Abstract: A method for ringtone, voice, and sound notification of printer status, comprising obtaining status information of a printer, converting it into an audible report, and delivering the audible report. The method is especially useful for visually-impaired users and for shared printers in crowded situations where it is difficult for each user to see the panel or monitor display. The methods also include detection by the events controller, UI manager instructing an audio manager, codec decoding an audio file in firmware and hardware organization; job owner identification information embedded into a print job with a unique tag; user identification sound data embedded in a print job; audible report for multiple jobs in a job queue, with positional information; text-to-speech conversion; unique ringtone melody for each user, comprising department prefix, higher pitch modulation for higher priority, and automatically converting an alphanumeric character into the corresponding note.

Abstract: A method for producing a 3D facial animation using a single facial video stream, includes producing a representative joint focused on a major expression producing element in a 3D standard facial model, producing a statistical feature-point model of various facial expressions of different people in the 3D standard facial model, moving each feature-point of the statistical feature-point model by tracking a change in facial expressions of the video stream, calculating a transformation coefficient of the representative joint corresponding to a variation of the feature-point of the 3D standard facial model, and producing a 3D facial animation by applying the calculated transformation coefficient to transform the representative joint.

Abstract: An apparatus for detecting movement direction of object, includes a converging lens, an image sensor and an image processor. The converging lens has an axial chromatic aberration between a first and a second rays in different wavelengths. The image sensor is for receiving and converting the first and second rays into first and second electronic image signals associated with the object. The image processor is configured for analyzing whether the object is closer to an object plane associated with the first ray or closer to an object plane associated with the second ray when the object moves to different positions, and determining the movement direction of the object based on the analyzed positions of the object relative to the object plane associated with the first ray and the object plane associated with the second ray.

Abstract: A printing system includes a converter for replacing graphic elements of a document (100) that is subject to subsequent processing such as color matching. Conversion involves using multiply transparency in place of overprint and creating transparency groups (21, 23) to replace elements (1-4) that have subsequent elements that meet an overlapping overprint criteria. An element transparency group (21, 23) includes multiple elements based on the original element (1, 3) but with geometry and selected colorant channels modified based on the relationship between the original element (1, 3) and each subsequent original element (1-4) meeting the criteria.

Abstract: An image processing apparatus includes a geometric position obtaining unit, an image retrieving unit, and an image rectifying unit. The geometric position obtaining unit receives a geometric transformation parameter, a block size, and a tile size, obtains a plurality of base-point coordinates of the geometric transformation parameter according to the block size and the tile size, and builds a base-point coordinate table according to the base-point coordinates. The image retrieving unit reads the base-point coordinate table, scans the base-point coordinate table according a fixed block size to generate a plurality of reference image ranges, and respectively retrieves a plurality of partial image data of a to-be-processed image data according to each of the reference image ranges. The image rectifying unit rectifies each of the partial image data according to the geometric transformation parameter.

Abstract: Systems and methods for identifying, tracking, and using objects in a video or similar electronic content, including methods for tracking one or more moving objects in a video. This can involve tracking one or more feature points within a video scene and separating those feature points into multiple layers based on motion paths. Each such motion layer can be further divided into different clusters, for example, based on distances between points. These clusters can then be used as an estimate to define the boundaries of the objects in video. Objects can also be compared with one another in cases in which identified objects should be combined and considered a single object. For example, if two objects in the first two frames have significantly overlapping areas, they may be considered the same object. Objects in each frame can further be compared to determine the life of the objects across the frames.

Abstract: A method for aligning point clouds is disclosed. The method includes inputting point cloud data of a reference object and a to-be-measured object, and confirming an original position of point cloud of the to-be-measured object. The method further includes determining a virtual position of point cloud of the to-be-measured object at each iteration, determining a minimum distance between point cloud of the reference object and point cloud of the to-be-measured object, and determining coordinates of each point in point cloud of the to-be-measured object corresponding to the minimum distance. The method further includes moving each point in point cloud of the to-be-measured object.

Abstract: A location and orientation in an environment is determined by first acquiring a real omni-directional image of an unknown skyline in the environment. A set of virtual omni-directional images of known skylines are synthesized from a 3D model of the environment, wherein each virtual omni-directional image is associated with a known location and orientation. The real omni-directional image with each virtual omni-directional images to determine a best matching virtual omni-directional image with the associated known location and orientation.

