Structured Lighting System

Abstract

According to one aspect of the present disclosure, a system is disclosed. The system may include a light assembly, an imager, and / or a controller. The light assembly may be configured to illuminate an array of lighting elements toward a scene. The imager may be configured to capture one or more images of the lighting elements projected onto the scene. The controller may be configured to selectively activate the light assembly between a first state and a second state, in which first and second groups of lighting elements are selectively activated to illuminate first and second patterns of lighting elements, respectively.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] [CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS] This application claims priority under 35 U.S.C. § 119(e) to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63 / 376,486, entitled "Structured Lighting System," filed September 21, 2022, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

[0002] [Technical field] The present invention relates generally to imaging systems, and more particularly to imaging systems with structured illumination. Summary of the Invention

[0003] In accordance with the present disclosure, problems associated with structured illumination systems are substantially reduced or eliminated.

[0004] According to one aspect of the present disclosure, a system is disclosed. The system may include a light assembly, an imager, and / or a controller. The light assembly may be configured to illuminate a linear array of lighting elements toward a scene. The imager may be configured to capture one or more images of the lighting elements projected onto the scene. The controller may be configured to selectively activate the light assembly between a first state and a second state. In the first state, a first group of lighting elements may be selectively activated to illuminate a first pattern of lighting elements. In the second state, a second group of lighting elements may be selectively activated to illuminate a second pattern of lighting elements.

[0005] In some examples, the first pattern of lighting elements may be a substantially linear pattern and the second pattern of lighting elements may be a non-linear pattern. In some embodiments, the first group of lighting elements may be all or substantially all of the lighting elements. In some embodiments, the second group of lighting elements may be a subgroup of the first group of lighting elements. In other embodiments, the first group of lighting elements may be a subgroup of the first group of lighting elements.

[0006] In other examples, the first and second patterns of lighting elements may be substantially linear patterns. In some embodiments, the second group of lighting elements may be a subgroup of the first group of lighting elements. In some embodiments, the first and second groups of lighting elements may correspond to substantially different regions of the scene. In some such embodiments, the first and second groups of lighting elements may substantially overlap a common region of the scene. In other such embodiments, the first and second groups of lighting elements may correspond to mutually exclusive regions of the scene.

[0007] In other examples, the first and second patterns of lighting elements may be substantially non-linear patterns. In some embodiments, the second group of lighting elements may be a subgroup of the first group of lighting elements. In some embodiments, the first and second groups of lighting elements may correspond to substantially different regions of the scene. In some such embodiments, the first and second groups of lighting elements may overlap a common region of the scene. In other such embodiments, the first and second groups of lighting elements may correspond to mutually exclusive regions of the scene.

[0008] In some embodiments, the scene may correspond to the interior of a vehicle. Further, the first and second groups of lighting elements may correspond to substantially different regions of the scene, and the first group of lighting elements may substantially correspond to a driver region of the scene and the second group of lighting elements may substantially correspond to a passenger region of the scene.

[0009] In some embodiments, the controller may be further configured to selectively activate the light assembly between a third state in addition to the first state and the second state. In the third state, a third group of lighting elements may be selectively activated to emit a third pattern of lighting elements. In some embodiments, the second and third groups may be subgroups of the first group of lighting elements. In some such embodiments, the second and third groups of lighting elements may correspond to different regions of the scene. In some embodiments, the first pattern of lighting elements may be a linear pattern.

[0010] These and other aspects, objects, and features of the present disclosure will be understood and appreciated by those skilled in the art upon review of the following specification, claims, and accompanying drawings. It will also be understood that features of each embodiment disclosed herein may be used in conjunction with, or in place of, features in other embodiments.

[0011] The drawings illustrate the following: [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0012] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of one embodiment of the system.

[0013] [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of various aspects of the system deployed in a vehicle.

[0014] [Figure 3A]FIG. 3A is a schematic diagram of the light assembly in a first state, activating a first group of light emitters to form a first group of lighting elements in a linear pattern.

[0015] [Figure 3B] FIG. 3B is a schematic diagram of the light assembly in a second state, activating a second group of light emitters to form a second group of lighting elements in a quasi-random pattern.

[0016] [Figure 3C] FIG. 3C is a schematic diagram of the light assembly in a third state, activating a third group of light emitters to form a third group of lighting elements in a quasi-random pattern.

