Simple Output of Digital Photographs with the New USB DIRECT-PRINT

TOKYO, Japan, August 6 - Seiko Epson Corporation has developed USB DIRECT-PRINT, technology that allows a digital camera to print directly to a printer through a USB connection.

Improved image quality, which is an effect of the rise in pixel counts of CCDs, and the ease of viewing photographs instantly has caused a marked growth in the market for digital cameras. This has created a demand for a printing environment where digital photographs can be easily printed without having to use a computer.

In such a market, and in respose to the demand for home developing, printing and enlarging (DPE) which grows yearly, Seiko Epson has been developing and marketing printers with direct print capabilities-printers that allow for the quick printout of digital camera images without going through a computer-beginning with the Epson PrintOn PT-100*, launched in 1998, up to the Epson Colorio PM-850PT* released in March 2002. This computer-less printing is achieved by inserting the digital camera's memory card into the card slot of the printer, and is being applauded by both beginner and computer-savvy users as an easy and simple home-use solution.

USB DIRECT-PRINT is a further evolution of the direct print feature, enabling prints to be made directly from a camera to a printer through a USB connection. This technology, based on the mass storage class employed by most digital cameras, is made possible by adding Seiko Epson proprietary commands to digital cameras and printers. When digital cameras and printers that support USB DIRECT-PRINT are connected by a USB cable, users can print photographs easily using the camera's controls. Users accustomed to the features of the digital camera's LCD monitor can use the digital camera to perform all functions, from taking photos to printing them, including checking the photographed image and setting the number and size of prints-all without using a computer or special software.

In addition to the marketing of printers that support USB DIRECT-PRINT, Seiko Epson will also build solutions-extending beyond print functions-for the seamless sharing of digital photographs between a range of devices, and is working to ensure that as many products as possible are equipped with the USB DIRECT-PRINT function.

Seiko Epson will continue to provide simple, high-quality printing solutions to each customer in order to bring the world of digital photography home to an ever-wider circle of users.

* Products relaesed on the Japanese market.


Seiko Epson is a progressive company that increases its corporate value through its innovative and creative culture. The company's main product lines comprise information-related equipment such as printers and projectors, electronic devices including semiconductors, LCDs and crystal devices, and precision products, especially watches. Seiko Epson is one of world's leading company of high-quality technology products that meet customer demands for increased functionality, compactness and energy efficiency with sales in fiscal 2001 of 1,274 billion yen and a workforce of 68,786 employees.