I3A ImageTech Conference, June 7-9, Adds Focus on Mobile Imaging Quality Metrics; Event Sponsors Announced: Sprint, Fuji Photo Film U.S.A., Inc. and Hewlett-Packard Company.

WHITE PLAINS, N.Y. -- The upcoming 60th Annual Conference of the International Imaging Industry Association (I3A), the leading global association for the imaging industry, will pay special attention to the issue of camera-phone image quality. A panel discussion on the topic will wrap up the conference, and a Working Session immediately following will determine the actions necessary to develop an image quality performance testing program.

The conference, entitled ImageTech: The Standards and Technology Powering the Future of Imaging, will take place at Chicago's Radisson Hotel & Suites, June 7-9, 2006. Both I3A members and non-members are invited to attend.

ImageTech will look in depth at the standards and technology that are currently underway, or will soon be needed, to address market needs in the constantly-changing imaging industry. The final luncheon panel session will discuss and evaluate the current landscape for image quality metrics for camera-phones, and provide a foundation for the Image Quality working meeting to follow. The panel, moderated by consultant and author Sally Wiener Grotta, will take up such questions as:

--Why do we need image quality standards and testing specifically for camera-phones?

--Can existing Digital Still Camera standards be utilized? Are there gaps to be filled with new standards?

--Why isn't resolution a good measurement?

--What are the trade-offs between sensor resolution and sensitivity?

--What are the cost trade-offs?

After the panel session, the working meeting will move the discussion into the action phase by discussing how existing standards and test methods will be leveraged, fleshing out ideas for new camera-phone image quality standards, identifying metrics and implementation needs for a testing program, and determining relative quality ratings and how those ratings can be applied equitably in a cost/performance trade-off. Results of the working session will be an I3A Initiative group formed to complete the deliverables of the project. All interested companies are invited to join I3A and participate in the project.

"Consumers need better picture quality from their camera-phones, and Sprint is dedicated to providing that," said Pierre Barbeau, general manager, Sprint Picture Mail. "I3A's technical imaging expertise makes it the clear choice and ideal forum to drive the development and worldwide acceptance of camera-phone image quality standards and unleash full adoption and usage potential of instant visual communication."

Participants in the Image Quality Working Session are representatives of leading handset and chipset vendors, carriers, traditional imaging companies and software companies.

Event Sponsors

I3A has announced that the sponsors for ImageTech are Sprint, Platinum; Fuji Photo Film U.S.A.,Inc., Silver; and Hewlett-Packard Company, Silver.

"Our sponsors help us deliver the fresh, insightful content that attendees have come to expect from I3A events, and we're grateful for their support," said Lisa Walker, I3A's president. "These companies' products and services are leading the industry in innovation, a perfect match for I3A and the conference participants, with our agenda's particular focus on the technology that will drive the future of our industry."

The overall program for ImageTech is as follows:

Wednesday, June 7

--Welcome Evening Networking Reception, and I3A Achievement Award

Thursday, June 8

--Keynote address from leading analyst Jeff Hayes, Group Director, InfoTrends

--Panel, "Next-Generation Sharing"

-- Moderator: Paul Worthington, Senior Analyst, Future Image

-- Panelists:

Tim Grey, Director, Microsoft Corporation 

Sang Hung, Chief Scientist, Sprint

James Park, Director of Product Development, Webshots

David McKie, VP, Business Development, Simple Star

Gibu Thomas, CEO, Sharpcast

--Presentation, "What is the Future for Printing Technology? A New View of Printing Devices"

--Steve Hoffenberg, Director of Consumer Imaging Research, Lyra Research, Inc.

Aaron Weiss, General Manager of Mobile Imaging, Hewlett-Packard Company

--Panel, "AfterClick: Fulfilling the Promise of Digital to Consumers"

-- Moderator: Jeff Hayes, Group Director, InfoTrends

-- Panelists:

Jamie Bardin, President, EZ Prints

Kyle Mashima, Chief Executive Officer and Co-Founder, FilmLoop

Andy Parsons, CTO, Digital Railroad

Tony Stieber, Business Development Manager, Hewlett-Packard Company

--Networking Reception and Awards Dinner

--Feature presentation from Antarctic Photographer Jim Mastro:

"A Year at the Bottom of the World"

Friday, June 9

--Panel, "Keeping the Memories Alive: Archiving and Consumer Photography Preservation"

-- Moderator: Fred Shippey, Electronic Imaging Consulting

-- Panelists:

Thiagarajah Arujunan, Senior Engineer, Eastman Kodak Company

Burak Gokturk, CTO and Co-Founder, Ojos, Inc.

Stephen Hagel, President, ACMEworks Digital Film Inc.

Mark Mizen, Director of Technology, Creative Memories

--Technology Showcase - an exciting inside look at the cutting edge products and services attendees will need to know about to move successfully into the future (Companies currently participating are Icosystem Corporation and Sharpcast, Inc.)

--Lunch and Panel, "Image Quality Metrics: How do we rate quality for Images on the Go?"

-- Moderator: Sally Wiener Grotta, Consultant & Author

-- Panelists:

Joyce Farrell, Ph.D., Center for Image Systems Engineering, Stanford University 

George John, Distinguished Member of the Technical Staff, Motorola

Norman Koren, Founder & President, Imatest

Kevin Matherson, Hewlett-Packard Company

Ralph Germer, VP of Operations, SozoTek, Inc.

Steve Rivers, Senior Development Manager, Sprint

For more details about this event, or to register for the I3A ImageTech Conference, please visit www.i3aannualconference.org.

About the International Imaging Industry Association (I3A)

I3A is the leading global imaging industry association, driving growth of and setting standards for the photographic and information imaging markets. As the industry focal point, I3A offers a framework and environment where members can quickly find resources to solve critical issues and develop market solutions. Members of I3A work together to find common ground for advancing the industry and to enable better products and services for their customers.

I3A is an accredited Standards Developing Organization, serving as secretariat for the International Organization for Standardization Technical Committee 42 (ISO/TC42) on Photography, and as administrator for the USA Technical Advisory Group for this committee. Information about I3A can be found on the World Wide Web at www.i3a.org or by phone at 914-285-4933.