LAKE SUCCESS, N.Y.--July 14, 2004-- Canon U.S.A. Inc., the nation's market share brand leader in black-and-white and color laser copier/printer solutions(1), today launched the imageRUNNER(TM) 1630/1670F line of multifunctional products (MFPs). The new imageRUNNER 1630/1670F devices comprise a powerful duo of multifunctional digital imaging systems that are designed to increase productivity and meet a wide variety of needs in small offices and workgroups, as well as decentralized department locations in larger organizations. The new 16 page-per-minute (PPM)(2) imageRUNNER 1630/1670F models round out Canon's family of professional-quality document management offerings for small businesses - especially when partnered with Canon's existing market-leading, entry-level imageRUNNER 1310 device. Offering users a new level of functionality and choice, the imageRUNNER 1630/1670F products combine digital laser quality copying and printing, automatic document feeding, Super G3 Fax capabilities(3) (imageRUNNER 1670F only), and optional network connectivity in one compact digital device -- all with desktop convenience. "Many small businesses confront the same workplace challenges: limited office space, high productivity demands, budgetary constraints and no internal IT staff - all of which translate into zero-tolerance for system failures and downtown," said Sam Yoshida, director and assistant general manager, Corporate Systems, Canon U.S.A. "The imageRUNNER 1630/1670F models were designed to provide the multifunctional digital capabilities and optional network connectivity needed to compete in today's marketplace, while delivering the highest standards of system reliability, durability and ease of operation. Additionally, by substituting multiple standalone units with one compact device, small office administrators realize a fast ROI (return on investment) by eliminating multiple service contracts and parts and supply costs." Canon adapted many of the proven technologies and design innovations in its high-end, high-volume imageRUNNER models to create affordable workgroup solutions for small offices and workgroup environments. The imageRUNNER 1630/1670F devices utilize Canon Advanced Printing Technology (CAPT), a technology developed by Canon to harness the built-in processing power of today's PCs to speed the printing process. As a result, the imageRUNNER 1630/1670F models print at up to 16 PPM with professional image quality - 1200 x 600 dpi enhanced resolution for Copy output, and 2400 x 600 dpi enhanced resolution for print output. Both models ship standard with printing capabilities via Parallel and USB ports. When equipped with an optional Network Adaptor, each functions as a network printer that can be shared by multiple users for multiple desktop-controlled tasks. Canon's NetSpot Console and NetSpot Device Installer assure simple device setup, as well as easy-to-use management and monitoring capabilities. Real Choice for Small Businesses The imageRUNNER 1630 and 1670F MFPs were introduced to address the small office/workgroup market's need for affordable digital imaging systems. The models scale in terms of production needs and budgets: The imageRUNNER 1630 builds on the current imageRUNNER 1310 standard feature set with a standard 30-sheet Automatic Document Feeder and increased print/copy speed of 16 PPM. It ships with a glass platen cover, thereby meeting the needs of users who place equal emphasis on copying and printing. The imageRUNNER 1670F brings full functionality to smaller business, with support for digital printing and copying at 16 PPM, faxing and a 30-sheet ADF. Users experience reduced telephone line charges with transmission speeds of approximately 3 seconds-per-page*. Using Canon's Ultra High Quality (UHQ(TM)) image enhancement, the device provides maximum depth and clarity for text, photos and graphics. Fax features include a high-capacity page memory, automatic dialing, and the ability to scan documents through the ADF. Design Innovations Deliver Professional Quality at Affordable Prices From a hardware standpoint, the imageRUNNER 1630/1670F models are designed to simplify day-to-day operations. Non-technical users can set up the devices and take advantage of system capabilities with minimal training. The intuitively designed control panel at the device guides users, step-by-step, through every job. Easy to navigate device drivers and utilities allow network connected users to program print jobs with simplicity. Leveraging Canon's advances in engine design, each model in the lineup uses a separate toner cartridge and drum unit design, with a maximum duty cycle rated at 20,000 impressions per month. Since the drum unit requires less frequent replacement, the separation keeps parts and supply costs to a minimum as compared to all-in-one cartridges. The Energy Star(4) qualified imageRUNNER 1630/1670F models are equipped with several features that reduce energy and toner consumption, helping small businesses to keep operating costs and downtime to a minimum. Among the standard features are: an Energy Saver Mode, which automatically puts the system into a sleep mode based on a user-specified period of non-use (adjustable from 3 to 30 minutes); and Toner Saving Mode, which reduces the amount of toner used to create draft documents versus prints. All three models also incorporate Canon's RAPID Fusing System to virtually eliminate equipment warm-up time. The imageRUNNER 1630/1670F products offer 16MB of standard memory and support productivity-enhancing digital copy features such as Scan-Once-Print-Many (upwards of 99 copies can be reproduced from a single document scan), Copy Reservation (documents are scanned and queued up while another job is printing), Electronic Collation (multiple-page documents printed as full sets) and Zoom Mode (reduce or enlarge images). Each model comes with a 500-sheet user-adjustable paper cassette that supports letter to legal sized paper, and a 100-sheet Stack Bypass for special media such as transparencies, labels, and colored/letterhead stocks. With design innovations such as a semi-internal output tray, Canon was able to pack all this power and functionality into a super-compact, space-conserving device. The imageRUNNER 1630/1670F footprint is a mere 18-3/4" wide and may be placed on a desktop, or an optional cabinet unit for office-wide access. The imageRUNNER 1630/1670F models are available through authorized Canon Imaging Systems dealers with a U.S. suggested retail price of $1,950 and $2,400, respectively.