[0017] [Figure 3D] FIG. 3D is a schematic diagram of the light assembly in a fourth state, activating a fourth group of light emitters to form a fourth group of lighting elements in a linear pattern.

[0018] [Figure 3E] FIG. 3E is a schematic diagram of the light assembly in a fifth state, activating a fifth group of light emitters to form a fifth group of lighting elements in a linear pattern.

[0019] [Figure 4A] FIG. 4A is a schematic diagram of a first group of lighting elements forming a linear pattern illuminated onto a static, planar scene.

[0020] [Figure 4B] FIG. 4B is a schematic diagram of a second group of illumination elements forming a quasi-random pattern illuminated on a static, planar scene.

[0021] [Figure 4C] FIG. 4C is a schematic diagram of a third group of illumination elements forming a quasi-random pattern illuminated on a static, planar scene.

[0022] [Figure 4D] FIG. 4D is a schematic diagram of a fourth group of lighting elements forming a linear pattern illuminated on a static, planar scene.

[0023] [Figure 4E] FIG. 4E is a schematic diagram of a fifth group of lighting elements forming a linear pattern illuminated on a static, planar scene. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0024] For purposes of description herein, the specific devices and processes illustrated in the accompanying drawings, and described in the following specification, are merely exemplary embodiments of the inventive concepts defined in the appended claims. Accordingly, unless the claims expressly state otherwise, specific features associated with the embodiments disclosed herein are not limiting.

[0025] The present disclosure is directed to a system 100, as illustrated in FIG. 1, and its components as illustrated in FIGS. 1-4E. The system 100 may include an optical assembly 110, an imager 120, and / or a controller 130. In some embodiments, the system 100 may be associated with a vehicle 10. Specifically, the system 100 may be located substantially within a cabin 11 of the vehicle 10. Thus, the system 100 may be a driver and / or cabin monitoring system.

[0026] The light assembly 110 may be configured to emit light 20 having a first wavelength range. In some embodiments, the light assembly 110 may be part of a rearview assembly of the vehicle 10. An example of the light assembly 110 is shown in FIGS. 3A-3E . The light may be emitted by one or more light emitters 111. Additionally, the light assembly 110 may include optical elements 112 for receiving and / or transmitting light from the one or more light emitters 111. The emitted light may illuminate at least a portion of a scene 30. The illumination may be at a low power level that is eye-safe. In some embodiments, the scene 30 may be the interior of a vehicle. Thus, the scene 30 may correspond to, for example, a passenger compartment, a driver's seat, a passenger seat, a front row, and / or a second row of the vehicle 10. In some embodiments, the scene 30 may substantially correspond to a field of view of the imager 120. The first wavelength range may include or be substantially limited to light in the infrared and / or near-infrared regions of the electromagnetic spectrum, hi some embodiments, the first wavelength range may be substantially centered around 810 nm, 850 nm, or 940 nm.

[0027] Furthermore, the light 20 emitted by the light assembly 110 can be structured light. In this case, the emitted light 20 can illuminate a scene with a pattern of lighting elements 113. In FIGS. 4A-4E, structured light illumination is shown on a static, planar scene 30, illustrating various lighting element patterns. The lighting elements 113 can be, for example, dots, spots, lines, any shape, and / or combinations thereof. Thus, the lighting elements 113 can be projected onto the scene 30 and objects therein. In some embodiments, the lighting element 113 pattern can be a substantially linear array. In other embodiments, the lighting element 113 pattern can be nonlinear. Thus, the lighting element 113 pattern can be quasi-random. Furthermore, the lighting element pattern can be divided into two or more subgroups of lighting elements 113. Each subgroup can be different from the others. In some embodiments, the subgroups can be mutually exclusive from each other. In other embodiments, the subgroups may not be mutually exclusive from one another. In some embodiments, the emitted light 20 of the lighting elements 113 may be substantially in phase and / or coherent.

[0028] In some embodiments, one or more light emitters 111 may be lasers. The light emitters 111 may be, for example, one or more vertical cavity surface emitting lasers (VCSELs). Thus, the optical assembly 110 may include an array of VCSELs. In some such embodiments, the VCSELs may be single-mode VCSELs.

