A camera , comprising: an optical array generator for generating a plurality of dynamic patterns for projection; a first imaging optics arranged within the camera to focus the plurality of dynamic patterns from the optical array generator onto a surface of an object to be measured; an imaging sensor arranged within the camera to record a plurality of reflected images formed from reflection of the plurality of dynamic patterns by the surface of the object to be measured; and a second imaging optics arranged within the camera to image the plurality of reflected images onto the imaging sensor, wherein the optical array generator further includes (i) a temporally and spatially modulated light source including a plurality of discrete regions (A,B;C,D) wherein a luminous intensity of each of the plurality of discrete regions is controlled independently, and wherein the plurality of discrete regions of the light source are LED dies, laser diodes (ii) a lens array comprising a plurality of sub lenses and, (iii) a collimator constructed to direct light of the light source onto the lens array, wherein each sub lens of the lens array is constructed to produce an image of the controlled LED array of the light source such that an image/structured light produced by the LED array of the light source is multiplied into an array of sub-images by the lens array , and the sub-images of the lens array combine in the focal plane of the lens array to form a combined image , and, wherein luminous intensities of the plurality of regions (A,B;C;D) of the light source are electronically controlled to generate the plurality of dynamic patterns in a time varying manner, wherein the light source is a 2x2 LED array of LED dies, wherein the full information in the LED array to be transmitted to the object is obtained by turning the four LEDs on successively and recording corresponding reflected images for each LED that is turned on. an optical array generator for generating a plurality of dynamic patterns for projection; a first imaging optics arranged within the camera to focus the plurality of dynamic patterns from the optical array generator onto a surface of an object to be measured; an imaging sensor arranged within the camera to record a plurality of reflected images formed from reflection of the plurality of dynamic patterns by the surface of the object to be measured; and a second imaging optics arranged within the camera to image the plurality of reflected images onto the imaging sensor, wherein the optical array generator further includes (i) a temporally and spatially modulated light source including a plurality of discrete regions (A,B;C,D) wherein a luminous intensity of each of the plurality of discrete regions is controlled independently, and wherein the plurality of discrete regions of the light source are LED dies, laser diodes (ii) a lens array comprising a plurality of sub lenses and, (iii) a collimator constructed to direct light of the light source onto the lens array, wherein each sub lens of the lens array is constructed to produce an image of the controlled LED array of the light source such that an image/structured light produced by the LED array of the light source is multiplied into an array of sub-images by the lens array , and the sub-images of the lens array combine in the focal plane of the lens array to form a combined image , and, wherein luminous intensities of the plurality of regions (A,B;C;D) of the light source are electronically controlled to generate the plurality of dynamic patterns in a time varying manner, wherein the light source is a 2x2 LED array of LED dies, wherein the full information in the LED array to be transmitted to the object is obtained by turning the four LEDs on successively and recording corresponding reflected images for each LED that is turned on. <EOS>