MXPA97005770A - Coating methods and compositions for production of digitized stereoscopic polarizing images - Google Patents

Abstract

Apparatus and methods are disclosed for the production of digitized stereoscopic polarizing images. The transfer of dichroic inks into stretched and oriented substrates to form stereoscopic polarizing images and the like can be improved by the use of coatings that enhance imbibition of the ink into the substrate. The coatings serve to hold the ink in situ for a sufficient period of time to permit absorption of the dye and transfer of rich colors while minimizing the problems of smearing and/or runoff of unabsorbed ink. The present invention is particularly useful in the adaptation of ink jet printing techniques to the formation of stereoscopic polarizing images.

Description

METHODS OF COATING AND COMPOSITIONS FOR PRODUCTION DIGITAL SIGNED POLARIZER IMAGE GENETICS BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to the present invention. to improved methods and apparatus for the production of digital stereoscopic polarizing images. Ordinary light (not polarized) is constituted by electromagnetic waves that vibrate equally in all the directions perpendicular to their direction of displacement. Polarizing sheets by absorption polarize these light waves by partial or total absorption of vector components that vibrate in a specific direction transverse in relation to the direction of travel. A stereoscopic image based on the polarization of light is generally constituted by a pair of polarizing images, each of which has a design or polarizing image of the light that selectively transmits the light of a predetermined polarization vector. Pairs of stereoscopic images that have a polarizing image of the light of the left eye superimposed on a polarizing image of the light of the right eye allow the perception of a tridimensional image when the pair of images is observed through a pair of polarizing filters or well oriented analyzers to allow the polarized image for the left eye to reach the left eye and the polarized image for the right eye reach the right eye. A polarizing image can be created by means of a sheet that polarizes the light in different percentages according to the intensity of the image at each point. Particularly, the percentage of polarization is directly related to the density of the image, almost all the light is polarized in areas of high density and only a small amount of light is polarized in areas of low density. When the stereoscopic polarizing image is formed, the most effective arrangement occurs when the polarization axis of the left eye image is at right angles relative to the polarization axis of the right eye image, and when the two layers are superimposed in such a position in relation to each other that the iges cut by them register stereoscopically. The eyes of an observer who uses observation jacks that include orthogonal polarizing lenses for the left eye and the right eye receive only the image intended for them, and the pair of images appears as a three-dimensional image. AND; < Several techniques are used to produce polarizing images of light in the polarizing sheets of light. For example, in North American Patent No. 2,204,604, by Land, a polarizing sheet of light can be formed initially by means of a light-polarizing material, such as for example an optically oriented suspension of tiny crystals of herapatite or other material paverizer, in a suitable medium, for example in cellulose acetate. An image can then be reproduced on the polarizing sheet of light by altering the polarizing characteristics of the sheet on predetermined areas of the sheet, forming the negative of the desired image. The areas that make up the design can be protected with a coating, such as wax, and the leaves subjected to a treatment that destroys or otherwise alters the polarizing characteristics of the exposed areas. An alternative method for forming the stereoscopic impression, as described in Land, US Patent No. 2,281,101, is to employ a Vectograph (r) ho material comprising a linear hydrophilic polymer, with or for example polyvinyl alcohol (hereinafter "PVA"). "), which has been treated in such a way that its molecules are substantially oriented to be parallel to a specific axis. The orientation of polyvinyl alcohol can usually be achieved by softening a PVA sheet, for example by subjecting it to the action of heat, or to the action of a softening agent, until the sheet can be stretched or extended, and then stretching or extending said sheet until an adequate orientation of the molecules is obtained. In the case of alcohol, for example, the leaf generally extends from two to four times its length. Once stretched, the PVA sheet is ready for lamination on a non-depolarizing base. In addition, in accordance with Land, US Patent No. 2,281,101, polarizing images can be formed in PVA by printing with certain direct dyes, water-soluble dichroic azo-type dyes or by coloring the sheet with iodine in the presence of an iodide. The cut of the dichroic image reproduced on this sheet can be controlled by the selection of suitable dyes, colorants or the like. The dye or dye is applied to the sheet from a half-tone engraving or a gelatin relief. The term dichroism is used herein to mean the property of differential absorption of the polarization components of an incident light ray, according to the directions of libration of the components. Dye or dichroic dye, in accordance with what is used herein, refers to a dye or dye whose molecules possess the property of being placed lipeally within the oriented sheet material. For example, when a molecularly oriented polymer sheet is dyed with a dichroic dye, the sheet will appear dichroic, that is, it will absorb differently the vector polarization components of an incident light beam. In accordance with another method for polarizing imaging, presented in Land, US Patent No. 2,289,714, full-color polarizing images can be produced. In this process, the use of three dye subtractive dyes - a less red dye, a less green dye and a less blue dye that respectively form the images blue-green, magenta, and yellow - allows the production of an image at all color. To achieve full-color stereoscopic images, the Land '714 patent teaches that six well-recorded gelatin relief images, a blue-green pair, a magenta pair and a yellow pair, must be prepared in the first instance; a relief for each color component in each of the two polarization directions. Each of the six gelatin relieves is then appropriately dyed, and an image is subsequently transferred from each relief to the appropriately oriented PVA layer.

One of the drawbacks of this method for producing full-color stereoscopic images, as is currently practiced, is the difficulty and time involved in the transfer of an image onto the oriented polymer sheets. For example, to produce a full color image with the known methods, it is required to transfer each color component of the image from a gelatin relief to the polymer sheet. In addition to being time consuming and costly, this technique requires great precision in relation to the alignment of each of the printed images to produce a clear and accurate stereoscopic image. Another drawback with known techniques is the difficulty of masking the image. To alter the final stereoscopic image of three colors still in light form, the six gelatine reliefs must be altered. The term masking is a term used to describe various methods for increasing separation records, or original transparencies, to compensate for unwanted absorptions of the subtractive dyes used to produce a full-color stereoscopic image. Negative and conventional photographic positives are kept in register with the original plate or separations to provide areas of higher brightness, lighter colors, controlled contrast, improved shadow detail and ultimately remove unwanted colors. These methods are described in detail in "The Reproduction of Color" by R.W.G. Hunt and Neblette's Handbook of Photography and Repragraphy edited by John M. Sturge Another drawback of stereoscopic images produced by polarizing sheets is the appearance of unwanted dye densities in at least one of The polarizing sheets that cause observable ghost images Ryan, US Patent No. 2,811,893, presents a technique for controlling more observable phantoms that requires intensive labor Ryan's process involves adding one pair of polarizing sheets to an image Weak negative and pallable light from the other polarizing image of the light of said pair, and then record the pair of polarizing sheets together To form the pair of polarizing sheets, the methods presented in the Ryan Patent require the production of polarizing sheets. six original filter separations, plus six masks for color correction, plus six more masks against ghost effect to obtain a total correction. This technique also requires recording the stereoscopic image from the 18 layers identified above (ie six filters, six masks, and six color correctors.) As a result, Ryan's process is costly in terms of talent and resources. cones required to maintain sharpness and registration during the process. There is a need for a more efficient method to produce a stereoscopic image that combines the traditional advantages of the prior art with the elimination of some of its disadvantages. Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide an easier and more efficient method for producing full-color stereoscopic polarizing images that have clearer and sharper images, and reduced ghost artifacts. It is also an object of this invention to provide methods, systems and materials that facilitate inkjet printing of digitized stereoscopic polarizing images. It is an object and further of the present invention to produce digital stereoscopic polarizing images that can be easily optimized using computer programs. Additional objects of the present invention include the provision of a reverse for use in the production of digitized stereoscopic polarizing images by ink jet printing, and the formulation of dichroic inks for ink-jet printing.