[0029] Additionally, the optical assembly 110 may include one or more optical elements 112. The optical elements 112 may be diffractive, diffractive, and / or refractive. In some embodiments, the optical elements 112 may be configured to split one or more light beams (rays) into a structured light pattern. Thus, the optical elements 112 may be diffraction gratings. In some embodiments, one or more light emitters 111 may be associated with and / or disposed within a substrate of the optical elements 112. The substrate of the optical elements 112 may be, for example, GaAs (gallium arsenide). Thus, an array of VCSELs may be disposed within a GaAs substrate.

[0030] Furthermore, the light emitters 111 can be selectively activated individually or in groups, as shown in FIGS. 3A-3E, to achieve various lighting element 113 patterns, as shown in corresponding FIGS. 4A-4E. Accordingly, the light emitters 111 can be addressable. Accordingly, the light assembly 110 can be configured to selectively activate one or more groups of the light emitters 111. Accordingly, the corresponding lighting elements 113 emitted by each light emitter 111 can be selectively illuminated (emitted) together and / or individually. Accordingly, the light assembly 100 can be configured to operate between a first state, a second state, a third state, a fourth state, and / or a fifth state by selectively activating corresponding groups of the lighting elements 111. In some embodiments, the scene 30 can be defined as the area that the lighting elements 113 can substantially cover when all of the lighting elements 113 are activated.

[0031] As shown in FIG. 3a, in a first state, the light assembly 110 may be configured to emit light 20 forming a first group of lighting elements 113. Further, as shown in FIG. 4a, the first group may be all or substantially all of the lighting elements 113. In some embodiments, the first group of lighting elements 113 may be arranged in a substantially linear pattern. In other embodiments, the first group of lighting elements 113 may be arranged in a substantially non-linear pattern. Accordingly, the second group of lighting elements 113 may be arranged in a quasi-random pattern. In some embodiments, the scene 30 may be defined as the area substantially covered by the lighting elements 113 when the light assembly 110 is in the first state.

[0032] As shown in FIG. 3b, in the second state, the light assembly 110 may be configured to emit light 20 forming a second group of lighting elements 113. As shown in FIG. 4b, the second group may include substantially fewer than all of the lighting elements 113. Thus, in some embodiments, the second group of lighting elements 113 may be smaller than and / or included within the first group of lighting elements 113. Thus, the second group of lighting elements 113 may be a subgroup of the first group of lighting elements 113. Furthermore, the second group of lighting elements 113 may be arranged in a substantially nonlinear pattern. Thus, the second group of lighting elements 113 may be arranged in a quasi-random pattern. In some embodiments, the second group of lighting elements 113 may be substantially spread across the entire scene 30. In other embodiments, the second group of lighting elements 113 may be substantially confined to a first portion of the scene 30. The first portion of the scene 30 may be substantially smaller than the entire scene 30.

[0033] As shown in FIG. 3c, in the third state, the light assembly 110 may be configured to emit light 20 forming a third group of lighting elements 113. As shown in FIG. 4c, the third group of lighting elements 113 may include substantially fewer than all of the lighting elements 113. Thus, in some embodiments, the third group of lighting elements 113 may be smaller than and / or included within the first and / or second groups of lighting elements 113. Thus, the third group of lighting elements 113 may be a subgroup of the first and / or second groups of lighting elements 113. Furthermore, the third group of lighting elements 113 may be arranged in a substantially nonlinear pattern. Thus, the third group of lighting elements 113 may be arranged in a quasi-random pattern.

[0034] Further, the third group of lighting elements 113 may be substantially different from the second group of lighting elements 113. In some embodiments, the third group of lighting elements 113 may be substantially equal in size to the second group of lighting elements 113. Further, in some embodiments, the third group of lighting elements 113 may be substantially limited to a second portion of the scene 30. The second portion of the scene 30 may be substantially smaller than the entire scene 30. Further, the second portion of the scene 30 may be substantially different from the first portion of the scene 30. Furthermore, the first and second portions of the scene 30 may substantially overlap or may be substantially mutually exclusive. Thus, the second and third groups of lighting elements 113 may have some lighting elements 113 in common or may be mutually exclusive from each other.

[0035] In some embodiments, the second and third groups of lighting elements 113 together may be substantially equivalent to the first group of lighting elements 113. Thus, the second and third groups of lighting elements 113 together may include all or substantially all of the lighting elements 113. In other embodiments, the second and third groups of lighting elements 113 together may include substantially less than all of the lighting elements 113.

