US Patent:
20060285207, Dec 21, 2006
Inventors:
Ranald Hay - Bexley OH, US
International Classification:
G02B 27/28
Abstract:
Systems and methods that utilize an adjustment mechanism for adjusting the polarization angle of a light source relative to the polarization angle of a viewing filter, so as to permit adjustment of visual contrast between interposed specular media and an object to be viewed and/or photographed, wherein the interposed specular media is an atmospheric phenomenon comprising a seemingly infinite number of dispersed specularly reflective particles enveloping at least one of an observer or a scene of interest. The light source includes a light generation mechanism for generating polarized light, and an optional source polarization angle determination mechanism for adjusting the angle of polarization of the light source. The viewing filter includes a filter polarization angle adjustment mechanism for adjusting at least one of the polarization angle of maximum light attenuation and the polarization angle of minimum light attenuation.