Provisional US Patent Awarded for Algorithm to Create Theoretically-Optimal Camouflage

SAN DIEGO - Sept. 26, 2013 - PRLog -- On September 21, 2013, Paul R. Yarnold, Donald G. Hanes, and Gordon C. Brofft received notification of their provisional US patent for Camouflage Patterned After Reptiles.  Having explored and fished in wild natural habitats around the globe over several decades, this “power-trio” team of scientists, engineers and outdoorsmen got the inspiration to apply evolution theory to the phenomenon of crypsis.

As explained by Dr. Yarnold, an expert in optimization methods, "Many animal species have evolved characteristics providing them with camouflage (crypsis) in their natural habitat, allowing them to blend unnoticeably into their surroundings if they remain stationary.  In particular, many reptile species which spend long stationary time periods exposed while basking, and while lying-in-wait for passing prey (ambush predators), express colors matching their habitat, and markings masking their silhouette, and thereby optimally inhibit visual detection by predators and prey."

After pursuing this application of evolution theory, the team ultimately discovered the algorithm for identifying specific combinations of optimal colors and markings in nature—which when considered together are called the optimal pattern.  Their provisional patent was given for discovering this algorithm.  Once it has been identified, processing of the optimal pattern using modern digitization (pixilation) methods produces theoretically-optimal camouflage.

Their algorithm optimizes the pattern for any specific habitat. According to Dr. Yarnold: “For any specific operational environment and season, the evolutionarily-optimal ambush camouflage pattern can be quickly and economically developed and printed, painted, woven, or otherwise transferred to fabric or other materials vis-à-vis a variable-scale digitized (pixelated) representation of the selected coloration and markings.”