Abstract: Described are techniques that guarantee the best opportunity for a camera to capture an image with an acceptable level of quality. Too frequently, images captured with mobile devices such as smartphones and tablet computers fail to capture images of sufficient quality for optical character recognition, for example. Image capture is allowed only after successfully completing a check of sufficient stabilization and focusing of the camera. A variety of sensors may be used to check stability including gyrometers, proximity sensors, accelerometers, and light sensors.