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Summary of significant accounting policies - Note 2 | 12 Months Ended
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Dec. 31, 2016
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 estimates and assumptions have been made in preparing the financial statements: revenue recognition, inventory valuation, valuation of share-based payments, intangibles impairment assessment, depreciable lives assessment and related disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities. 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. Our financial instruments include cash and cash equivalents, accounts receivable, accounts payable and accrued liabilities. The carrying value of our financial instruments approximates fair value due to their short maturities. Our cash equivalents are comprised of short-term highly rated money market savings accounts. 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 seventeen 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 computed using the first-in, first-out (FIFO) method and is stated at the lower of cost and net realizable value. 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. 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. As our production needs change, we periodically assess the remaining estimated useful life of our production equipment. If necessary, we adjust the depreciation on our production equipment to reflect the remaining estimated useful life. 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, 2016 and 2015, 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 a letter of credit which is 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 recognize revenue when: (i) persuasive evidence of an arrangement exists, (ii) delivery has occurred and there are no uncertainties regarding customer acceptance, (iii) fees are fixed or determinable, and (iv) collection is reasonably assured. We generate revenue from many sources and activities. We enter into arrangements that can include various combinations of product sales, services, and licensing activities. For multiple-element arrangements, we use a hierarchy to determine the contract consideration to be used for allocating revenue to deliverables: (i) vendor-specific objective evidence of fair value (VSOE), (ii) third party evidence of selling price (TPE), and (iii) best estimate of selling price. To date, our sources can be classified as: product revenue, royalty revenue, contract revenue, or development revenue. Product revenue Product revenue is revenue from our sales of our products, which are MEMS and ASICs. Our product sales generally include acceptance provisions. We recognize product revenue upon acceptance of the product by the customer or the expiration of the contractual acceptance period, after which there are no rights of return. Our product revenue, from period to period, may vary substantially due to the timing of product orders from customers, product shipments, production constraints and availability of components and raw materials. Fulfillment and delivery of the backlog is dependent upon the successful supply chain development and delivery of required components to us. From time to time, raw materials and manufacturing delays and components received that do not meet quality standards have resulted in delivery delays to our customers. Royalty revenue Royalty revenue is revenue under license agreements to our PicoP® scanning technology. We recognize revenue on upfront license fees over the expected time frame that we provide services or have ongoing obligations under the agreement. Ongoing per unit royalties are recognized when reported by our customer to us on a quarterly basis. Currently, we recognize revenue for ongoing per unit royalties one quarter in arrears when reported by our customer, representing when such amounts are fixed and determinable, and all other revenue recognition criteria are met. Contract revenue Contract revenue includes revenue from support service contracts and the sale of prototype units and evaluation kits based on our PicoP® scanning engine. Our contract revenue in a particular period is dependent upon when we enter into a contract, the value of the contracts we have entered into, and the availability of technical resources to perform work on the contracts. We recognize contract revenue related to 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. The percentage-of-completion method relies on estimates of total expected contract revenue and costs. At the end of each 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 and costs to complete estimates are recognized in the period in which the facts become known. 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. Development revenue Development revenue is revenue from performance on collaborative research and development agreements with commercial customers researching and developing commercial applications for our technology. 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 include 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. At the end of 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. Cost of product revenue Cost of product revenue includes the direct and allocated indirect costs of products sold to customers. Direct costs include labor, materials, reserves for estimated warranty expenses, and other costs incurred directly, or charged to us by our contract manufacturers in the manufacture of these products. Indirect costs include labor, manufacturing overhead, and other costs associated with operating our manufacturing capabilities and capacity. Manufacturing overhead includes the costs of procuring, inspecting and storing material, facility and other costs, and is allocated to cost of product revenue based on the proportion of indirect labor which supported production activities. The cost of product revenue can fluctuate significantly from period to period, depending on the product mix and volume, the level of manufacturing overhead expense and the volume of direct material purchased. Cost of contract revenue Cost of contract revenue includes both the direct and allocated indirect costs of performing on contracts and producing prototype units and evaluation kits based on our PicoP® scanning engine. Direct costs include labor, materials and other costs incurred directly in producing prototype units and evaluation kits or performing on a contract. 