what is disclosed is a system and method for estimating minute ventilation by analyzing distortions in reflections of structured illumination patterns captured in a video of a thoracic region of a subject of interest being monitored for respiratory function . measurement readings can be acquired in a few seconds under a diverse set of lighting conditions and provide a non - contact approach to patient respiratory function that is particularly useful for infant care in an intensive care unit , sleep studies , and can aid in the early detection of sudden deterioration of physiological conditions due to detectable changes in patient chest volume . the systems and methods disclosed herein provide an effective tool for minute ventilation estimation and respiratory function study and analysis in a non - contact remote sensing environment .