[0036] As shown in FIG. 3d, in the fourth state, the light assembly 110 may be configured to emit light 20 forming a fourth group of lighting elements 113. As shown in FIG. 4d, the fourth group of lighting elements 113 may also include substantially fewer than all of the lighting elements 113. Thus, in some embodiments, the fourth group of lighting elements 113 may be smaller than and / or included within the first group of lighting elements 113. Thus, the fourth group of lighting elements 113 may be a subgroup of the first group of lighting elements 113. Furthermore, the fourth group of lighting elements 113 may be arranged in a substantially linear pattern. In some embodiments, the fourth group of lighting elements 113 may include a selection of adjacent lighting elements 113 from the first group of lighting elements 113. In other embodiments, the fourth group of lighting elements 113 may include a selection of non-adjacent lighting elements 113 from the first group of lighting elements 113. For example, the fourth group of lighting elements 113 may be every other (1 / 2), or every third (1 / 3), etc., of the area of ​​the first group of lighting elements 113. In some embodiments, the fourth group of lighting elements 113 may be substantially limited to a third portion of scene 30. The third portion of scene 30 may be substantially smaller than the entire scene 30. In some embodiments, the third portion is substantially equal to the first or second portion of the scene. In other embodiments, the third portion may be substantially different from the first and second portions of scene 30.

[0037] As shown in FIG. 3e, in the fifth state, the light assembly 110 may be configured to emit light 20 forming a fifth group of lighting elements 113. As shown in FIG. 4e, the fifth group of lighting elements 113 may also include substantially fewer than all of the lighting elements 113. Thus, in some embodiments, the fifth group of lighting elements 113 may be smaller than and / or included within the first group of lighting elements 113. Thus, the fifth group of lighting elements 113 may be a subgroup of the first group of lighting elements 113. Furthermore, the fifth group of lighting elements 113 may be arranged in a substantially linear pattern. In some embodiments, the fifth group of lighting elements 113 may include a selection of adjacent lighting elements 113 from the first group of lighting elements 113. In other embodiments, the fifth group of lighting elements 113 may include a selection of non-adjacent lighting elements 113 from the first group of lighting elements 113. For example, the fifth group of lighting elements 113 may be every other (1 / 2), or every third (1 / 3), etc. area of ​​the first group of lighting elements 113 .

[0038] Furthermore, the fifth group of lighting elements 113 may be different from the fourth group of lighting elements 113. In some embodiments, the fifth group of lighting elements 113 is substantially equal in size to the fourth group of lighting elements 113. Furthermore, in some embodiments, the fifth group of lighting elements 113 may be substantially limited to a fourth portion of scene 30. The fourth portion of scene 30 may be substantially smaller than the entire scene 30. In some embodiments, the fourth portion of scene 30 is substantially equal to the first or second portion of the scene. In other embodiments, the fourth portion of scene 30 may be substantially different from the first and second portions of scene 30. Furthermore, the fourth portion of scene 30 may be different from the third portion of scene 30. Furthermore, the third and fourth portions of scene 30 may substantially overlap or may be substantially mutually exclusive. Thus, the fourth and fifth groups of lighting elements 113 may have some lighting elements 113 in common or may be mutually exclusive from each other.

[0039] In some embodiments, the fourth and fifth groups of lighting elements 113 may together include all of the first group of lighting elements 113, or may be substantially equivalent to the first group of lighting elements 113. Thus, the fourth and fifth groups of lighting elements 113 may together include all or substantially all of the lighting elements 113. In other embodiments, the fourth and fifth groups of lighting elements 113 may together include substantially less than all of the lighting elements 113.

[0040] Imager 120 may be any device configured to capture light in the second wavelength range and generate one or more corresponding images. For example, imager 120 may be a camera. Accordingly, imager 120 may be a pixel sensor using semiconductor charge-coupled device (CCD) or complementary metal-oxide semiconductor (CMOS) technology. The second wavelength range may include all or a portion of the first wavelength range. Accordingly, the second wavelength range may include or be substantially limited to light in the infrared and / or near-infrared regions of the electromagnetic spectrum. In some embodiments, the second wavelength range may be substantially centered around 810 nm, 850 nm, or 940 nm. In some embodiments, imager 120 may have a field of view of the scene. Furthermore, imager 120 may be configured to generate images based at least in part on reflected illumination of light assembly 110 from the scene and / or objects within the scene. Accordingly, one or more images may capture one or more of illumination elements 113 illuminating scene 30. In some embodiments, the imager 120 may be associated with an interior rearview assembly of the vehicle 10 .

