyers Associates, L.P. Under the agreement we may from time to time, at our discretion offer and sell shares of our common stock having an aggregate value of up to $4.5 million. As of December 31, 2014 we have received proceeds of approximately $3.5 million before issuance costs of approximately $175,000 from the sale of 1.7 million shares of our common stock.
	In March 2014, we raised $13.9 million before issuance costs of approximately $1.0 million through an underwritten offering of 7.2 million shares of our common stock and warrants to purchase 2.1 million shares of our common stock. Details of the warrants are described below in Note 9.
	In September 2013, we raised $6.6 million before issuance costs of approximately $452,000 from the sale of 3.5 million shares of common stock and warrants to purchase up to an aggregate of 2.1 million shares of our common stock in a registered direct offering. Details of the warrants are described below in Note 9.
	In May 2013, we raised $5.85 million before issuance costs of approximately $362,000 from the sale of 2.6 million shares of common stock and warrants to purchase up to an aggregate of 2.0 million shares of our common stock in a registered direct offering. Details of the warrants are described below in Note 9.
	In February 2014, we issued 3.7 million shares of our common stock under the exchange provisions of warrants issued in our May and September 2013 registered direct offerings. We recognized a loss of $5.0 million on the exchange as the fair market value of the common stock issued was greater than the obligation recorded due to an increase in our stock price since December 31, 2013. Details of the warrants are described below in Note 9.

9_Warrants

9. Warrants	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Notes to Financial Statements
Warrants - Note 9	9. Warrants
	In March 2014, we raised $13.9 million before issuance costs of approximately $1.0 million through an underwritten offering of 7.2 million shares of our common stock and warrants to purchase 2.1 million shares of our common stock. Each unit was sold to investors for $1.94 and consisted of one share of common stock and one warrant to purchase 0.3 shares of common stock. The warrants have an exercise price of $2.47 per share and expire on the fifth anniversary of the date of issuance.
	In combination with our registered direct offerings of common stock in May and September 2013, we issued warrants to purchase common stock. Based on the terms in the conditional exchange provision of the warrants issued, we made the determination to classify the warrants as a liability given that the exchange provision could result in the issuance of a variable number of shares of common stock. At each balance sheet date that the warrants were outstanding, we evaluated the fair value of the warrants and any change in value was recorded as a non- operating gain or loss on the statement of operations. Due to the conditional exchange provision of the warrants, the determination of the fair value of the warrant liability varied depending on our common stock price. If the price of our common stock was less than the exercise price of the warrant, we calculated the fair value of the warrant liability as the fair value of the common stock that would have been required to be issued to settle the exchange provision of the warrant. If the price of our common stock had been greater than the exercise price of the warrant, we would have used a binomial option pricing model to estimate the fair value of the warrant as the exchange provision provided per the agreement would have no longer been available to the holder.
	In February 2014, we issued 3,713,309 shares of our common stock under the conditional exchange provision of the warrants. We did not receive additional cash consideration in the exchange transaction. We recorded a loss of $5.0 million during the year ended December 31, 2014 on the exchange, as the fair market value of the common stock issued was greater than the obligation recorded due to the increase in stock price from December 31, 2013 to the date the warrants were exchanged.
	The following summarizes activity with respect to MicroVision common stock warrants during the two years ended December 31, 2014:
			Warrants to		Weighted
			purchase		average
			common		exercise
			shares		price
	Outstanding at December 31, 2012		5,131,000	$	7.28
	Granted:
	Exercise price less than intrinsic value		2,216,000		2.71
	Exercise price greater than intrinsic value		1,855,000		2.44
	Exercised		-358,000		1.77
	Canceled/expired		-753,000		28.80
	Outstanding at December 31, 2013		8,091,000	$	3.07
	Granted:
	Exercise price less than intrinsic value		-		-
	Exercise price greater than intrinsic value		2,148,000		2.47
	Exercised		-3,713,000		2.67
	Canceled/expired		-		-
	Outstanding at December 31, 2014		6,526,000	$	3.08
	Exercisable at December 31, 2014		6,526,000	$	3.08
	With the exception of common stock warrants that included the conditional exchange provision described above, we estimate the fair value of our common stock warrants using the Black-Scholes option pricing model with the following weighted-average assumptions used for grants in 2014: dividend yield of zero percent; expected volatility of 100%; risk-free interest rates of 1.6% and contractual lives of 5 years.
	The following table summarizes information about our common stock warrants outstanding and exercisable at December 31, 2014:
		Warrants outstanding				Warrants exercisable
			Weighted
		Number	average		Weighted	Number		Weighted
		outstanding at	remaining		average	exercisable at		average
		December 31,	contractual		exercise	December 31,		exercise
	Range of exercise prices	2014	life (years)		price	2014		price
	$2.13	1,000,000	0.39	$	2.13	1,000,000	$	2.13
	$2.24	2,100,000	2.47		2.24	2,100,000		2.24
	$2.47	2,148,000	4.21		2.47	2,148,000		2.47
	$6.24	1,278,000	1.88		6.24	1,278,000		6.24
	$2.13-$6.24	6,526,000				6,526,000

