text: Patents have already hinted that Apple is looking to boost the cameras in future models of the iPhone and iPad, but its latest acquisition confirms it. The tech giant has bought Israel-based Link Computational Imaging in a deal reportedly worth $20 million (£13.5 million). LinX makes 'multi-aperture' cameras small enough to fit into smartphones and tablets that come with depth-sensing technology - as seen on HTC One's M8 duo-camera. Scroll down for videos . Apple has bought Israel-based Link Computational Imaging in a deal reportedly worth $20 million (£13.5 million). LinX makes 'multi-aperture' cameras small enough to fit into smartphones and tablets that come with depth-sensing technology. This technology could be added to the next-generation iPhones and iPads . Rather than capturing a flat 2D image, the technology is able to sense the depth of each object in a photograph. This lets people refocus an image after its been captured, or measure the dimensions of a room, for example. 'Utilising state-of-the-art multi aperture imaging technology that combines innovative image processing [with] advanced sensor and optics technology, our cameras set new standards for image quality parameters such as low light performance, refocusing and more,' said the firm. Rather than capturing a flat 2D image, the technology is able to sense the depth of each object in a photograph. This lets people refocus an image after its been captured or measure the dimensions of a room, for example. HTC One M8's version combines an UltraPixel and a Duo Camera. The first sensor captures the image, while the the second captures depth information. Once a photo is taken there are four editing options called Ufocus, Foregrounder, Seasons and Dimension Plus. These use depth information in different ways to make photos look more professional. Meanwhile, computers with Intel's RealSense 3D camera can recognise and respond to facial expressions and hand gestures so users can interact with them more naturally. It is already fitted to a range of laptops including the Asus N551JQ and Asus X751LD, and last week Intel's boss Brian Krzanich unveiled a version designed for smartphones and tablets. 'LinX cameras are significantly smaller than any camera on the market today, leading the way to DSLR performance in slim handsets.' HTC One M8's version of the technology combines an UltraPixel sensor with a Duo Camera. The first sensor captures the image, while the the second captures depth information. Once a photo is taken there are four editing options called Ufocus, Foregrounder, Seasons and Dimension Plus. These use depth information in different ways to make photos look more professional. For example, Ufocus lets users switch the focal point of an the shot, even if they appear blurry in the original picture. Foregrounder and Seasons lets users add effects such as a zoom, blur, snow and rain to an image. While Dimension Plus uses data from both cameras to let people change the perspective of the photo by tilting the phone. Microsoft's Kinect uses similar technology, as does Intel's RealSense 3D camera. Computers with Intel's RealSense 3D camera can recognise and respond to facial expressions and hand gestures so users can interact with them more naturally. It is already fitted to a range of laptops including the Asus N551JQ and Asus X751LD, and last week Intel's boss Brian Krzanich unveiled a version designed for smartphones and tablets. Apple has confirmed the acquisition but not revealed any more details. Its latest marketing campaign has been designed to showcase just how good the cameras are on its iPhone 6 range. Rather than capturing a flat 2D image, the technology is able to sense the depth of each object in a photograph. This lets people refocus an image after its been captured or measure the dimensions of a room, for example. Similar technolgoy is seen on the HTC One M8 (pictured) in the form of its Duo Camera . LinX's website said its state-of-the-art multi aperture imaging technology combines image processing with advanced sensor and optics technology. Sensors are pictured. 'Our cameras set new standards for image quality parameters such as low light performance, HDR, refocusing, and more,' said the firm . And if a patent awarded earlier this month is anything to go by, the camera on the iPhone 7 could take even better photos. The papers, originally filed in 2011, detail a three-sensor camera that splits light to boost the number of pixels it can manage. The patent is called 'Digital camera with light splitter' and explains: 'A digital camera component is described that has a light splitter cube having an entrance face to receive incident light from a camera scene. 'The cube splits the incident light into first, second, and third colour components that emerge from the cube through a first face, a second face, and a third face of the cube, respectively. Computers with Intel's RealSense 3D camera can recognise and respond to facial expressions and hand gestures. The technology is already fitted to a range of laptops and last week Intel's boss Brian Krzanich unveiled a version designed for smartphones and tablets (refocusing examples pictured) 'First, second, and third image sensors are provided, each being positioned to receive a respective one of the colour components that emerge from the faces.' Put more simply, instead of using a standard single sensor to collect the data of an image, the proposed system uses mirrors to split the incoming light in three, namely green, red and blue. These beams of light are then projected onto three sensors. A patent filed by Apple in 2011 and awarded earlier this month details a three-sensor camera (illustrated) that uses mirrors to split incoming light in three - namely green, red and blue . These beams of light are then projected onto three sensors. Each sensor can then collect and use more pixels per photo compared to a single sensor. This would ultimately boost the quality of the images including how vivid the colours appear and how sharp the image is . The patent is called 'Digital camera with light splitter' and explains: 'A digital camera component is described that has a light splitter cube having an entrance face to receive incident light from a camera scene. 'The cube splits the incident light into first, second, and third colour components that emerge from the cube through a first face, a second face, and a third face of the cube, respectively.' Put more simply, instead of using a standard single sensor to collect the data of an image, the proposed system uses mirrors to split the incoming light in three - green, red and blue. These beams of light are then projected onto three sensors. Each sensor can then collect and use more pixels per photo compared to a single sensor. This would ultimately boost the quality of the photos including how vivid the colours appear and how sharp the image is. Each sensor can then collect and use more pixels per photo compared to a single sensor. This would ultimately boost the quality of the photos including how vivid the colours appear and how sharp the image is. It includes the kind of sensors and technology seen on professional cameras. The files also explained that these mirrors could stabilise the image and direct the light in a way that accounts for shaking hands, for example. In its iPhone 6 and 6 Plus, Apple added a new sensor with so-called Focus Pixels to its 8MP iSight camera. It also improved its facial detection and exposure control. Focus Pixels use a bespoke image signal processor to collect more information about an image, including lighting, to provide faster autofocus. To showcase how good this technology Apple has launched a marketing campaign that only uses images shot on its latest handsets. Each photograph is accompanied by a caption on the online gallery, which says where it was taken, whether an app was used to improve the shot and a tip about why it is a good photo, which amateurs could use to boost their photographic prowess. For example, an image of a man in a field of sunflowers says: 'Photographing a subject from behind can add wit to a photo. Here, the subject and the flowers are both facing away from the camera.' Similarly, photographer Dan Rubin recently produced a range of photos for fashion brand Vida, each shot on the iPhone. To showcase how good this technology is, Apple has launched a marketing campaign that only uses images shot on its latest handsets. Each photograph (examples pictured) is accompanied by a caption on the online gallery, which says where it was taken and whether an app was used to improve the shot . Photographer Dan Rubin recently produced a range for Vida (pictured), each shot on the iPhone .
target: Apple has bought  LinX in a deal worth around $20 million (£13.5 million)
  Tech giant has confirmed the acquisition but not revealed any more details .
  LinX makes 'multi-aperture' cameras small enough to fit into phones .
  Rather than capturing a flat 2D image, the technology is able to sense the depth of each object in a photograph and lets people refocus the shot .