Abstract: An instant messaging system is disclosed that provides a means for presenting information to a user about current conversants and for managing the handling of multiple messages from different parties. A priority hierarchy is established and set by a user with respect to each conversant. Messages from high priority conversants are delivered and displayed prior to messages from lower priority conversants. In a business setting, messages may be routed to particular individuals or with a particular priority based on characteristics or attributes of the message sender.

Abstract: A method for measuring the geometrical structure of an optical component (2) in transmission, comprises illuminating the optical component by means of a first incident beam (8, 10), the wavefront of which is known. After the first beam is transmitted by the optical component, its wavefront is measured by deflectometry (16, 18). The optical component is then illuminated by a second incident beam (12, 14), the wavefront of which is known. After the second beam is transmitted by the optical component, its wavefront is measured by deflectometry (16, 18). The geometrical structure of the optical component is then calculated from the measured wavefronts. Measuring light transmitted in two distinct optical configurations allows a calculation by optimizing the two surfaces of the component, without prior knowledge of one of the surfaces.

Abstract: An instant messaging system is disclosed that provides a means for presenting information to a user about current conversants and for managing the handling of multiple messages from different parties. A priority hierarchy is established and set by a user with respect to each conversant. Messages from high priority conversants are delivered and displayed prior to messages from lower priority conversants. In a business setting, messages may be routed to particular individuals or with a particular priority based on characteristics or attributes of the message sender.

Abstract: The invention provides an apparatus and a method for measuring the geometrical structure of an optical component (2) in transmission, comprising the steps:

Abstract: A translucent synthetic material article such as an ophthalmic lens comprises a plurality of well-shaped cells, some of which have at least one upstanding projection on their bottom walls. The projection have a height between 1/5 and 1/1 the cell depth and are upwardly tapering and wedge-shaped. The plurality of cells are arranged in rows and columns to define a matrix. When the translucent article is illuminated, the well-shaped cells with upstanding projections display enhanced contrast compared with such cells without upstanding projections, thereby producing an identification marking or the like.