Abstract: A method for detecting a distortion of a light pattern defining a code word includes projecting a light pattern onto an object via a light source and detecting the projected light pattern and comparing the detected light pattern with a reference light pattern. The reference light pattern has individual, spaced-apart light pattern elements arranged in a plurality of successive columns in the direction of a first extension axis and the number and/or position of the at least one light pattern element in each column of the reference light pattern is an encoding feature that defines at least one code word. The distortion of the detected light pattern with respect to the reference light pattern is determined by comparing distances between the light pattern elements of the detected light pattern with distances between the light pattern elements of the reference light pattern.