Method for measuring a physical distance in a camera between two reference surfaces

Abstract

A method for measuring a physical distance in a camera between a first reference surface on the camera and a second reference surface on the camera wherein the first reference surface is substantially parallel to the second reference surface. An optical probe assembly is used in the method and includes a housing removably lockable to the camera in a predetermined orientation relative to the first reference surface. The method includes the steps of determining a distance LP from the first reference surface to an optically transparent material disposed intermediate the first and second reference surfaces. An optical probe assembly is removably mounted to the camera, and an optically flat plate is mounted at the second reference surface. Non-coherent light interferometry is used to determine a distance PF between the optically transparent material and the second reference surface. The distances of LP and PF are used to determine a distance between the first reference surface and the second reference surface.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.