10_SharedBased_Compensation

10. Shared-Based Compensation	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Disclosure Of Compensation Related Costs
Share-based compensation - Note 10	10. Share-based compensation
	We use the straight-line attribution method to allocate the fair value of share-based compensation awards over the requisite service period for each award. The valuation of and accounting for share-based awards includes a number of complex and subjective estimates. These estimates include, but are not limited to, the future volatility of our stock price, future stock option exercise behaviors, estimated employee turnover and award forfeiture rates. We recognized $713,000 in share-based compensation expense for the year ended December 31, 2014, which includes a benefit of $344,000 related to a forfeiture adjustment that was recorded as a result of actual forfeitures being higher than initially estimated.
	Description of Incentive Plans
	The Company currently has two share-based incentive plans - the 2013 Incentive Plan and the Independent Director Stock Option Plan.
	The 2013 Incentive Plan has 5.6 million shares authorized, of which 1,548,000 shares were available for awards as of December 31, 2014. The Independent Director Stock Option Plan has 113,000 shares authorized, of which 51,000 are issued and outstanding as of December 31, 2014. In June 2008, we determined not to issue additional options from the Independent Director Stock Option Plan.
	Options Valuation Methodology and Assumptions
	We use the Black-Scholes option valuation model to determine the fair value of options granted and use the closing price of our common stock as the fair market value of our stock on that date.
	We consider historical stock price volatilities, volatilities of similar companies and other factors in determining estimates of future volatilities.
	We use historical lives, including post-termination exercise behavior, as the basis for estimating expected lives.
	Risk free rates are based on the U.S. Treasury Yield Curve as published by the U.S. Treasury.
	The following table summarizes the weighted-average valuation assumptions and weighted-average grant date fair value of options granted during the periods shown below:
			Year Ended December 31,
			2014		2013
	Assumptions (weighted average)
	Volatility		100%		96%
	Expected term (in years)		4.0		4.1
	Risk-free rate		1.30%		1.00%
	Expected dividends		0.00%		0.00%
	Pre-vest forfeiture rate		8.50%		8.50%
	Grant date fair value of options granted	$	1.22	$	1.49
	Options Activity and Positions
	The following table summarizes activity and positions with respect to options for the two years ended December 31, 2014:
						Weighted
						Average
					Weighted	Remaining
					Average	Contractual		Aggregate
					Exercise	Term		Intrinsic
	Options		Shares		Price	(years)		Value
	Outstanding as of December 31, 2012		1,318,000	$	13.71	6.8	$	-
	Granted		824,000		2.22	-		-
	Exercised		-23,000		1.80	-		-
	Forfeited or expired		-214,000		13.86	-		-
	Outstanding as of December 31, 2013		1,905,000		8.86	7.4		1,500
	Granted		717,000		1.78	-		-
	Exercised		-		-	-		-
	Forfeited or expired		-195,000		9.49	-		-
	Outstanding as of December 31, 2014		2,427,000	$	6.72	7.4	$	18,700
	Vested and expected to vest as of December 31, 2014		2,293,000	$	7.00	7.3	$	18,100
	Exercisable as of December 31, 2014		1,263,000	$	11.06	5.9	$	14,100
	There were no option exercises during the year ended December 31, 2014. The total intrinsic value of options exercised during the year ended December 31, 2013 was $21,000.
	The total grant date fair value of options vested during the years ended December 31, 2014 and 2013 was $3.3 million and $1.7 million, respectively. As of December 31, 2014, our unamortized share-based compensation was $1.1 million which we plan to amortize over the next 2.7 years.
	In August 2013, we issued 201,000 shares of restricted common stock to employees for payment of 2012 performance bonuses. These shares were valued using our closing stock price on the date of grant. These shares vested in November 2013 and expense was recognized over the vesting period. During 2013 we expensed $457,000 of share-based employee compensation for these awards.
	As of December 31, 2014, our unamortized share-based compensation related to the restricted stock units was $43,000 which we plan to amortize over the next 6 months.

11_Commitments_and_contingenci

11. Commitments and contingencies	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Commitments And Contingencies Disclosure Footnote
Commitments and contingencies - Note 11	11. Commitments and contingencies
	Litigation
	On March 31, 2014, Asia Optical Co., Inc., a supplier pursuant to an agreement entered into in 2008, filed a complaint for arbitration with the American Arbitration Association claiming that we ordered products from them and failed to take delivery of and pay for such products. The relief sought in the complaint is $3.6 million plus attorneys' fees, interest and arbitration costs. We contest the claim and are defending against it. An adverse outcome of these proceedings could materially and adversely affect our financial condition. At this stage, we cannot predict the likelihood of an unfavorable outcome or the range of potential loss.
	We are also subject to various claims and pending or threatened lawsuits in the normal course of business. We are not currently party to any legal proceedings that management believes are reasonably possible to have a material adverse effect on the Company's financial position, results of operations or cash flows.
	Lease commitments
	We lease our office space and certain equipment under noncancelable capital and operating leases with initial or remaining terms in excess of one year.
	Future minimum rental commitments under operating leases for years ending December 31 are as follows:
			Operating
			leases
	2015	$	430,000
	2016		442,000
	2017		439,000
	2018		446,000
	2019		38,000
	Thereafter		-
	Total minimum lease payments	$	1,795,000
	Net rent expense was $542,000 and $636,000 for 2014 and 2013, respectively.
	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. As of December 31, 2014 we have $500,000 accrued for commitments to purchase materials for the SHOWWX that were in excess of our estimated future proceeds from sale of the SHOWWX.

12_Income_taxes

12. Income taxes	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Notes to Financial Statements
Income taxes - Note 12	12. Income taxes
	A provision for income taxes has not been recorded for 2014 and 2013 due to the valuation allowances placed against the net operating losses and deferred tax assets arising during such periods. A valuation allowance has been recorded for all deferred tax assets. Based on our history of losses since inception, the available objective evidence creates sufficient uncertainty regarding the realizability of the deferred tax assets.
	At December 31, 2014, we have net operating loss carry-forwards of approximately $341.5 million, for federal income tax reporting purposes. In addition, we have research and development tax credits of $6.5 million. The net operating loss carry-forwards and research and development credits available to offset future taxable income, if any, will expire in varying amounts from 2018 to 2034 if not previously utilized. In addition to the tax benefits above, we have $1.2 million of capital loss carry-forwards that are scheduled to expire between 2015 and 2017. In certain circumstances, as specified in the Internal Revenue Code, a 50% or more ownership change by certain combinations of our stockholders during any three-year period would result in limitations on our ability to utilize our net operating loss carry-forwards.
	Deferred tax assets are summarized as follows:
			December 31,
			2014		2013
	Deferred tax assets, current
	Reserves	$	2,526,000	$	2,994,000
	Other		617,000		621,000
	Total gross deferred tax assets, current		3,143,000		3,615,000
	Deferred tax assets, noncurrent
	Net operating loss carryforwards		116,520,000		111,339,000
	R&D credit carryforwards		6,520,000		6,277,000
	Depreciation/amortization deferred		22,642,000		24,526,000
	Other		7,846,000		7,544,000
	Total gross deferred tax assets, noncurrent		153,528,000		149,686,000
	Net deferred taxes before valuation allowance		156,671,000		153,301,000
	Less: Valuation allowance		-156,671,000		-153,301,000
	Deferred tax assets	$	-	$	-
	The valuation allowance, permanent items and the research and development credit carry forwards account for substantially all of the difference between our effective income tax rate and the Federal statutory tax rate of 34%.
	Certain net operating losses arise from the deductibility for tax purposes of compensation under nonqualified stock options equal to the difference between the fair value of the stock on the date of exercise and the exercise price of the options. For financial reporting purposes, the tax effect of this deduction when recognized is accounted for as a credit to shareholders' equity.
	We did not have any unrecognized tax benefits at December 31, 2014 and at December 31, 2013.
	We recognize interest accrued and penalties related to unrecognized tax benefits in tax expense. During the years ended December 31, 2014 and 2013, we recognized no interest or penalties.
	We file income tax returns in the U.S. federal jurisdiction and various states. Due to our operating loss and credit carry-forwards, the U.S. federal statute of limitations remains open for 1998 and onward.

