AUTOSCOPE TECHNOLOGIES CORP - Quarter Report: 2015 September (Form 10-Q)

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UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

FORM 10-Q

Commission file number: 0-26056

Image Sensing Systems, Inc.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

(651) 603-7700

(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)

Not Applicable

(Former name, former address and former fiscal year, if changed since last report)

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days. Yes x           No o

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Web site, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§ 232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files). Yes x           No o

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer or a smaller reporting company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer” and “smaller reporting company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act. (Check one):

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act). Yes ☐          No ☒

Indicate the number of shares outstanding of each of the issuer’s classes of common stock, as of the latest practicable date.

IMAGE SENSING SYSTEMS, INC.

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PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION

Image Sensing Systems, Inc.

Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets

(Unaudited)

(in thousands)

See accompanying notes to the condensed consolidated financial statements.

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Image Sensing Systems, Inc.

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations

(Unaudited)

(in thousands, except per share data)

See accompanying notes to the condensed consolidated financial statements.

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Image Sensing Systems, Inc.

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (Loss)

(in thousands)

See accompanying notes to the condensed consolidated financial statements.

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Image Sensing Systems, Inc.

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows

(Unaudited)

(in thousands)

See accompanying notes to the condensed consolidated financial statements.

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IMAGE SENSING SYSTEMS, INC. 

Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements 

(Unaudited) 

September 30, 2015

Note A: Basis of Presentation

Image Sensing Systems, Inc. (referred to herein as “we,” the “Company,” “us” and “our”) develops and markets software-based computer enabled detection products for use in traffic, security, police and parking applications. We sell our products primarily to distributors and also receive royalties under a license agreement with a manufacturer/distributor for certain of our products. Our products are used primarily by governmental entities.

The accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements of the Company have been prepared in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP) for interim financial information and with the instructions to the Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, which require the Company to make estimates and assumptions that affect amounts reported. Certain information and footnote disclosures normally included in financial statements prepared in accordance with GAAP have been condensed or omitted pursuant to rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”). Accordingly, they do not include all of the information and footnotes required by GAAP for complete financial statements. It is the opinion of management that the unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements include all adjustments consisting of normal recurring accruals considered necessary for a fair presentation. All significant intercompany balances and transactions have been eliminated.

Operating results for the three-month and nine-month periods ended September 30, 2015 are not necessarily indicative of the results that may be expected for the year ending December 31, 2015. The accompanying condensed consolidated financial statements of the Company should be read in conjunction with the audited consolidated financial statements and notes thereto included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2014 as filed with the SEC.

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

The Company believes that of its significant accounting policies, the following are particularly important to the portrayal of the Company’s results of operations and financial position and may require the application of a higher level of judgment by the Company’s management and, as a result, are subject to an inherent degree of uncertainty.

Revenue Recognition 

We recognize revenue on a sales arrangement when it is realized or realizable and earned, which occurs when all of the following criteria have been met: persuasive evidence of an arrangement exists; delivery and title transfer have occurred or services have been rendered; the sales price is fixed and determinable; collectability is reasonably assured; and all significant obligations to the customer have been fulfilled.

Certain sales may contain multiple elements for revenue recognition purposes. We consider each deliverable that provides value to the customer on a standalone basis as a separable element. Separable elements in these arrangements may include the hardware, software, installation services, training and support. We initially allocate consideration to each separable element using the relative selling price method. Selling prices are determined by us based on either vendor-specific objective evidence (“VSOE”) (the actual selling prices of similar products and services sold on a standalone basis) or, in the absence of VSOE, our best estimate of the selling price. Factors considered by us in determining estimated selling prices for applicable elements generally include overall economic conditions, customer demand, costs incurred by us to provide the deliverable, as well as our historical pricing practices. Under these arrangements, revenue associated with each delivered element is recognized in an amount equal to the lesser of the consideration initially allocated to the delivered element or the amount for which payment is not deemed contingent upon future delivery of other elements in the arrangement. Under arrangements where special acceptance protocols exist, installation services and training may not be considered separable. Under those circumstances, revenue for the entire arrangement is recognized upon the completion of installation, training and fulfillment of any other significant obligations specific to the terms of the arrangement. Arrangements that do not contain any separable elements are typically recognized when the products are shipped and title has transferred to the customer.

Revenue from arrangements for services such as maintenance, repair, consulting and technical support are recognized either as the service is performed or ratably over the defined contractual period for service maintenance contracts.

Econolite Control Products, Inc. (Econolite) is our licensee that sells certain of our products in the United States, Mexico, Canada and the Caribbean. The royalty of approximately 50% of the gross profit on licensed products is recognized when the products are shipped or delivered by Econolite to its customers.

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We record provisions against sales revenue for estimated returns and allowances in the period when the related revenue is recorded based on historical sales returns and changes in end user demand.

Revenue is recorded net of taxes collected from customers that are remitted to governmental authorities, with the collected taxes recorded as current liabilities until remitted to the relevant government authority.

Inventories

Inventories are primarily electronic components and finished goods and are valued at the lower of cost or market on the first-in, first-out accounting method.

