1. A method for processing image data on a mobile device, the method comprising: capturing, via an optical image sensor on the mobile device, a visual image that includes a plurality of objects simultaneously residing within a field of view of the optical image sensor, the plurality of objects including a target object; receiving, via a receiver on the mobile device, from the target object, via a medium other than the optical image sensor, distinguishing information about the appearance of the target object that is independent of a location of the target object and is broadcast by the target object, the distinguishing information distinguishes the target object from other ones of the plurality of objects that simultaneously exist with the target object within the captured visual image; using the distinguishing information to select, within the captured visual image, the target object from among the other ones of the plurality of objects that simultaneously exist with the target object in the captured visual image; sending, from the mobile device, when the target object cannot be selected from among the other ones of the plurality of objects within the captured visual image, a request to the target object that requests the target object to alter the distinguishing information; receiving, via the receiver on the mobile device, from the target object, via the medium other than the image sensor, the altered distinguishing information; and using the altered distinguishing information to select the target object from among the other ones of the plurality of objects.