| LAS VEGAS--(BUSINESS
WIRE)--Applied Science Fiction (ASF) announced at the annual Photo
Marketing Association trade show, that its new Digital ICE3(cubed)(TM)
(Digital Image Correction & Enhancement3 or Digital ICE "cubed")
technology, originally designed to improve the quality of scanned color
film, can also be used with today's "chromogenic" type black-and-white
films.
Chromogenic film, often selected by creative photographers because of
its nostalgic appeal is available from all major film manufacturers. These
new black-and-white films can be readily processed and printed by
virtually any photofinisher using standard C-41 (color) processing
chemistry. These high-tech black-and-white films appeal to photographers
seeking the aesthetic intensity of a classic black-and-white process while
keeping the photo finishing convenience of C-41.
ASF's Digital ICE3(cubed) technology relies on being able to "read" the
dye-signature of typical color films. The images contained on
"chromogenic" black-&-white films actually do contain dyes with the
prerequisite Red, Green and Blue layers. Therefore, Applied Science
Fiction's Digital ICE3(cubed) scanning technology is actually able to
improve the scan qualities of today's generation of black-and-white images
as well.
"I'm delighted to announce that the capabilities of Digital ICE3(cubed)
technology can be extended into the field of black-&-white
photography," said Jerry Johnson, Executive Vice President of Sales &
Marketing of Applied Science Fiction. "It's ironic that ASF's high-tech
solution to improving the quality of a scanned image is so perfectly
suited to enhancing the appearance of classic black-and-white images as
well. I'm equally pleased that Applied Science Fiction's scientists are as
determined to address the needs of all photographers as they are committed
to developing breakthrough digital imaging technologies."
Digital ICE3(cubed)
Digital ICE3(cubed) technology bridges the gap between photography and
digital imaging for publishers, photo labs, service bureaus, minilabs and
all users of personal computers who work with photographic images and
desktop film scanners. ASF licenses and brands technology to imaging OEM's
whose products then carry the Digital ICE3(cubed) logo.
In one simple push of a button, Digital ICE3(cubed) eliminates
scratches on photographic film or slides, restores accurate color fidelity
and improves on a photograph's overall appearance by minimizing the visual
noise known as grain, quickly and automatically, during the scanning
process.
The Digital ICE3(cubed) imaging suite is a combination of sophisticated
digital enhancement tools which, when integrated into a scanner by the
OEM, automatically provides the user with a near perfect scanned digital
image. Digital ICE3(cubed) technology is comprised of three proprietary
technologies: ASF's original, award-winning Digital ICE (Image Correction
& Enhancement) which removes surface defects instantaneously without
altering the image; Digital ROC(TM) (Reconstruction of Color) which works
to restore the color quality of an image, regardless of the condition of
the original; and Digital GEM(TM) (Grain Enhancement and Management) which
combats graininess in film to greatly enhance the visual impact of
resulting scanned images.
Powerful Technology that's Easy-to-Use
There is no new software to learn or install because the underlying
technology is incorporated into the scanner by OEMs and functions are
contained within the scanner-related software. Once scanned, these digital
image files are fully compatible with any post-imaging software available
on the market.
The Digital ICE3(cubed) package also delivers consistent image quality
regardless of the film's age or extent of the defect. Simply put, Digital
ICE3(cubed) makes good images better -- automatically. Scanners
incorporating this innovative new Digital ICE3(cubed) technology will be
available from leading film scanner manufacturers beginning in the first
quarter of 2000.
About Applied Science Fiction:
ASF develops proprietary Intellectual Property (IP) for imaging
technologies that link traditional photography with the digital age. Since
its inception in 1995, the Austin-based company has accumulated an
extensive library of commercial technologies and IPs containing over 150
written invention disclosures and 83 patents filed with the U.S. Patent
and Trademark office. The company licenses and brands its technologies
through Original Equipment manufacturers (OEMs) that provide products for
professional, retail and consumer imaging markets.
Digital ICE (image correction enhancement), ASF's flagship product, has
been widely endorsed by the imaging market place, achieving numerous
industry awards for innovation and technology. ASF is a privately held
company with funding from top-tier partners, customers and venture
capitalists. Earlier this year the company raised over $30 million in a
private placement offering. ASF currently staffs over 140 employees
worldwide. More information can be found on ASF's Web site at www.asf.com
Digital ICE and Applied Science Fiction are trademarks of Applied
Science Fiction.
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