Income Taxes

We record a tax provision for the anticipated tax consequences of the reported results of operations. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are measured using the currently enacted tax rates that apply to taxable income in effect for the years in which those deferred tax assets and liabilities are expected to be realized or settled. We record a valuation allowance to reduce deferred tax assets to the amount that is believed more likely than not to be realized. We believe it is more likely than not that forecasted income, including income that may be generated as a result of certain tax planning strategies, together with the tax effects of the deferred tax liabilities, will be sufficient to fully recover the remaining net realizable value of deferred tax assets. In the event that all or part of the net deferred tax assets are determined not to be realizable in the future, an adjustment to the valuation allowance would be charged to earnings in the period such determination is made. In addition, the calculation of tax liabilities involves significant judgment in estimating the impact of uncertainties in the application of complex tax laws. Resolution of these uncertainties in a manner inconsistent with management’s expectations could have a material impact on our financial condition and operating results. We recognize penalties and interest expense related to unrecognized tax benefits in income tax expense.

Intangible Assets

Intangible assets with finite lives are amortized on a straight-line basis over the expected period to be benefited by future cash flows and reviewed for impairment. At both September 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014, we determined there was no impairment of intangible assets. At both September 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014, there were no indefinite-lived intangible assets.

We capitalize certain software development costs related to software to be sold, leased, or otherwise marketed. Capitalized software development costs include purchased materials and services and other costs associated with the development of new products and services. Software development costs are expensed as incurred until technological feasibility has been established, at which time future costs incurred are capitalized until the product is available for general release to the public. A certain amount of judgment and estimation is required to assess when technological feasibility is established, as well as the ongoing assessment of the recoverability of capitalized costs. In evaluating the recoverability of capitalized software costs, the Company compares expected product performance, utilizing forecasted revenue amounts, to the total costs incurred to date and estimates of additional costs to be incurred. If revised forecasted product revenue is less than, and/or revised forecasted costs are greater than, the previously forecasted amounts, the net realizable value may be lower than previously estimated, which could result in the recognition of an impairment charge in the period in which such a determination is made.

Note B: Divestiture of Automatic License Plate Recognition Business

On July 9, 2015, the Company entered into a share and asset sales purchase agreement (the share and asset purchase agreement, “SAPA”) with TagMaster AB (the “Buyer”). Under the terms of the SAPA, the Company and Image Sensing Systems EMEA Limited, a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company (“ISS EMEA”), sold to the Buyer the entire issued share capital of Image Sensing Systems UK Limited, a wholly-owned subsidiary of ISS EMEA, as well as certain other assets owned by the Company primarily used or primarily held for use in connection with its license plate recognition (LPR) business. The buyer also agreed to assume on the closing date certain agreements and liabilities relating to the LPR business and the acquired assets. Additionally, the Company and the Buyer also entered into a transitional services agreement.

Effective July 9, 2015, the LPR business qualified for discontinued operations presentation in the Company’s condensed consolidated financial statements. In accordance with Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) 205-20, the results of the discontinued LPR business have been presented as discontinued operations effective with the reporting of financial results for the third quarter of 2015. As such, financial results for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2015 have been reported on this basis. Previously reported results for comparable periods in 2014 have also been restated to reflect this reclassification.

The purchase price for the LPR business was $4.2 million, subject to certain customary closing adjustments based on the difference between estimated net asset value and final net asset value, of which $3.8 million has been paid to the Company. The remaining $420,000 was placed in an escrow account and will be available until July 9, 2016 to satisfy any indemnification obligations the Company may have under the SAPA. The $420,000 in escrow is classified as “discontinued operations assets” on the Company’s Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets as of September 30, 2015. In the third quarter of 2015, the Company recorded a loss on sale of the LPR business of $1.1 million, exclusive of the impact of transaction related expenses recorded through September 30, 2015.

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The operational results of the LPR business are presented in the “Net loss from discontinued operations” line item on the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations. Also included in this line item for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2015 is the loss on sale of the LPR business and non-recurring expenses incurred by the Company as a result of the sale of the LPR business, including third party transaction specific costs. These non-recurring expenses impact amounted to $134,000 and $985,000 for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2015, respectively. The loss on the sale of the LPR business had no current or prior year income tax expense impact.

In accordance with ASC 205-20, no general corporate charges were allocated to the discontinued business. The assets and liabilities of the discontinued business are presented on the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets as assets and liabilities from discontinued operations.

Other than consolidated amounts reflecting operating results and balances for both the continuing and discontinuing operations, all remaining amounts presented in the accompanying condensed consolidated financial statements and notes reflect the financial results and financial position of the Company’s continuing Autoscope® Video and Autoscope® RTMS businesses.

Revenue, operating income, loss on sale of business, and net loss from discontinued operations were as follows (in thousands): 

The major classes of assets and liabilities from discontinued operations were as follows (in thousands):  

Note C: Recent Accounting Pronouncements

In May 2014, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) 2014-09, “Revenue from Contracts with Customers.” ASU 2014-09 provides new guidance related to how an entity should recognize revenue to depict the transfer of promised goods or services to customers in an amount that reflects the consideration to which the entity expects to be entitled in exchange for those goods or services. In addition, ASU 2014-09 specifies new accounting for costs associated with obtaining or fulfilling contracts with customers and expands the required disclosures related to revenue and cash flows from contracts with customers.

