Video Camera for kids set for launch; Vision and Tyco collaboration develops unique new product

Business Wire, Jan 23, 1996

EDINBURGH, U.K.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Jan. 23, 1996--VISION, the Scottish electronic imaging company, has linked up with TYCO, the third largest toy manufacturer in the US, to develop a video camera designed specifically for the children's market. VISION stock is traded on the London Stock Exchange; Tyco Toys Inc. is traded on the New York Stock Exchange (TTI).

The Tyco 'VideoCam' has been made possible by VISION's unique image sensing technology. The product is to be launched at the British International Toy and Hobby Fair at Olympia in London (Jan. 27-31), and the American International Toy Fair in New York (Feb. 12-16). It has already received an enthusiastic response from a wide range of prospective customers, US and worldwide.

The product is designed to be lightweight, sturdy and simple to operate and is aimed at children aged between 6 and 12 years old. It will provide black and white video pictures, which will be relayed direct into a television via a standard VCR player. VISION CMOS imaging technology has enabled the video camera to be manufactured cost-effectively, and at a price which will be attractive to the consumer.

Christopher Campbell, Vice President, Marketing at Tyco says the company is delighted with the VISION partnership. "Tyco VideoCam is a major new development in childrens' toys. In a fast moving market, it is vital to develop viable and affordable products which will capture childrens' imaginations. VISION has played a crucial role in helping us achieve that goal. This will be one of our major launches in 1996 and will be receiving massive marketing and advertising support worldwide."

VISION is equally enthusiastic about the prospects for the product. "This is further evidence of VISION's emergence as a world class camera company," comments Managing Director, Peter Denyer. "This has been a very exciting project to be involved in, and is our first major toy announcement."

VideoCam will be manufactured and marketed by Tyco - one of the world's largest toy companies, and the people behind such household names as Magna Doodle(R), View-Master(R) and Matchbox(R).

Additional Information:

1. VISION is the trading name of VLSI Vision Limited, previously known as VVL. The company has offices in Edinburgh, Scotland and Saratoga, Calif. VISION has developed and exploited advanced electronic vision technology which is being applied to a wide range of commercial applications. The key feature of VISION's technology is the combination of both image sensing and image processing on the same microchip. The major advantages are the reduction in cost, size and power requirements.

An important aspect of the business is the design of application specific image sensors and image processing modules to individual customer specifications. Current development work includes projects for major international companies in various industries, including security and multimedia. VISION's first color camera, the parallel port camera, was launched at the Consumer Electronics show in Las Vegas in early January to an enthusiastic response.

2. TYCO TOYS, Inc., the third largest U.S. toy manufacturer, markets a broad range of products worldwide, including a wide variety of Sesame Street(R) preschool toys, Tyco(R) radio control vehicles, View-Master(R) 3-D viewers, Magna Doodle(R) drawing toys and Matchbox(R) diecast vehicles and playsets.

CONTACT: VISION

Don Lake, General Manager, North America

408/374-5323 or EMail: dl@vvl.co.uk

or

Joan Montgomerie, Marketing Communications Manager

44 (0) 131 539-7111 or EMail: joan@vvl.co.uk

or

Tyco Toys Inc.

Bruce Maguire, 609/840-1384 or 609/273-2885