13_Retirement_savings_plan

13. Retirement savings plan	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Notes to Financial Statements
Retirement savings plan - Note 13	13. Retirement savings plan
	We have a retirement savings plan that qualifies under Internal Revenue Code Section 401(k). The plan covers all qualified employees. Contributions to the plan by the Company are made at the discretion of the Board of Directors. During 2014 and 2013, there were no contributions to the plan by the Company.

14_Quarterly_financial_informa

14. Quarterly financial information (unaudited)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Notes to Financial Statements
Quarterly financial information (unaudited) - Note 14	14. Quarterly financial information (Unaudited)
	The following table presents our unaudited quarterly financial information for the years ending December 31, 2014 and 2013 (in thousands, except per share data):
			Fiscal Year 2014
			December 31,		September 30,		June 30,		March 31,
	Revenue	$	687	$	968	$	611	$	1,219
	Gross margin		178		600		443		1,220
	Net loss		-3,346		-3,355		-3,401		-8,018
	Net loss per share basic and diluted		-0.08		-0.08		-0.08		-0.23
			Fiscal Year 2013
			December 31,		September 30,		June 30,		March 31,
	Revenue	$	1,217	$	964	$	1,870	$	1,801
	Gross margin		1,164		880		1,007		1,000
	Net loss		-2,421		-3,667		-3,436		-3,654
	Net loss per share basic and diluted		-0.08		-0.13		-0.13		-0.14

15_Subsequent_events

15. Subsequent events	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Subsequent Events [Abstract]
15. Subsequent events	15. Subsequent events
	In March 2015, we signed a multi-year license agreement with a customer granting them a non-exclusive license to our PicoP display technology for use in display modules it manufactures and sells. As part of the agreement, we received an $8.0 million up-front license fee in March 2015. In addition to the initial up-front license fee, we will also receive royalties for display modules sold by our customer.
	In March 2015, we received orders from a customer totaling $14.5 million for components. We plan to begin shipment of components for these orders in the second half of 2015 and expect fulfillment to continue into 2016.

Recovered_Sheet1

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Policies)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Notes to Financial Statements
Management's Statement and Policies (Policies)	MicroVision, Inc. (the "Company") is developing its proprietary PicoP® display technology which can be used by our customers to create high-resolution miniature laser display and imaging engines. Our PicoP display technology uses our widely patented expertise in two dimensional Micro-Electrical Mechanical Systems (MEMS), lasers, optics, and electronics to create a high quality video or still image from a small form factor device with lower power needs than conventional display technologies. Our ingredient brand strategy is to develop and supply PicoP display technology directly or through licensing arrangements to original device manufacturers (ODMs) and original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) in various market segments, including consumer electronics and automotive, for integration into their products.
Going Concern and Management's Plan	Based on our current operating plan, and including the $8.0 million payment received under a licensing agreement that was executed with our customer in March 2015, we anticipate that we have sufficient cash and cash equivalents to fund our operations through December 2015. We will require additional cash to fund our operating plan past that time. We plan to obtain additional cash through sales and licensing activities and/or the issuance of equity or debt securities. 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 development projects resulting in reductions in staff, operating costs, capital expenditures and investments in research and development.
	Our capital requirements will depend on many factors, including, but not limited to, the rate at which OEMs or ODMs introduce products incorporating the PicoP display and image capture technologies 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, 2014 that includes an explanatory paragraph expressing substantial doubt about our ability to continue as a going concern. These consolidated financial statements are prepared assuming the Company 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 prudent estimates and assumptions have been made in preparing the financial statements: revenue recognition, valuation of share-based payments, and impairment assessment.
Principles of Consolidation	These consolidated financial statements are prepared assuming the Company 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. The hierarchy is summarized below.
	Level 1 - Observable inputs such as quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities,
	Level 2 - Observable inputs such as quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities in markets that are not sufficiently active to qualify as Level 1 or, other inputs that are derived principally from or corroborated by observable market data by correlation or other means, and
	Level 3 - Unobservable inputs for which there is little or no market data, which requires us to develop our own assumptions, which are significant to the measurement of the fair values.
	Our financial instruments include cash and cash equivalents, accounts receivable, accounts payable, accrued liabilities, long-term debt and warrant liabilities. Excluding the long term debt and warrant liabilities, the carrying value of our financial instruments approximates fair value due to their short maturities. The carrying amount of long-term debt at December 31, 2013 was not materially different from the fair value based on rates available for similar types of arrangements. In combination with our registered direct offerings of common stock in May and September 2013, we issued warrants to purchase common stock. Based on the terms in the conditional exchange provision of the warrants issued, we made the determination to classify the warrants as a liability given that the exchange provision could result in the issuance of a variable number of shares of common stock. At each balance sheet date that the warrants were outstanding, we evaluated the warrant liability and any change in value was recorded as a non-operating gain or loss on the statement of operations. Due to the exchange provision of the warrants, the determination of the fair value of the warrant liability varied depending on our common stock price. Because the price of our common stock was less than the exercise price of the warrant, we calculated the fair value of the warrant liability as the fair value of the common stock that would have been required to be issued to settle the exchange provision of the warrant.
	There were no assets or liabilities measured at fair value using level 2 or 3 valuation inputs as of December 31, 2014.
	The valuation inputs hierarchy classification for the warrant liability measured at fair value on a recurring basis is summarized below as of December 31, 2013.
	As of December 31, 2013:		Level 1		Level 2		Level 3		Total
	Liabilities
	Warrant liabilities	$	-	$	4,902,000	$	-	$	4,902,000
		$	-	$	4,902,000	$	-	$	4,902,000
	Our cash equivalents are comprised of money market savings accounts and equity securities. We classify investment securities available-for-sale purchased with 90 days or less remaining until contractual maturity as cash equivalents.
Cash and cash equivalents	Our cash equivalents are comprised of money market savings accounts and equity securities. We classify investment securities available-for-sale purchased with 90 days or less remaining until contractual maturities as cash equivalents.
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 17 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 recorded at the lower of cost or market with cost determined on a net realizable value basis. We periodically assess the need to account for obsolescence of inventory and adjust 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 we determine that it is not probable that the inventory will be consumed through normal production 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 investments	As of December 31, 2014 and 2013, 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 generate revenue from many sources and activities. To date, our sources can be classified as development revenue, product revenue, or contract revenue.
	Development revenue
	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 are 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.
	We recognize development revenue as work progresses on an agreement and as our customer accepts the deliverables using a proportional method based on the lesser of the cumulative proportion of total planned costs to be incurred under the agreement or the cash payments received plus outstanding billings for work accepted by the customer. Since our collaborative agreements generally require some level of technology development, the actual costs required to complete a contract can vary from our estimates. The proportional revenue recognition method we use for collaborative research and development agreements includes adjustments for revisions to estimated total agreement costs. 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.
	Product revenue
	Product revenue is recognized when there is sufficient evidence of an arrangement, delivery has occurred, the fee is fixed or determinable, and collection is reasonably assured. Product revenue is recognized either upon expiration of the contractual acceptance period after which there are no rights of return, or net of estimated returns and allowances. Provisions are made for warranties at the time revenue is recognized.
	Contract revenue
	We recognize contract revenue on the sale of prototype units and evaluation kits 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. Under the percentage-of-completion method, revenue is recognized as work progresses on the contract. Our analysis of these contracts also contemplates whether contracts should be combined or segmented. We combine closely related contracts when all the applicable criteria under GAAP are met. 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, only if the applicable criteria under GAAP are met. Judgment also is involved in determining whether a single contract or group of contracts may be segmented based on how the arrangement was 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. The percentage-of-completion method relies on estimates of total expected contract revenue and costs. We have developed processes that allow us to make prudent estimates of the cost to complete a contract. When work begins on a contract, and at the end of each accounting 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 estimates are recognized in the period in which the facts become known. Historically, we have made only immaterial amendments to estimates to complete the contract at each reporting period. 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.
	We establish an allowance for estimated losses if the estimated cost to complete a contract exceeds the remaining contract value. The entire estimated loss is recognized in the period in which the loss becomes known. We determine the estimated cost to complete a contract through a detailed review of the work to be completed, the resources available to complete the work and the technical difficulty of the remaining work. If amendments to estimated costs to complete the contract are higher than the total contract revenue, the entire contract loss will be recognized. The actual cost to complete a contract can vary significantly from the estimated cost, due to a variety of factors including availability of technical staff, availability of materials and technical difficulties that arise during the course of a project.
Cost of 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 in the manufacture of these products. Indirect costs include labor and other costs associated with operating our manufacturing capabilities and capacity.
	Cost of contract revenue includes both the direct and allocated indirect costs of performing on development contracts and producing prototype units and evaluation kits. Direct costs include labor, materials and other costs incurred directly in performing on a contract or producing prototype units and evaluation kits. 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
	Financial instruments that potentially subject us to concentrations of credit risk are primarily cash equivalents and accounts receivable. We typically do not require collateral from our customers. As of December 31, 2014, our cash and cash equivalents are comprised of short-term highly rated money market savings accounts.
	Concentration of Sales to Major Customers
	During 2014, two commercial customers accounted for 65% of our total revenue and one commercial customer accounted for 80% of our accounts receivable balance at December 31, 2014. During 2013, two commercial customers accounted for 86% of our total revenue.
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.
	Certain net operating losses arise from the deductibility for tax purposes of compensation under nonqualified stock options equal to the difference between the fair value of the stock on the date of exercise and the exercise price of the options. For financial reporting purposes, the tax effect of this deduction when recognized is accounted for as a credit to shareholders' equity.
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 expenses consist of costs incurred for internally funded research and product development activities as well as collaborative research and development activities that are funded by customers. These costs include compensation related costs of employees, share-based compensation, materials, subcontracted services, facility costs, and depreciation of facilities and lab equipment. 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 or unrestricted 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. The value of restricted or unrestricted shares is determined using the fair value method, which is based on the number of shares granted and the closing price of our common stock on the NASDAQ Global Market on the date of grant. The value of options is determined using the Black-Scholes option pricing model with estimates of option lives, stock price volatility and interest rates, then expensed over the periods of service allowing for pre-vest forfeitures. Changes in the estimated inputs or using other option valuation methods could result in materially different option values and share-based compensation expense.
	We use the straight-line attribution method to allocate the fair value of share-based compensation awards over the requisite service period for each award. The valuation of and accounting for share-based awards includes a number of complex and subjective estimates. These estimates include, but are not limited to, the future volatility of our stock price, future stock option exercise behaviors, estimated employee turnover and award forfeiture rates.
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.
New accounting pronouncements	In May 2014, the Financial Accounting Standards Board ("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 GAAP. 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. ASU 2014-09 will be effective in the first quarter of fiscal 2017 and may be applied on a full retrospective or modified retrospective approach. We are still evaluating the impact of implementation of this standard 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
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.