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On July 9, 2015, the FASB Board affirmed its proposal to defer the effective date of the new revenue standard for all entities by one year. As a result, public business entities, certain not-for-profit entities, and certain employee benefit plans will apply the new revenue standard to annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2017. All other entities will apply the new revenue standard to annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2018. Additionally, the Board affirmed its proposal to permit all entities to apply the new revenue standard early, but not before the original effective date for public business entities, certain not-for-profit entities, and certain employee benefit plans (that is, annual periods beginning after December 15, 2016). Entities choosing to implement early, will apply the new revenue standard to all interim reporting periods within the year of adoption.

The Company is currently determining its implementation approach and assessing the impact of ASU 2014-09 on the condensed consolidated financial statements.

Note D: Fair Value Measurements

The guidance for fair value measurements establishes the authoritative definition of fair value, sets out a framework for measuring fair value and outlines the required disclosures regarding fair value measurements. Fair value is the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability (an exit price) in the principal or most advantageous market for the asset or liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date. We use a three-tier fair value hierarchy based upon observable and non-observable inputs as follows:

Nonfinancial Assets Measured at Fair Value on a Nonrecurring Basis

Our intangible assets and other long-lived assets are nonfinancial assets that were acquired either as part of a business combination, individually or with a group of other assets. These nonfinancial assets were initially, and have historically been, measured and recognized at amounts equal to the fair value determined as of the date of acquisition.

Financial Instruments not Measured at Fair Value

Certain of our financial instruments are not measured at fair value and are recorded at carrying amounts approximating fair value, based on their short-term nature or variable interest rate. These financial instruments include cash and cash equivalents, accounts receivable, accounts payable and other current assets and liabilities.

Note E: Inventories

Inventories consisted of the following (in thousands):  

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Note F: Intangible Assets

Intangible assets consisted of the following (dollars in thousands): 

Note G: Credit Facilities

In May 2014, the Company entered into a credit agreement and related documents with Alliance Bank providing for a revolving line of credit for the Company. The credit agreement and related documents with Alliance Bank (collectively, the “Alliance Credit Agreement”) provide up to a $5.0 million revolving line of credit. Amounts due under the Alliance Credit Agreement bear interest at a fixed annual rate of 3.95%. Any advances are secured by the Company’s inventories, accounts receivable, cash, marketable securities, and equipment. We are subject to certain covenants under the Alliance Credit Agreement. In March 2015, we entered into an agreement with Alliance Bank amending the Alliance Credit Agreement to extend the maturity date from May 12, 2015 to April 1, 2016. At September 30, 2015, we had no borrowings under the Alliance Credit Agreement, and we were in compliance with all financial covenants.

Prior to May 12, 2014, we had a revolving line of credit with Associated Bank, National Association (“Associated Bank”) that was initially entered into as of May 1, 2008. We requested, and Associated Bank granted, a termination to this credit facility effective on May 12, 2014 in connection with the revolving line of credit from Alliance Bank described above.

Note H: Warranties

We generally provide a standard two-year warranty on product sales. Reserves to honor warranty claims are estimated and recorded at the time of sale based on historical claim information and are analyzed and adjusted periodically based on claim trends.

Warranty liability and related activity consisted of the following (in thousands):  

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Note I: Stock-Based Compensation

We compensate officers, directors and key employees with stock-based compensation under stock option and incentive plans approved by our shareholders and administered under the supervision of our Board of Directors. Stock option awards are granted at exercise prices equal to the closing price of our stock on the day before the date of grant. Generally, options vest proportionally over periods of three to five years from the dates of the grant, beginning one year from the date of grant, and have a contractual term of nine to ten years.

Performance stock options are time based; however, the final number of awards earned and the related compensation expense is adjusted up or down to the extent the performance target is met. The actual number of shares that will ultimately vest ranges from 90% to 100% of the targeted amount if the minimum performance target is achieved. For performance stock awards granted in 2015, the performance target is operating income. We evaluate the likelihood of meeting the performance target at each reporting period and adjust compensation expense, on a cumulative basis, based on the expected achievement of each performance target.

Compensation expense, net of estimated forfeitures, is recognized ratably over the vesting period. Stock-based compensation expense included in general and administrative expense for the three-month periods ended September 30, 2015 and 2014 was $33,000 and $113,000, respectively. Stock-based compensation expense included in general and administrative expense for the nine-month periods ended September 30, 2015 and 2014 was $184,000 and $299,000, respectively. At September 30, 2015, a total of 320,875 shares were available for grant under the Company’s stock option and incentive plan.

Stock Options

A summary of the option activity for the first nine months of 2015 is as follows:  

There were no options exercised during the three-month and nine-month periods ended September 30, 2015 and September 30, 2014. As of September 30, 2015, there was $251,000 of total unrecognized compensation cost related to non-vested stock options. The weighted average period over which the compensation cost is expected to be recognized is 2.1 years.

