Epson Introduces Revolutionary Image Authentication System for Epson Digital Cameras

TORRANCE, Calif.--April 5, 1999-- Epson, the creator of high quality, award-winning imaging products, today unveiled its revolutionary Image Authentication System(TM)(IAS) to support the popular PhotoPC 750Z and PhotoPC 700 color megapixel digital cameras. Operating in a standard JPEG file format, the IAS uses a digital fingerprint, applied when a picture is taken, to verify the integrity of a picture. If even one pixel of an image is altered, the IAS will detect it and alert the user.

"The Image Authentication System is a tremendous breakthrough in digital imaging technology," said Craig Biehl, business development specialist, Epson. "IAS delivers superior, cutting-edge protection against unauthorized photographic tampering for such professional communities as law enforcement, insurance and quality assurance inspection."

There are two software components to the Image Authentication System. One part is loaded into the camera while the other is installed into the computer. Operation is completely automatic. Images captured by the PhotoPC 750Z or PhotoPC 700 with IAS software loaded are instantly sealed with an invisible digital fingerprint. Because this fingerprint is embedded in the image file, the image can then be verified as ``untampered'' by any PC with the Image Authentication System installed.

The IAS is now available for an estimated street price of through Epson resellers and national distributors.