Methods and arrangements for processing image data

Abstract

The present disclosure provides methods and systems for processing data. One claim recites a camera-equipped portable computer system, comprising: a camera; one or more processors programed for: i) controlling the camera to capture image data, the captured image data corresponding to the camera's field of view; ii) defining a sub-region comprising image data within the field of view, the sub-region comprising less image data than does the full field of view; and iii) searching image data within the field of view for hidden keys, but limiting a response to detected keys to those only found within the sub-region. Of course other claims and combinations are provided too.

I claim: 
     
         1 . A method practiced using a user's camera-equipped cell phone, including the acts:
 capturing image data using the camera of the cell phone, the captured image data corresponding to the camera's field of view;   defining a sub-region comprising image data within the field of view, the sub-region comprising less image data than does the full field of view;   searching image data within the field of view for hidden keys, but limiting a response to detected keys to those only found within the sub-region.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1  in which the sub-region comprises a circle or oval. 
     
     
         3 . A camera-equipped cell phone comprising:
 a camera;   means for controlling said camera to capture image data, the captured image data corresponding to the camera's field of view;   means for defining a sub-region comprising image data within the field of view, the sub-region comprising less image data than the full field of view;   means for searching image data within the field of view for hidden keys, but limiting a response to detected keys to those only found within the sub-region.   
     
     
         4 . The cell phone of  claim 3  in which the sub-region comprises a circle or oval shape. 
     
     
         5 . A method practiced used a user's camera-equipped cell phone comprising the acts of:
 capturing image data corresponding to a region using the camera of the cell phone;   applying a filter to the captured image data, in which the filter prioritizes image data at a center of the region and averages images data at a relative distance from the center of the region;   searching the filtered image data for hidden keys.