Stock Awards

We issue stock awards as a portion of the annual retainer for each director on a quarterly basis. The stock awards are fully vested at the time of issuance. Compensation expense related to stock awards is determined on the grant date based on the publicly quoted fair market value of our common stock and is charged to earnings on the grant date. During the quarter ended September 30, 2015, there were stock awards issued for 6,052 shares with a weighted-average grant date fair value of $4.13. For the nine months ended September 30, 2015, there were stock awards issued for 23,752 shares with a weighted-average grand date fair value of $3.16.

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Note J: Loss per Common Share

Net loss per share is computed by dividing net loss by the daily weighted average number of common shares outstanding during the applicable periods. Diluted net loss per share includes the potentially dilutive effect of common shares subject to outstanding stock options using the treasury stock method. Under the treasury stock method, shares subject to certain outstanding stock options have been excluded from the diluted weighted average shares outstanding calculation because the exercise of those options would lead to a net reduction in common shares outstanding. As a result, stock options to acquire 351,000 and 343,000 weighted common shares have been excluded from the diluted weighted shares outstanding for the three-month periods ended September 30, 2015 and 2014, respectively, and 557,000 and 337,000 weighted common shares have been excluded from the diluted weighted shares outstanding for the nine-month periods ended September 30, 2015 and 2014, respectively. The potentially dilutive effect of common shares subject to certain outstanding stock options is determined based on net loss. A reconciliation of these amounts is as follows (dollar amounts in thousands except per share data): 

Note K: Segment Information

The Company’s Interim Chief Executive Officer and management regularly review financial information for the Company’s two discrete operating segments. Based on similarities in the economic characteristics, nature of products and services, production processes, type or class of customer served, method of distribution and regulatory environments, the operating segments have been aggregated for financial statement purposes and categorized into two reportable segments: Intersection and Highway. Autoscope® video is our machine-vision product line, and revenue consists of royalties (all of which are received from Econolite), as well as a portion of international product sales. Video products are normally sold in the Intersection segment. RTMS is our radar product line, and revenue consists of international and North American product sales as well as a portion of royalties (all of which are received from Econolite). Radar products are normally sold in the Highway segment. Until July 9, 2015, Autoscope® license plate recognition was our LPR product line and was the Company’s third operating segment. All segment revenues are derived from external customers. As described in Note B to these Notes to the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements, effective on July 9, 2015, we sold our LPR business. Therefore, effective on that date, the LPR business qualified for discontinued operations presentation in the Company’s condensed consolidated financial statements, and the results of the discontinued LPR business have been presented as discontinued operations effective with the reporting of financial results for the three months ended September 30, 2015. Financial results for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2015 have been reported on this basis, and previously reported results of the three and nine months ended September 30, 2014 have also been restated to reflect this classification. Therefore, the following tables do not include financial results for the Company’s LPR business segment.

Operating expenses and total assets are not allocated to the segments for internal reporting purposes. Due to the changes in how we manage our business, we may reevaluate our segment definitions in the future.

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The following tables set forth selected unaudited financial information for each of our reportable segments (in thousands):  

Note L: Restructuring

In the fourth quarter of 2014, the Company implemented restructuring plans to close our offices in Asia. Because of these actions, restructuring charges of approximately $119,000 were recorded in the first nine months of 2015 related to employee terminations.

The following table shows the restructuring activity for 2015 (in thousands): 

In the first quarter of 2014, the Company implemented restructuring plans to improve our financial performance in Europe. These plans included the closure of our office in Poland. Because of these actions, restructuring charges of approximately $460,000 were recorded related primarily to facilities and employee terminations.

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The following table shows the restructuring activity for 2014 (in thousands): 

Note M: Commitments and Contingencies

Litigation

We are involved from time to time in various legal proceedings arising in the ordinary course of our business, including primarily commercial, product liability, employment and intellectual property claims. In accordance with GAAP, we record a liability in our Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements with respect to any of these matters when it is both probable that a liability has been incurred and the amount of the liability can be reasonably estimated. With respect to any currently pending legal proceedings, we have not established an estimated range of reasonably possible additional losses either because we believe that we have valid defenses to claims asserted against us or the proceeding has not advanced to a stage of discovery that would enable us to establish an estimate. We currently do not expect the outcome of these matters to have a material effect on our consolidated results of operations, financial position or cash flows. Litigation, however, is inherently unpredictable, and it is possible that the ultimate outcome of one or more claims asserted against us could adversely impact our results of operations, financial position or cash flows. We expense legal costs as incurred.

Item 2.         Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

Overview

General. We provide software based computer enabled detection (“CED”) products and solutions that use advanced signal processing software algorithms to detect and monitor objects in a designated field of view. Our technology analyzes signals from a sophisticated sensor and passes the information along to management systems, controllers or directly to users. Our core products, the Autoscope® Video Vehicle Detection System and the RTMS Detection System, operate using our proprietary application software in conjunction with video cameras or radar and commonly available electronic components. Our systems are used by traffic managers primarily to improve the flow of vehicle traffic and to enhance safety at intersections, main thoroughfares, freeways and tunnels.

