Yokohama, Japan, October 29, 2002 (JCN Newswire) - INNOTECH Corporation (JASDAQ: 9880), one of Japan's leading semiconductor trading companies, today announced the release of IMPress Version 2.0, the latest version of image compression and decompression middleware system for embedded systems.

This latest version includes the first JPEG2000 software CODEC in an embedded middleware environment.

Taking advantage of INNOTECH's proprietary algorithm, which reduces memory allocation and improves operation speed, IMPress 2.0 is compatible with Part1 Profile-0 of JPEG2000, the most advanced data compression technology currently available in image compression systems.

The new version also supports a direct color mode and screen-size conversion feature to the standard JPEG and JBIG compression and decompression options. By including these functions that allow the transmission of data directly to display devices, IMPress 2.0 middleware represents a significant improvement in user-friendliness.

IMPress 2.0 works on a wide range of central processing units (CPUs) that support a full range of display devices, including PowerPC, ARM, SH, and MIPS, and all embedded operating systems, including VxWorks, iTRON, and Linux. Furthermore, the new system can also be used in a 'stand-alone' program without any operating system at all and can be customized according to user requirements.

IMPress-supported CODEC:

• JPEG (Color fax compatible)
• Loss-less JPEG
• MH/MR/MMR (Fax compatible)
• JBIG (T.85) (Fax compatible)
• JPEG2000 (Part1 Profile-0 compatible)
• LZH
• ZIP
• PNG
• BMP (RLE-supported)

The new system will be available to selected users in November 2002, and will be available for sale a month later.

Taking advantage of the technological assets it has gained to date, INNOTECH intends to expand its businesses in middleware development and consigned hardware development. This strategy enables INNOTECH to create client systems using the semiconductors from the other side of its business rather than simply selling stand-alone products.

* Product names mentioned in the above text are registered trademarks of INNOTECH Corporation or other companies.

Glossary

Middleware:

Software that runs on operating systems and that provides application software with more sophisticated and concrete functions than operating systems can. Middleware provides basic functions that are necessary for specific applications areas but don't need to be supported by operating systems.

CODEC: (Abbreviation of COmpression/DECompression):

A program used to compress and decompress data. More specifically, CODEC use specific algorithms to compress and decompress large volumes of image, video and voice data. Used to transmit and store data efficiently.

JPEG2000:

An updated version of the JPEG image compression standard, noteworthy for its higher compression ratios and better image quality. JPEG itself achieved remarkable compression ratios by allowing a small amount of data to be lost. In contrast, JPEG2000 generates possible perfectly loss-less compression.

JPEG(Joint Photographic Experts Group):

An image compression standard that allows users to choose either lossy or lossless compression. Compression ratios vary between approximately 1/10 and 1/100, which is highly effective for photos and natural images, but not effective for computer rendered images.

About INNOTECH
Founded in 1987, INNOTECH is Japan's premier importer of high-end semiconductoFounded in 1987, INNOTECH is Japan's premier importer of high-end semiconductor devices and equipment and a skilled support partner to many of Japan's top electronics makers. The Company maintains direct relationships with every major semiconductor manufacturer in Japan. Today's INNOTECH is a high-paced company that prides itself on making swift but informed decisions to keep up with the pace of an ever-changing electronics market. In recent years INNOTECH has begun to leverage its built-up corporate knowledge and technological expertise to expand in development, and licensing of our own patented technology in Japan.