Abstract: The invention introduces innovative elements to life-related annuities, and similar instruments (PI's) by transforming thereof from PI's issued permanently to a specific holder and priced according to a specific insured person, into PI issued initially to anonymous holders, without specific insured persons. Such PI's are convertible by any Holder, up to expiration date, to contracts similar to those under prior art, by identifying during such time specific insured Person, Beneficiaries and possibly Holder, who are identified under prior art contracts already at the issuance of such contracts. Initial purchase of such contract involves payment of an advance payment, while the balance, which is due if and after the initial contract is transformed into final contract, depends on the particulars of the identified insured persons. Until such identification, the initial contracts may change hands from one anonymous holder to another one, until the contract is activated or expired.

Abstract: A viewing apparatus (11) for transparencies or the like masks any display areas (20) not covered by transparencies (505-508) by generating masks without moving parts, and adapts the luminance level of the image under study and of other display areas to the optimal viewing conditions required by the observer.

Abstract: A method for viewing transparencies comprising backlighting a transparency with polarized light and viewing the transparency through a polarizer. Preferably, the polarization axis of the backlighting and the polarization axis of the polarizer are oriented at about 90 degrees to each other. The transparency is oriented so that a substantial amount of polarized backlighting passes through the transparency and the polarizer. Also disclosed are apparatus for viewing a transparency using polarized backlighting.

Abstract: A viewing apparatus for transparencies or the like masks any display areas not covered by transparencies by generating masks without moving parts, and adapts the luminance level of the image under study and of other display areas to the optimal viewing conditions required by the observer.

Abstract: A viewing apparatus for transparencies or the like masks any display areas not covered by transparencies by generating masks without moving parts, and adapts the luminance level of the image under study and of other display areas to the optimal viewing conditions required by the observer.