Company Launches First Flatbed Scanner for One-Step Photo Restoration

CARSON, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Nov. 6, 2002--Microtek® International, a 21-year veteran in scanning technologies and imaging solutions, announces the availability of the ScanMaker® 6800 with Integrated Digital ICE(TM) for Photo Prints from Applied Science Fiction(TM) (ASF(TM)).

With an SRP of $399.99, the ScanMaker 6800 will ship mid-November to Microtek's distribution network including Ingram Micro, Tech Data, distributors of photographic equipment and supplies, system integrators and value-added resellers, as well as the direct mail and retail channels.

The Microtek ScanMaker 6800 is the first flatbed scanner to integrate ASF's Digital ICE technology for photo prints, transforming the traditional photo restoration process into one that is automatic, fast and economical. The hardware and software integration allows users to scan a damaged photo print and apply Digital ICE for photo correction. In seconds, the combined technology removes dust and lint while also correcting most scratches and cracks commonly found on photo print surfaces, bringing photo memories back to life in near-original condition. The Microtek ScanMaker 6800 also offers best-of-class digital imaging quality such as 48-bit color, 4800 x 2400 dpi optical resolution, FireWire and USB 2.0 connectivity, a built-in 4-inch x 5-inch transparency light plate, and 8.5-inch x 11-inch scan area.

Digital ICE for Photo Prints creates a defect map to identify the precise locations of physical defects or visual "noise" on a print being scanned. Differential shadowing technology and proprietary software algorithms quickly and automatically eliminate the unwanted defects.

"The Microtek 6800 integrated with our Digital ICE technology for photo prints revolutionizes the way photographs are restored," said Dan Sullivan, president and CEO of Applied Science Fiction. "This combination differentiates the ScanMaker 6800 from any other flatbed-scanning package available in the market."

"We firmly believe that Microtek's relationship with Applied Science Fiction is an important technology milestone for digital imaging," said David Lin, vice-president, Corporate Marketing Center, Microtek International. "By delivering, for the first time, a way for our customers to automatically revive photo prints on their desktop at home or at the office, Microtek and ASF significantly enhance the benefits of photo scanning."

The ScanMaker 6800 with integrated Digital ICE for Photo Prints includes Adobe® Photoshop® Elements; ABBYY® FineReader Sprint for Optical Character Recognition; Microtek's scan, color copy and e-mail utilities; ScanWizard(TM) 5 scanner controller; USB 2.0 cable, and PCI FireWire host controller card and cable.

About Microtek

Microtek is a global leader in designing and manufacturing desktop digital imaging products that help improve communications and digital workflow efficiency. Known for its first-to-market scanning technology with over 100 patents worldwide, Microtek continues to provide a wide range of desktop imaging solutions with its ScanMaker(TM) and ArtixScan(TM) lines -- to users ranging from the mass market, to high-end professional desktop publishers, printers and pre-press service providers. Founded in 1980, Microtek International, Inc. is headquartered in Science-based Industry Park, Hsinchu, Taiwan. The company has a strong global presence with major operations and distribution channels in 53 countries around the world. Information about Microtek can be found on the Web at www.microtek.com.

About Applied Science Fiction

Applied Science Fiction develops proprietary technologies for the imaging industry that link traditional photography with the digital age. ASF licenses its branded technologies through Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs) that provide products for the professional and consumer imaging markets. Additionally, ASF directly distributes Adobe® Photoshop® compatible plug-ins for automatic image correction and enhancement.

ASF's product portfolio consists of the Digital ICE3(TM) film scanner suite, Digital ICE, Digital ROC(TM) and Digital GEM(TM), the individual components of the suite, Digital ICE and Digital ROC for photo prints, Digital ROC plug-in for color restoration and Digital SHO(TM) plug-in for revealing details of dark image-areas. ASF is also the innovator in digital dry film processing, with its environmentally friendly Digital PIC technology. Digital PIC develops exposed film directly into a high-resolution RGB digital format file in minutes. Digital PIC produces a DigiPIX(TM) CD that contains the image files from which photographic quality images can be easily printed and distributed electronically. More information can be found on ASF's Web site at www.asf.com.

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