Peerless ASIC Sets New Price/Performance Standard for Networked Printers and Multi-function Devices; QuickPrint Enables Printers to Output 24 Pages-Per-Minute At 1200 x 1200 dpi At 40 Percent The Cost of Competing Products.

EL SEGUNDO, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--July 3, 1995--Peerless Systems Corporation today introduced QuickPrint, the first ASIC that enables 24 ppm printing at 1200 x 1200 dpi -- up to three times faster than any technology solution currently available. Additionally, QuickPrint's flexible and efficient design enables Peerless' OEM customers to manufacture high-speed 1200 x 1200 dpi printers and multi-function devices (peripherals which combine printer, fax and copier capabilities) at a cost similar to that of today's slower, 600 dpi printers.

QuickPrint, which includes Peerless' unique Memory Reduction Technology (MRT), decreases costs by reducing operating memory by as much as 80 percent and integrating functions commonly found on printer controllers. As a result, QuickPrint enables PostScript printers and devices to output as much as 100 pages per minute at 600 dpi with as little as 2 MB of RAM. Higher resolution files (1200 x 1200 dpi) require only 4 MB. Printing PostScript files at 600 dpi usually requires at least 6 MB of RAM while 1200 x 1200 dpi configurations typically need as much as 18 - 20 MB.

"QuickPrint sets a new price/performance standard for the network printer and multi-function device markets," said Tom Ruffolo, vice president of marketing for Peerless Systems Corporation. "With this technology, we have enabled our customers to have the performance advantage they need to compete at a price which supports their margin requirements."

Most Cost-Effective Printing Solution

QuickPrint integrates common printer controller functions such as DRAM, ROM, I/O, engine video controllers and utilizes MRT to produce a complete ASIC solution at 40 percent the cost of competing technologies. QuickPrint also includes Peerless' Graphics Execution Unit (GEU) which incorporates patent-pending lossy and lossless compression and decompression algorithms to deliver ratios ranging from 4:1 up to and beyond 25:1.

High Performance

A 33 MHz clock rate allows QuickPrint to be paired with high-speed processors and, as a result, enables complex jobs to be printed at maximum engine speeds. Its dual bus architecture also enables the system to concurrently process data and graphics commands while a 132 MHz video clock rate allows the ASIC to be used on printer engines with speeds of up to 100 ppm at 600 dpi and 24 ppm at 1200 x 1200 dpi.

Flexible Processor Selection

Processors supported internally by the ASIC include Intel's Kx, Jx, Cx, and Hx families in addition to Motorola's ColdFire family. And, QuickPrint can also be made to support processors from other major silicon manufacturers such as AMD. This processor flexibility allows OEM customers to closely match their goals with a specific market segment's price/performance requirements.

Energy Efficient Design

QuickPrint uses a 0.65 micron standard cell process to reduce cost and conserve energy -- typically consuming less than 300 watts of power. This cost-effective combination makes QuickPrint ideal for Energy Star compliant designs.

Multiple Language Support

Controllers utilizing QuickPrint are able to support all Peerless printer languages including PeerlessPrint5E, PeerlessPrint5C, Adobe PostScript Level 2 and WinEXPRESS in a reduced memory configuration.

Future Applications

Peerless is also making the QuickPrint architecture available to its customers for other products in which performance is an issue, such as bi-level color applications. The robust nature of the technology accelerates printing of such applications by reducing memory overhead. Future versions of QuickPrint will also support continuous tone color applications.

New Business Model

For the first time, Peerless is offering ASICs directly to its OEM customers. Previously, ASICs were offered only through major silicon manufacturers. QuickPrint is a follow-on to the Motorola MC68322 integrated printer processor, co-designed by Peerless and Motorola, and the Intel 82961KD coprocessor.

QuickPrint also incorporates an unprecedented level of flexibility in working with printer controllers, allowing its customers to utilize their existing volume controller manufacturing agreements to insure a timely introduction of product to the market.

Company Background

Peerless supplies a complete line of licensable OEM software and supporting solutions that provide the intelligence for products such as color and monochrome printers, as well as multi-function products which combine printer, fax, copier and scanner capabilities. Its technology allows customers to introduce high-performance, low cost digital document devices to market faster than competitors. Peerless Systems Corporation is privately held and located at 2381 Rosecrans Avenue in El Segundo, Calif., 90245. Telephone: [phone]. Fax: [phone]. -0-

Note to Editors: Memory Reduction Technology (MRT), PeerlessPrint and WinEXPRESS are trademarks of Peerless Systems Corporation. All other products and brand names are trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective owners.

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Peerless Systems Corporation

Tom Ruffolo/Ave Jacinto, 310/536-0908

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