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 major customers and suppliers Concentration of credit risk Financial instruments that potentially subject us to a concentration of credit risk are primarily cash equivalents and accounts receivable. We typically do not require collateral from our customers. As of December 31, 2016, our cash and cash equivalents are comprised of short-term highly rated money market savings accounts. Concentration of major customers and suppliers In 2016, one commercial customer accounted for $13.5 million in revenue, representing 91% of our total revenue. In 2015, the same commercial customer accounted for $9.0 million in revenue, representing 98% of our total revenue. In 2014, the same commercial customer accounted for $2.0 million in revenue, representing 58% of our total revenue, and a second commercial customer accounted for $577,000 in revenue, representing 17% of our total revenue. In 2016, one commercial customer accounted for $182,000, or 74% of our net accounts receivable balance, and a second commercial customer accounted for $54,000, or 22% of our net accounts receivable balance. In 2015, one commercial customer accounted for $1.5 million, or 91% of our net accounts receivable balance. A significant concentration of our components and the products we sell are currently manufactured and obtained from single or limited-source suppliers, which are primarily located in foreign countries. The loss of any single or limited-source supplier, the failure of any of these suppliers to perform as expected, or the disruption in the supply chain of components from these suppliers could subject us to risks and uncertainties regarding, but not limited to, increased cost of sales, possible loss of revenues, or significant delays in product deliveries, any of which could adversely affect our financial condition and operating results. 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. The components of basic and diluted net loss per share were as follows (in thousands, except loss per share data):
|  |  | Year Ended December 31,
Numerator: |  |  | 2016 |  |  | 2015 |  |  | 2014
Net loss available for common shareholders |  | $ | (16,472) |  | $ | (14,542) |  | $ | (18,120)
Denominator: |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Weighted-average common shares outstanding |  |  | 51,958 |  |  | 46,540 |  |  | 41,599
Net loss per share - basic and diluted |  | $ | (0.32) |  | $ | (0.31) |  | $ | (0.44)
During each of the years ended December 31, 2016, 2015 and 2014, we excluded the following securities from 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 shown below (in thousands):
|  | Year Ended December 31,
|  | 2016 |  |  | 2015 |  |  | 2014
Options outstanding and warrants exercisable |  | 7,764 |  |  | 8,185 |  |  | 8,953
Nonvested restricted stock units |  | 60 |  |  | 60 |  |  | 60
|  | 7,824 |  |  | 8,245 |  |  | 9,013
Research and development Research and development expense consists of compensation related costs of employees and contractors engaged in internal research and product development activities, direct material to support development programs, laboratory operations, outsourced development and processing work, and other operating expenses. We assign our research and development resources based on the business opportunity of the available projects, the skill mix of the resources available and the contractual commitments we have made to our customers. Research and development costs are expensed as incurred. We believe that a substantial level of continuing research and development expense will be required to further develop our technology. Share-based compensation We issue share-based compensation to employees in the form of stock options and restricted stock units (RSUs). We account for the share-based awards by recognizing the fair value of share-based compensation expense on a straight-line basis over the service period of the award, net of estimated forfeitures. The fair value of stock options is estimated on the grant date using the Black-Scholes option pricing model. The fair value of RSUs is determined by the closing price of our common stock on the grant date. Changes in estimated inputs or using other option valuation methods may result in materially different option values and share-based compensation expense. The following table summarizes the amount of share-based compensation expense by line item on the Statement of Operations (in thousands):
|  |  | Year Ended December 31,
|  |  | 2016 |  |  | 2015 |  |  | 2014
Cost of product revenue |  | $ | 37 |  | $ | 19 |  | $ | -
Cost of contract revenue |  |  | - |  |  | - |  |  | 28
Research and development expense |  |  | 350 |  |  | 282 |  |  | 34
Sales, marketing, general and administrative expense |  |  | 836 |  |  | 706 |  |  | 651
|  | $ | 1,223 |  | $ | 1,007 |  | $ | 713
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. Recent accounting pronouncements In November 2016, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) issued Accounting Standards Update 2016-18 (ASU 2016-18), Restricted Cash. The standard requires restricted cash and cash equivalents to be included with cash and cash equivalents on the statement of cash flows. The new standard is effective for fiscal years, and interim periods within those fiscal years, beginning after December 15, 2017, with early adoption permitted. The new guidance shall be applied using a retrospective approach. As of December 31, 2016 and 2015, we have $435,000 of restricted cash, and as such we do not expect the implementation of this standard to have a material effect on our financial statements. In August 2016, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update 2016-15 (ASU 2016-15), Statement of Cash Flows (Topic 230): Clarification of Certain Cash Receipts and Cash Payments. The objective of ASU 2016-15 is to eliminate the diversity in practice related to the classification of certain receipts and payments in the statement of cash flows, by adding or clarifying guidance on eight specific cash flow issues. For public business entities, ASU 2016-15 is effective for annual and interim reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2017, with early adoption permitted. The amendments in this update should be applied retrospectively to all periods presented, unless deemed impracticable, in which case, prospective application is permitted. We