Abstract: Methods and compositions for forming polarizing images on an oriented substrate with specially formulated inks are disclosed. The inks can contain a dichroic dye, water, and a humectant. The dichroic inks are particularly advantageous when printed on specially coated molecularly oriented sheets through the technology of ink jet printing. The ink molecules align themselves parallel to the oriented molecules of the oriented sheet thereby forming a light-polarizing image.

Abstract: This invention is directed to a method for inactivating pathogenic contaminants, such as viruses, bacteria, parasites and leukocytes, frequently found in whole blood or blood components, such as red blood cells or plasma, which comprises treating whole blood or blood components with an amphiphilic phenothiazin-5-ium dye and light. Preferred amphiphilic phenothiazin-5-ium dyes are those having the formula ##STR1## wherein each of R.sub.1, R.sub.1 ', R.sub.2, and R.sub.2 ' is independently selected from the group consisting of an alkyl group, an alkenyl group, an alkynyl group, a nitrile, an aralkyl group, a hydroxy group, an alkoxy group, an amine group, and a hydrogen atom, each of R.sub.3, R.sub.3 ', R.sub.4, R.sub.4 ', R.sub.5 and R.sub.

Abstract: Methods and compositions for forming polarizing images on an oriented substrate with specially formulated inks are disclosed. The inks can contain a dichroic dye, water, and a humectant. The dichroic inks are particularly advantageous when printed on specially coated molecularly oriented sheets through the technology of ink jet printing. The ink molecules align themselves parallel to the oriented molecules of the oriented sheet thereby forming a light-polarizing image.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for generating a stereo image that is perceived as a three-dimensional image when viewed through polarizing spectacles having orthogonally polarized lenses. The apparatus includes an illuminator that generates light of variable intensity, a modulator that generates an illumination control signal for controlling the intensity of light emitted by the illuminator, a polarizer for polarizing the light generated by the illuminator, and a distributor for changing the plane of polarization of the polarized light.

Abstract: This invention discloses a system for forming improved digitized stereoscopic polarizing images having reduced ghost images by utilizing digital imaging systems and ink jet printers. Stereoscopic polarizing images comprising a first polarizing sheet imprinted with a first image and a second polarizing sheets imprinted with a negative of the first image and a second image are stereoscopically aligned such that the negative of the first image reduces ghost images produced by the first image. The images in the first polarizing sheet and in the second polarizing sheet can be efficiently produced and modified using digital imaging systems and ink jet printer technology.

Abstract: A keyboard for an electronic device includes a first key having a touch surface which, in one mode, is responsive to pressing by a user's finger to indicate a selection associated with the first key, and an array of sensors exposed at the touch surface to detect, in another mode, the location where a finger is positioned on the touch surface as an indication of information to be conveyed by a user. The keyboard also includes a second key having an array of sensors which are exposed at a touch surface of the second key and which are sensitive to manipulations of a finger on the touch surface to provide signals used for switching the first key from the one mode to the other mode.

Abstract: In one aspect, an optimization method finds the best solution to a problem of the kind for which there is a space of possible solutions; in the method, tokens (e.g., chromosomes) take on values that represent trial solutions in accordance with a representational scheme that defines the relationships between given token values and corresponding trial solutions; by an iterative process, the values of the tokens are changed to explore the solution space and to converge on the best solution; and for at least some iterations, characteristics of the tokens and/or the trial solutions are analyzed and the representational scheme for later iterations is modified based on the analysis for earlier iterations without interrupting the succession of iterations. In another aspect, a set of operators is made available to enable a user to implement any one of at least two different algorithms.

Abstract: In one aspect, an optimization method finds the best solution to a problem of the kind for which there is a space of possible solutions; in the method, tokens (e.g., chromosomes) take on values that represent trial solutions in accordance with a representational scheme that defines the relationships between given token values and corresponding trial solutions; by an iterative process, the values of the tokens are changed to explore the solution space and to converge on the best solution; and for at least some iterations, characteristics of the tokens and/or the trial solutions are analyzed and the representational scheme for later iterations is modified based on the analysis for earlier iterations without interrrupting the succession of iterations. In another aspect, a set of operators is made available to enable a user to implement any one of at least two different algorithms.