An object of the present invention therefore includes the provision of a system that efficiently and economically reduces ghosting in a stereoscopic image. These and other objects will be apparent from the following description. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It has been discovered that the transfer of dicraic inks onto stretched and oriented substrates to form digitalized polarizing images and the like can be achieved by the use of coatings that increase the imbibition of the dye on the substrate. In one aspect of the present invention, coatings are provided which serve to maintain the dye in situ for a sufficient period of time to permit the transfer of dye rich colors while minimizing the problems of dipping and / or runoff of the unabsorbed dye. The present invention is especially useful in the adaptation of inkjet printing techniques for the formation of digital stereoscopic polari.ing images. In a preferred embodiment, the coating of the present invention comprises a polymer component permeable to dye molecules. The coating may, optionally, also include a second component which serves to retard the lateral diffusion of the dye during imbibition. The palmer component may be, for example, a natural pump or a synthetic polymer, and the component that limits lateral diffusion may be a filler of discontinuous particles, such as, for example, ice. The coatings can be permanent or temporary capable. In one embodiment, the coating can be removed after imbibition of the dye on the substrate. In another embodiment, the coating is permanent and includes a scratch-resistant transparent top surface and may also include ultraviolet ray blockers to protect the underlying image colors. Prior to this invention, the use of inkjet printers to apply ink on the surface of polyvinyl alcohol was frequently unsatisfactory. Without a coating, the ink applied with ink jet printers typically smeared and smeared the substrate, resulting in images that lacked clarity or spatial precision. With a coating, in accordance with what is described herein, the transfer of ink onto a substrate and the imbibition of the ink by the substrate can be regulated and controlled, thus ensuring a clear and liquid image.

Inking compositions and methods are also presented for the creation of images on molecularly oriented substrates, especially in stretched and oriented polymeric sheets useful, for example, for constructing polarizing images and the like. The present invention is specifically adapted for the creation of polarizing images with inkjet printing devices. The ink compositions of the present invention are formulated to allow a quick start and prevent drying in a print head, provide a constant transfer during the jet application operations, and also inhibit controlled drying on the medium. In a preferred embodiment, the ink solution includes a desalted dichroic dye, deionized water, and a polyhydric alcohol in appropriate proportions to ensure flowability and controlled drying. A preferred polyhydric alcohol is diet i lengl icol. The ink composition may further include one or more additives selected from complexing agents, preservatives, humectants, and detergents. In accordance with a further aspect of the present invention, the systems described herein provide stereoscopic images that have a reduced phantom effect. The invention achieves these objects of the present invention by forming images on a first polarizing sheet and on a second polarizing sheet with an ink jet printer, and by stereoscopic alignment of the second polarized sheet printed with the first polarizing sheet such that the image on the second polarizing sheet reduces the phantom images produced by the first polarizing sheet. Particularly, the invention forms and applies on the second polarizing sheet an image consisting of a negative of the first image superimposed on a second image, such that, when the first polarizing sheet and the second polarizing sheet are aligned, it is substantially reduced the ghost image by the negative of the first image. The methods involved in this invention employ digital technology to quickly and easily form stereoscopic images that have reduced phantom artifacts. Prior to this invention, the techniques employed to eliminate phantom images were expensive, time-consuming, and often resulted in unsatisfactory results. This invention, through the use of digital technology and ink jet printing, provides a system that allows individuals without particular cones to easily prepare enhanced digital stereoscopic images substantially without phantom images. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS For a more complete understanding of the nature and objects of the present invention, reference will be made to the following detailed description and the accompanying drawings, wherein: Figure 1 shows a block diagram of a system for producing digitized stereoscopic polarizing images in accordance with the invention; Figure 2 shows a diagram of a polarizing sheet having a first coating according to the invention; Figure 3 shows a diagram of a polarizing sheet having a first reverse and a second reverse, in accordance with the present invention; Figure 4 shows a sectional diagram of a polarizing sheet having a protection layer in accordance with the present invention; Figure 5 shows a sectional diagram of a multilayer sheet that can form a pair of polarizing images in accordance with the present invention; Figure 6 shows a multi-layered sheet having a reflective layer; Figure 7 shows a perspective view of an apparatus used to print on a two-sided medium; Figure 8 shows a pair of paolarizing sheets and an observable image; and Figure 9 shows a pair of modified polarizing sheets and an improved observable image. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION With reference to Figures 1 to 9, where identical reference numerals refer to similar parts, various forms of polarizing sheets, polarizing 1-alue images, as well as digitalized stereoscopic polarizing images are illustrated. Figure 1 illustrates an imaging system 29 for producing digitized stereoscopic polarizing images, comprising an input stage 34, a digital storage device 40, a data processor 43, an ink jet 24, an applicator 48 and a finishing module 46. The input stage 34 may include an analog image module 30, a digitalization scanner 31, a digital image module 33, an image synthesis module 35, an analog data data converter 36 digital, and a multiplexer 39. The input block 34 is connected to a memory element 40 and supplies the memory element 40 with digitalized data used to create a stereoscopic pair. Preferably, the input block 34 supplies two digital data files for each image in question, one representing the right eye image and the other representing the left eye image of a stereoscopic pair. The input stage 34 may choose several ways to create digital stereoscopic image formation data including, without limitation: an analog image input path; an entry path of digitalization scanner; a digital image input path; and a way of image synthesis. In the analogue image input path of the system 34 shown in FIG. 1, an analog image module 30 supplies an electronic analog signal representing a normal flat image for conversion to digital data by the module 36. For example, the module 30 image can be a standard video camera. Preferably, the analog image module 30 supplies two images, one representing a left eye image and the other representing the right eye image. The left eye and right eye images can be generated through stereoscopic cameras designed for this purpose and known in the prior art. The input side of an analog data converter 36 to digital data 36 is electrically connected to the analog module 30, and the output side of the converter 36 is electrically connected to a multiplexer 39. The converter 36 receives a flow of analog data from module 30 and changes the analog data in digital data. The converter 36 sends to the multiplexer 39 digital data representing the analog data output by the module 30. In the input path of the digitalization scanner, the digitalization scanner 31 generates digitalized signals representing the flat representations of images, including photographs, slides, and the like. Preferably, the digitalization scanner 31 is supplied with two images, one representing the left eye image and the other representing the right eye image, whereby it generates two separate digital signals. The digitalization scanner 31 can be, for example, a Hewlett Packard ScanJet (mr) scanner produced by Hewlett-Packard Corporation of Palo Alto, California. The digitalization scanner 31 produces, in digital format, a representation of the images to the multiplexer 39. In the digital image input path, the digital image module 33 supplies a directly digitized image for conversion to a polarizing image of the digital image. light. The digital input module 33 may comprise, for example, a digital camera. In another embodiment, a digital image module 33 may include a digital storage device, such as a CD ROM, or a soft disk containing a digital data file corresponding to an image. In addition, a pair of flat images that are right eye views can be produced in an image synthesis module 35 from seismic rotation cameras and CAD design or CAM programs. A multiplexer, or selector 39, connects any of the signals generated by the converter 36, digi tal digger explorer 31, digital image module 33, or image synthesis module 35 to a digital memory 40. Alternatively, the system 29 you can exclude the selector 39 and instead connect directly to a digital memory 40 either a converter 36, a scanner 31, or a digital image module 33. The digital memory 40 comprises a standard device for storing and retrieving digital signals, such as a CD ROM, disk drives, synths, magnetic memory devices, or random access memory. A digital memory 40 stores for later use data representing either a single image or a pair of images of left eye and right eye for conversion into a