Abstract: An index detection unit (1040) detects the coordinate values of indices in a sensed image sensed by an image sensing device (1020) attached with an orientation sensor (1010). A contribution degree calculation unit (1070) acquires contribution degrees according to a frequency at which the image sensing device (1020) is located to have an orientation indicated by orientation information included in the position and orientation information of the image sensing device (1020) at the time of image sensing. A data management unit (1060) generates sets of the coordinate values and orientation information measured by the orientation sensor (1010) at the time of sensing of the sensed image for respective indices. A calibration information calculation unit (1090) calculates an orientation of the orientation sensor (1010) with respect to the image sensing device (1020) using the position and orientation information, parameter values, and the sets generated for the respective indices.

Abstract: A method for dynamically tracking a specific object in a monitored area obtains an image of the monitored area by one of a plurality of image capturing devices in the monitored area, and detects the specific object in the obtained image. The method further determines adjacent image capturing devices in the monitored area according to the path table upon the condition that the specific object is detected, and adjusts a detection sensitivity of each of the adjacent image capturing devices.

Abstract: One embodiment of the present invention provides a system that facilitates computer-assisted tagging of objects in a digital image. During operation, the system receives locations for one or more objects-of-interest in the digital image. Next, the system determines likelihoods of specific tags being assigned to the objects-of-interest. The system then automatically assigns tentative tags to the objects-of-interest based on the determined likelihoods. Next, the system displays the assignments of tentative tags to a user, and receives corrections to the assignments, if any, from the user.

Abstract: In one embodiment, video from a security camera is overlaid with small but visible indicators in each corner of the frame. The indicators may comprise an encoded value that can be decoded upon visual inspection by a user without the use of a computer. The encoded value may identify the camera such that a user knowledgeable about the format and sequence of the indicators can view the images and readily understand the identity of the security camera. In some embodiments, the indicators identify other information associated with the video such as the persons, objects, locations, conditions, times, or other data that is associated with the video.

Abstract: A system and a method are disclosed for generating video. Object information is received. A path of motion of the object relative to a reference point is generated. A series of images and ground for a reference frame are generated from the ground truth and the generated path. A system and a method are disclosed for generating an image. Object information is received. Image data and ground truth may be generated using position, the image description, the camera characteristics, and image distortion parameters. A positional relationship between the document and a reference point is determined. An image of the document and ground truth are generated from the object information and the positional relationship and in response to user specified environment of the document.

Abstract: An object detecting apparatus capable of suppressing an increase of processing loads with high accuracy and a learning apparatus for the same are provided. An object detecting apparatus includes an image window extracting portion (210) for extracting an image window as a partial area of an image in plural from an input image, and a network identifier (590) for detecting a presence of an object from extracted image windows respectively by using a node network in which nodes each having an identifier for identifying the object stored in a storing portion (502) are connected as a network.

Abstract: A method of processing for a coded aperture imaging apparatus which is useful for target identification and tracking. The method uses a statistical scene model and, preferably using several frames of data, determines a likelihood of the position and/or velocity of one or more targets assumed to be in the scene. The method preferably applies a recursive Bayesian filter or Bayesian batch filter to determine a probability distribution of likely state parameters. The method acts upon the acquired data directly without requiring any processing to form an image.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for estimating motion and occlusion is disclosed. In one aspect, a method of estimating motion and occlusion between three or more frames in a video stream includes identifying a plurality of motion vector candidates for each of a forward direction and a backward direction, generating a plurality of candidate pairs, determining an energy for at least some of the plurality of candidate pairs using a processor by jointly evaluating the forward motion vector and the backward motion vector of at least some of the plurality of candidate pairs based on interframe difference, spatial motion correlation, temporal motion correlation, and spatial occlusion correlation, and estimating motion and occlusion between the three or more frames by selecting a candidate vector from the plurality of candidate vectors based on the determined energies.

Abstract: A spatial motion calculation apparatus includes an image position relation calculation unit that calculates first similarities based on an image position relation between an inputted groups of feature points 1 and 2, a spatial position relation calculation unit that calculates second similarities based on an spatial position relation between said inputted groups, a feature descriptor relation calculation unit that calculates third similarities based on a feature descriptor relation between said inputted groups, and a spatial motion calculation unit that estimates the spatial motion based on the result that integrates the first to third similarities.

