1. A method of processing an image containing written information, comprising the steps of: (a) scanning a surface of an object to obtain an image of the surface represented by image data; (b) analyzing the image data to determine locations of one or more regions with written indicia on the surface; (c) creating one or more sub-images substantially limited to the dimensions of the indicia-bearing regions; (d) transmitting the sub-images from a first computer or process used to create the sub-images to a second computer or process; (e) further analyzing the sub-images at the second computer or process to decode the written indicia in the sub-images, where indicia may include logos, stamps, meter marks, alphanumeric information, labels or other distinctive marks.