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Read smart: Feature-based OCR module added to Matrox Imaging Library

May 4, 2004, Boston, Massachusetts - At The Vision Show East show in Boston, Matrox Imaging announced the addition of a new module to its award-winning software development toolkit for machine vision - Matrox Imaging Library (MIL). This high-level programming library offers an extensive set of optimized functions for image capture, processing, analysis, display and archiving.

Feature-based optical character recognition (OCR) is a powerful tool for applications that require character reading or verification. "Feature-based OCR is extremely robust tool, reading character strings at any scale factor in both x and y, including different aspect ratios, allowing it to tolerate some perspective distortion " says Stephane Baldo, MIL Processing Software Leader. "Feature-based OCR is powerful enough to read strings in poor or non-uniform lighting conditions, and automatically locates the string, even if it is rotated."

Feature-based OCR is ideal for applications where the location of the string and font are unpredictable, such as license plate reading. The module includes a universal font which can be used in simple applications, bypassing font training altogether, and since MIL's feature-based OCR module supports reading multiple fonts simultaneously, additional fonts and/or characters can be used in conjunction with the universal font.

About the Matrox Imaging Library

Designed to facilitate development and increase productivity, MIL offers a common API that supports the entire line of Matrox Imaging hardware. Now at version 7.5, MIL offers an intuitive and easy-to-use function set for managing image capture, processing, analysis, display, and archiving.

For fast Windows application development, MIL comes bundled with ActiveMIL, a collection of ActiveX controls for managing image capture, processing, analysis, display and archiving. ActiveMIL fully integrates into Microsoft Visual Basic or Visual C++ rapid application development environments.

The feature-based OCR module will be available as an add-on to MIL in Q4 2004.

About Matrox Imaging

Established in 1976, Matrox Imaging is a leading designer of PC-based hardware and software for machine vision, image analysis, medical imaging, and video surveillance. Products include frame grabbers, vision processors, imaging platforms, smart cameras, and development software. Headquartered in Montreal, Quebec, Canada, Matrox is a privately held company with international offices in the United Kingdom, France, and Germany. For more company information, visit: www.matrox.com/imaging/about/.

For more information, please contact:

Catherine Overbury

Marketing Communications Manager

Matrox Imaging

1055 St. Regis Blvd.

Dorval, Quebec, H9P 2T4

Canada

Telephone: (514) 685-2630 ext. 2459

Fax: (514) 822-6273

coverbur@matrox.com