Method and apparatus to capture high resolution images using low resolution sensors and optical spatial image sampling

A digital image capturing apparatus comprising:

• a CMOS-based imager circuit for capturing complete frames of image pixel data of an image object via an optical lens;
• a motion control mechanism for incrementally displacing reflected light beams from the image object relative to the imager circuit to allow the imager circuit to capture different complete frames of image pixel data of the image object at different positions;
• memory coupled to the imager circuit for storing frames of captured image pixel data of the image object;
• and
• a processor coupled to the memory, the imager circuit, and the motion control mechanism for combining and processing the frames of captured image pixel data into one image thereby improving the object image resolution, wherein the reflected light beams are incrementally displaced according to a predetermined sequence designed to reduce the number of frames of captured image pixel data, wherein the reduced number of frames of captured image pixel data are independent of a physical arrangement of sensor cells of the imager circuit.

A method to capture an object image comprising:

• a) capturing a complete first image frame of an object using a CMOS-based photosensor array;
• b) storing the first image frame;
• c) incrementally repositioning the photosensor array relative to the object by a distance;
• d) capturing a different complete image frame of the object;
• e) storing the different image frame;
• f) repeat steps (c)-(e) for a predetermined number of times, wherein the photosensor array is incrementally repositioned according to a predetermined sequence designed to reduce the number of captured image frames, wherein the reduced number of frames of captured image pixel data are independent of a physical arrangement of sensor elements of the photosensor array;
• and
• g) combining and processing data associated with the captured images to generate a high-resolution image.

A method to capture an object image comprising:

• a) capturing a complete first image frame of an object using a CMOS-based photosensor array;
• b) storing the first image frame;
• c) incrementally displacing reflected light beams from the object relative to the photosensor array by a distance;
• d) capturing a different complete image frame of the object;
• e) storing the different image frame;
• f) repeat steps (c)-(e) for a predetermined number of times, wherein the reflected light beams are incrementally displaced according to a predetermined sequence designed to reduce the number of captured images frames, wherein the reduced number of frames of captured image pixel data are independent of a physical arrangement of sensor elements of the photosensor array;
• and
• g) combining and processing data associated with the captured images to generate a high-resolution image.