Aware's AccuRad client/server software suite enables remote browser-based Aware's AccuRad client/server software suite enables remote browser-based viewing of images in disparate PACS across a bandwidth-constrained network

BEDFORD, Mass., Feb. 25 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Aware, Inc. (Nasdaq: AWRE), a global provider of imaging and biometrics software, today announced it will showcase the latest version of its AccuRad^™ medical imaging solution at the 2008 Annual HIMSS Conference & Exhibition. HIMSS08 is sponsored by the Healthcare Imaging and Management Systems Society and takes place in Orlando, Florida during the week of February 24th.

AccuRad is a multi-component solution comprised of software development kits and client/server applications that together enable remote viewing of medical images stored in multiple disparate PACS (picture archiving and communication systems). The AccuRad server establishes connectivity with PACS and performs ingestion and JPEG 2000 compression of medical image studies. It then performs on-demand streaming of images to remote clients via JPIP, the only DICOM transfer syntax that provides for image streaming. AccuRad includes a browser-based client application providing comprehensive study viewing tools and capabilities. Aware's demonstration at HIMSS in booth #2717 will include browser-based display and manipulation of medical imagery that is stored in a PACS at its development facility near Boston, and then streamed to a workstation in the booth over a wireless network connection.

"There is a growing need for remote real-time access to medical imagery stored in multiple disparate PACS for applications such as outsourced radiological services and collaborative review and diagnosis," commented Michael Serafino, AccuRad sales and product manager. "Our latest improvements to the AccuRad suite are specifically designed to address this important requirement, enabling a new class of image streaming solutions based on open standards."

AccuRad is comprised of three software development kits (SDKs) that include libraries, sample applications with source code, a command line codec, and a Windows GUI tool with viewer. Aware's AccuRad Stream^™ enables a developer to rapidly implement a JPIP-based client/server architecture, as well as establish connectivity to multiple PACS. AccuRad DICOMView^™ ActiveX component combines the latest delivery and display technologies for viewing medical images in a standard browser and is easily integrated into other viewing applications. AccuRad J2KSuite^™ enables JPEG 2000 compression and decompression.

AccuRad includes implementations of the JPEG 2000 and JPIP imaging standards, which employ advanced compression and streaming techniques to greatly reduce the file size of medical images and improve transmission time. In addition to smaller file sizes, AccuRad's region of interest viewing and progressive display dramatically speeds up the image viewing process and is significantly more efficient for remote users, such as teleradiologists, accessing the images and volumes.

All Aware products are fully supported and backed by the expertise developed by providing wavelet-based compression solutions since 1987. For more information about AccuRad and Aware's medical imaging products, please visit its HIMSS08 booth #2717 or website at http://www.aware.com/medical.

About JPEG 2000

JPEG 2000 is an image compression standard designed for a broad range of applications, including the compression and transmission of medical images. The standard is based on wavelet technology and a layered file format that offer lossless compression, diagnostic-quality lossy compression, and advanced system-level functionality. JPEG 2000 was created by the Joint Photographic Experts Group ("JPEG") and standardized by ITU-T SG16 and ISO/IEC JTC 1 SC 29 WG1. The standard is described by ITU-T T.800 and ISO/IEC 15444. Over 320 organizations from 21 countries contributed their expertise to the new standard which was formally approved in January, 2001.

About JPIP

JPIP is a client/server communication protocol defined in Part 9 of the JPEG 2000 (ISO/IEC 15444:9) suite of standards, officially entitled "Interactivity Tools, APIs and Protocols." JPIP enables a server to transmit only those portions of a JPEG 2000 image that are applicable to the client's needs. In conjunction with either HTTP or UDP protocols, JPIP enables the client to access metadata or other contents from the image file. This capability results in a vast improvement in bandwidth efficiency and speed when performing important and valuable image viewing tasks in a client/server environment, while reducing the storage and processing requirements of the client.

About DICOM

DICOM (Digital Imaging and Communications in Medicine) is an application layer network protocol for the transmission of medical images, waveforms, and ancillary information which supports a wide range of medical images across the fields of radiology, cardiology, pathology and dentistry. JPEG 2000 has been selected for inclusion in the DICOM standard for medical image transfer. DICOM Supplement 61 was ratified in November 2001 adding JPEG 2000 transfer Syntaxes to the protocol.

About Aware

Aware is a veteran of the biometrics and imaging industry, providing software components used in systems worldwide since 1992. Aware's interoperable, standard-compliant, field-proven imaging products are used in a number of applications, from medical imaging to border management and criminal justice. Aware is also a leading technology supplier for the telecommunications industries. For more than ten years, Aware has pioneered innovations at telecommunications standards-setting organizations and continues to develop and market DSL silicon intellectual property and test and diagnostics products. Its StratiPHY^™ IP product line supports DSL standards, including ADSL2+ and VDSL2, and has been broadly licensed to leading semiconductor companies. Telecom equipment vendors and phone companies use Aware's DSL test and diagnostics modules and Dr. DSL^® software to help provision DSL circuits globally. Aware is a publicly held company (Nasdaq: AWRE) based in Bedford, Massachusetts. http://www.aware.com

Safe Harbor Warning

Portions of this release contain forward-looking statements regarding future events and are subject to risks and uncertainties, such as estimates or projections of future revenue and earnings and the growth of the DSL and biometrics markets. Aware wishes to caution you that there are factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from the results indicated by such statements. The biometric factors include, but are not limited to: market acceptance of our biometric products, changes in contracting practices of government or law enforcement agencies, announcements or introductions of new products by our competitors, delays, failures or problems in our biometric products, delays in the adoption of new industry biometric standards, and competitive pressures resulting in lower software product revenues. We refer you to the documents Aware files from time to time with the Securities and Exchange Commission, specifically the section titled Risk Factors in our annual report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2007 and other reports and filings made with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

Aware, AccuRad, AccuRad Stream, AccuRad J2KSuite, AccuRad JPIPStream, AccuRad DICOMView, StratiPHY, and Dr. DSL are trademarks or registered trademarks of Aware, Inc. Any other trademarks appearing herein are the property of their respective owners.

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SOURCE Aware, Inc.

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