stereoscopic pair of polarizing images. The digital memory at 40 is connected to a data processing apparatus 43. The data processing apparatus 43 includes an element for controlling the ribbon dispenser 24 and an element for processing digital data supplied by the memory element 40. A data processor 43 may include, for example, an electronic apparatus capable of handling the data obtained from the memory element 40 in such a way that the image represented by the data can be overturned horizontally or vertically. The ability to dump the image represented by the datas facilitates the stereoscopic recording of the left eye and right eye images. A data processor 43 may also include an electronic apparatus that allows the manipulation of data representing an image pixel density such that compression or expansion of image re-imaging can be performed. Preferably, the data processing apparatus 43 also contains structures for retouching the image or for increasing the clarity or contrast of the image. The clarity of the image can be increased by changing the brightness, intensity or pixel nuances of the image. An improvement technique includes the combination of the image with its mathematical derivative. The derivative of the image increases the clarity of the edges of the image. In one embodiment, a data processor 43 may also be used to modify the content of images, that is, to produce composite images or assemblies or to remove unwanted elements. In one embodiment, a data processor 43 may be a general-purpose computer with an Adobe Photoshop (R) program produced by the Adobe Corporation of Arizana. In a preferred embodiment of this invention, a digital memory 40 contains data representing both the left eye image and the right eye image of an image that is being converted to a digital stereoscopic image. In an alternative embodiment, a digital memory 40 contains a set of three-dimensional data that describes the three-dimensional geometry of an object or a school: a computerized graphic model. The image processing apparatus 43 is employed to provide left and right members of a stereoscopic pair of images of the object or scheme with computer graphics techniques well known in the art. For example, stereoscopic image pairs can be produced from the data generated by the image synthesis module 35 by providing a model once and then providing again after a small angular rotation about the vertical axis passing through the model or in the case of a scene, providing an image and then, after a small displacement in the horizontal position of the point of view, performing another production. Such computerized graphic techniques produce, with modeling and computer graphics production, the equivalent left and right perspectives produced by stereoscopic image capture. A data processing apparatus 43 generally reduces or increases the pixel density of digitized images stored in memory element 40 at a pixel density appropriate to the desired percentage of polarization. For example, a digitally raised image can approximately contain 2000 pixels by 2.54 cm while a desirable density for the polarizing light image is approximately 300 pixels by 2.54 cm. In one embodiment, a data processor 43 can reduce the pixel density by replacing a group of 2 or more adjacent pixels with a single new pixel representing a weighted average of the characteristics of the replaced group of adjacent pixels. In another modality, a processor 43 can increase pixel density by adding new pixels to the image between existing pixels. The characteristics of the newly generated pixels are determined by interpolation between adjacent pixels already in the image. A data processing apparatus 43 is electronically connected to an ink jet 24. The ink jet 24 may include several ink jet printers known in the art and other ink sprayable printers. Generally all ink jet functions 24 are controlled by signals generated by a data processor 43, except for the amount of ink sprayed for each ink tip. An ink jet 24 applies, under the control of the processor 43, the left eye image on a first psoriasis layer and the right eye image on a second polarizing layer. The first and second leaves with images of the left eye and right eye, respectively, become light-polishing images. When the images of left eye and right eye are oriented in such a way that their polarizing axes are orthogonal to each other, when they register stereoscopically, they are in total contrast. In a preferred embodiment, an ink jet 24 applies left eye and right eye images on polarized layers on opposite sides of a single sheet 2, in accordance with what is more fully described in FIG. 5. The sheet described in FIG. 5 it can be PVA stretched and oriented laminated on both sides of a non-depolarizing base, with one side facing -45ß and the other side facing + 45 *. An applicator 48 may also be connected to the ink fountain 24. The applicator 48 supplies polarizing sheets having an ink-permeable polymeric coating to a printer 24. Alternatively, the application process may be carried out during the manufacture of the sheets. The ink permeable polymer api ia ions facilitate the imbibition of the ink by the polarizing sheets, as will be described more in detail below. After printing and imbibition of the inks by a polarizing layer, the sheet can be processed in the finishing module 46. The finishing module 46 can comprise, either alone or in combination, a washing machine for cleaning the sheets that carry the image, a protector to apply protective coatings and a laminator to fix one polarizing sheet on another. The finishing module 46 may contain a washing system when the outer part of the polarizing image contains a removable coating or some active component that requires its removal before storage. One embodiment of the washing machine comprises a cleaning of the palerizing image with a sponge containing an aqueous solution for removing water-soluble material., as for example coating as will be described later in this presentation. A second embodiment includes immersing the polarizing image containing an aqueous solution and then rubbing the sheet gently with a sponge to remove the salule material in water from the outside of the sheet. A third embodiment comprises the passage of the pallable image between rollers in contact with a sheet of strips. After removal of the material on the outside of the polarizing image using a washing system, the sheet can be drained or wiped or placed on a dry towel and gently wiped dry with dry paper towels or paper towels. All these washing systems can easily remove the water soluble matter without damaging the polarized images. The finishing module 46 may contain a protection system for applying protective layers on the palette image. For example, the module 46 may apply a hardener, a protective palmeric coating, or a crosslinking agent on the outside of the pallable image. This hardening, a protective polymer or crosslinker protects the polarizing image with the passage of time against damage resulting from physical contact. The module 46 can also be used to apply a layer for the protection of the polarizing image against the negative effects of ultraviolet radiation. Then, the optional back washing or coating system 46 and subsequent drying, optionally, the polarizing images of the left eye and the right eye are stereoscopically aligned and laminated back to back, if the left and right eye images were applied on opposite sides. from a single sheet, originally. Two polarizing images can be aligned stereoscopically ensuring that an identical point found in both images becomes the furthest point forward in the first plane of each individual polarizing image, and by superimposing the two polarizing images in such a way that the furthest point forward of each image matches. The combination of two orthogonally polarized images as presented here, produces a full-color stereoscopic polarizing image when viewed through a pair of filters or polarizing glasses. An alternative embodiment is to print on a double-sided light polarizing sheet as described above. A preferred embodiment of the present invention stereoscopically aligns the left eye and right eye images with the data processing apparatus 43 which operates in combination with the memory element 40. After correct alignment of the left eye and right eye images by the data processor apparatus 43, the left eye and right eye images can either be printed on two double-sided two sheets that are aligned or the images can be printed on opposite sides of the double sided sheet 3 of the figure 5. In accordance with this preferred embodiment, the data processing apparatus 43 includes a projection element for projecting a co-ordinate system on each of the digitally stored left eye and right eye images, and a movement element for moving the minus one of the images of left eye and right eye in relation to the projected coordinate system. With the projection element and the displacement element, the apparatus 43 can stereoscopically align the images of the left eye and the right eye. Stereoscopically aligning the left eye and right eye images, an apparatus 43 first projects separately, but interrelated, coordinate systems on the digital representations of both left eye and right eye images. For example, the coordinate systems may comprise a lattice formed of horizontal axes and vertical axes that intersect (ie, a coordinate plane X-Y). Therefore, the position of any object in the left eye image can be assigned a first set of coordinates and the position of the same object in the right eye image can receive a second set of co-ordinates. In addition, these coordinate systems indicate the position of any object in the image relative to the edges of a printed version of the digitally stored representation of the image. The projection element of the data processing apparatus 43 may further provide coordinate systems for the right-sided left eye and right eye images. In particular, the location of any object in the left eye image can be