Summary_of_Significant_Account1

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Fair Value) (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Summary Of Significant Accounting Policies Fair Value Tables
Fair Value Measurement (Tables)	The valuation inputs hierarchy classification for the warrant liability measured at fair value on a recurring basis is summarized below as of December 31, 2013.
	As of December 31, 2013:		Level 1		Level 2		Level 3		Total
	Liabilities
	Warrant liability	$	-	$	4,902,000	$	-	$	4,902,000
		$	-	$	4,902,000	$	-	$	4,902,000

Summary_of_Significant_Account2

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Net Loss Per Share) (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Summary Of Significant Accounting Policies Net Loss Per Share Tables
Excluded Securities from Net Loss Per Share	As of December 31, 2014 and 2013, we excluded the following convertible securities from diluted net loss per share as the effect of including them would have been anti-dilutive. The shares shown represent the number of shares of common stock which would be issued upon conversion in the respective years.
		December 31,
		2014	2013
	Options and private warrants	8,953,000	9,996,000
	Nonvested equity shares	60,000	108,000
		9,013,000	10,104,000

Summary_of_Significant_Account3

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Share-Based Compensation) (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Summary Of Significant Accounting Policies Share-based Compensation Tables
Stock-based employee compensation expense	The following table shows the amount of share-based compensation expense included in the statements of operations for each period shown:
			Year Ended December 31,
			2014		2013
	Cost of product revenue	$	-	$	1,000
	Cost of contract revenue		28,000		19,000
	Research and development expense		34,000		466,000
	Sales, marketing, general and administrative expense		651,000		1,120,000
		$	713,000	$	1,606,000

Longterm_Contracts_Tables

Long-term Contracts (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Long-term Contracts Tables
Long-term Contracts (Tables)	The following table summarizes the costs incurred on our collaborative research and development agreements and revenue contracts (in thousands):
			December 31,
			2014		2013
	Costs and estimated earnings incurred on uncompleted contracts	$	314	$	2,909
	Billings on uncompleted contracts		-544		-3,589
		$	-230	$	-680
	Included in accompanying consolidated balance sheets under the following captions:
	Billings on uncompleted contracts in excess of
	related costs	$	-230	$	-680
		$	-230	$	-680