Abstract: An image processing device that executes deformation of an image includes a candidate area setting unit, an exclusion determination unit and a deformation processing unit. The candidate area setting unit sets candidate areas, each of which includes a specific image, on a target image used as a target for a deformation process. The exclusion determination unit, when there is an overlap between the candidate areas, excludes one or more candidate areas from the target for the deformation process so as to eliminate the overlap. The deformation processing unit performs deformation of the image on the candidate areas other than the excluded candidate areas.

Abstract: An image processing device that executes deformation of an image. A candidate area setting unit sets candidate areas, each of which includes a specific image, on a target image used as a target for a deformation process. An exclusion determination unit, when there is a candidate area that partially extends off a cropped image that is clipped from the target image through predetermined cropping, excludes the candidate area, which at least partially extends off the cropped image, from the target for the deformation process. A deformation processing unit performs deformation of an image on the candidate areas other than the excluded candidate areas.

Abstract: An electronic device includes a position sensing circuit that receives a tone from an audio signal output, modifies the tone, and returns the modified tone to audio signal input. The device's processor implements instructions to compare one or more characteristics of the modified signal to those of one or more reference signals to determine a pan/tilt measurement or other angular position of the device.

Abstract: Multiple images are combined where the images exhibit variations in illumination between one another. The images are of the same portion of an object, and each image is represented by a set of image data. A comparative data transform is applied to each set of image data, such that the transformed comparative image data isolates and preserves first variations in the illumination between the images but suppresses second differences in illumination between the images. At least one normalization transform is determined from the transformed comparative image data sets. When applied to at least one of the image data sets, the at least one normalization transform minimizes the variation in illumination between the image data sets. Each determined normalization transform is applied to the at least one of the image data sets. The normalized sets of image data are transformed to a single image of the portion of the object.

Abstract: A system and method for identifying a main object in a digital image using range information includes receiving the digital image representing a scene; identifying range information associated with the digital image and including distances of pixels in the scene from a known reference location; identifying the main object in the digital image based at least upon an analysis of the range information and the digital image; and storing an indication of the identified main object in a processor-accessible memory system.

Abstract: A system and method for measuring vehicle speeds using video sensing. The system comprises a tracking camera that generates accurately time-stamped video sequences of the monitored road at high frame rates and a processing unit that analyzes the video sequences in real time to detect moving vehicles and calculate their speeds using the time-over-distance method. The system automatically detects moving vehicles in each image frame and derives vehicle positions from a projective mapping established from reference markers on the road. Time information is obtained from the date and time stamp associated with each image frame. In one example, the system also allows a user of the system to set a trigger speed, and the system automatically saves a video clip of the vehicle whose speed exceeds the trigger speed, recording the speeding vehicle passing through the monitored traffic zone defined by the reference markers.

Abstract: The present invention relates to systems and methods for identifying captions associated with images in media material. A captioner includes a selector module and a caption identifier module. The selector module identifies text-blocks potentially associated with images in the media material. The caption identifier module identifies which text-blocks are captions associated with images in the media material, based on the textual and proximity features of the text-block and the images. The captioner may also include a caption feedback module to modify the determining of the caption identifier module.

Abstract: An embodiment of a scanning system is described including optical elements that direct an excitation beam at a probe array, detectors that receive reflected intensity data responsive to the excitation beam, where the reflected intensity data is responsive to a focusing distance between an optical element and the probe array, a transport frame that adjusts the focusing distance in a direction with respect to the probe array, an auto-focuser that determines a best plane of focus based upon characteristics of the reflected intensity data of at least two focusing distances where the detectors further receive pixel intensity values based upon detected emissions from a plurality of probe features disposed on the probe array at the best plane of focus, and an image generator that associates each of the pixel intensity values with at least one image pixel position of a probe array based upon one or more position correction values.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention relate to an image analysis system for detecting compliance with requirements for using personal protective equipment (PPE). An image capturing device may be used to acquire an image of an individual requesting entry into a restricted area. In turn, a PPE analysis tool may be configured to analyze the image to detect the presence of the PPE, e.g., by recognizing markings made using UV fluorescent dye, reflective ink, or other marking materials visible in the captured image and/or the physical shape of the PPE. The image analysis tool may be further configured to demine not only whether the required PPE is present, but also determine whether the PPE is being worn correctly by the individual requesting access to the restricted area.