determined based on the location of the objects in the right eye image. This interrelation of this coordinate system is obtained preferably, but not necessarily, by the use of identical coordinate systems for the left eye and right eye images. The effect is that the position of an object in the printed version of the left eye image can be determined based on the position of an object in the printed version of the right eye image, without having to actually generate hard copies of the images. The data processing element 43 also includes a displacement element for adjusting the positions of the left eye and right eye images in relation to each other. The displacement element thus allows the images to be moved in their respective coordinate systems, in such a way that the images are stereoscopically aligned when they are printed. Particularly, the position of the images are adjusted in such a way that a first object identified in both images of left eye and right eye coincide, in relation to the edges of the printed version of the digitally stored images. Preferably, an object located furthest forward in the images is used as the first identified object to align the left eye and right eye images. By aligning the object based on an object in the foreground of the image, other objects in the generated stereoscopic image appear to move away from the stereo window (ie, the plane of the polarizing images). Most people think that images that move away from the stereo window are more visually pleasing than images that come out of the stereo window. In another embodiment, the data processing apparatus 43 may also include a rotation element for rotating the digital representations of the left eye and the right eye. The rotation element can help to stereoscopically align the left eye and right eye images, and remove noticeable alignment errors. Notable alignment errors result when the left eye and right eye images are not aligned substantially parallel to a horizon line. If one of the images is not aligned with the horizon line, the human eye will observe a noticeable distortion in the generated stereoscopic image. To overcome this problem, the rotation element allows the user to rotate manually or to the processing apparatus 43 to electronically rotate either the left or right eye image in relation to an arbitrary horizon line. Once the images of the left eye and right eye are positioned substantially parallel to the horizon line, the noticeable distortion will disappear. Figure 2 illustrates a sheet 2 including a first coating 9 covering a substrate 4. The substrate 4 can be carried on a support 6. Figure 1 also shows an ink jet 24 for applying various inks 26 on the sheet 2. The inks are applied to the surface of the coating 9 at individual points forming an ink pattern 20. The pattern 20 diffuses through the coating 9 along an ink diffusion path 22 and is optionally imbedded in the substrate 4. The substrate 4 forms a sheet having an upper surface and a lower surface. The substrate transmits light and is formed by a substance that looks dichroic when dyed. Usually, the substrate 4 can be formed of molecularly oriented material, such as for example a stretched and oriented polymer, which allows the alignment of the dye molecules along parallel lines of substrate molecules. In addition, the substrate 4 appears transparent before dyeing with ink 26, thus allowing the coloration of the image to be fully controlled by means of the ink jet 24. In one embodiment, the substrate 4 is polyvinyl alcohol (hereinafter "PVA") , a long chain polymer that easily takes a linear configuration when heated and stretched and that also absorbs dyes or dichroic dyes. The PVA sheets can be stretched and oriented according to various methods known in the art. Once stretched, oriented and stained, the PVA sheet presents dichroism properties. The substrate 4 contains a desired image or an ink pattern 20 formed when the ink 26 is bidided by the layer comprising oriented molecules that form the substrate 4. The pattern formed of point? dye prints, oriented along the parallel lines of polymeric molecules, transmits the image and polarizes the light that passes through the substrate 4. The percentage of light polarization by part of the substrate 4 is related to the density of the dots printed dye that forms the desired image. The base 6 supports the substrate bottom 4 and provides a flexible support for the substrate 4. The base 6 may comprise, for example, a transparent non-depolarizing polymer, for example a layer of cellulose acetate butyrate approximately 0.0127 cm thick or a layer of cellulose triacetate approximately 0.00762 cm thick. Daylight through the combination of substrate 4 and base 6 with the ink pattern image 20 is polarized. This feature is useful when the palette sheet 2 is provided as a transparency or as a projection sheet. Alternatively, a stereoscopic polarizing image containing two laminated images or a single two-sided stereoscopic polarizing image may have a reflection layer mounted on the underside of this sheet containing the stereo image. The reflection layer may comprise, for example, paper coated with metal. A metallic mirror, a metallic sheet, or metal foil suspended in plastic. The reflection layer reflects the light streaks that penetrate the top of the substrate 4 and pass through the base 6. The rays reflected through the base 6 and the substrate 4 provide an image of the ink pattern 20 a an observer A coating 9 covers the upper surface of the substrate 4 and can be applied in the form of a viscous fluid with a viscosity that is from about 1000 to 1500 centipoise. The viscous fluid layer, dried in the form of a clear film after about 25 minutes at room temperature, provides a layer of substantially 0.02-0.03 microns in thickness. The coating 9 adheres to the substrate 4 and ensures uniformity of any subsequent coating applied on the top of the coating 9. In accordance with this invention, the coating 9 comprises a polymeric material. The polymeric material may be a saturated or synthetic gum, a natural or synthetic thickener, or a natural or synthetic polymer, such as a cellulosic polymer. Examples of such cellulosic polymers include carboxymethylcellulose (CMC) and hydroxyethylcellulose (HEC). For example, the coating 9 may consist of a thin layer of xanthan gum. In an alternative embodiment, the coating 9 may comprise a polymeric material in a solution, such as, for example, a solution of xanthan gum in deionized water. The coating 9 is permeable to the ink 26 but not easily dyed by the ink. The coating 9 is for the purpose of retaining the ink pattern 20 in situ for a period of time during which the ink pattern 9 remains moist to the touch, but is held in place as if it were dry. Over time, the ink migrates down through the coating 9 along ink diffusion pathways 22, instead of migrating laterally through the upper surface of the coating 9. This allows direct transfer of the ink pattern. ink 20 on the substrate surface 4 at a controlled rate substantially without changes in the image formed by the ink pattern 20, thus allowing the ink 26 to be imbedded in the substrate 4 without substantial lateral diffusion or dipping or extension. Therefore, the coating > 9 maintains the ink 26 and regulates the speed and / or facilitates the transfer of ink 26 into the substrate 4. Figure 3 illustrates an alternative embodiment of the sheet 2 having a second coating 8 extending over a first coating 9, which in turn covers the substrate 4. The coating 8 may comprise either a polymeric material 10, or a polymeric material 10 in combination with a particulate material 12. In addition, the substrate 4 is laminated to a support 6. The coating 8 covers the liner 9 and is applied after the liner 9 has sufficiently dried. The coating 8 is applied in the form of a viscous fluid having, for example, a viscosity that ranges from about 5000 to 6000 centipaise. After about 25 minutes at room temperature, the viscous flux coagulates and forms a semi-solid layer having a height of about 0.1 micrometer. The coating 8 can be a natural or synthetic rubber, a lateral or synthetic thickener, a natural or synthetic polymer (for example, CMC, HEC, or other thickeners), or a combination of natural and synthetic polymeric materials. For example, the polymeric material of the coating 8 may include gums, such as for example xanthan gum. Alternatively, the coating 8 may comprise a polymeric material in solution, such as for example deionized water. Both the coating 8 and the coating 9, either alone or in combination, preferably maintain an ink pattern 20 in situ and allow the downward migration of the ink 26 along the ink diffusion path 22, instead of laterally through the coatings. This allows direct transfer of the ink pattern 20 to the substrate surface 4 at a controlled rate thus allowing the ink 26 to imbibe the substrate 4 without diffusion, dipping or substantial lateral extension. Coatings 8 and 9, therefore, they maintain the ink 26 and regulate the speed and / or facilitate the transfer of ink 26 into the substrate 4. In the illustrated embodiment, the coating 8 contains a particulate material 12, for example HPLC-grade silica (manufactured by Waters Corp. under the trade name of "Parasil") to good colloidal silica that inhibits the lateral diffusion of the dye molecules within the poly material that forms the reverse. Such a coating according to this invention is formed of xanthan gum and silica. In general, the particulate material 12 has particles within a range of about 0.15 to 0.20 microns in diameter. The ratio of the dye-permeable material to the polymeric material 10 with the particulate material 12 contained in the coating 8 can be varied to achieve migration of the ink from the top of the coating 8 to the bottom of the coating 8. and to limit the lateral migration through the coating 8. According to the ratio between the particulate material and the ink-permeable material it rises, less lateral migration is