Primary and auxiliary image capture devices for image processing and related methods

Abstract

Disclosed herein are primary and auxiliary image capture devices for image processing and related methods. According to an aspect, a method may include using primary and auxiliary image capture devices to perform image processing. The method may include using the primary image capture device to capture a first image of a scene, the first image having a first quality characteristic. Further, the method may include using the auxiliary image capture device to capture a second image of the scene. The second image may have a second quality characteristic. The second quality characteristic may be of lower quality than the first quality characteristic. The method may also include adjusting at least one parameter of one of the captured images to create a plurality of adjusted images for one of approximating and matching the first quality characteristic. Further, the method may include utilizing the adjusted images for image processing.

What is claimed: 
     
         1 . A method for using primary and auxiliary image capture devices, each including an image sensor and a lens, to perform image processing, the method comprising:
 using the primary image capture device to capture a first image of a scene, the first image having a first quality characteristic;   using the auxiliary image capture device to capture a second image of the scene, the second image having a second quality characteristic, and the second quality characteristic being of lower quality than the first quality characteristic;   adjusting at least one parameter of one of the captured images to create a plurality of adjusted images for one of approximating and matching the first quality characteristic; and   utilizing the adjusted images for image processing.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein adjustments are combined in a single transformation operation. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein transformed pixel locations are pre-calculated and stored as a look up table. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 3 , wherein the look up table is compressed by equating offsets in the images before and after the transformation from corresponding anchor points in each image. 
     
     
         5 . A system for using primary and auxiliary image capture devices, each including an image sensor and a lens, to perform image processing, the system comprising:
 at least a processor and memory configured to:
 use the primary image capture device to capture a first image of a scene, the first image having a first quality characteristic; 
 use the auxiliary image capture device to capture a second image of the scene, the second image having a second quality characteristic, and the second quality characteristic being of lower quality than the first quality characteristic; 
 adjust at least one parameter of one of the captured images to create a plurality of adjusted images for one of approximating and matching the first quality characteristic; and 
 utilize the adjusted images for image processing 
   
     
     
         6 . The system of  claim 5 , wherein adjustments are combined in a single transformation operation. 
     
     
         7 . The system of  claim 6 , wherein transformed pixel locations are pre-calculated and stored as a look up table. 
     
     
         8 . The system of  claim 7 , wherein the look up table is compressed by equating offsets in the images before and after the transformation from corresponding anchor points in each image. 
     
     
         9 . A method for using primary and auxiliary image capture devices, the method comprising:
 providing an attachable, computing device accessory including an auxiliary image capture device and a connector configured for operable attachment to an external device interface of a computing device, the computing device including a primary image capture device and an external device interface; and   communicating, from the accessory, a captured image to the computing device via the connector.   
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 9 , further comprising:
 using the primary image capture device to capture a first image of a scene, the first image having a first quality characteristic;   receiving a second image of the scene captured by the accessory, the second image having a second quality characteristic, and the second quality characteristic being of lower quality than the first quality characteristic;   adjusting at least one parameter of one of the captured images to create a plurality of adjusted images for one of approximating and matching the first quality characteristic; and   utilizing the adjusted images for image processing.   
     
     
         11 . A system for using primary and auxiliary image capture devices, the system comprising:
 a computing device including a primary image capture device and an external device interface; and   an attachable, computing device accessory including an auxiliary image capture device and a connector configured for operable attachment to the external device interface.   
     
     
         12 . The system of  claim 11 , wherein the accessory is configured to communicate captured images to the computing device via the connector and external device interface. 
     
     
         13 . The system of  claim 11 , wherein the computing device is configured to:
 use the primary image capture device to capture a first image of a scene, the first image having a first quality characteristic;   receive a second image of the scene captured by the accessory, the second image having a second quality characteristic, and the second quality characteristic being of lower quality than the first quality characteristic;   adjust at least one parameter of one of the captured images to create a plurality of adjusted images for one of approximating and matching the first quality characteristic; and   utilize the adjusted images for image processing.