Abstract: Aspects of the present invention relate to systems and methods for determining text orientation in a digital image.

Abstract: An optical positioning apparatus and method are adapted for determining a position of an object in a three-dimensional coordinate system which has a first axis, a second axis and a third axis perpendicular to one another. The optical positioning apparatus includes a host device which has a first optical sensor and a second optical sensor located along the first axis with a first distance therebetween, and a processor connected with the optical sensors, and a calibrating device placed in the sensitivity range of the optical sensors with a second distance between an origin of the second axis and a coordinate of the calibrating device projected in the second axis. The optical sensors sense the calibrating device to make the processor execute a calibrating procedure, and then sense the object to make the processor execute a positioning procedure for determining the position of the object in the three-dimensional coordinate system.

Abstract: Methods are described for controlling orientation of an aim point axis of a video camera having an instrument coordinate system to track a point of interest on a movable target object and calculating positions of the point of interest in a local coordinate system in which the target object is moving. The methods include measuring pan and tilt angles of the aim point axis and distance substantially along the aim point axis and calculating a calibration matrix which transforms a position defined in the instrument coordinate system to a position defined in the local coordinate system. A system is described including an instrument and at least one computer, wherein the instrument includes a video camera and a range finder, and wherein the video camera includes an aim point axis having an adjustable orientation. In one example, the target object is adapted to move on and inspect an airplane surface.

Abstract: An arithmetic device (400) calculates a moving amount based on an image sensed before movement and an image sensed after movement. The arithmetic device (400) generates a difference image with minimum noise using the calculated moving amount. The arithmetic device (400) removes noise from the difference image by performing image processing of the difference image. The arithmetic device (400) determines based on the size of a binarized region in a binarized difference image whether an obstacle exists. This makes it possible to accurately calculate the moving amount and accurately determine whether an obstacle exists.

Abstract: A system and method for character recognition with document orientation determination is shown. The method is a detection of simple page orientation based on a limited version of character recognition. The method includes binairizing an input image which has a plurality of alphanumeric characters with a first orientation. The method continues with extracting the connected components and determining a second orientation where the second orientation is based on a 90° turn clockwise or counterclockwise or, in the alternative, no turn from the first orientation. The second orientation will result in a 180° variance from the proper orientation or it will be the proper orientation. The method continues with implementing a limited version of optical character recognition for an analysis of a character and determining if that second orientation is upside down, based at least in part on the analysis. This method generally uses the character “i” for analysis.

Abstract: An image obtained by reading an original using a reading device is input in units of band images, the input band image is analyzed, and an area corresponding to the original within the band image is detected. A partial image containing the detected area within the band image is stored in a memory, and an image corresponding to the original is cut out from the stored partial image.

Abstract: A method, apparatus and computer program product are provided for recognizing a gesture in which one or more relationships are determined between a plurality of body parts and the gesture is then determined based upon these relationships. Each relationship may be determined by determining an angle associated with at least one joint, determining one or more states of a body part based upon the angle associated with at least one joint, and determining a probability of a body part being in each respective state. The gesture may thereafter be determined based upon the one or more states and the probability associated with each state of the body part. Directions may be provided, such as to an unmanned vehicle, based upon the gesture to, for example, control its taxiing and parking operations.

Abstract: An image processing apparatus and method for real time motion detection is provided. In the apparatus, a sub-sampling module receives and sub-samples a current image and a plurality of previous images and a census transform module performs census transform on each of the sub-sampled images to obtain a census vector. A correlation calculation module calculates and compares correlation values between the current image and the plurality of previous images and detects a region having highest correlation. A motion detection module tracks positions of pixels corresponding to the region having the highest correlation to detect motion information in the images. The image processing apparatus and method can obtain, in real time, the direction and speed of an object that is in motion in each image.

Abstract: Facilitating analysis of one or more mammography images on a review workstation is described. A point or region of interest is identified in a first mammography image of a human breast. The distance between the point or region of interest and a point of reference, preferably the breast nipple, on the first mammography image is determined. A locus of points in a second mammography image of the breast is calculated, the locus of points representing potential locations corresponding to the point or region of interest in the first mammography image, and the calculation being based at least in part on the distance between the point or region of interest and the point of reference. The locus of points is then highlighted a user so as to facilitate a determination by the user of one or more locations in the second mammography image corresponding to the point or region of interest in the first mammography image.