observed, and according to the ratio between the material in the form of particles and the material permeable to the dye falls, a greater lateral migration is observed. The ratio is therefore modified according to several factors including: a composition of the ink 26, the thickness of the coating 9, the thickness of the coating 8, and the characteristics of the ink jet 24 and the ink 26. Generally, when particles are incorporated in the coating, such particles are within a range of approximately 0.35 to about 0.75% (by weight) of the coating 8. The particles 12 can also act as antiblocking agents between a plurality of sheets 2. The particles provide a texture roughened to the surfaces of the sheets 2 which weakens the surface tension formed between stacked sheets 2, thus allowing easier separation of the stacked sheets. If the rougher surface provided by the particles 12, the strong adhesion between the stacked sheets could make the separation of the sheets difficult. With reference to Figure 2 and Figure 3, the drying of unprinted sheets within 24 hours can be prevented in such a way that the coatings retain their properties. This can be avoided by wrapping the sheet 2 in plastic within a period of one hour, after the hardening of the coatings 8 and 9 but with moisture retention. Alternatively, sheet 2 can be coated with a coating of psyllium film that can be removed to prevent excessive drying. A coating of polymer film applied within 24 hours preserves the moisture of the coatings and can be easily removed before the ink application 26. After application of ink 26 on sheet 2, it is allowed to dry. The drying time was quite fast or it may take a minute or more. Several factors will influence the drying time, including the surface tension of the ink 26, the ink flow resulting from the various characteristics of the ink jet 24, the thickness of the liners 8 and 9, and the density of the ink pattern. The first coating 9 and the second coating 8 can both contain a fugicide to prevent the growth of various microorganisms and mold. The fungicide kills the microorganisms and molds known to be fed into polymeric material, preventing said organisms from damaging or destroying the coating 8 or coating 9. In addition, the coatings 8 and 9 may form temporary or permanent layers. If they are temporary, the coatings are generally soluble in water to allow easy removal of the coatings. If they are permanent, the coatings are typically not soluble in water and are subsequently coated so that the coatings 8 and / or 9 are not affected by water damage. further, the permanent coatings should be transparent and not have significant ability to be dyed as a result of contact with the ink, to allow an unobstructed list of the image or pattern created on the substrate 4. Figure 4 illustrates a sheet 2 in accordance with this invention with permanent recesses 8 and 9 and a protective layer 16 applied after the imbibition of the ink 26 for the substrate 4 and thus said ink has dried. The protective layer 16 is formed by treating the top surface of the coatings 8 or 9 with a well-crosslinking hardener designed to alter the psi-material, thus rendering the coatings 8 and 9 less water-soluble and more durable. In one embodiment, the protective bed 16 can be water resistant, and resistant to scratching and ablation, thus avoiding marks and inventions that could alter the view of an image on the substrate 4 by an observer. In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, the protective layer 16 can be designed to absorb ultraviolet radiation to retard the fading of the images over time. The inks 26 according to the present invention can be formulated to allow a quick start in a printhead, provide a constant transfer during spraying involved in ink jet printing operations, and exhibit controlled drying on the substrate 4 and the coatings 8 and 9. The inks 26 comprise a desalted dichroic dye, and a mixture of deionized water and polyhydric alcohol in suitable proportions to allow controlled flow and controlled drying. A preferred polyhydric alcohol is diethylglycol. In the formulation of the ink 26, the ratio between the water and the polyhydric alcohol varies depending on the type of ink dispenser employed. For example, in the case of low end ink jet printers (ie without heaters), the ink composition may contain 85-90% water and corresponding 10-15% polyhydric alcohol; and in the case of high-end ink jet printers (ie with heaters), the ink composition may contain from 90 to 95% water and correspondingly from 10 to 5% polyhydric alcohol. The ink 26 may further include a complexing agent, such as for example ethylenediamine tetraacetate (hereinafter "EDTA"), or a preservative, such as for example dehydrated sodium acetate. Complexing agents can be added to the ink 26 for complex metals. Complexing agents, such as EDTA, can be obtained from Sigma Chemical Company of Saint Louis, Missouri. Alternately, the ink 26 may include both complexing and preservative agent. The combined complexing agent and preservative do not make up more than 0.2% (by weight) of the ink composition. The inks 26 employed in printing, in accordance with this invention, contain direct, salt-free, water-soluble, aza-type dyes. The dyes chosen have the property of dichroism when properly oriented in the substrate 4. The desalting operation of the dyes used in the inks is achieved using standard methods of desalination such as dialysis, reverse phase chromatography, high performance liquid chromatography. pressure, reverse osmosis, and ul tra tra tion. A specific set of dyes useful for printing R, G, B is green-blue, magenta and yellow (less red, less green, less blue). The blue-green tine comprises Direct Green No. 27 in a concentration of 2.0%, the Magenta dye comprises a combination of 30% of Direct Red No. 117 and 70% of Sand Violet Na. 9 in a total concentration of 1.0%, and the Yellow dye comprises a Primrose Yellow of Hodagaya at a concentration of 2.0%. The formation in particular groups of dyes currently used for printing C, M, Y, are Green-blue, Magenta, Yellow and Black. The green-blue, Magenta and Yellow dyes are formed in accordance with the above, and the black dye is formed in Direct Black No. 170 at a concentration of 3.0%. Studies suggest that when ink 26 is frequently exposed to high temperatures, ink 26 can decompose. These conditions can occur during the operation of a standard thermal inkjet printer, when a resistance element is used to heat the inks to temperatures that can exceed 300ßC. It is found that the thermal decomposition of the ink under these extreme temperatures results either from the decomposition of the dye or from the decomposition of the solution in which the dye is dissolved. In both cases, "cogging", that is, the accumulation of deposits resulting from the decomposition of the ink on the resistance element or various openings and holes in the ink jet printer, may occur. The accumulation of residual ink components, or "coga", on the resistance element or in the various orifices of an ink jet printer negatively affects the capacity of the resistance element to heat the inks and the capacity of the printer to apply the inks, thus decreasing the efficiency of the thermal ink jet printer.

To limit the effects of cogging, the invention can provide an ink having a humectant that prevents cogging. The humectant acts as a wetting agent. For example, the humectant can reduce the moisture loss of the ink through evaporation. Accordingly, the humectant ensures that the viscosity of the ink remains stable. The humectant added to the ink 26 is generally formed of polyhydric alcohol. However, the humectants added to the ink 26 can be selected from any of the following additives, either mixtures thereof, which include: ethylene glycol, diethylene glycol, butyl, 1, 3-butyl, propylene glycol , glycerin, dipropyl glycol, 2-methylo-1,3-propanediol, polyethylene glycols, polypropylene glycols, glycol derivatives, glycerol, mannitol, corn syrup, beta-iclodextrin, ami lodextr in, urea amides, substituted ureas, ethers, carboxylic acids, esters, alcohols, organosulphides, organosulfoxide, sulfasins (with, for example, sulpholanes), carbitol alcohol derivatives, butylcarbitol, cellosolve, ether derivatives, aminoalcahole, ketones, sodium idonecarboxylate, N-meti lpi rol idinana , 2-piper idone, cyclohexylpyrrolidone, hydroxyethers, amides, sulfoxides, and lactones. In accordance with a preferred embodiment of the invention, • F? > :? IÍ? I 1 GF-I? O i MI C t 1 i i ni ». ! i r.u 1 ^ r íi "? 'n *? 11. 11- > . l? -) i j] t L 1 '1? - > . ' j. t e- * I? - || l-5 | -, ii (] = • '"t;. d < v l' J?" (. "fll" » [M I > •! -_-. íTiμ 1 L > ü'i ít i It'ni l i i. i, and l i f »I" i l i. iij) P "Ü! , '", C ??"? ?? \ -? f) > ") í ¡N i f i l t'íj -.in --- J o :, i i 'i?'.? I '> ? > fi _ i í; . } ? u? "); j Jr ..- L-ÍI? II.I 1 OO l i -Tiül I i'ül, j- Q l. >. > r!? >l" 'OT' ! '?; > > ? f-t > I.11 • < • > , -! i- < LU Í i-1 1 - > .- i? - '= > "i-'S >? i" > -? r i r? > "re '» -'! »>" = 13"I > J >" I •. ? . tj > : > )F? f > , n! i > "! ci con?. n t-j i i". x a J 1 i? I: M? ? ", f'n.-. i'.ri. t? 'J i ft1? 7'c? p? .i? -" i? -' i faith "l ili! '> f? = • > IJ! /.? N- '- [. I? R | = jir L- i 1 i-' i -pl.? J?? "? _ > ? i (? 1., - r 1 i.i - ",? i '" -'ó.; -.- L!' j "3 f >) i"?! i 'i > i o -. CU-i I "lO * 'r i 3 ¡l uí,? J" i-! »I LÍ'Í ¡: -Í I'K- t i d: < \ 'if > ~ »~ > \ p > ~ > ~ i? _ i, n I ^ PIIII;;? DU LJI-. ' ÍCJ T'IFCJ a r = •, > - » ] 1 i 1 I l; 2 ',, T J [^ I i t L -' > J íOili, "'I'>" i | v "? I '" i:? 1 l l I- ¡, ',. "> .Oí. =!? ~ I í í ! _ '' '' • i i Ü ': i- i > ?? "p '" i - J? ". | ,, p I. > -'. &nor 11" ti? f '|? 1-11 i "/", i 1 p "i 1? -_ i. - 1 'i Tiil i" i-' - * '> i '-. i i- ''? f I '', j, l? ?? - ¡| f, | j I t1"'' -'I -. ! > '' Tilll "i li li j i jf i'4 '.' Hl 'Hi 3 ¡.if-', -ii" J .n ••, V3! -.f o- - 'íl 1 r i.,' a -, "> i. n"? , ¡,;,) I.i 11 -i ?? .'i i o L? > 11 i > no '•' -a i •; - > -J • - »- > 6.; f -I 1 '- > J .- > ! i-. j -, '1 l l' .'i -.