do not expect the implementation of this standard to have a material effect on our financial statements. In June 2016, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update 2016-13 (ASU 2016-13), Financial Instruments - Credit Losses (Topic 326): Measurement of Credit Losses on Financial Instruments. ASU 2016-13 amends the impairment model to utilize an expected loss methodology in place of the currently used incurred loss methodology, which will result in the more timely recognition of losses. ASU 2016-13 is effective for public entities with fiscal years, and interim periods within those fiscal years, beginning after December 15, 2019. Early adoption is permitted for fiscal years, and interim periods within those fiscal years, beginning after December 15, 2018. The new guidance shall be applied on a modified-retrospective approach. We do not expect the implementation of this standard to have a material effect on our financial statements. In March 2016, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update 2016-09 (ASU 2016-09), Improvements to Employee Share-Based Payment Accounting. ASU 2016-09 simplifies several aspects of the accounting for share-based payment award transactions including a) income tax consequences; b) classification of awards as either equity or liabilities; and c) classification on the statement of cash flows. ASU 2016-09 is effective for public entities in the fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2016, and for interim periods within those fiscal years. Various elements of the amendments will be applied using either a modified retrospective transition method, retrospectively, or prospectively. Early adoption is permitted. We do not expect the implementation of this standard to have a material effect on our financial statements. In February 2016, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update 2016-02 (ASU 2016-02), Leases (Topic 842). ASU 2016-02 requires lessees to recognize a right-of-use asset and lease liability in the balance sheet for all leases, including operating leases, with terms of more than twelve months. Recognition, measurement and presentation of expenses and cash flows from a lease by a lessee have not significantly changed from previous guidance. The amendments also require qualitative disclosures along with specific quantitative disclosures. The new guidance will be effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2018, and interim periods within those years, with early adoption permitted. The amendments must be applied on a modified retrospective basis. We anticipate the adoption of this standard will have a material impact on our financial statements. While we are continuing to assess all the potential impacts of the standard, we currently believe the most significant impact relates to our accounting for our office lease. Under the new guidance, the net present value of the obligation for our office lease will appear on the balance sheet. Currently, it is classified as an operating lease and payments are expensed in the period incurred. In November 2015, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update 2015-17 (ASU 2015-17), Income Taxes: Balance Sheet Classification of Deferred Taxes. ASU 2015-17 eliminates the current requirement to present deferred tax liabilities and assets as current and non-current on the balance sheet and requires that all deferred tax liabilities and assets, and any related valuation allowance, be classified as non-current on the balance sheet. ASU 2015-17 is effective for public entities in fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2016, and for the interim periods within those fiscal years. The new guidance can be applied retrospectively or prospectively and early adoption is permitted. We do not expect the implementation of this standard to have a material effect on our financial statements as our net deferred tax assets are reduced to $0 by a full valuation allowance. In July 2015, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update 2015-11 (ASU 2015-11), Inventory (Topic 330): Simplifying the Measurement of Inventory, which changes the measurement principle for inventory from the lower of cost or market to the lower of cost and net realizable value. ASU 2015-11 defines net realizable value as estimated selling prices in the ordinary course of business, less predictable costs of completion, disposal, and transportation. The new guidance must be applied on a prospective basis and is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2016, and interim periods within those years, with early adoption permitted. We do not expect the implementation of this standard to have a material effect on our financial statements. In May 2014, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update 2014-09 (ASU 2014-09), Revenue from Contracts with Customers, an updated standard on revenue recognition. 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 for us as of January 1, 2018, with early adoption permitted as of January 1, 2017. We have chosen to implement the new standard as of January 1, 2018 using the full retrospective approach, meaning we will restate each prior reporting period presented. We have performed a review of our revenue generated from significant product and service contracts with customers subject to ASU 2014-09, and we expect the implementation of this standard to have a material impact on our financial statements. While we are continuing to assess all potential impacts of this standard, we currently believe the most significant impact relates to our accounting for the $8.0 million upfront license fee payment under the PicoP® scanning technology license agreement we signed with Sony in March 2015. Under current guidance, we are recognizing the upfront license fee payment of $8.0 million on a straight-line basis over a period of eight years. Under the new guidance, we expect to recognize the entire $8.0 million upfront license fee payment in the first quarter of 2015, which will increase 2015 revenues by $7.2 million, and reduce reported 2016 revenues by $1.0 million. We currently expect no changes to the timing of our recognition of the ongoing per unit royalties; they will continue to be recognized one quarter in arrears when reported by Sony. We expect revenue related to our components sales to remain substantially unchanged.

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