The XML-based CPXe interoperability specifications released by the International Imaging Industry Association (I3A) in February 2003 are moving forward with the support of Systinet, recently selected to provide the UDDI registry for PSN's Directory Service, part of the Common Picture eXchange Environment (CPXe) system architecture. The I3A's Picture Services Network helps photographic device and software vendors give their customers easy access to a range of digital photography services through a UDDI-based online registry of photo service providers. The Version 1.0 suite of CPXe materials contains a CPXe Core Implementation API Specification, a CPXe Fulfillment Access Service API Specification, a CPXe Service Locator Service API Specification, a CPXe Web Browser Interaction Service API Specification, and a CPXe Defined tModels and Profiles Specification. Scheduled to launch its Directory Service in June 2003, "PSN will work in concert with the Common Picture eXchange Environment specifications, enabling participating businesses to quickly, easily and dynamically find and transact business with any photo Web service that supports the CPXe interoperability specifications."

CPXe Specifications

The suite of CPXe Materials released 2003-02 contains:

• CPXe Core Implementation API Specification v1.0. International Imaging Industry Association. February 28, 2003. 50 pages. Provides descriptions of the core elements necessary for establishing the framework of the CPXe Network enviroment (standard common API, common CPXe components and their interactions [Requestors and Providers], the instruments used for interaction and network management).
• CPXe Fulfillment Access Service API Specification v1.0. International Imaging Industry Association. February 28, 2003. 35 pages. Describes the APIs for a CPXe Fulfillment Access Service. The APIs are intended to be flexible and extensible such that more complex web services can be built on top of these base APIs for value-added functionality.
• CPXe Service Locator Service API Specification v1.0. International Imaging Industry Association. February 28, 2003. 26 pages. Describes the generic programmatic interface for a CPXe Service Locator Service. The Service Locator provides CPXe Requestors with a way to find and select a specific Fulfillment Access Service (and other services post Release 1).
• CPXe Web Browser Interaction Service API Specification v1.0. International Imaging Industry Association. February 28, 2003. 61 pages. The CPXe Web Browser Interaction Service (WBIS) API is an interface to CPXe service providers that supports interaction using commonly available web browsers and established protocols and browser-specific capabilities.
• CPXe Defined tModels and Profiles Specification v1.0. International Imaging Industry Association. February 28, 2003. 29 pages. Identifies the specific tModels that are defined by CPXe to be used in a UDDI based directory service. It describes CPXe defined profiles or different feature sets that describe the minimum methods and behaviors that a particular CPXe service needs to have to ensure interoperability with other services conforming to the same profile.

From the Announcement

Picture Services Network, Inc. (PSN) today announced the selection of Systinet Corporation to provide its Universal Description, Discovery and Integration (UDDI) registry for the PSN Directory Service. The PSN Directory Service provides a cost-effective means for any camera manufacturer, photofinishing company, or online photo service to make it easy for their customers to find, access or use digital photography services.

Systinet will support imaging giants Agfa-Gevaert AG, Eastman Kodak Company, Hewlett-Packard Company and Silverwire, Inc. as a key vendor in bringing PSN to life, which will soon make using Internet-based photo services easier than ever for consumers and businesses. In a related announcement, PSN, a not-for-profit subsidiary of the International Imaging Industry Association (I3A), also named Patrick Gaglione as its Chief Operating Officer. Gaglione will be responsible for the deployment and ongoing operations, support and financial management of PSN's Directory Service and will report to Lisa Walker, president of PSN.

PSN chose Systinet because the Web services infrastructure company provides a platform-independent solution that is easy to customize, offers exceptional performance, and meets all the latest Web services standards. Photography and imaging services companies will use PSN's UDDI registry to promote their services; while application and camera vendors with Common Picture Exchange Environment (CPXe) compliant applications will use it to enable their customers to search and discover suppliers by location or other characteristics, and then seamlessly upload digital images and purchase prints or other products.

PSN was formed to provide the industry with a cost effective way to expand its market reach and deliver innovative products and services to a rapidly expanding worldwide base of digital camera owners - regardless of the camera's brand or where it was purchased. Designed to simplify the process of finding and using Internet-connected and retail photo services, PSN is scheduled to launch its Directory Service in late June 2003. PSN will work in concert with the Common Picture eXchange Environment specifications released by I3A in February, enabling participating businesses to quickly, easily and dynamically find and transact business with any photo Web service that supports the CPXe interoperability specifications.

CPXe is providing the industry with an extensible and open technology framework on which any imaging device can seamlessly exchange digital images and order and commerce information with any networked imaging application or service, regardless of manufacturer, service provider or geography. The combined impact of CPXe specifications and the PSN Directory Service will greatly simplify for businesses and their customers the process of finding and using Internet-connected and retail photo services.

About the Picture Services Network (PSN) and Common Picture eXchange Environment (CPXe)

"The Picture Services Network is a not-for-profit subsidiary of the International Imaging Industry Association (I3A). It welcomes the participation of companies both large and small, from anywhere in the world. Utilizing a private, UDDI-based directory of photo applications and services, PSN is the heart of the Common Picture eXchange Environment (CPXe) system architecture. Beginning in June, 2003, PSN will open the gateway for participating companies to generate new traffic and business through their online services. Customers will quickly locate the services they need, in the regions they need them, by entering familiar online search criteria such as ZIP codes or desired product types. PSN provides a way for consumers to quickly find and use online photo services. It represents a new Web Service that helps photography-related businesses enhance their services and grow their market reach. The PSN technical framework uses open industry specifications to ensure interoperability among registered applications and services. PNS is a vehicle designed to help businesses profit, by providing consumers compelling new ways to use and enjoy their digital pictures." [adapted from the website]

"CPXe is an International Imaging Industry Association (I3A) initiative group of companies working together to provide more opportunities for consumers to enjoy their digital pictures. Technology companies, software makers, camera and equipment manufacturers, imaging companies, and online photo services providers are working within I3A to develop a suite of interoperability specifications. Released in February of 2003, the v1.0 specifications enable the transmission of digital pictures and order information between digital cameras, PCs, desktop software, Internet- services, photo kiosks, digital minilabs and photofinishers." [from the 2003-05 announcement]