- 'l > - lO, '' ''% í "1 i" 1., * l í! ¡,;, _. ,,,! 1 ! I, I, '< - '< ? i. > - '' "_ '' i. i i i in i o, ?? l fí > ' ,., r j i, - i -t ~ _ .- Í-J} } -I riii iii i- 'Of ii' "¡di", fti l -ttt I "III -. images on the sheet 2 and for generating stereoscopic polarizing images can be used in accordance with this invention For example, the ink jet 24 can be an electronic printer under the control of a data processor 43. The electronic printers can have either continuous ink supplies or drop ink supplies on request A preferred ink jet 24 is a thermal ink jet printer, such as those produced by the Het? ile t-Pack rd Corporation of Palo Alto California. Figure 5 shows a preferred stereoscopic polarizing image 3 having a triacetate base 6 of 0.00762 c in thickness, a first molecularly oriented substrate 4 laminated on the upper surface of the base 6, and a second molecularly oriented substrate 5 laminated on the base surface of the base 6. The substrates 4 and 5 are oriented in such a way that their respective molecular orientations they are at opposite angles of 45 ° relative to the traversing edge of the base sheet 6 and at 90 ° to each other The liner 9 (in accordance with what is described here) is mounted on top of the substrate 4, and assembled a second coating 7 on the bottom of the substrate 5. The combination of substrates 4 and 5, coatings 7 and 9, and base 6 result in a multi-layer structure approximately 0.01016 cm thick.This combination is thin enough to fit. within the tolerances of standard ink jet printers In accordance with this invention, the coating 9 is applied on the upper surface of the substrate 4 and a second coating 7 is applied on the bottom surface of the substrate 5. After drying of the undercuts, the sheet 3 is then coated with a polymer that can be removed to prevent excessive drying of the coatings 7 and 9. At this point , a sheet 3 can be cut into units of sizes suitable for printing. This embodiment advantageously allows the printing of a desired image or pattern on both sides of a single sheet 3, thus removing alignment problems when forming a stereoscopic polarizing image. Accordingly, a sheet 3 is inserted into an ink jet 24 for the application of a first image. After drying, the sheet 3 is overturned and inserted back into the ink jet 24 for the application of a second image. This system forms a complete stereographic polarizing image that has two differently polarized images laminated together without having to physically align and overpop polarizing images produced separately. Figure 6 illustrates a stereoscopic polarizing image 3 with a reflective layer 28 mounted on the background surface of a stereoscopic polarizing image. A reflecting layer 28 reflects light rays entering the top of the image 3 returned through the image 3 to provide an ink pattern image 20 to an observer. Figure 7 shows a two-sided printer 80, preferably an ink jet printer, which is used to apply ink 26 on a double-sided polarizing sheet 3. The printer 80 includes a frame 81 for supporting rollers 82, 84, 86, 88, 90, and 92. The frame 80 also supports rails 98 for mounting the first print head 94 and a second rail 100 for mounting the second print head 96. Figure 7 further illustrates a printer having a motor 104, a paper cassette 106, and a paper feeder 114. The rollers 90 and 92 maintain tension in the sheet 3 and move the sheet through the printing zone formed between the first printing head 92 and the second printing head 94. The rollers 90 and 92 keep the sheet 3 in tension and prevent deformation of the sheet 3. In addition, motors (not shown) can be connected to the rollers 90. and 92 to help move the sheet 3 through the printer 80. The printer 80 also has a pair of substantially parallel lanes 98, 100. The first print head 94 is fixed on the first rail 98 and the second print head 96 is fixed on the second rail 100. A motor (not shown) is used to slide the print heads 94, 96 along the length of its respective mounting rails 98, 100. The print head 94, 96 travels along the rails 98, 100 to sweep through the sheet 3. The print head 96 may include a single ink spray head or numerous ink spray heads as illustrated in Figure 7 with the elements 102A, 102B, 102C, and 102D. The print head 94, similar to the print head 96, may include a single head or multiple spray heads. The print heads are placed on opposite sides of the sheet 3 to allow printing on both sides of the sheets 3. Preferably, the print head 94 and the print head 6 move along the rails 98 and 100. in tandem, such that the printer 80 applies the ink on both sides of the sheet simultane- ously. In accordance with a further aspect of the present invention, the rails 98, 100 are oriented substantially horizontally. This allows the printheads 94, 96 to apply the ink to a substantially vertical sheet 3. By applying the ink on the sheet 3 while it is vertically oriented, the ink is less likely to run off thereby creating an image on the sheet 3 that has greater precision and clarity. Figure 7 illustrates a cassette 106 having a stack of sheets 108. The sheets are fed from the cassette 106 with the help of a roller 110. The roller 110 moves a single sheet of the stack 108 in a paper feeder 114. The paper ali entadsr 114 directs the movement of the sheet 3 in the space between the rollers 90 and 92. The rollers 90 and 92 continue to move the sheet 3 through the printing space formed between the print heads 94 and 96. As the printing heads apply the ink on the sheet 3, the sheet is moved along by means of the action of the rollers 82, 84, 86, 88, 90 and 92, according to the length of the sheet. The printer 80 on both sides preferably has a paper handling system that follows the rollers 90, 92 that allow drying of the ink applied on both sides of the sheet 3. For example, the paper handling system can be structured from such that only the edges of the sheet 3 are in contact until the ink applied on the sheet 3 dries. The rollers 82, 84, 86 and 88, as illustrated in FIG. 7, come into contact only with the edges of the sheet 3 thus avoiding contact with the areas of the sheet 3 covered with ink. In accordance with a further aspect of the present invention, the printer shown in Figure 7 may also include a controllable motor 104. The motor 104 rotates a belt 112 which in turn effects a movement of a gear 83 and a gear 85. The gear 83 is mounted on the roller 82 and the gear 85 is mounted on the roller 86. As the motor 104 rotates the band 112, the roller 82 and the roller 86 rotate. Accordingly, the motor 104 can be used to remove the sheets 3 from the printing area. In addition, the motor 104 can be stopped while the blade 3 is between the pair of rollers 82, 84 and the pair of rollers 86, 88. This allows the ink in the sheet 3 to dry without any of the sides of the sheet 3, except the edges, are in contact with something. Figures 8 and 9 show further aspects of this invention in relation to the elimination of ghost images that can sometimes become objecbly apparent to an observer who observes the digitized stereoscopic polarizing images and projections thereof. Particularly, Figure 8 illustrates a digitized stereoscopic polarizing image 50 that produces a desirable image 66 together with a phantom image 68 in a polarizing filter 62, and Figure 9 illustrates a digitalized stereoscopic polarizing image 50 that forms the image 66 with an image reduced ghost 68 in a polarizing filter 62. A stereoscopic polarizing image 50 contains a first polarizing sheet 51 and a second polarizing sheet 56. The first polarizing sheet 51 is formed in such a way that it can transmit polarized light along the direction of the axis 52, and the second polarizing sheet 56 is formed such that it can transmit polarized light along the direction of the axis 58. The degree to which the first polarizing sheet and the second polarizing sheet transmit polarized light depends on the density of the polarizing sheet. the image through the polarizing sheets. For example, areas of a polarizing sheet having a low pixel density will have a low polarization efficiency, and area of a polarizing sheet having a high pixel density will have a high polarization efficiency. If an ideal light polarizing sheet of the nature of the sheets 51 and 56 were observed through an analyzer whose transmission axis is parallel to the axis of transmission of the polaration axis, the density would be zero. If the analyzer through which this ideal polarization sheet is observed was rotated 90 *, the density along the axis would be infinite. However, the actual polarization sheets differ from this theoretical ideal. In actual polarization sheets, unwanted light absorption or density in a first image 54 can make the first image observable through the analyzer 64, even though the analyzer 64 has the purpose of viewing only a second image 60. When this degree of imperfection is sufficiently large, ghost images observable by both eyes or by any of the eyes of an observer become apparent objec- tiable. For example, with reference to Figure 8, the first polarizing sheet 51 contains a first image 54, shown in the form of two parallel bands, and the second polarizing sheet 56 contains a second image 60, shown as an "H" FIG. Figure 8 further illustrates a polarizing filter 62 having a polarizing axis 64 oriented in relation to the stereoscopic polarizing image 50, so that only polarized images can be seen along the axis 58. When the degree of imperfection in the sheet 51 is sufficiently large, the image 54 can be transmitted through a polarizing sheet 56 and can be seen through the filter 62. These imperfections cause the observer to see a desired image 66 and a ghost image 68 through the filter 62. In In theory, when the polarizing sheet 51 is formed of oriented molecules of polymeric material, dichroic ink is deposited with the same orientation, but in practice this does not always happen. and. When the ink na is completely deposited with the same orientation, the sheet 51 transmits an image 54 