Imaging apparatus

Abstract

According to an illustrative embodiment an imaging system is provided. The system includes a lens tube; a first polarizing filter; and a second polarizing filter; wherein the first polarizing filter and the second polarizing filter are adjacent each other, and wherein a polarizing imparted by the first polarizing filter is different from a polarizing imparted by the second polarizing filter.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . An imaging system comprising:
 a lens tube;   a first polarizing filter; and   a second polarizing filter;   
       wherein the first polarizing filter and the second polarizing filter are adjacent each other, and wherein a polarizing imparted by the first polarizing filter is different from a polarizing imparted by the second polarizing filter. 
     
     
         2 . The imaging system as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the lens tube is removable. 
     
     
         3 . The imaging system as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the first polarizing filter and the second polarizing filter are removable. 
     
     
         4 . The imaging system as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the first polarizing filter and the second polarizing filter are arranged in close proximity to an aperture position of the imaging system. 
     
     
         5 . The imaging system as recited in  claim 1 , further comprising an imaging unit and an adapter connecting the imaging unit to the lens tube, and wherein the first polarizing filter and the second polarizing filter are positioned within the adapter. 
     
     
         6 . The imaging system as recited in  claim 5 , wherein the polarizing imparted by the first polarizing filter and the polarizing imparted by the second polarizing filter are linear. 
     
     
         7 . The imaging system as recited in  claim 6 , wherein the polarizing imparted by the first polarizing filter is orthogonal to the polarizing imparted by the second polarizing filter. 
     
     
         8 . The imaging system as recited in  claim 5 , wherein the polarizing imparted by the first polarizing filter and the polarizing imparted by the second polarizing filter are rotational. 
     
     
         9 . The imaging system as recited in  claim 8 , wherein the polarizing imparted by the first polarizing filter rotates in a direction opposite to the polarizing imparted by the second polarizing filter. 
     
     
         10 . The imaging system as recited in  claim 5 , further comprising an imaging device that is optically coupled to the lens tube. 
     
     
         11 . The imaging system as recited in  claim 10 , wherein the imaging device is a solid-state imaging device. 
     
     
         12 . The imaging system as recited in  claim 10 , wherein the imaging device comprises a plurality of first polarization areas and a plurality of second polarization areas. 
     
     
         13 . The imaging system as recited in  claim 12 , wherein an orientation of the plurality of first polarization areas corresponds to one of the polarizing imparted by the first polarizing filter and the polarizing imparted by the second polarizing filter, and an orientation of the plurality of second polarization areas corresponds to another of the polarizing imparted by the first polarizing filter and the polarizing imparted by the second polarizing filter. 
     
     
         14 . The imaging system as recited in  claim 12 , wherein each of the first polarization areas and each of the second polarization areas comprises a plurality of wire grid polarizers. 
     
     
         15 . The imaging system as recited in  claim 5 , further comprising an eyepiece lens positioned within the lens tube. 
     
     
         16 . The imaging system as recited in  claim 15 , further comprising an imaging device that is optically coupled to the eyepiece lens. 
     
     
         17 . The imaging system as recited in  claim 5 , wherein the imaging unit comprises a solid-state imaging device and a casing. 
     
     
         18 . The imaging system as recited in  claim 5 , wherein the system is an endoscope. 
     
     
         19 . The imaging system as recited in  claim 5 , wherein the system is a microscope.