[0041] The controller 130 may be communicatively coupled to the imager 120 and / or the light assembly 110. Accordingly, the controller 130 may be configured to switch the light assembly 110 between a first state, a second state, a third state, a fourth state, and / or a fifth state. Further, the controller 130 may be configured to receive one or more images from the imager 120. Further, the controller 130 may include a memory 131 and a processor 132.

[0042] Memory 131 may be a non-transitory computer-readable medium (CRM). As such, memory 131 may be a tangible device that may be configured to store one or more instructions (instructions), such as one or more algorithms, to provide configuration and operation of controller 130. Examples of memory 131 include a conventional hard disk, solid-state memory (RAM), read-only memory (ROM), erasable programmable read-only memory (EPROM), electronically erasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM), optical or magnetic disk, and dynamic random access memory (DRAM).

[0043] A processor 132 may be communicatively coupled to the memory 131. Furthermore, the processor 132 may be any device or electronic circuit configured and / or operable to process or execute one or more sets of electronic instructions, such as algorithms. These instructions may be stored in the memory 131. Examples of the processor 132 may include a central processing unit (CPU), a microprocessor, and / or an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC).

[0044] In some embodiments, controller 130 may be configured to create a depth map of scene 30. Controller 130 may be configured to compare the one or more images with a calibration image showing lighting elements 113 illuminating scene 30. The calibration image may provide controller 130 with an understanding of the structured light pattern. Depth data may be extracted from the one or more images based on triangulating one or more of the reflected lighting elements with respect to other elements. For example, controller 130 may generate the depth map according to the teachings of U.S. Pat. No. 11,310,466, which is incorporated by reference herein.

[0045] In some embodiments, the controller 130 may be configured to detect vibrations of a surface illuminated by one or more lighting elements 113 based at least in part on the one or more lighting elements 113 captured in images. Surface vibrations or movement may cause associated lighting elements 113 to change in their reflection intensity due to constructive and / or destructive interference. Reflected lighting elements 113 may thus form a varying speckle pattern. Surface vibrations may thus be derived from changes or shifts in the light intensity of one or more lighting elements 113 in a series of images. For example, the controller 130 may be configured to track the intensity of each of one or more lighting elements 113 over time and analyze the changes. In embodiments in which the system 100 is fixedly mounted to a vehicle, the system 100 vibrates with the vehicle and measures only its motion relative to itself. For example, the controller 130 may detect vibrations according to the teachings of U.S. Pat. No. 11,310,466, which is incorporated herein by reference.

[0046] Embodiments of the present disclosure may have various advantages. For example, embodiments in which the light assembly 110 is configured to illuminate the lighting elements 113 in a linear pattern in one state and illuminate the lighting elements 113 in a non-linear pattern in another state may provide the advantage of being able to utilize the functionality enabled by each of these lighting patterns with a single light assembly without having to select between pattern types, etc. For example, a non-linear pattern may provide depth mapping by allowing triangulation or localization of a surface illuminated by a lighting element 113 based on its unique relationship to other lighting elements 113. Furthermore, a linear pattern may provide an increased number of lighting elements 113, which may provide greater sensitivity and / or accuracy for vibration sensing because each dot may provide its own measurement. Furthermore, a linear pattern may be used for 2D imaging because the illumination is more uniform compared to a non-linearly patterned light assembly. Furthermore, in embodiments in which the light assembly 110 is configured to illuminate in two states corresponding to different regions of a scene, system 100 may have the advantage of not only being operable to perform depth mapping or vibration sensing across the entire scene, but may also be configured to focus on an area of ​​interest and reduce or eliminate lighting exposure to other areas of the scene, which may be particularly beneficial when humans or animals occupy part of the scene.

[0047] As used herein, relational terms such as "first" and "second" are used merely to distinguish one entity or operation from another and do not necessarily require or imply any actual relationship or order between such entities or operations.

