Abstract: In a method for identifying objects, in particular documents, production pieces and transport means, on which a permanent coding is applied which consists of segmented character symbols (30 to 36) which can be read both by humans and machines, further orientation symbols (24, 25) are applied to the object, these having a given position for coding. The coding (23) and the orientation symbols (24, 25) are recorded by an electronic camera, the output signals of which are passed to an image-processing computer (14). Scanning masks (30, 31) are produced which receive the anticipated position of the orientation symbols (24, 25) within the image recorded and the area of which extends beyond that of the orientation symbols (24, 25). Those symbols which are located in the masks (30, 31) are identified as orientation symbols (24, 25) and the coordinates of them calculated. In this way the precise position of the coding (23) is determined and further masks (44) scan the coding (23).