Apple is Working on a Way for iPhones to Capture 'Super-Resolution' Images

Apple is working on a way for iPhones to capture 'super-resolution' images based on optical image stabilization, according to recent patent application.

Apple notes that when stabilization is absent, captured images may be blurry based on movement of the camera during the capturing process. For example, a user holding a camera may involuntarily shake while capturing an image, resulting in a distorted image.

The proposed solution uses optical image stabilization to solve the problem. The OIS system varies the optical path to the sensor in response to movement of the camera, such as jittering by the user operating the camera.


A series of images are then taken at various optical offsets and combined to create a 'super-resolution' image.

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.

More details can be found in the full patent application linked below...

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