Inventory_Tables

Inventory (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Inventory Tables
Inventory (Tables)	Inventory consists of the following:
			December 31,
			2014		2013
	Raw materials	$	42,000	$	23,000
	Finished goods		74,000		26,000
		$	116,000	$	49,000

Accrued_liabilities_Tables

Accrued liabilities (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Accrued Liabilities Tables
Accrued liabilities (Tables)	Accrued liabilities consist of the following:
			December 31,
			2014		2013
	Bonuses	$	889,000	$	725,000
	Payroll and payroll taxes		322,000		375,000
	Compensated absences		336,000		315,000
	Deferred rent credit		134,000		99,000
	Warranty		35,000		32,000
	Adverse purchase commitments		500,000		500,000
	Professional fees		78,000		76,000
	Other		435,000		348,000
		$	2,729,000	$	2,470,000

Property_and_equipment_net_Tab

Property and equipment, net (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Property And Equipment Net Tables
Components of Property, Plant and Equipment	Property and equipment consists of the following:
			December 31,
			2014		2013
	Production equipment	$	3,078,000	$	2,943,000
	Leasehold improvements		494,000		502,000
	Computer hardware and software/lab equipment		4,486,000		4,373,000
	Office furniture and equipment		1,087,000		1,100,000
			9,145,000		8,918,000
	Less: Accumulated depreciation		-8,251,000		-7,853,000
		$	894,000	$	1,065,000

Intangible_Assets_Tables

Intangible Assets (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Intangible Assets Tables
Estimated future amortization expense of intangible assets	The following table outlines the estimated future amortization expense related to intangible assets held at December 31, 2014:
	Year ended December 31,		Amount
	2015	$	128,000
	2016		127,000
	2017		116,000
	2018		115,000
	2019		115,000
	Thereafter		372,000
	Total	$	973,000

Warrants_Tables

Warrants (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Warrants Tables
Warrant activity and summary	The following summarizes activity with respect to MicroVision common stock warrants during the two years ended December 31, 2014:
			Warrants to		Weighted
			purchase		average
			common		exercise
			shares		price
	Outstanding at December 31, 2012		5,131,000	$	7.28
	Granted:
	Exercise price less than intrinsic value		2,216,000		2.71
	Exercise price greater than intrinsic value		1,855,000		2.44
	Exercised		-358,000		1.77
	Canceled/expired		-753,000		28.80
	Outstanding at December 31, 2013		8,091,000	$	3.07
	Granted:
	Exercise price less than intrinsic value		-		-
	Exercise price greater than intrinsic value		2,148,000		2.47
	Exercised		-3,713,000		2.67
	Canceled/expired		-		-
	Outstanding at December 31, 2014		6,526,000	$	3.08
	Exercisable at December 31, 2014		6,526,000	$	3.08
	The following table summarizes information about our common stock warrants outstanding and exercisable at December 31, 2014:
		Warrants outstanding				Warrants exercisable
			Weighted
		Number	average		Weighted	Number		Weighted
		outstanding at	remaining		average	exercisable at		average
		December 31,	contractual		exercise	December 31,		exercise
	Range of exercise prices	2014	life (years)		price	2014		price
	$2.13	1,000,000	0.39	$	2.13	1,000,000	$	2.13
	$2.24	2,100,000	2.47		2.24	2,100,000		2.24
	$2.47	2,148,000	4.21		2.47	2,148,000		2.47
	$6.24	1,278,000	1.88		6.24	1,278,000		6.24
	$2.13-$6.24	6,526,000				6,526,000

Sharebased_compensation_Tables

Share-based compensation (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Summary Of Significant Accounting Policies Share-based Compensation Tables
Schedule of Share-based Payment Award, Stock Options, Valuation Assumptions [Table Text Block]	The following table summarizes the weighted-average valuation assumptions and weighted-average grant date fair value of options granted during the periods shown below:
			Year Ended December 31,
			2014		2013
	Assumptions (weighted average)
	Volatility		100%		96%
	Expected term (in years)		4.0		4.1
	Risk-free rate		1.30%		1.00%
	Expected dividends		0.00%		0.00%
	Pre-vest forfeiture rate		8.50%		8.50%
	Grant date fair value of options granted	$	1.22	$	1.49
Options activity and positions	The following table summarizes activity and positions with respect to options for the two years ended December 31, 2014:
						Weighted
						Average
					Weighted	Remaining
					Average	Contractual		Aggregate
					Exercise	Term		Intrinsic
	Options		Shares		Price	(years)		Value
	Outstanding as of December 31, 2012		1,318,000	$	13.71	6.8	$	-
	Granted		824,000		2.22	-		-
	Exercised		-23,000		1.80	-		-
	Forfeited or expired		-214,000		13.86	-		-
	Outstanding as of December 31, 2013		1,905,000		8.86	7.4		1,500
	Granted		717,000		1.78	-		-
	Exercised		-		-	-		-
	Forfeited or expired		-195,000		9.49	-		-
	Outstanding as of December 31, 2014		2,427,000	$	6.72	7.4	$	18,700
	Vested and expected to vest as of December 31, 2014		2,293,000	$	7.00	7.3	$	18,100
	Exercisable as of December 31, 2014		1,263,000	$	11.06	5.9	$	14,100

Commitments_and_contingencies_

Commitments and contingencies (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Commitments And Contingencies Tables
Future minimum annual capital and operating lease payments	Future minimum rental commitments under operating leases for years ending December 31 are as follows:
			Operating
			leases
	2015	$	430,000
	2016		442,000
	2017		439,000
	2018		446,000
	2019		38,000
	Thereafter		-
	Total minimum lease payments	$	1,795,000

Income_Taxes_Tables

Income Taxes (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Income Taxes Tables
Schedule of Tax Effects of Temporary Differences that Give Rise to Significant Portions of Deferred Tax Assets and Liabilities	Deferred tax assets are summarized as follows:
			December 31,
			2014		2013
	Deferred tax assets, current
	Reserves	$	2,526,000	$	2,994,000
	Other		617,000		621,000
	Total gross deferred tax assets, current		3,143,000		3,615,000
	Deferred tax assets, noncurrent
	Net operating loss carryforwards		116,520,000		111,339,000
	R&D credit carryforwards		6,520,000		6,277,000
	Depreciation/amortization deferred		22,642,000		24,526,000
	Other		7,846,000		7,544,000
	Total gross deferred tax assets, noncurrent		153,528,000		149,686,000
	Net deferred taxes before valuation allowance		156,671,000		153,301,000
	Less: Valuation allowance		-156,671,000		-153,301,000
	Deferred tax assets	$	-	$	-

