Patent ID: 8218135

Claim:
A stereo photography system for photographing an object, the system comprising: a first light source configured to illuminate one or more first non-white colors on the object; a second light source configured to illuminate one or more second non-white colors that are different from the first non-white colors on the object; and a photodetector configured to detect a three dimensional representation of the object by capturing a single image at a single moment in time in response to the first light source illuminating the first non-white colors on the object simultaneously with the second light source illuminating the second non-white colors on the object; wherein the first light source, the second light source, and the photodetector are disposed about a vehicle; wherein no more than the first light source and the second light source are provided in the system; and wherein the photodetector is further configured to detect the three dimensional representation of the object in relation to the vehicle by capturing the single image at the single moment in time for one of an adaptive cruise control system, a collision avoidance system, a night vision system, and an occupant sensing system.