Apple has filed a patent for a brand new sort of picture sensor that might give future iPhones and different Apple units the power to seize pictures and movies with dynamic vary ranges approaching that of the human eye.
The patent, titled “Picture Sensor With Stacked Pixels Having Excessive Dynamic Vary And Low Noise,” was first noticed by Y.M.Cinema Journal and describes a sophisticated sensor structure that mixes stacked silicon, a number of ranges of sunshine seize, and on-chip noise suppression mechanisms to achieve as much as 20 stops of dynamic vary.
For comparability, the dynamic vary of the human eye is estimated to be round 20 to 30 stops, relying on how the pupil adjusts and the way gentle is processed over time. Most smartphone cameras at the moment seize between 10 and 13 stops. If Apple’s proposed sensor reaches its potential, it might not solely surpass present iPhones but additionally outperform {many professional} cinema cameras, such because the ARRI ALEXA 35.
The patent outlines a stacked sensor design made up of two layers. The highest layer, known as the sensor die, comprises the elements that seize gentle. The layer beneath, the logic die, handles processing, together with noise discount and publicity management.
At present, Apple makes use of sensors made by Sony throughout the iPhone lineup. These sensors additionally use a two-layer design, however Apple’s model consists of a number of authentic options and takes up much less area.
Probably the most necessary elements of the sensor design is a system known as a Lateral Overflow Integration Capacitor (LOFIC). This permits every pixel within the sensor to retailer totally different quantities of sunshine relying on how brilliant the scene is, all in the identical picture. With this, the sensor can deal with extraordinarily huge lighting variations, corresponding to an individual standing in entrance of a brilliant window, with out shedding element within the shadows or highlights.
One other a part of the design focuses on lowering picture noise and grain. Every pixel has its personal built-in reminiscence circuit that measures and cancels out heat-related digital noise in actual time. That is carried out on the chip itself, earlier than the picture is saved or edited by software program.
Patent filings can’t be taken as proof of Apple’s instant plans, however they do point out areas of lively analysis and curiosity for the corporate, in addition to what it’s contemplating creating for future units.
