A new Apple patent published by the US Patent & Trademark Office has revealed the company is working on camera technologies for future iOS devices like the iPhone, which could be used to create super-resolution images.
Here’s an excerpt from the patent that explains how it works:
A system and method for creating a super-resolution image using an image capturing device. In one embodiment, an electronic image sensor captures a reference optical sample through an optical path. Thereafter, an optical image stabilization (OIS) processor to adjusts the optical path to the electronic image sensor by a known amount. A second optical sample is then captured along the adjusted optical path, such that the second optical sample is offset from the first optical sample by no more than a sub-pixel offset. The OIS processor may reiterate this process to capture a plurality of optical samples at a plurality of offsets. The optical samples may be combined to create a super-resolution image.
With OIS shutter speeds can be longer and thus more light can get through to the sensor, producing better noise-free photos in low light.
Apple currently uses software-based image stabilization, which takes four photos with a short exposure time, and combines them into one image with as little noise, subject motion, and hand shake as possible by taking the best parts of those photos.
There have been rumors, which suggest iPhone 6 could come with an improved 8-megapixel camera with optical image stabilization. It remains to be seen if it will be used to create high-resolution images. I wouldn’t bet on it.
[USPTO via AppleInsider]
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