Quarterly_financial_informatio

Quarterly financial information (Unaudited) (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Quarterly Financial Information Tables
Selected Quarterly Financial Data (Unaudited) (Tables)	The following table presents our unaudited quarterly financial information for the years ending December 31, 2014 and 2013 (in thousands, except per share data):
			Fiscal Year 2014
			December 31,		September 30,		June 30,		March 31,
	Revenue	$	687	$	968	$	611	$	1,219
	Gross margin		178		600		443		1,220
	Net loss		-3,346		-3,355		-3,401		-8,018
	Net loss per share basic and diluted		-0.08		-0.08		-0.08		-0.23
			Fiscal Year 2013
			December 31,		September 30,		June 30,		March 31,
	Revenue	$	1,217	$	964	$	1,870	$	1,801
	Gross margin		1,164		880		1,007		1,000
	Net loss		-2,421		-3,667		-3,436		-3,654
	Net loss per share basic and diluted		-0.08		-0.13		-0.13		-0.14

Summary_of_Significant_Account4

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Fair Value of Financial Instruments) (Details) (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2013
Liabilities
Warrant liability	$4,902,000
Total	4,902,000
(Level 1)
Liabilities
Warrant liability	0
Total	0
(Level 2)
Liabilities
Warrant liability	4,902,000
Total	4,902,000
(Level 3)
Liabilities
Warrant liability	0
Total	$0

Summary_of_Significant_Account5

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Property and Equipment Useful Life Narrative) (Details)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Minimum
Property and Equipment, Useful Life	P2Y
Maximum
Property and Equipment, Useful Life	P5Y

Summary_of_Significant_Account6

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Concentration of Sales to Major Customers Narrative) (Details)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Customer Revenue Concentration
Concentration Risk, Percentage	65.00%	86.00%
Accounts Receivable Concentration
Concentration Risk, Percentage	80.00%

Summary_of_Significant_Account7

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Net Loss Per Share) (Convertible Securities and Options Excluded) (Details)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Anti-dilutive shares	9,013,000	10,104,000
Options and Private Warrants Exercisable
Anti-dilutive shares	8,953,000	9,996,000
Nonvested Equity Shares
Anti-dilutive shares	60,000	108,000

Summary_of_Significant_Account8

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Schedule Of Stock-Based Compensation Expense By Statement Of Operations) (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Share-based employee compensation expense	$713,000	$1,606,000
Cost of product revenue
Share-based employee compensation expense	0	1,000
Cost of contract revenue
Share-based employee compensation expense	28,000	19,000
Research and development expense
Share-based employee compensation expense	34,000	466,000
Sales, marketing, general and administrative expense
Share-based employee compensation expense	$651,000	$1,120,000

Longterm_contracts_Costs_Incur

Long-term contracts (Costs Incurred on Contracts) (Details) (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Long-term Contracts Costs Incurred On Contracts Details
Costs and estimated earnings incurred on uncompleted contracts	$314	$2,909
Billings on uncompleted contracts	-544	-3,589
Net of costs and billings on uncompleted contracts	-230	-680
Billings on uncompleted contracts in excess of related costs	-230	-680
Net of costs and billings on uncompleted contracts	($230)	($680)

Inventory_Components_Details

Inventory Components (Details) (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Inventory Components Details
Raw materials	$42,000	$23,000
Finished goods	74,000	26,000
Inventory, net	$116,000	$49,000

Inventory_Narrative_Details

Inventory (Narrative) (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Inventory Narrative Details
Inventory write-downs	$42,000	$303,000
Inventory allowance	$6,927,000	$7,964,000

Accrued_liabilities_components

Accrued liabilities components (Details) (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Accrued Liabilities Components Details
Bonuses	$889,000	$725,000
Payroll and payroll taxes	322,000	375,000
Compensated absences	336,000	315,000
Deferred rent credit	134,000	99,000
Warranty	35,000	32,000
Adverse purchase commitments	500,000	500,000
Professional fees	78,000	76,000
Other	435,000	348,000
Accrued liabilities	$2,729,000	$2,470,000

Property_and_equipment_Details

Property and equipment (Details) (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Property And Equipment Details
Production equipment	$3,078,000	$2,943,000
Leasehold improvements	494,000	502,000
Computer hardware and software/lab equipment	4,486,000	4,373,000
Office furniture and equipment	1,087,000	1,100,000
Property and equipment, gross	9,145,000	8,918,000
Less: Accumulated depreciation	-8,251,000	-7,853,000
Property and equipment, net	$894,000	$1,065,000

Property_and_equipment_Narrati

Property and equipment (Narrative) (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Property And Equipment Narrative Details
Depreciation expense	$414,000	$923,000
Property and equipment under capital lease	704,000	704,000
Accumulated depreciation related to assets under capital lease	$704,000	$704,000

Intangible_assets_Future_Amort

Intangible assets (Future Amortization) (Details) (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2014
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Future Amortization Expense [Abstract]
2015	$128,000
2016	127,000
2017	116,000
2018	115,000
2019	115,000
Thereafter	372,000
Total	$973,000

Intangible_Assets_Useful_Life_

Intangible Assets (Useful Life Narrative) (Details)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Minimum
Finite-Lived Intangible Asset, Useful Life	1 year
Maximum
Finite-Lived Intangible Asset, Useful Life	17 years

Intangible_assets_Narrative_De

Intangible assets (Narrative) (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Intangible Assets Narrative Details
Gross value of intangible assets	$1,600,000	$1,600,000
Amortization expense	132,000	158,000
Impairment of intangible assets	$40,000	$277,000
Number of patents abandoned in prosecution	5	42

Common_Stock_Narrative_Details

Common Stock (Narrative) (Details) (USD $)	1 Months Ended					12 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2014	Mar. 31, 2014	Feb. 28, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013	31-May-13	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Common Stock Narrative Details
Number of shares of common stock issued	1,400,000	7,200,000	3,700,000	3,500,000	2,600,000
Cash received from stock sale, before issuance costs	$2,900,000	$13,900,000	$0	$6,600,000	$5,850,000	$16,114,000	$4,262,000
Stock issuance costs	$158,000	$1,000,000		$452,000	$362,000
Common shares underlying warrants		2,100,000				6,526,000	8,091,000	5,131,000
Warrant exercise price, per share		$2.47				$3.08	$3.07	$7.28
Date from which warrants are exercisable		30-Sep-14
Warrant term, in years		5 years
Terms and provisions	In June 2014, we entered into an At-the-Market (ATM) equity agreement with Meyers Associates, L.P. Under the agreement we may from time to time, at our discretion offer and sell shares of our common stock having an aggregate value of up to $4.5 million. As of December 31, 2014 we have received proceeds of approximately $3.5 million before issuance costs of approximately $175,000 from the sale of 1.7 million shares of our common stock.	In March 2014, we raised $13.9 million before issuance costs of approximately $1.0 million through an underwritten offering of 7.2 million shares of our common stock and warrants to purchase 2.1 million shares of our common stock. Details of the warrants are described below in Note 9.	In February 2014, we issued 3.7 million shares of our common stock under the exchange provisions of warrants issued in our May and September 2013 registered direct offerings. We recognized a loss of $5.0 million on the exchange as the fair market value of the common stock issued was greater than the obligation recorded due to an increase in our stock price since December 31, 2013. Details of the warrants are described below in Note 9.	In September 2013, we raised $6.6 million before issuance costs of approximately $452,000 from the sale of 3.5 million shares of common stock and warrants to purchase up to an aggregate of 2.1 million shares of our common stock in a registered direct offering. Details of the warrants are described below in Note 9.	In May 2013, we raised $5.85 million before issuance costs of approximately $362,000 from the sale of 2.6 million shares of common stock and warrants to purchase up to an aggregate of 2.0 million shares of our common stock in a registered direct offering. Details of the warrants are described below in Note 9.

