Canon U.S.A. Unveils New Check Transport Solution for Faster Transaction Processing and Data Management; Compact CR-55 Color Duplex Check Scanner Enhanced With Latest Imaging Features & Functionality to Expedite & Simplify Funds Processing.

LAKE SUCCESS, N.Y. -- Canon U.S.A., Inc., a leading provider of digital imaging solutions, today announced the new CR-55 Check Transport, the latest compact, countertop scanner system to compliment the Company's growing portfolio of workflow and data capture solutions. Ideal for limited workspaces such as teller windows, corporate Account Receivables departments or retail checkout counters, the CR-55 Check Transport offers speedy, simple, high quality image capture at first point of presentment for overall reductions in check clearing time and expenses.

"The addition of the CR-55 to Canon's check scanning line-up effectively creates a complete end-to-end Canon check truncation solution - one that combines teller capture of typical banking retail transactions with back counter operations for large merchant deposits," said Mark Machida, director of the Image Filing Systems Division for Canon U.S.A. "The CR-55 features a compact, yet powerful, combination of functionality, size and speed to expedite electronic image exchange - and ultimately improve both workflow and customer service with faster check processing, quicker funds availability and even improved fraud detection."

The user-friendly CR-55 allows users to quickly feed batches of up to 50 items at a time and automatically capture and route data from both sides (duplexing) at speeds of up to 55 checks-per-minute (cpm)(1), reading MICR (Magnetic Ink Character Recognition) characters. A pre-scan endorser further expedites the check routing and clearing process.

Users of the CR-55 can choose among multiple scanning modes including black-and-white, grayscale or color, at resolutions of up to 300 dots-per-inch (dpi), and offers unmatched image clarity through the use of advanced text enhancement and color dropout features. With Canon's exclusive image processing technology, letters and signatures on illustrated or lightly colored check backgrounds are emphasized for greater contrast and legibility.

In order to offer true plug-and-play installation and reduce the overall cost of system integration, the CR-55 features USB connectivity and comes bundled with Silver Bullet Technology Inc.'s Ranger(TM) Transport API software - a tool which streamlines the device's integration with most industry-leading check capture and processing applications by allowing customers to mix and match item-processing software and hardware systems.

The compact CR-55 is specifically designed to work in tandem with Canon's durable CR-180 Check Transport - the Company's successful high-volume, high-speed back office scanning system used by banks, credit unions, check-clearing houses and large retail operations. The CR-180 supports an average daily volume of up to 20,000 checks, and batches of up to 200 items can be scanned simultaneously and automatically sorted to two different output pockets using pre-configured rules based on the MICR data on the checks.

Canon's launch of the CR-55 Check Transport helps reduce the barrier to electronic check clearance in the U.S., allowed by the Check Truncation Act -- also known as the Check Clearing for the 21st Century or Check 21 Act - passed by Congress in October 2004. The Check 21 Act makes clear that its purpose is to facilitate truncation, which means to create digital images of both sides of a check for processing purposes. The CR-55 delivers full-compliance with international standards for reading MICR characters, including CMC7 and E13B.

The new CR-55 will be on display at Canon booth #449 during the 28th Annual BAI TransPaySM Conference and Expo in Orlando, Fla., May 3-5, 2005, the industry's largest operations, payments and technology event. The CR-55 Check Transport will be available through authorized Canon Image Filing Systems dealers in 2H 2005.

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 rated #35 on the BusinessWeek list of "Top 100 Brands." Its parent company Canon Inc. (NYSE:CAJ) is a top patent holder of technology, ranking third overall in the U.S. in 2004, with global revenues of $33.3 billion. For more information, visit www.usa.canon.com.

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(1)Based on American Style Check (152 mm x 0.1 mm) in duplex mode at 200 dpi.