Nikon Instruments Software Development Enhanced by Collaboration with American Imaging Software Technology Company, DRVision Technologies LLC

Nikon Corporation (President:Michio Kariya) is pleased to announce collaboration in the software development of Semiconductor Inspection Equipment, Measuring Instruments, Industrial/Biological Microscopes and Live Cell Imaging Solutions with an American imaging and learning software technology company, DRVision Technologies LLC (formerly SVision LLC, President:Dr. Shih-Jong (James) Lee, headquarters in Bellevue, Washington) (hereafter "DRV").

With this collaboration, the software technologies of both companies will be integrated to develop higher value-added products in Semiconductor Inspection Equipment, Systemized Microscopes and Live Cell Imaging solutions.

To further the success of this collaboration, Nikon has made an equity investment in DRV.

Collaboration background

Due to shrinkage in the recent advanced electric circuit, the wafer macro inspection requires highly sophisticated image processing and pattern recognition software. And with respect to inspection in the fields of Industrial/Biological Microscopes and Measuring Instruments as well as the Live Cell Imaging solutions, software is becoming more important in addition to observation and measurement.

To ensure further enhancement of software development, Nikon and DRV have decided to strengthen their relationship.

Overview of the collaboration

Technical and technological cooperation in the development of software that will run on the products of the Nikon Instruments Company.

Future Plans

Integrating Nikon's optical and precision technologies and DRV's software technologies, Nikon will provide newly systemized products with innovative technologies and a broad variation of functionalities.

DRVision Technologies LLC Corporate profile

Statement from Dr. Shih-Jong J. Lee, President of DRVision Technologies LLC

DRV has a portfolio of innovative technologies and a collection of next generation automated measurement, recognition and learning solution suites including technologies and inventions created under the National Institutes of Health (NIH) funded multiple Small Business Innovative Research (SBIR) programs.

I am extremely excited and pleased to work together with such a high caliber partner as Nikon Corporation to expand our business together. We are committed to achieve long lasting success for Nikon and DRV built on broad innovations and close collaboration on a wide range of products and technologies in both industrial and bioscience applications.