Autoscope® video systems are sold to distributors and end users of traffic management products in the United States, Mexico, Canada and the Caribbean by Econolite Control Products, Inc. (“Econolite”), our exclusive licensee in these regions. Until July 9, 2015, we sold license plate recognition (“LPR”) systems to distributors and end users in the United States, Canada and Mexico. We sell all of our systems to distributors and end users in Europe and Asia through our subsidiaries. The majority of our sales are to end users that are funded by government agencies responsible for traffic management or traffic law enforcement.

RTMS Radar Business Model Change. From July 24, 2012 until July 14, 2014, our RTMS systems were sold by Econolite in the United States, Mexico, Canada and the Caribbean under the same arrangement as Econolite sold our Autoscope® video systems. Effective July 14, 2014, the marketing, manufacturing and distribution of the RTMS radar product line in these regions transitioned from Econolite to the Company.

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Sale of LPR Business. On July 9, 2015, we closed on the sale of our LPR business to Tagmaster A.B. (“Tagmaster”) for the purchase price of $4.2 million in cash under the Share and Asset Sale and Purchase Agreement dated July 9, 2015 (the “SAPA”) by and among Image Sensing Systems, Inc.; Image Sensing Systems EMEA Limited, our wholly-owned subsidiary (“ISS EMEA”); and TagMaster.

As a result, effective July 9, 2015, the LPR business qualified for presentation as discontinued operations under ASC 205-20 effective with the reporting of the Company’s financial results for the third quarter of 2015. As such, the results of the discontinued LPR business and associated financial impacts from the sale of this business have been presented as discontinued operations for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2015. Current year, as well as previously reported results for comparable periods in 2014, have been restated to reflect this reclassification and are presented in the “Net income from discontinued operations” line item on the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations. In accordance with ASC 205-20, no general corporate charges were allocated to the discontinued business. The assets and liabilities of the discontinued business are presented on the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets as assets and liabilities from discontinued operations. Other than consolidated amounts reflecting operating results and balances for both the continuing and discontinued operations, all remaining amounts presented in the accompanying condensed consolidated financial statements reflect the financial results and financial position of the Company’s continuing two reportable segments, the Autoscope® Video Vehicle Detection and RTMS® Detection System businesses.

For additional information on the SAPA, please see the Company’s Current Reports on Form 8-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on July 10, 2015 and July 15, 2015 and Note B “Divestiture of Automatic License Plate Recognition Business” of the Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements included elsewhere in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q.

The following discussion of period-to-period changes and trends in financial statements results under “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” aligns with the financial statement presentation discussed above.

Trends and Challenges in Our Business

We believe the expected growth in our business can be attributed primarily to the following global trends:

We believe our continued growth primarily depends upon:

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Because the majority of our end users are governmental entities, we are faced with challenges related to potential delays in purchase decisions by those entities and changes in budgetary constraints. These contingencies could result in significant fluctuations in our revenue between periods. The ongoing economic environment in Europe and the United States is further adding to the unpredictability of purchase decisions, creating more delays than usual and decreasing governmental budgets, and it is likely to continue to affect our revenue.

Key Financial Terms and Metrics

Revenue. We derive revenue from two sources: (1) royalties received from Econolite for sales of the Autoscope® video and RTMS radar (from July 24, 2012 until July 14, 2014) systems in the United States, Mexico, Canada and the Caribbean and (2) revenue received from the direct sales of our RTMS radar (before July 24, 2012 and after July 14, 2014) and LPR systems in the United States, Mexico, Canada and the Caribbean (until July 9, 2015) and all of our systems in Europe and Asia. On July 14, 2014, we announced the transfer of North American marketing and manufacturing of the RTMS radar product line from Econolite to Image Sensing Systems, ending our royalty agreement with Econolite for radar sales. Autoscope® video royalties are calculated using a profit sharing model where the gross profits on sales of product made through Econolite are shared equally with Econolite. This royalty arrangement has the benefit of decreasing our cost of revenues and our selling, marketing and product support expenses because these costs and expenses are borne primarily by Econolite. Although this royalty model has a positive impact on our gross margin, it also negatively impacts our total revenue, which would be higher if all the sales made by Econolite were made directly by us. The royalty arrangement is exclusive under a long-term agreement.

Cost of Revenue. There is no cost of revenue related to royalties, as virtually all manufacturing, warranty and related costs are incurred by Econolite. Cost of revenue related to product sales consists primarily of the amount charged by our third party contractors to manufacture hardware platforms, which is influenced mainly by the cost of electronic components. The cost of revenue also includes logistics costs, estimated expenses for product warranties, restructuring costs and inventory reserves. The key metric that we follow is achieving certain gross margin percentages on product sales by geographic region and to a lesser extent by product line.

Operating Expenses. Our operating expenses fall into three categories: (1) selling, marketing and product support; (2) general and administrative; and (3) research and development. Selling, marketing and product support expenses consist of various costs related to sales and support of our products, including salaries, benefits and commissions paid to our personnel; commissions paid to third parties; travel, trade show and advertising costs; second-tier technical support for Econolite; and general product support, where applicable. General and administrative expenses consist of certain corporate and administrative functions that support the development and sales of our products and provide an infrastructure to support future growth. These expenses include management, supervisory and staff salaries and benefits, legal and auditing fees, travel, rent and costs associated with being a public company, such as board of director fees, listing fees and annual reporting expenses. Research and development expenses consist mainly of salaries and benefits for our engineers and third party costs for consulting and prototyping. We measure all operating expenses against our annually approved budget, which is developed with achieving a certain operating margin as a key focus. Also included in operating expenses are restructuring costs and non-cash expense for intangible asset amortization.