Warrants_Summary_of_Warrant_Ac

Warrants (Summary of Warrant Activity) (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Mar. 31, 2014
Warrants Summary Of Warrant Activity Details
Warrants, Outstanding as of beginning of period	8,091,000	5,131,000	2,100,000
Granted with exercise price less than intrinsic value	0	2,216,000
Granted with exercise price greater than intrinsic value	2,148,000	1,855,000
Exercised	-3,713,000	-358,000
Canceled/expired	0	-753,000
Warrants, Outstanding as of end of period	6,526,000	8,091,000	2,100,000
Warrants, Weighted-Average Exercise Prices, Outstanding as of beginnig of period	$3.07	$7.28	$2.47
Warrants, Weighted-Average Exercise Prices, Granted less than intrinsic value	$0	$2.71
Warrants, Weighted-Average Exercise Prices, Granted greater than intrinsic value	$2.44	$2.44
Warrants, Weighted-Average Exercise Prices, Exercised	2.67	1.77
Warrants, Weighted-Average Exercise Prices, cancelled or expired	$0	$28.80
Warrants, Weighted-Average Exercise Prices, Outstanding as of end of period	$3.08	$3.07	$2.47
Warrants, Exercisable at end of period	6,526,000
Warrants, Weighted-Average Exercise Price, Exercisable		$3.08

Warrants_Outstanding_and_Exerc

Warrants Outstanding and Exercisable (Details) (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Warrant, exercise price	$3.08	$2.47	$3.07	$7.28
Warrants, Outstanding as of end of period	6,526,000	2,100,000	8,091,000	5,131,000
Warrants, Exercisable at end of period	6,526,000
Warrants exercisable, weighted average exercise price			$3.08
2.13
Warrant, exercise price	$2.13
Warrants, Outstanding as of end of period	1,000,000
Warrants outstanding, weighted average remaining contractual life, years	$0.39
Warrants outstanding, weighted average exercise price	$2.13
Warrants, Exercisable at end of period	1,000,000
Warrants exercisable, weighted average exercise price	$2.13
2.24
Warrant, exercise price	$2.24
Warrants, Outstanding as of end of period	2,100,000
Warrants outstanding, weighted average remaining contractual life, years	$2.47
Warrants outstanding, weighted average exercise price	$2.24
Warrants, Exercisable at end of period	2,100,000
Warrants exercisable, weighted average exercise price	$2.24
2.47
Warrant, exercise price	$2.47
Warrants, Outstanding as of end of period	2,148,000
Warrants outstanding, weighted average remaining contractual life, years	$4.21
Warrants outstanding, weighted average exercise price	$2.47
Warrants, Exercisable at end of period	2,148,000
Warrants exercisable, weighted average exercise price	$2.47
6.24
Warrant, exercise price	$6.24
Warrants, Outstanding as of end of period	1,278,000
Warrants outstanding, weighted average remaining contractual life, years	$1.88
Warrants outstanding, weighted average exercise price	$6.24
Warrants, Exercisable at end of period	1,278,000
Warrants exercisable, weighted average exercise price	$6.24

Warrants_Narrative_Details

Warrants (Narrative) (Details) (USD $)	1 Months Ended		12 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2014	Feb. 28, 2014	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Warrants Narrative Details
Common shares underlying warrants	2,100,000		6,526,000	8,091,000	5,131,000
Warrant exercise price, per share	$2.47		$3.08	$3.07	$7.28
Warrant term, in years	5 years
Loss on warrant exchange		$5,000	($4,967)	$1,900
Warrant Transactions Connected with Contingently Convertible Securities	In March 2014, we raised $13.9 million before issuance costs of approximately $1.0 million through an underwritten offering of 7.2 million shares of our common stock and warrants to purchase 2.1 million shares of our common stock. Each unit was sold to investors for $1.94 and consisted of one share of common stock and one warrant to purchase 0.3 shares of common stock. The warrants have an exercise price of $2.47 per share and expire on the fifth anniversary of the date of issuance.	In February 2014, we issued 3,713,309 shares of our common stock under the conditional exchange provision of the warrants. We did not receive additional cash consideration in the exchange transaction. We recorded a loss of $5.0 million during the year ended December 31, 2014 on the exchange, as the fair market value of the common stock issued was greater than the obligation recorded due to the increase in stock price from December 31, 2013 to the date the warrants were exchanged.

Warrants_Fair_Value_Assumption

Warrants Fair Value Assumptions (Narrative) (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Assumptions (weighted average)
Volatility	100.00%	96.00%
Risk-free rate	1.30%	1.00%
Expected dividends	$0	$0
All Warrants
Assumptions (weighted average)
Volatility	100.00%
Expected term (in years)	5 years
Risk-free rate	1.60%
Expected dividends	$0

Sharebased_compensation_Weight

Share-based compensation (Weighted Average Assumptions) (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
	Y	Y
Assumptions (weighted average)
Volatility	100.00%	96.00%
Expected term (in years)	4	4.1
Risk-free rate	1.30%	1.00%
Expected dividends	$0	$0
Pre-vest forfeiture rate	8.50%	8.50%
Grant date fair value of options granted	$1.22	$1.49

