1. A method for estimating a location on an object in a three-dimensional scene, the method comprising the steps of: a) producing a plurality of radiation patterns by spatially modulating each of a plurality of first radiations with a distinct combination of one or more of a plurality of modulating structures, each of the first radiations having at least one of a distinct radiation path, a distinct source, a distinct source spectrum, or a distinct source polarization with respect to the other first radiations; b) illuminating the location on the object with a portion of each of two or more of the plurality of radiation patterns, the location producing a plurality of object radiations, each object radiation produced in response to one of the plurality of radiation patterns; c) producing a plurality of measured values by detecting the object radiations from the location on the object due to each pattern separately using one or more detector elements; and d) estimating the location on the object based on the plurality of measured values.