Patent ID: 8058608

Claim:
A device for imaging scenes with a very large range of intensity comprising: a. a first polarizer polarizing light in a first polarization direction; b. a second polarizer polarizing light in a second polarization direction; c. a primary lens; d. an attenuating mask; e. a imaging device; f. said second polarizer positioned between said first polarizer and said primary lens along an optical axis; g. said primary lens positioned between said second polarizer and said attenuating mask along said optical axis; h. said attenuating mask positioned between said primary lens and said imaging device along said optical axis; i. said first polarizer, said second polarizer, said primary lens, said attenuating mask, and the active area of said imaging device optically connected along said optical axis; and j. a means for adjusting the angle between said first polarization direction and said second polarization direction.