Abstract: A vehicle periphery monitoring device is operable to report a high contact possibility between a vehicle and an object at an appropriate time or frequency according to the type of the object. When the object is determined to be a human being and the position of the object in real space is contained in a first contact determination area, a high contact possibility between the vehicle and the object is reported. On the other hand, when the object is determined to be a quadruped animal and the real spatial position of the object is contained in a second contact determination area, the corresponding report is made. The second contact determination area has an overlapped area that overlaps with the first contact determination area, and an overflowed area that has at least a part thereof overflowing from the first contact determination area.

Abstract: A method of motion detection using motion information of neighboring pixels, adaptive for determining whether a plurality of target pixels in a current field are moving pixels, is provided. First, it is determined whether a neighboring pixel in a previous field corresponding to the target pixel in the current field is the moving pixel. If the neighboring pixel in the previous field is the moving pixel, the target pixel is determined as the moving pixel and otherwise it is further determined whether the neighboring pixels around the target pixel in the current field are the moving pixels. If the neighboring pixels in the current field are the moving pixels, then the target pixel is determined as the moving pixel. Accordingly, the mistakenly judged static pixels can be found and modified to moving pixels, such that the accuracy of motion detection can be increased.

Abstract: A method and system for increasing the detection, location, identification or classification of objects hidden on the surface or buried below the surface of the ground is disclosed. The method acquires image data in separate IR and/or visible spectral regions simultaneously and converts the data into intensity value arrays for each spectral region. These intensity value arrays are transformed into two-dimensional discrete wavelet transform arrays for each spectral region. The background clutter from the two-dimensional discrete wavelet transform arrays is removed; forming clutter reduced two-dimensional discrete wavelet transform arrays. The inverse two-dimensional discrete wavelet transform is performed on the clutter reduced two-dimensional discrete wavelet transform arrays to form clutter removed intensity value arrays. These arrays are subtracted in a pair-wise mariner to obtain chemical-specific spectral signatures.

Abstract: A method for motion detection of a horizontal line is provided. First, a horizontal motion area of the horizontal line is detected according to differences between corresponding target scan lines in adjacent fields. Next, the horizontal line within a horizontal motion area in a current field and in a previous field are respectively detected. Then, the horizontal motion of the horizontal line is detected if the horizontal line is detected in both the current field and the previous field. Finally, pixels of the horizontal line in the current field are set as static pixels and data of the horizontal line is calculated through de-interlacing of corresponding horizontal lines in the previous field and in a next field if the horizontal motion of the horizontal line is detected. As a result, the flickers occurred in the generated field data can be removed and the quality of vision can be improved.

Abstract: A system and method for measuring vehicle speeds using video sensing. The system comprises a tracking camera that generates accurately time-stamped video sequences of the monitored road at high frame rates and a processing unit that analyzes the video sequences in real time to detect moving vehicles and calculate their speeds using the time-over-distance method. The system automatically detects moving vehicles in each image frame and derives vehicle positions from a projective mapping established from reference markers on the road. Time information is obtained from the date and time stamp associated with each image frame. In one example, the system also allows a user of the system to set a trigger speed, and the system automatically saves a video clip of the vehicle whose speed exceeds the trigger speed, recording the speeding vehicle passing through the monitored traffic zone defined by the reference markers.

Abstract: A system and method are described for selecting and identifying a unique object or feature in the system user's three-dimensional (“3-D”) environment in a two-dimensional (“2-D”) virtual representation of the same object or feature in a virtual environment. The system and method may be incorporated in a mobile device that includes position and orientation sensors to determine the pointing device's position and pointing direction. The mobile device incorporating the present invention may be adapted for wireless communication with a computer-based system that represents static and dynamic objects and features that exist or are present in the system user's 3-D environment. The mobile device incorporating the present invention will also have the capability to process information regarding a system user's environment and calculating specific measures for pointing accuracy and reliability.