Sharebased_compensation_Schedu

Share-based compensation (Schedule Of Stock Option Activity) (Details) (MVIS, USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
MVIS
Options, Outstanding as of beginning of period	1,905,000	1,318,000
Options, Granted	717,000	824,000
Options, Exercised	-16,000	-23,000
Options, Forfeited, cancelled or expired	-301,000	-214,000
Options, Outstanding as of end of period	2,427,000	1,905,000
Weighted-Average Exercise Prices, Outstanding as of beginnig of period	$8.86	$13.71
Weighted-Average Exercise Prices, Granted	$1.78	$2.22
Weighted-Average Exercise Prices, Exercised	$0	$1.80
Weighted-Average Exercise Prices, Forfeited, cancelled or expired	$9.49	$13.86
Weighted-Average Exercise Prices, Outstanding as of end of period	$6.72	$8.86
Options Outstanding, Weighted-Average Remaining Contractual Term (in years)	7 years 146 days	7 years 146 days
Options, Outstanding, Aggregate Intrinsic Value	$18,700	$1,500	$0
Options, Vested and expected to vest at end of period	2,293,000
Weighted-Average Exercise Price, Vested and expected to vest	$7
Weighted-Average Remaining Contractual Term (in years), Vested and expected to vest	7 years 110 days
Options, Vested and expected to vest, Aggregate Intrinsic Value	18,100
Options, Exercisable at end of period	1,263,000
Weighted-Average Exercise Price, Exercisable	$11.06
Weighted-Average Remaining Contractual Term (in years), Exercisable	5 years 329 days
Options, Exercisable, Aggregate Intrinsic Value	14,100
Options, Exercises in Period, Intrinsic Value		21,000
Grant date fair value of options vested	$3,300,000	$1,700,000

ShareBased_Compensation_Narrat

Share-Based Compensation (Narrative) (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Employee Stock Options
Unrecognized compensation cost related to share-based compensation	$1,100,000
Weighted-average service period, years	2 years 256 days
Restricted Stock Rights
Unrecognized compensation cost related to share-based compensation	$43,000
Weighted-average service period, years	0 years 180 days

Recovered_Sheet2

Commitments and Contingencies (Operating Leases) (Details) (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2014
Year ending December 31:
2015	$430,000
2016	442,000
2017	439,000
2018	446,000
2019	38,000
Thereafter	0
Total minimum lease payments	$1,795,000

Commitments_and_Contingencies_1

Commitments and Contingencies (Lease Narrative) (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Commitments And Contingencies Lease Narrative Details
Net rent expense	$542,000	$636,000

Commitments_and_Contingencies_2

Commitments and Contingencies (Adverse Purchase Commitments Narrative) (Details) (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2014
Commitments And Contingencies Adverse Purchase Commitments Narrative Details
Accrued liability for loss on commitments to purchase materials to support production of PicoP based products	$500,000

Income_taxes_Deferred_Tax_Asse

Income taxes (Deferred Tax Assets) (Details) (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Deferred tax assets, current
Reserves	$2,526,000	$2,994,000
Other	617,000	621,000
Total gross deferred tax assets, current	3,143,000	3,615,000
Deferred tax assets, noncurrent
Net operating loss carryforwards	116,520,000	111,339,000
R&D credit carryforwards	6,520,000	6,277,000
Depreciation/amortization deferred	22,642,000	24,526,000
Other	7,846,000	7,544,000
Total gross deferred tax assets, noncurrent	153,528,000	149,686,000
Net deferred taxes before valuation allowance	156,671,000	153,301,000
Less: Valuation allowance	-156,671,000	-153,301,000
Deferred tax assets	$0	$0

Income_taxes_Narrative_Details

Income taxes (Narrative) (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Income Taxes Narrative Details
Provision for income taxes	$0	$0
Operating Loss Carryforwards	341.5
Operating loss carryforwards, expiration date	31-Dec-18
Annual limit on operating loss carryforwards	In certain circumstances, as specified in the Internal Revenue Code, a 50% or more ownership change by certain combinations of our stockholders during any three-year period would result in limitations on our ability to utilize our net operating loss carry-forwards.
Accrued penalties and interest	0	0
Unrecognized tax benefits	$0	$0
Tax years open for examination	1998
Operating loss carryforwards, expiration dates	The net operating loss carry-forwards and research and development credits available to offset future taxable income, if any, will expire in varying amounts from 2018 to 2034 if not previously utilized.

Income_taxes_Credit_Carryforwa

Income taxes (Credit Carryforwards Narrative) (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014
Tax credit carryforwards, expiration dates	The net operating loss carry-forwards and research and development credits available to offset future taxable income, if any, will expire in varying amounts from 2018 to 2034 if not previously utilized.
R&D Tax Credit
Tax Credit Carryforward, Description	Research and development credits available to offset future taxable income.
Tax Credit Carryforward, Amount	6.5
Tax Credit Carryforward, Expiration Date	31-Dec-18
Tax credit carryforwards, expiration dates	The net operating loss carry-forwards and research and development credits available to offset future taxable income, if any, will expire in varying amounts from 2018 to 2034 if not previously utilized.
Capital Loss Carryforward
Tax Credit Carryforward, Description	Capital loss carry-forwards that are scheduled to expire between 2015 and 2017.
Tax Credit Carryforward, Amount	1.2
Tax Credit Carryforward, Expiration Date	31-Dec-15
Tax credit carryforwards, expiration dates	In addition to the tax benefits above, we have $1.2 million of capital loss carry-forwards that are scheduled to expire between 2015 and 2017.

Retirement_savings_plan_Narrat

Retirement savings plan (Narrative) (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Retirement Savings Plan Narrative Details
Contribution to 401 (k) plan	$0	$0

Quarterly_financial_informatio1

Quarterly financial information (Unaudited) (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014	Sep. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2014	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Sep. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2013	Mar. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Quarterly Financial Information Details
Revenue	$687	$968	$611	$1,219	$1,217	$964	$1,870	$1,801	$3,485	$5,852
Gross margin	178	600	443	1,220	1,164	880	1,007	1,000	2,441	4,051
Net loss	($3,346)	($3,355)	($3,401)	($8,018)	($2,421)	($3,667)	($3,436)	($3,654)	($18,120)	($13,178)
Net loss per share - basic and diluted	($0.08)	($0.08)	($0.08)	($0.23)	($0.08)	($0.13)	($0.13)	($0.14)

Subsequent_Event_Narrative_Det

Subsequent Event (Narrative) (Details) (USD $)	1 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2015
Subsequent Event Narrative Details
Subsequent Event, Description	In March 2015, we signed a multi-year license agreement with a customer granting them a non-exclusive license to our PicoP display technology for use in display modules it manufactures and sells. As part of the agreement, we received an $8.0 million up-front license fee in March 2015. In addition to the initial up-front license fee, we will also receive royalties for display modules sold by our customer.
	In March 2015, we received orders from a customer totaling $14.5 million for components. We plan to begin shipment of components for these orders in the second half of 2015 and expect fulfillment to continue into 2016.
Deferred revenue	$8
Product orders received, amount	$14.50