[0048] As used herein, the term "and / or" when used in connection with a list of two or more items means that any one of the listed items may be used by itself or any combination of two or more of the listed items may be used. For example, if a composition is described as containing components A, B, and / or C, the composition may contain A alone; B alone; C alone; A and B in combination; A and C in combination; B and C in combination; or A, B, and C in combination.

[0049] The terms "comprises," "comprising," or any other variation thereof, are intended to cover a non-exclusive inclusion, such that a process, method, article, or apparatus comprising a list of elements may include not only those elements, but also other elements not expressly listed or inherent in such process, method, article, or apparatus. An element prefaced by "comprises a..." does not preclude the presence of additional identical elements in a process, method, article, or apparatus that comprises that element, without further constraints.

[0050] The term "substantially" and variations thereof are understood by those skilled in the art to describe a feature that is equal or approximately equal to a value or description. For example, a "substantially flat" surface is intended to indicate a flat or approximately flat surface. Furthermore, "substantially" is intended to indicate that two values ​​are equal or approximately equal. If there is a use of the term that is not clear to a person skilled in the art, "substantially" may refer to values ​​that are within about 10% of each other, such as within about 5% of each other, or within about 2% of each other, in light of the context in which it is used.

[0051] As used herein, "communicatively connected" may mean directly or indirectly connected through one or more electrical components.

[0052] While several embodiments have been described in this disclosure, numerous variations, modifications, adaptations, and alterations may be apparent to those skilled in the art. It should be understood that the present disclosure is intended to encompass all such variations, modifications, adaptations, and alterations as fall within the scope of the appended claims, unless such language expressly states otherwise.

Claims

1. a light assembly configured to emit an array of lighting elements toward a scene; an imager configured to capture one or more images of the lighting elements projected onto the scene; a controller configured to selectively activate the light assembly between a first state in which a first group of the lighting elements are selectively activated to emit a first pattern of the lighting elements and a second state in which a second group of the lighting elements are selectively activated to emit a second pattern of the lighting elements; A system comprising:

2. the first pattern of lighting elements is a substantially linear pattern; The second pattern of the lighting elements is a non-linear pattern.

2. The system of claim 1.

3. The first group of lighting elements is all or substantially all of the lighting elements.

3. The system of claim 2.

4. The second group of lighting elements is a subgroup of the first group of lighting elements 3. The system of claim 2.

5. The first group of lighting elements is a subgroup of the second group of lighting elements 3. The system of claim 2.

6. The first and second patterns of the lighting elements are substantially linear patterns.

2. The system of claim 1.

7. The second group of lighting elements is a subgroup of the first group of lighting elements The system of claim 6 .

8. The first and second groups of lighting elements correspond to substantially different regions of the scene. The system of claim 6 .

9. The first and second groups of lighting elements substantially overlap a common area of ​​the scene. The system of claim 6 .

10. The first and second groups of lighting elements correspond to mutually exclusive regions of the scene.

9. The system of claim 8.

11. The first pattern and the second pattern of the lighting elements are substantially non-linear patterns.

2. The system of claim 1.

12. The second group of lighting elements is a subgroup of the first group of lighting elements The system of claim 11 .

13. The first and second groups of lighting elements correspond to substantially different regions of the scene. The system of claim 11 .

14. The first and second groups of lighting elements substantially overlap a common area of ​​the scene.

14. The system of claim 13.

15. The first and second groups of lighting elements correspond to substantially mutually exclusive regions of the scene.

14. The system of claim 13.

16. the scene corresponds to the interior of a vehicle; the first and second groups of lighting elements correspond to substantially different regions of the scene; the first group of lighting elements substantially corresponds to a driver's area of ​​the scene; The second group of lighting elements substantially corresponds to an area of ​​a passenger in the scene.

2. The system of claim 1.

17. the controller is further configured to selectively activate the light assembly to a third state; In the third state, a third group of the lighting elements are selectively activated to illuminate a third pattern of the lighting elements; The second and third groups are subgroups of the first group of lighting elements.

2. The system of claim 1.

18. The second and third groups of lighting elements correspond to different regions of the scene.

20. The system of claim 17.

19. The first pattern of the lighting elements is a linear pattern.

20. The system of claim 17.

20. The second pattern of the lighting elements is a non-linear pattern.

20. The system of claim 19.

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