Abstract: One embodiment of the present invention provides techniques and systems for determining modeling parameters for a photolithography process. During operation, the system can receive a layout. Next, the system can determine an iso-focal pattern in the layout. The system can then determine multiple aerial-image-intensity values in proximity to the iso-focal pattern by convolving the layout with multiple optical models, wherein the multiple optical models model the photolithography process's optical system under different focus conditions. Next, the system can determine a location in proximity to the iso-focal pattern where the aerial-image-intensity values are substantially insensitive to focus variations. The system can then use the location and the associated aerial-image-intensity values to determine an optical threshold and a resist bias. The optical threshold and the resist bias can then be used for modeling the photolithography process.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention provide a method of generating a shaped line in a geographic data information system, comprising selecting a first shaped line (100) in the geographic data information system, determining (205) a clothoid spline (300) representation of the shaped line, determining (210) a location of a first shape point corresponding to the clothoid spline (300) and determining (235) a location of a second shape point corresponding to the clothoid spline (300), wherein the location of the second shape point is determined (510) to be a maximum chord length from the first shape point within a predetermined tolerance.

Abstract: There is provided an image reading device including a tag information reading unit for reading information recorded in an IC tag by performing radio communication with the IC tag attached or embedded at a predetermined position of a medium that becomes a target of image reading and an image reading unit for creating image data of an image recorded on the medium by scanning the medium. The image reading unit determines an area for the scanning based on area information related to the medium among information read by the tag information reading unit and, and scans the determined area.

Abstract: Apparatuses, computer media, and methods for altering a camera image, in which the source image may be angularly displaced from a camera image. A plurality of points on the camera image is located and a mesh is generated. Compensation information based on the displacement is determined, and a reshaped image is rendered from the mesh, the compensation information, and the camera image. The camera image is reshaped by relocating a proper subset of the points on the camera image. Deformation vectors are applied to corresponding points on the mesh using the compensation information. A correction factor is obtained from an angular displacement and a translation displacement of the source image from the camera image. The deformation factor is multiplied by the compensation factor to form a deformation vector to compensate for angular and translational displacements of the source image from the camera image.

Abstract: Method and system for combining a 2D image with a 3D point cloud for improved visualization of a common scene as well as interpretation of the success of the registration process. The resulting fused data contains the combined information from the original 3D point cloud and the information from the 2D image. The original 3D point cloud data is color coded in accordance with a color map tagging process. By fusing data from different sensors, the resulting scene has several useful attributes relating to battle space awareness, target identification, change detection within a rendered scene, and determination of registration success.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to systems and methods for modeling, recognizing, and tracking object images in video files. In one embodiment, a video file, which includes a plurality of frames, is received. An image of an object is extracted from a particular frame in the video file, and a subsequent image is also extracted from a subsequent frame. A similarity value is then calculated between the extracted images from the particular frame and subsequent frame. If the calculated similarity value exceeds a predetermined similarity threshold, the extracted object images are assigned to an object group. The object group is used to generate an object model associated with images in the group, wherein the model is comprised of image features extracted from optimal object images in the object group. Optimal images from the group are also used for comparison to other object models for purposes of identifying images.

Abstract: A system for managing physical and virtual inventory in a data center is disclosed. The system includes a resource management system for managing computing resources of the data center, an inventory management system for tracking physical locations of the plurality of hosts and the plurality of virtual machines in the data center and a smart rack for housing a plurality of hosts. The computing resources include a plurality of hosts and a plurality of virtual machines running on one or more of the plurality of virtual machines. The smart rack has sensors for detecting movement of each of the plurality of hosts in the data center. The smart rack also has a control unit to control the sensors and collecting data from sensors. The control unit is coupled to the inventory management system and configured to transmit the collected data to the inventory management system through a network. The plurality of hosts, the resource management system and the control unit are coupled together through the network.

Abstract: For each image sensing device, an index in a sensed image is recognized, and layout information of the recognized index in a coordinate system based on an image sensing device that has acquired the sensed image is calculated. Index information including identification information unique to the index and the layout information of the index is managed. If recognition of a first index in a first sensed image acquired by a first image sensing device has failed, or the first index has erroneously been recognized, the index information of the first index is varied on the basis of the layout information of the first index calculated by the above process for a second sensed image acquired by a second image sensing device other than the first image sensing device.

Abstract: A method for pre-recognition processing of forms with non-fixed fields. One or more objects that are present on a form can be reliably identified after conversion of the form into an electronic state. Objects are preliminarily assigned to act as reference points for spatial binding of data input fields or groups thereof. In the case of a text object as a reference point, text recognition is additionally performed. The spatial location of a reference point may be not fixed. A reference point may be described as alternative. Field identification may be performed either automatically or manually.