Higher resolution still image generation from lower resolution video camera frames

A video camera, comprising:

• a multi-element lens;
• a focal plane array coupled to the multi-element lens;
• and
• a hardware mechanism adapted to configure the video camera to
• capture a video that includes successive video frames captured by alternation between a first configuration of the video camera and a second configuration of the video camera, wherein the first configuration adapts the video camera to capture video at a first pixel offset and the second configuration adapts the video camera to capture the video at a second pixel offset;
• capture a first frame of a field-of-view through the video camera configured at the first configuration, wherein the first frame contains the field-of-view captured at the first pixel offset;
• upon capture of the first frame of the field-of-view through the video camera, adjust the video camera from the first configuration to the second configuration;
• and
• upon adjustment of the video camera from the first configuration to the second configuration, capture a second frame of the field-of-view through the video camera configured at the second configuration, wherein the second frame contains the field-of-view captured at the second pixel offset.

A non-transitory computer-readable storage medium having computer-executable instructions stored thereon which, when executed by a computer, cause the computer to:

• configure a video camera to capture frames of a video using different configurations that includes a default configuration, a first configuration, a second configuration, a third configuration and a fourth configuration, the default configuration adapting the video camera to capture video at a default pixel offset;
• capture a first frame of a field-of-view through the video camera configured at the default configuration, the first frame containing the field-of-view captured at the default pixel offset;
• operate a hardware mechanism on the video camera to shift the video camera from the default configuration to a first configuration, the first configuration adapting the video camera to capture the video at a first pixel offset;
• capture a second frame of the field-of-view through the video camera configured at the first configuration, the second frame containing the field-of-view captured at the first pixel offset, the second frame immediately succeeding the first frame;
• operate the hardware mechanism on the video camera to shift the video camera from the first configuration to a second configuration, the second configuration adapting the video camera to capture the video at a second pixel offset;
• capture a third frame of the field-of-view through the video camera configured at the second configuration, the third frame containing the field-of-view captured at the second pixel offset, the third frame immediately succeeding the second frame;
• operate the hardware mechanism on the video camera to shift the video camera from the second configuration to a third configuration, the third configuration adapting the video camera to capture the video at a third pixel offset;
• capture a fourth frame of the field-of-view through the video camera configured at the third configuration, the fourth frame containing the field-of-view captured at the third pixel offset, the fourth frame immediately succeeding the third frame;
• operate the hardware mechanism on the video camera to shift the video camera from the third configuration to a fourth configuration, the fourth configuration adapting the video camera to capture the video at a fourth pixel offset;
• capture a fifth frame of the field-of-view through the video camera configured at the fourth configuration, the fifth frame containing the field-of-view captured at the fourth pixel offset, the fifth frame immediately succeeding the fourth frame;
• and
• generate a higher resolution still frame by integrating the first frame, the second frame, the third frame, the fourth frame, and the fifth frame.