with a non-polarized light. The unpolarized light that transmits the image 54 is then objected through the analyzer 62 as the phantom image 68. When an edge of a relatively high density area which is intended to be blocked in relation to the observation may in fact be observed as Through an area of relatively low density of the image whose purpose is to be observed, the contrast becomes a ghostly objec ionable image. Under these conditions, it will be observed that ablatable ghost images will not be present under all the conditions that use digitalized stereoscopic polarizing images, and on the contrary they will be limited to particular schemes where a high density background of an image and a low density of a second image appear in a splice relationship. As illustrated in Figure 9, the phantom images can be reduced to a tolerated degree, and eventually completely eliminated, by construction on any of the light polarizing sheets 51, 56 or on both sheets of one negative image of the other stereoscopic polarizing light image of said pair. For example, the second polarizing sheet 56 may contain a second image 70 and an image 72, such that the image 72 represents a negative of the first image 54. The negative image 72 reduces the appearance of the ghost image 68 when the image The digitalized stereoscopic polarizadsra is observed through a polarizer 62. Accordingly, the invention provides a method for reducing the phantom image 68 by forming a first ink pattern representing the image 70 superimposed with a negative image 72. This first pattern of ink is applied with an ink jet printer on the polarizing sheet 56, and the polarizing sheet 56 is then aligned stereoscopically? with polarizing sheet 51 for forming the digitized stereoscopic polarizing image 50, such that the negative image 72 reduces the phantom image 68 produced by the light passing through the polarizing sheet 51. The first ink pattern, resentati o of the image 70 superimposed with negative image 7'2 can be formed by the use of a microprocessor or computer that employs an image manipulation tool, such as the Adobe Photoshop (R) system, produced by Adobe Corporation of Arizona. For example, a data stack representative of the image 54 is stored in a memory element such that it can be easily manipulated and retrieved later. The digital representation of the image 54 is recovered from the memory and inverted, thus converting the digital representation into a negative image 72. The digital representations of the image 70 and the negative image 72 are then joined together (for example by multiplication of the pixel values) to form a data file representative of the image 70 overlaid with the negative image 72. In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, the pixel density of the negative image 72 is controlled in such a way that a background image 74 produced by the negative image 72 corresponds well to the phantom image 68 produced by the first image 54. The pixel density of the image 72 is preferably regulated such that the intensity of the ghost image 68 seen through of the filter 62 is substantially equal to the intensity of the background image 74 seen through the filter 62. This control advantageously allows for an elimination full of the ghost image. Preferably, the pixel density of the image is modified with the aid of a microprocessor or computer. Par- ticularly, a representative data file of the negative image 72 may be stored in a memory element and this data file may be manipulated in such a manner as to alter the pixel density of the image. In accordance with a further aspect of the invention, the undesired condition resulting from the phantom image 68 can be substantially eliminated by increasing the density of the second image 70, that is, the image whose purpose is to be observed through the filter. 62, in areas where the offensive splice becomes apparent. The system for producing the stereoscopic images increased within the pixel of the image 70 in such a way that the image polarizes the light to a greater degree and consequently exceeds any phantom image that is objectionably spliced and highlights in a higher cantraster than the background noise produced by a ghost image 68 and a background image 74. Additionally, the system can further increase the contrast between the desired image 66 and the background image 74 during the formation of the negative image 71. Particularly, the Representative data of the negative image 72 can be manipulated in such a way that the brightness and contrast of the pixels forming the negative image 72 are reduced relative to the desired image 66.

In accordance with a further embodiment of the present invention, an i agan signal 54 and a second image 70 are digitalized and stored in a first memory element, and then the system manipulates the digitized images. Particularly, the system can convert the first image 54 into a negative image 72 and store the data in other parts within the first memory element. The negative image 72 is then multiplied with the second image 70 to form a first data set representing the combination of the second image with a first negative image. An ink jet printer, also under the control of the system, can apply a first ink pattern that represents the first image 54 to a first oriented palm leaf, and can apply a second ink pattern to a second oriented polymer sheet. The second ink pattern is preferably dictated by the first data set in such a way that an image is formed equivalent to the sabreposition of the second image 70 and the negative image 72 in the second polymeric sheet. When aligned stereoscopically and viewed through the filter 62, the first palmeric blade and the second polymeric sheet produce an image 66 and a hidden ghost artifact 68. It should be understood that the process of displaying the negative image 72 with the second image 70 in the second polarizing sheet 56, to remove the phantom produced by the first pallizer sheet 51, also applies to removing any phantom image produced by the second polarizing sheet 56. Particularly, a negative of the second image 70 may be superimposed with the first image 54 on the first polarizing sheet 51 to remove a phantom image produced by the second blade 56. Preferably, a pair of polarizing sheets 51, 56 they contain negative images representative of the image found on the other pallizer sheet of the pair. Accordingly, this reduces the ghost images seen through a pair of aligned polarizing filters to view the stereoscopic digitalized polarizing image 50. In summary, ink jet recording methods and systems in accordance with this invention greatly simplify the preparation of full-color stereoscopic polarizing images. Ink jet printers, unlike gelatin-based transfer systems, are compatible with digital image formation and can be used to provide polarizing or stereoscopic reflective prints or transparencies from computer-generated or digitally processed images. as from conventional photographic images that have been digitized. Polarizing images of stereoscopic light produced in accordance with the techniques presented in this invention may be produced by knowledge and use of photographic chemistry, as required by the prior art. Stereoscopic impressions produced in this way have the additional advantage of being easily and economically modified. By simply altering the image on the computer or the digital image, the stereoscopic image can be printed again in its modified form. In addition, because the ink jet printers simultaneously print multiple colors aligned in accordance with the scanned image, the problems of the prior art associated with the alignment of six gelatin relieves are overcome. This invention easily and economically produces a hard copy that provides three-dimensional images that represent the true spatial dimension. While the invention has been shown and described in relation to specific preferred embodiments, those skilled in the art will understand that variations in form and detail may be made without departing from the spirit or scope of the present invention.

Claims (63)

1. CLAIMS 1. A treated sheet material for recording a polarizing image, the treated sheet material comprises a substrate having an upper surface and a bottom surface, the substrate having molecules oriented parallel to a polarizing axis, and a polymeric coating permeable to the ink covering the upper surface of the substrate for transporting an ink from a top surface of the coating to the substrate and for regulating the imbibition of the ink by the molecules oriented on the substrate, such that the imbibed ink forms the image polarizing on the substrate.
2. 2. A treated sheet material according to claim 1 wherein the ink permeable polymeric coating is chosen from the group consisting of natural and synthetic gums.
3. 3. A treated sheet material according to claim 1 wherein the ink permeable polymeric coating is a cellulosic polymer.
4. 4. A treated sheet material according to claim 1 wherein the coating further comprises dispersed particles to inhibit lateral diffusion of ink molecules.
5. 5. A treated sheet material according to claim 1 wherein the coating is soluble in water.
6. 6. A treated sheet material according to claim 1 wherein the coating further includes a water resistant top protection layer.
7. 7. A treated sheet material according to claim 7 wherein the protective layer is resistant to scratches and abrasion.
8. 8. A treated sheet material according to claim 7 wherein the protective layer absorbs ultraviolet radiation.
9. 9. A sheet material treated in accordance with claim 1 wherein the coating further comprises a fungicide.
10. 10. A sheet material treated in accordance with rei indication 1 wherein the substrate is formed from a stretched and oriented polymer.
11. 11. A treated sheet material according to claim 1 further comprising a second coating that covers the bottom surface of the substrate, the second coating being formed of an ink-permeable polymeric material for transporting ink molecules.
