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Mobile projectors are coming into focus following an agreement between 3M and Himax Technologies. The specialists in optics technology and semiconductor systems for flat panel displays have announced they are combining proprietary technologies for a new mobile system.

3M is demonstrating its mobile projection system, including the Himax LCOS micro display at the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas. LCOS stands for "liquid crystal on silicon" and represents a "micro-projection" technology.

The projection system will be integrated into a range of consumer mobile devices, the companies hope.  3M is providing a miniature LED projection engine and this incorporates a Himax single-panel colour filter type LCOS micro display.

"We believe that embedding projectors into mobile devices is the future, and we are pleased to announce our alliance with Himax," said Mike Kelly, executive VP of 3M's Display and Graphics Business. "Himax provides a unique colour filter LCOS that, when coupled with 3M's proprietary optics, delivers excellent image quality in an ultra-compact package."

"We expect to see the solution adopted by numerous customers in applications such as mobile phones, digital cameras and portable multimedia players," said Jordan Wu, president and chief executive officer of Himax.