Non-GAAP Operating Measure. We provide certain non-GAAP financial information as supplemental information to financial measures calculated and presented in accordance with GAAP (Generally Accepted Accounting Principles in the United States). This non-GAAP information excludes the impact of amortizing intangible assets and depreciation, and may exclude other non-recurring items. Management believes that this presentation facilitates the comparison of our current operating results to historical operating results. Management uses this non-GAAP information to evaluate short-term and long-term operating trends in our core operations. Non-GAAP information is not prepared in accordance with GAAP and should not be considered a substitute for or an alternative to GAAP financial measures and may not be computed the same as similarly titled measures used by other companies.

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Reconciliations of GAAP net income (loss) from continuing operations to non-GAAP net income (loss) from continuing operations are as follows (in thousands):

Seasonality. Our quarterly revenues and operating results have varied significantly in the past due to the seasonality of our business. Our first quarter generally is the weakest due to weather conditions that make roadway construction more difficult in parts of North America, Europe and northern Asia. We expect such seasonality to continue for the foreseeable future. Additionally, our international revenues regularly contain individually significant sales. This can result in significant variations of revenue between periods. Accordingly, we believe that quarter-to-quarter comparisons of our financial results should not be relied upon as an indication of our future performance. No assurance can be given that we will be able to achieve or maintain profitability on a quarterly or annual basis in the future.

Segments. Until July 9, 2015, we operated in three reportable segments: Intersection, Highway and LPR. Autoscope® video is our machine-vision product line, and revenue consists of royalties (all of which are received from Econolite), as well as a portion of international product sales. Video products are normally sold in the Intersection segment. The RTMS is our radar product line, and revenue consists of sales to external customers. Radar products are normally sold in the Highway segment. Until July 9, 2015, Autoscope® license plate recognition was our LPR product line. All segment revenues are derived from external customers. As described elsewhere in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, effective on July 9, 2015, we sold our LPR business. Accordingly, effective July 9, 2015, the Company has two reportable segments, the Autoscope® Video Vehicle Detection and RTMS® Detection System businesses.

As a result of business model changes and modifications in how we manage our business, we may reevaluate our segment definitions in the future.

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The following tables set forth selected unaudited financial information for each of our reportable segments (in thousands):

Results of Operations

The following table sets forth, for the periods indicated, certain statements of operations data as a percent of total revenue and gross profit on product sales and royalties as a percentage of product sales and royalties, respectively.

Total revenue decreased to $4.1 million in the three-month period ended September 30, 2015 from $6.3 million in the same period in 2014, a decrease of 35.1%, and to $11.7 million in the first nine months of 2015 from $14.2 million in the first nine months of 2014, a decrease of 17.8%. Royalty income decreased to $2.2 million in the third quarter of 2015 from $2.6 million in the third quarter of 2014, a decrease of 15.0%, and decreased to $6.8 million in the first nine months of 2015 from $8.3 million in the first nine months of 2014, a decrease of 17.8%. The decrease in royalties was the result of a decrease in Autoscope® video system sales under the Econolite agreement and the transition of RTMS radar product sales from Econolite to the Company. Autoscope® video royalties were lower in the three months ended September 30, 2015 compared to the three months ended September 30, 2014 as a result of lower unit volume.

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Product sales decreased to $1.8 million in the third quarter of 2015 from $3.6 million in the third quarter of 2014, a decrease of 49.6%, and decreased to $4.8 million in the first nine months of 2015 from $5.9 million in the same period in 2014, a decrease of 17.8%. The decrease in product sales was a result of the withdrawal from the Asia market in 2015.

Revenue for the Intersection segment decreased to $2.8 million in the three-month period ended September 30, 2015 from $3.2 million in the three-month period ended September 30, 2014, a decrease of 11.1%. Revenue for the Intersection segment decreased to $8.2 million in the first nine months of 2015 from $9.0 million in the first nine months of 2014, a decrease of 9.0%. The decrease in revenue for the Intersection segment was mainly due to lower sales volume.

Revenue for the Highway segment decreased to $1.2 million in the three-month period ended September 30, 2015 from $3.1 million in the three-month period ended September 30, 2014, a decrease of 60.0%. Revenue for the Highway segment decreased to $3.5 million in the first nine months of 2015 from $5.2 million in the first nine months of 2014, a decrease of 33.0%. The decrease in revenue for the Highway segment was the result of the withdrawal from the Asia market in 2015.

Gross profit for product sales increased to 48.6% in the three months ended September 30, 2015 from 46.9% in the three months ended September 30, 2014 and increased to 50.8% in the first nine months of 2015 from 42.5% in the first nine months of 2014. Generally, lower sales volumes of Highway products will reduce gross profit because of fixed manufacturing costs for these products. Additionally, the geographic sales mix of our product sales can influence margins, as product sold in some jurisdictions have lower margins. We anticipate that gross profit for our product sales will be higher in 2015 as compared to 2014, while we expect royalty gross profit will be 100% in 2015.

