Canon U.S.A. and Ribstone Systems to Develop First Vertical Market Solutions Using Canon's MEAP Technology
Ribstone to Create MEAP Versions of Its Document Capture and Processing Applications For the Legal Marketplace
Canon Digital Solutions Forum, Las Vegas - October 27, 2004
Canon U.S.A., Inc. and Ribstone Systems, a developer of document capture and processing solutions for the legal marketplace, have recently signed an agreement to develop the first vertical market applications using Canon's innovative Multifunctional Embedded Application Platform (MEAP).

As part of the agreement, Ribstone receives the MEAP Software Development Kit (SDK) to develop new versions of its popular Image Printer, Scan To Print, Capture System and Scan Express applications that are able to run on Canon's MEAP enabled devices. During Canon's Digital Solutions Forum, Ribstone will preview a working demonstration of an early pre-production (BETA) version of the Scan To Print application running on an imageRUNNER 5020 MEAP device. Applications are expected to be available in the marketplace in early 2005. MEAP, a technological first for the copier industry, is Canon's unique, Java-based platform enabling the creation of customized applications embedded within Canon's networked MFPs.

"Ribstone, one of our Alliance Partners, has quickly developed a reputation as being a premier supplier of cutting-edge document imaging and management software to the legal industry," said Dennis Amorosano, director and general manager, Canon U.S.A. "The capabilities of the Ribstone applications, coupled with Canon's innovation in the form of MEAP technology, will allow users to customize their document workflow processes like never before from a Canon device, leading to dramatic improvements in the sharing and cataloging of information associated with litigation."

According to Jeffrey Schwartz, chief technology officer, Ribstone Systems, "Ribstone has significantly changed the way legal companies capture and process documents. By integrating Canon's MEAP technology into our popular document scanning, image capture, and image processing applications, we feel that we can provide users with the most sophisticated and efficient solutions for legal document handling."

With Ribstone applications, legal print-for-pay vendors and law firms are able to rapidly transform boxes of hard-copy legal documents into digital imaging files that can be identically reproduced and shared with opposing counsel as part of the legal discovery process. Ribstone users are also able to perform complex referencing, indexing and cataloging tasks, such as applying Bates Numbering, creating graphic and searchable PDFs, OCR processing and generating loadfiles for the legal industry. Legal industry users include legal photocopy and print-for-pay vendors, facilities management firms, corporate legal departments and CRDs.

MEAP based applications reside on the hard disk of Canon networked devices, thus eliminating the need, space and expense for many dedicated pieces of external equipment to execute customized programs. The applications are presented to walk-up users on the full-color LCD control panel of the MEAP enabled imageRUNNER device, transforming the traditional MFP device into a powerful communications hub for sharing and managing information in the office.

About Ribstone Systems
Ribstone Systems, a Chicago based company, has become an industry leader in the convergence of office technologies by offering the most dynamic solutions for imaging, image-processing and printing in document-intensive business environments. Ribstone Systems helps clients leverage multifunction products by marrying our intuitive and feature-rich software to the latest generation of office copiers.

About Canon U.S.A., Inc.
Canon U.S.A., Inc. delivers consumer, business-to-business, and industrial imaging solutions. The Company is listed as one of Fortune's Most Admired Companies in America, and is ranked #35 on the Business Week list of "Top 100 Brands." Its parent company Canon Inc. (NYSE:CAJ) is a top patent-holder of technology, ranking second overall in the U.S. in 2003, with global revenues of $29.9 billion. For more information, visit www.usa.canon.com.