In accordance with a specific embodiment of the present invention, an
image is projected upon a surface. The image can include a pattern having
a plurality of individual shapes used to measure and map the surface. The
plurality of individual shapes include features that are detectable in a
direction parallel to the plane formed by a projection axis of the
projected shapes and a point associated with a view axis. The image
further comprises a feature containing an encoding information for
identifying the plurality of shapes individually. The feature containing
encoding information can be a separate feature from each of the plurality
of individual shapes, or may be a feature integral to the plurality of
individual shapes. The feature containing encoding information is
oriented such that the encoding information is retrieved along a line
perpendicular to a plane formed by the projection axis and the point
along the view axis. The use of the feature is used to perform multiframe
reference independent scanning.