Selling, marketing and product support expense decreased to $538,000 or 13.2% of total revenue in the third quarter of 2015 from $1.3 million or 20.1% of total revenue in the third quarter of 2014, and decreased to $2.3 million or 19.4% of total revenue in the first nine months of 2015 from $3.9 million or 27.1% of total revenue in the first nine months of 2014. Our selling, marketing and product support expense decreased mainly due to cost reductions, which were partially offset by royalties due to Econolite for orders that were received by Econolite but fulfilled by Image Sensing Systems. We anticipate that annual selling, marketing and product support expense will decrease in dollar amount in 2015 as compared to 2014.

General and administrative expense was $1.1 million or 28.1% of total revenue for the three months ended September 30, 2015 and $1.1 million or 18.0% of total revenue for the three months ended September 30, 2014, and decreased to $2.9 million or 19.4% of total revenue for the first nine months of 2015 from $3.0 million or 21.4% of total revenue in the first nine months of 2014. Overall, we anticipate that annual general and administrative expenses will decrease in 2015 as compared to 2014.

Research and development expense decreased to $1.0 million or 25.3% of total revenue in the three-month period ended September 30, 2015 from $1.1 million or 17.4% of total revenue in the three-month period ended September 30, 2014, and decreased to $2.9 million or 24.7% of total revenue in the first nine months of 2015 from $3.9 million or 27.4% of total revenue in the first nine months of 2014. The decrease is primarily due to software development costs that have been capitalized beginning in the third quarter and to a lesser degree by a lower volume of active research and development projects. We anticipate that research and development expense will decrease in 2015 compared to 2014.

Amortization of intangibles was $123,000 in the third quarter of 2015 and $367,000 in the first nine months of 2015 compared to $122,000 in the third quarter of 2014 and $366,000 in the first nine months of 2014. This reflects the amortization of intangible assets acquired in acquisitions. Assuming there are no changes to our intangible assets, we anticipate amortization expense will be approximately $454,000 in 2015.

In the first quarter of 2014, the Company implemented restructuring plans to improve our financial performance in Europe. These plans included the closure of our office in Poland. Because of these actions, restructuring charges of approximately $460,000 were recorded related primarily to the closure of facilities and employee terminations. In the fourth quarter of 2014, the Company implemented restructuring plans to close our offices in Asia. Because of these actions, additional restructuring charges of approximately $119,000 were recorded in the first quarter of 2015. We expect costs related to our Asia office closures to be de minimis in future periods.

We recorded income tax benefit of $11,000, or 4.0% of pretax income from continuing operations, for the three months ended September 30, 2015, and income tax expense of $13,000, or 1.6% of pretax income, for the nine months ended September 30, 2015. We recorded an income tax benefit of $145,000 for the three months ended September 30, 2014, and income tax benefit of $155,000 for nine months ended September 30, 2014. Certain tax jurisdictions have net operating loss carry forwards.

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The resulting net income from continuing operations was $290,000 in the third quarter of 2015 and $785,000 in the first nine months of 2015, compared to $740,000 in the third quarter of 2014 and a net loss from continuing operations of $911,000 in the first nine months of 2014. Net income from continuing operations per basic and diluted share amounts were $0.06 and $0.16 for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2015, respectively, compared to $0.15 and a net operating loss from continuing operations per share of $0.18 for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2014, respectively.

Net loss from discontinued operations was $1.2 million in the third quarter of 2015 and $3.6 million in the first nine months of 2015, compared to $1.3 million in the third quarter of 2014 and $4.9 million in the first nine months of 2014.

The Company closed the sales of its LPR business effective July 9, 2015. As a result, net income from discontinued operations includes the financial results of the Company’s LPR business through July 9, 2015. Included in net income from discontinued operations for the third quarter of 2015 is the recognition of a loss on sale of the LPR business of $1.1 million. This amount excludes the impact of non-recurring transaction related expenses which were primarily incurred and recognized prior to the third quarter of 2015. These non-recurring expenses impact amounted to $128,000 and $985,000 for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2015, respectively. In addition, the loss on the sale of the LPR business had no current or prior year income tax expense impact.

Consolidated net income or loss from both continuing and discontinued operations was $925,000 in the third quarter of 2015 and $2.8 million in the first nine months of 2015, compared to $553,000 in the third quarter of 2014 and $5.8 million in the first nine months ended September 30, 2014. Consolidated net income or loss per basic and diluted share amounts were net losses of $0.18 and $0.56 for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2015, respectively, compared to net losses of $0.11 and $1.17 for the respective prior year periods.

Liquidity and Capital Resources

At September 30, 2015, we had $2.7 million in cash and cash equivalents compared to $2.7 million in cash and cash equivalents at December 31, 2014.

On July 9, 2015, we closed on the sale of our LPR business unit for the purchase price of $4.2 million in cash, subject to certain customary closing adjustments based on the difference between estimated net asset value and final net asset value, of which $3.8 million has been paid to the Company. The remaining $420,000 was placed in an escrow account and will be available until July 9, 2016 to satisfy any indemnification obligations the Company may have under the SAPA. The $420,000 in escrow is classified as “discontinued operations assets” on the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets as of September 30, 2015. We plan to use the cash from the sale to strengthen our balance sheet and to invest in our Autoscope® video detection and RTMS® radar detection products and solutions. Our investment objectives are to preserve principal, maintain liquidity, and achieve the best available return consistent with our primary objectives of safety and liquidity.

