Encoding information in illumination patterns

1. A method for encoding information in a structured illumination pattern comprising:

a1) providing an object with a surface having a three-dimensional (3D) relief pattern;

a2) selecting information to be encoded based on the geometrical and material properties of the 3D surface relief pattern, wherein the information is distinct from the object, surface, or relief pattern;

b1) using a digital camera to capture an image of the relief pattern;

b2) storing the image in a memory;

c) selecting at least one portion but not all of the object's surface including the 3D surface relief pattern, based on the amount of distortion introduced by the portion of the 3D surface relief pattern to the information being encoded;

d) creating at least one structured illumination pattern using a processor responsive to the stored image of the 3D surface relief pattern and the selected information, wherein the structured illumination pattern illuminates the selected portion with a variable intensity; and

e) storing the structured illumination pattern for subsequent decoding.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein creating a structured illumination pattern includes a mathematical inverse transformation based upon the 3D surface relief pattern and the information being encoded.

3. The method of claim 1 wherein the structured illumination pattern is monochromatic.

4. The method of claim 1 wherein the structured illumination pattern is polychromatic.

5. The method of claim 1 wherein the structured illumination pattern stimulates fluorescence or phosphorescence from the object's surface.

6. The method of claim 1 wherein the structured illumination pattern is a series of patterns.

7. The method of claim 1 wherein the stored structured illumination patterns comprise a video sequence.