12. 12. A treated sheet material according to claim 11 wherein the substrate is formed of a first molecularly oriented sheet aligned along a first axis and a second molecularly oriented sheet aligned along a second axis, the second axis it is substantially orthogonal to the first axis.
13. 13. In the manufacture of a digitized stereoscopic polarizadsra image from a first image of an object and a second image of the object from a different perspective of the first image, an apparatus comprising: a coating device for applying a coating polymer permeable to the inks on a substrate oriented substantially essentially along a polarizing axis, a memory device for storing and recovering a first set of digital data representing the first image and a second set of digital data representing the second image , a data processing element connected to the memory device for generating a dump data set representative of an image formed when the representative image of the first digital data set is overturned about an axis, and printing devices connected to the element of data processing to apply an ink on the s user coated in a pattern that forms an image associated either with the second data set or with the data set overturned, such that a polarizing image is formed.
14. 14. An apparatus according to claim 13, wherein the data processing element further comprises a device for altering a density of pixels in the first set of digital data.
15. 15. An apparatus according to claim 14 wherein said device for altering the pixel density comprises a device for replacing a first pixel and a second pixel with a weighted average of said first pixel and said second pixel.
16. 16. An apparatus according to the rei indication 14 wherein said device for altering the pixel density comprises a device for inserting between a first pixel and a second pixel a third pixel having characteristics determined by interpolation between said first pixel and said second pixel 17. An apparatus according to claim 13, wherein the data processing element further comprises a device for stereoscopically aligning the first image, represented by the first set of digital data, with a second image represented by a second set of digital data. 18. An apparatus according to claim 17, wherein the data processing element further comprises a ghost reduction device, the ghost reduction device includes a device for forming a third data set representative of the second image superimposed with a negative of the first image. 19. An apparatus according to claim 13, wherein the printing device is an ink jet printer. 20. An apparatus according to claim 13, further comprising alignment devices connected to said printing device for stereoscopically aligning the substrate with a second substrate, 21. An apparatus according to claim 20 further comprising a laminating device connected to said alignment device for laminating the back of the substrate on the back of the second substrate. 22. An apparatus in accordance with the rei indication 13 further comprising washing devices connected to the printing device for cleaning the substrate. 23. An apparatus according to claim 13 further comprising protection devices connected to the printing device for applying a protective coating on the substrate. 24. An apparatus according to claim 13 wherein the reverse is formed of an ink-permeable polymeric material for transporting an ink through the coating on the substrate and for regulating the imbibition of the ink by the substrate. 25. An apparatus according to claim 13, wherein the ink is an ink characteriby a rapid start in a printhead controlled drying in a molecularly oriented substrate. 26. An ink for use in an ink jet printer for dyeing a polymeric substrate, the ink comprising: a dichroic dye, water and a humectant which acts as a wetting agent, where the ink is structured to provide a constant flow to the ink. through the ink jet printer. 27. An ink according to claim 26 wherein the ink further comprises a co-forming agent. 28. An ink according to claim 26 wherein the ink further comprises a preservative. 29. An ink according to claim 26 wherein the humectant is formed from a glycol that does not have an ether linkage. 30. A stamp of conformity with the order 26, where the ink also compiles an ad ti ti ve to remove deposits from the printer by ink jets. 31. An apparatus according to claim 13 wherein the printing device is a printer on both sides. 32. A method for producing a polarizing image comprising: supplying a first molecularly oriented sheet primarily along a polarizing axis, coating the first sheet oriented with a permeable ink coating that regulates the imbibition of the ink by the first sheet, and apply a dichroic ink in a pattern of a first image on the ink-permeable coating, such that the ink forms the polarizing image on the first sheet. 33. A method according to claim 32, further comprising: generating a first set of digital data representing the first image, and storing the first set of digital data in a memory element. 34. A method according to claim 33, further comprising generating a dump set of data representing an image formed when the image represented by the first set of digital data is overturned about an axis. 35. A method according to claim 33, further comprising the step of generating the first set of digital data by digital scanning of the first image. 36. A method according to claim 33, further comprising the step of modifying the density of pixels in the first set of digital data. 37. A method according to claim 36, further comprising the steps of: determining a weighted average of the characteristics of a first pixel in the first set of digital data and a second pixel in the first set of digital data, and replacing the first pixel and the second pixel with a third pixel having characteristics corresponding to said determined weighted average. 38. A method according to claim 36, further comprising the steps of: interpolating between a first pixel in the first set of digital data and a second pi? El in the first set of digital data, generating a third pixel with characteristics which correspond to said interpolated values, and insert the third pixel between the first pixel and the second pixel. 39. A method according to claim 32, further comprising the step of washing the first molecularly oriented sheet after said printing step. 40. A method according to claim 32, further comprising: forming a second image in a second, diagonally oriented sheet, and stereoscopic alignment of the first image with the second image. 41. A method according to claim 40, further comprising the step of laminating the backside of the first sheet molecularly oriented on the back of the second molecularly oriented sheet 42. A method according to claim 32, which further comprises the step of applying a protective coating on the front of the first molecularly oriented sheet 43. A method according to claim 32, further comprising reducing a ghost image by: applying on a second sheet. oriented molecule of a second ink pattern representing a second image superimposed with a negative of the first image, and the stereoscopic alignment of the first image and the second image on their respective molecularly oriented sheets. with the rei indication 32, which also includes the fact of allowing time for the ink to migrate to through the coating and for the ink to penetrate the first molecularly oriented sheet. 45. A method according to claim 44, further comprising the step of determining the time allowed based on ink moisture, ink composition, coating thickness and int pattern density. 46. A method according to claim 44, further comprising the step of removing the coating of the polymer sheet after the allowed time. 47. A method according to claim 32 further comprising the step of laminating a non-depolarizing substrate onto the bottom surface of the first molecularly oriented sheet. 48. A method according to claim 32, further comprising the step of forming dichroic ink by dissolving the dichroic dye in deionized water and a humectant. 49. A sheet material treated in accordance with rei indication 1, where the reverse has a thickness that is approximately 0.02 to approximately 0.03 micrometers. 50. A method according to claim 32, wherein the coating step applies an ink-permeable coating having a thickness between approximately 0.02 and approximately 0.03 micrometers. 51. A method according to claim 48, further comprising the step of forming dichroic ink by dissolving a dichroic dye in water and a humectant. 52. A method according to claim 51, further including the step of desalting the dichroic dye. 53. A method according to claim 51, wherein the dye is desalted by high pressure liquid chromatography. 54. A method according to claim 51, wherein the dye is desalted by reverse osmosis. 55. A method according to claim 51, wherein the dye is desalted by means of ultrafiltration. 56. A method according to rei indication 51, where the dye is desalted by reverse phase chromatography. 57. A method according to claim 51, wherein the ratio between the deionized water and the humectant is controlled to vary the drying time of the dichroic ink. 58. An ink according to claim 26, wherein the humectant is psycholytic alcohol. 59. An ink according to claim 26, wherein the humectant is pyrrolidone. 60. An ink according to claim 26, wherein the humectant is selected from the group consisting of ethylene glycol, diethyl glycol, but i lengl icol., 1, 3-butyl glycol, propylene glycol, glyceryl, dipropyl glycol, 2-methyl 1-1, 3-propanediol, polyethylene glycols, polypropylene glycols, glycol derivatives, glycerol, mannitol, corn syrup, beta-cycladextrin, ami lodextrin , amides, urea, substituted ureas, ethers, carbaxyl acids, esters, alcohols, organasulfides, organosulfides, sulfones (such as sulfolane), alcohol derivatives, carbonates, butylcarbitol, cellulose, ether derivatives, aminoalcohols, ketones , pirral idoncarboxi sodium lato, N- eti Ipirrol idona, 2-pyrrole idon, cyclohexyl lpi rol idon, hydroxy ethers, amides, sulfoxides, and lactones. 61. An ink according to the indication 26, where the drying time of the ink varies according to the ratio between the water and the humectant. 62. An ink according to claim 26, wherein the water constitutes approximately 85% to 90% by weight of the ink and the humectant constitutes from about 10% to about 15% by weight of the ink. 63. An ink according to claim 26, wherein the water constitutes from about 90% to about 95% by weight of the ink and the humectant constitutes from approximately 5% to approximately 10% by weight of the ink.