US company PureDepth announced this month several new business agreements regarding its patented 3D multi-layer display (MLD) technology, including one with display giant Sanyo. The MLD devices comprise two distinct layers of LCD panels sharing a common backlight source, and provide 3D-like imagery without the need for special glasses.

PureDepth has extended its licensing agreement with Sanyo Electric Co., Ltd. and its subsidiary company, Sanyo Electric System Solutions Co., Ltd., and has named Sanyo its preferred manufacturer for MLD in Japan. PureDepth and Sanyo have been working together since 2005 to incorporate MLD visual display technology into Sanyo’s hardware platforms for the widely popular pachinko and pachislot markets in Japan. The first MLD-based pachislot game was launched in November 2008 by Sanyo customer Abilit Corporation, and has been highly rated by players.

PureDepth CEO Andy Wood said, "Sanyo’s commitment to our technology is a powerful statement about the future potential of MLD in Japan. We believe there are great opportunities for MLD not just in gaming, but also in public displays, mobile devices and more." Under the terms of the agreement, Sanyo has a non-exclusive right to manufacture and sell MLD products in Japan. As PureDepth’s preferred manufacturer in the market, PureDepth will encourage new Japanese licensees to utilize Sanyo’s manufacturing expertise with MLD.

PureDepth also has a license agreement with Samsung, but there has been no recent public news from that relationship recently.

The PureDepth Multi-Layer Display brings depth to display devices by layering multiple LCD screens on top of each other and removing interference with an interstitial component. Each display panel receives coordinated independent control signals, presenting a multi-layer visual display to the viewer. Other alternatives to LCD’s are also feasible, including optically-controlled birefringence (OCB), organic light emitting diodes (OLED), and other technologies.

The company also announced this month an agreement with gaming and product developer Aurora Design, Inc. (ADI) to create two new MLD-based casino games, marking PureDepth’s first foray into game development for the U.S. casino market. PureDepth’s MLD technology is already in use in more than 70 REELdepth video slot machines made by International Game Technology (IGT), the world’s largest casino gaming machine manufacturer.

PureDepth’s MLD technology does not produce full 3D depth perception, due to the image production on discrete layers. Nonetheless, the integration of video and data on a head-up-like display has various compelling applications. Multiple layers are also possible.

Founded in 1999, PureDepth currently has 50 approved patents and over 79 pending patents, but has been struggling with poor financial results, posting in their 2008 annual report a net loss of $9.4M on total revenue of $1.0M. The new agreements with Sanyo and ADI will give the company a needed boost.