Digital Camera provides GPS data in geo-coded images.
Press Release Summary:
GPS-Ready Pro G3 digital camera utilizes GlobalSat BC-337 portable CompactFlash GPS receiver with Star III low-power chipset to produce high-resolution images embedded with precise GPS coordinates. Eliminating need for additional GPS equipment, camera is suited for use in inspection companies, utility and gas companies, insurance agents, realtors, government agencies, engineers, National Park personnel, farmers, and museums.
Original Press Release:
Ricoh and GlobalSat Embed GPS Data into Digital Images
The New, GPS-Ready Ricoh Pro G3 Camera Combined With GlobalSat's BC-337 GPS Receiver Significantly Improves Geo-Imaging Workflows
SAN BERNARDINO, Calif., Feb. 28 / -- Ricoh Corporation, a leader in specialized digital imaging solutions, and GlobalSat Inc., an industry leader in GPS technology, today announced a strategic relationship to provide unprecedented GPS accuracy of geo-coded digital images.
GlobalSat's BC-337 is a highly portable CompactFlash GPS Receiver, which utilizes SiRF's Star III low-power chipset. When combined with Ricoh's GPS-Ready Pro G3 Digital Camera, high-resolution images are embedded with precise GPS coordinates.
Prior to this agreement, the Ricoh Pro G3 camera supported a variety of GPS cards that were based on older and more cumbersome GPS technology. As position accuracy is critical to most enterprise customers, many opted to utilize the camera with expensive and bulky survey-grade GPS equipment to achieve their accuracy requirements. The integration of the Star III technology into the GlobalSat BC-337 CompactFlash GPS Receiver card provides these accuracy requirements in a more compact, portable, and cost-effective manner.
"Accuracy, price, and portability were the primary barriers to adoption," says Jeff Lengyel, product manager for Ricoh's Pro G3 Camera. "We have a large market segment that is reluctant to invest in expensive GPS equipment to get the accuracy they needed into their images. With the availability of the GlobalSat BC-337, they are getting optimal performance at a fraction of the cost. The BC-337 is the only GPS card we recommend for use with our camera, which has modified firmware to allow a seamless interface with the BC-337 GPS CF card."
In addition to significant cost and time-savings, the GlobalSat BC-337 provides extremely fast start-up times and WAAS support, positioning the Ricoh/GlobalSat package as the definitive geo-imaging solution.
"Providing state-of-the-art technology to the marketplace is GlobalSat's primary mission," said Alex Kotoff, managing director of USGlobalSat, Inc. "By working with leading hardware manufactures, we enable new in-the-field capabilities as well as enhance current GPS-based workflow. In conjunction with Ricoh, geo-imaging professionals will have a more robust and precise toolkit without having to carry additional, more expensive equipment."
Hundreds of organizations have adopted the camera including FEMA who uses the Pro G3 to photograph storm damage in the southeast United States and the U.S. military that uses it in Iraq to record places of interest. Inspection companies, utility and gas companies, insurance agents, realtors, government agencies, engineers, National Park personnel, farmers and museums. In every application, users are optimizing their GIS workflows.
Information about the ProG3 can be found at: www.ricohzone.com
Information about the BC-337 can be found at: usglobalsat.com/Ricoh
About Ricoh Corporation
Ricoh Corporation, headquartered in West Caldwell, N.J., is a subsidiary of Ricoh Company Ltd., the 70-year-old leading supplier of office automation equipment and electronics, with fiscal year 2004 sales in excess of $17 billion, a 1.9 percent increase over the previous year.
Ricoh Corporation is a leading provider of document solutions. Ricoh's fully integrated hardware and software products help businesses share information efficiently and effectively by enabling customers to control the input, management and output of documents. Ricoh's line of document management devices include, color and black & white digital imaging systems, facsimile products, printers, scanners, digital duplicators and wide format engineering systems. Additionally, Ricoh offers a wide variety of document and printing solutions directly and through strategic alliances enhancing office productivity and document workflow. Ricoh's document management software enhances workgroup collaboration and offers secure storage, retrieval and sharing of critical information.
Ricoh Corporation directly or through its subsidiaries markets and distributes products in North, Central and South America. For fiscal year 2004, Ricoh Corporation sales exceeded $2.9 billion, an increase of 6.9 percent over the previous year.
Information about Ricoh's complete range of products and services can be accessed on the World Wide Web at www.ricoh-usa.com.
About GlobalSat Inc.
GlobalSat Technology was founded in May 2000. The company's headquarters and ISO9001 production facilities are located in the prestigious "Far East Century Park" in Taipei, Taiwan. GlobalSat Technology is a market leader in the design, manufacturing, and marketing of GPS, Bluetooth, and mobile wireless communication products.
As part of their global vision for expansion, GlobalSat Technology established a North American subsidiary in 2004 to provide localized project support and expanded access to meet rising demands for its products.
Information about GlobalSat and USGlobalSat's complete range of products and services can be accessed on the World Wide Web at www.globalsat.com.tw and www.usglobalsat.com.
CONTACT:
RICOH CORPORATION USGLOBALSAT, INC.
Jeff Lengyel Alex Kotoff
Ricoh Corporation Managing Director
909.890.9039 626.968.4145 x118
jeff@ricohzone.com akotoff@uglobalsat.com
Source: Ricoh Corporation
Web site: www.ricoh-usa.com/
http://www.usglobalsat.com/
http://www.ricohzone.com/
