Ricoh 1998 Annual Report Download - page 21

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19
proprietary central processing units, digital signal processor cores, and
large-scale integrated circuits for telecommunications. Our ASSP lineup
includes a CD-R/CD-RW controller and PC card controllers for note-
book computers. We also supply general-purpose large-scale integrated
circuits, notably power management chips and real-time clocks.
CD B
USINESS
We entered this area to provide storage for high-volume multimedia
computer data. Complementing our CD-R drives and discs are CD-RW
products, for which we helped form international technical standards. We
are a top player in these high-growth areas, with a solid market presence
in Japan, Europe, North America, and Asia.
During the year, we introduced the instantly successful MP6200 series
of compact drives. They handle CD-R, CD-RW, and CD-ROM media.
We support our operations with a production network that
encompasses the United States, Europe, and Japan.
L
OOKING
A
HEAD
We expect digital cameras to become widely popular over
the next few years. We are positioning ourselves at the high
end of that market. Our first introduction in that area is the
light and compact RICOH DC-4 (RDC-4300 overseas),
which pushes the envelope of digital camera design with its
3X zoom lens and resolution of 1.32 million pixels.
In fiscal 1999, we will continue to focus our device operations on
ASICs and ASSPs for image processing and information and telecommu-
nications equipment. In addition, we will build on our position as the
world’s only manufacturer of both CD-RW drives and media.
Ricoh is a leading maker of power source integrated
circuits. The Company serves in-house operations and
major telecommunications equipment manufacturers.
Our new MP6200 series of compact CD-R/RW
drives is compatible with CD-RW, CD-R, and CD-
ROM discs. The drives write at double speed and read
out at six times speed. They also incorporate random
access writing software so they can rewrite or erase
data in single file units.
Ricoh helped standardize CD-RW specifications and
was the first to start mass-production of CD-RW me-
dia. Our testing facilities for such media are consid-
ered among the best in the world.