NEW ABBYY FINE READER ENGINE PROVIDES COMFORTABLE ENVIRONMENT FOR DEVELOPMENT OF OCR/ICR APPLICATIONS

Versatile Software Development Kit Includes Application Programming Interface To Access Powerful Recognition Technologies From ABBYY

New York, NY (May 1, 2001) - ABBYY USA, a leader in OCR and linguistic technologies, today announced at AIIM 2001 the ABBYY FineReader 5.0 Engine, a software development kit that allows developers to integrate FineReader OCR (machine printed), ICR (handprint) and barcode recognition technologies into Windows applications, such as workflow, archiving and document processing systems.

FineReader 5.0 Engine, which implements the core functionality of FineReader end-user products without their user interfaces, provides the following benefits to developers:

• Support of 176 languages opens global markets to any software that is developed by users of the engine.
• ôIntelligent voting,ö a smart engine inside the software that classifies and identifies objects, is deeply imbedded in the software internally to provide the most accurate recognition results. 
• A flexible licensing policy allows developers to select the type of licensing that is best suited to the product and its sales model. 
• ABBYY is open to any customization request for the ABBYY FineReader 5.0 Engine and is ready to develop turnkey solutions for data input. 

FineReader 5.0 Engine can be used in image or document processing applications that need accurate and flexible OCR capabilities. Possible applications include the following:

• Fax processing applications where OCR is used to convert the received fax messages into editable text.
• Archiving and document processing applications for which the speed and flexibility of access to OCR functions is crucial. 
• Processing of machine-readable forms (questionnaires, feedback forms etc.) either filled in by hand or typed. 
• Reading systems that scan books and other documents, perform OCR and then read them aloud using a synthetic voice. 
• Any OCR/ICR related products intended for mass distribution. 

The new version supports most of the features of ABBYY FineReader 5.0 Pro, which include improved recognition quality and precise document analysis, 176 recognition languages and multiple language support. At the same time, the new version is now more user-friendly for developers, and provides the following sophisticated options:

• The Engine API (Application Programming Interface) conforms to COM (Component Object Model) standards and can be easily used by C/C++, VisualBasic, Delphi or any other development tools supporting COM components. 
• Pattern training functionality is included for machine printed characters. 
• API aids in creation and editing of users languages and dictionaries. 
• New handy HTML Help with context-sensitive topics for each function is accessible directly from VB Object Browser. 

The FineReader system is a new generation of artificial intelligence-based OCR system featuring unsurpassed recognition accuracy and format retention. FineReader 4.0/5.0 versions have received 35 awards from leading IT magazines worldwide (as of January 2001). The IPA-Technology (integrity, purposefulness and adaptability) used in the FineReader 5.0 Engine results in recognition quality improved by a factor of 1.5 to 2.0 times when compared to version 4.0, which ensures FineReaderÆs leadership in the OCR market.

Many industry leaders have already made their choice. Siemens Nixdorf, Samsung Electronics, NewSoft, Sumitomo, OTG Software, JetFax, Janich&Klass, Microtek, VisionShape, L&H/Kurzweil, Arkenstone, C Technologies have integrated ABBYY FineReader Engine into the heart of their OCR solutions. 

A detailed description of the functionality of ABBYY FineReader 5.0 Engine can be found at http://www.abbyy.com/products/frengine/index.htm 

For additional product or pricing information, visit the companyÆs website at www.abbyy.com  or send e-mail to engine@abbyyusa.com 

About ABBYY USA

ABBYY USA, a member of the ABBYY Group, publishes and distributes ABBYY products in North America. ABBYY (ABBYY Software House) specializes in the development of software for optical character recognition (OCR), intelligent character recognition (ICR), linguistics, semantics and electronic lexicography. Leading products from ABBYY include the FineReader line of OCR/ICR/OMR software as well as FineReader development tools, which allow developers to integrate OCR into their solutions. Companies that license ABBYY OCR/ICR technologies include Siemens Nixdorf, Samsung Electronics, C-Technologies, Sumitomo Electric Systems, L&H/Kurzweil, Arkenstone, Banctec (Japan), Visionshape, Acer, Microtek, OTG Software, Grantsmart, Mustek, Umax, NewSoft, Primax and Jet Fax. For more information about ABBYY, visit its Web site at www.abbyy.com or contact ABBYY USA, 46560 Fremont Blvd, Suite 105, Fremont, CA 94538. Phone: (510) 226-6717. Fax: (510) 226-6069. E-mail: info@abbyyusa.com.

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