Net cash used in continuing operating activities was $4.0 million in the first nine months of 2015 compared to cash used in operating activities of $5.3 million in the same period in 2014. The primary reason for the decrease in cash was the loss for the first nine months of 2015, the timing of the collection of outstanding receivables, as well as timing of the payment of outstanding payables, partially offset by the conversion of inventory. We anticipate that average receivable collection days in 2015 will improve from 2014 but that the improvement will not have a material impact on our liquidity.

Net cash used in investing activities from continuing operations was $741,000 for the first nine months of 2015 compared to cash provided by investing activities from continuing operations of $2.4 million in the same period in 2014. The investing of cash compared to the prior period is the result of the capitalized software development costs. Our planned additions of property and equipment are discretionary, and we do not expect them to exceed historical levels in 2015.

In May 2014, the Company entered into a credit agreement and related documents with Alliance Bank providing for a revolving line of credit for the Company. The credit agreement and related documents with Alliance Bank (collectively, the “Alliance Credit Agreement”) provide up to a $5.0 million revolving line of credit. Amounts due under the Alliance Credit Agreement bear interest at a fixed annual rate of 3.95%. Any advances are secured by the Company’s inventories, accounts receivable, cash, marketable securities, and equipment. We are subject to certain covenants under the Alliance Credit Agreement. In March 2015, we entered into an agreement with Alliance Bank amending the Alliance Credit Agreement to extend the maturity date from May 12, 2015 to April 1, 2016. At September 30, 2015, we had no borrowings under the Alliance Credit Agreement, and we were in compliance with all financial covenants.

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Prior to May 12, 2014, we had a revolving line of credit with Associated Bank, National Association (“Associated Bank”) that was initially entered into as of May 1, 2008. We requested, and Associated Bank granted, a termination to this credit facility effective on May 12, 2014 in connection with the revolving line of credit from Alliance Bank described above.

We believe that cash and cash equivalents on hand at September 30, 2015, along with the availability of funds under our revolving line of credit and cash provided by operating activities, will satisfy our projected working capital needs, investing activities, and other cash requirements for the foreseeable future.

Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements

We do not participate in transactions or have relationships or other arrangements with an unconsolidated entity, including special purpose and similar entities, or other off-balance sheet arrangements.

Critical Accounting Policies

Our significant accounting policies are described in Note 1 to the Consolidated Financial Statements in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2014. The accounting policies used in preparing our interim Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements as of and for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2015 set forth elsewhere in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q and are the same as those described in our Annual Report on Form 10-K.

Cautionary Statement:

This Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange of 1934, as amended. Forward-looking statements represent our expectations or beliefs concerning future events and can be identified by the use of forward-looking words such as “expects,” “believes,” “may,” “will,” “should,” “intends,” “plans,” “estimates,” or “anticipates” or other comparable terminology. Forward-looking statements are subject to risks and uncertainties that may cause our actual results to differ materially from the results described in the forward-looking statements. Factors that might cause such differences include, but are not limited to:

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We caution that the forward-looking statements made in this report or in other announcements made by us are further qualified by the risk factors set forth in Item 1A. to our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2014.

Item 3.         Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk

Our foreign sales and results of operations are subject to the impact of foreign currency fluctuations. From time to time, we enter into currency hedges to attempt to lower our exposure to translation gains and losses as well as to limit the impact of foreign currency translation upon the consolidation of our foreign subsidiaries. A 10% adverse change in foreign currency rates, if we have not properly hedged, could have a material effect on our results of operations or financial position.

Item 4.         Controls and Procedures

Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures

Under the supervision and with the participation of our management, including our Interim Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, we evaluated the effectiveness of the design and operation of our disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rule 13a-15(e) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the “Exchange Act”)). Based upon that evaluation, our Interim Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer concluded that, as of the end of the period covered by this report, our disclosure controls and procedures were effective.

Changes in Internal Control Over Financial Reporting

During the fiscal quarter covered by this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, there has been no change in our internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Rule 13a-15(f) under the Exchange Act) that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.

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PART II. OTHER INFORMATION

Item 1.         Legal Proceedings

None.

Item 1A.      Risk Factors

Some of the risk factors to which we and our business are subject are described in the section entitled “Item 1A. Risk Factors” in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2014. The risks and uncertainties described in our Annual Report are not the only risks we face. Additional risks and uncertainties not presently known to us or that our management currently deems immaterial also may impair our business operations. If any of the risks described were to occur, our business, financial condition, operating results and cash flows could be materially adversely affected.

Item 2.         Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds

None.

Item 3.         Defaults Upon Senior Securities

None.

Item 4.         Mine Safety Disclosures

None.

Item 5.         Other Information

None.

Item 6.         Exhibits

The following exhibits are filed as part of this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarterly period ended September 30, 2015:

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SIGNATURES

In accordance with the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized. 

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