a printed document 10 is shown with reference to fig1 a . the printed document 10 corresponds to a form or document to be completed by a user or applicant , such as a mortgage application form . an all - too familiar scenario involves a user receiving the form in the mail and then handwriting information requested by the form ( e . g ., name , address , social security number , occupation , etc .). ( we hesitate to point out the obvious , but gone are the days when users have typewriters to help complete the form .) countless printed documents are discarded or scratched out due to poor penmanship or writing mistakes . once completed , the user signs the document and returns ( e . g ., typically via mail or fax ) the completed form to the form &# 39 ; s provider . with reference to fig1 b , our printed document 12 includes a plurality of areas 12 a - 12 e each having machine - readable indicia provided therein . the printed document 12 may include , e . g ., a loan application , account application , brokerage form , mortgage application , rental agreement , contract , employment application , questionnaire , entry form , certificate , contest documentation , checks , travelers checks , security documents , identification documents , government documentation ( e . g ., voter registration form , social security benefits form , etc . ), change of address form , legal documentation , driver &# 39 ; s license application , etc ., etc . the machine - readable indicia preferably includes steganographic encoding . the steganographic encoding is preferably subtle , e . g ., the encoding is generally imperceptible to human viewers of the encoding , but remains machine - readable with computer analysis . in some implementations , however , the encoding is in the form of a visible tint , texture or background pattern . in these implementations , the tint , texture or pattern may be visually perceptible , but the encoding itself is still generally imperceptible to a human viewer of the tint or background pattern , unlike a bar code . ( for example , a human viewer recognizes that a bar code is a marking or encoding , even though they may not be able to decipher the marking or encoding without the aid of computer analysis . however , the human viewer would not necessary recognize that our steganographic encoding represents a marking or encoding .). in some implementations the steganographic encoding includes one or more digital watermarks . some digital watermarking techniques make slight changes to a pattern , e . g ., by changing data representing the pattern , whether in the form of dct coefficients , wavelet coefficients , pixel values , or other interchangeable representation — to thereby encode auxiliary information . other implementations provide so - called “ pure ” or “ raw ” digital watermarking signals as a tint or pattern . the steganographic encoding preferably conveys a message or payload . the message or payload may vary from area to area . for example , the message or payload includes a unique identifier for identifying a type of area or a specific protocol or standard for an area or printed document 12 . if the message or payload represents a protocol or standard , a form generator can use the message to help place and regulate , e . g ., editable text boxes or fields within an electronic version of the printed document . ( a document or form generator is discussed below with reference to fig2 and 3 .) or the message or payload may provide a field type or length indictor . for example , the payload may correspond to an area 12 c ( fig1 b ) in which a user should enter her social security number . the payload may indicate that numeric characters are expected , and that the field length should be nine ( 9 ) numbers . a form generator can use this payload data to regulate a user &# 39 ; s inputted information . or the payload may correspond to an area 12 a ( fig1 b ) in which a user should enter her name . the payload in this case may indicate that text characters are expected . the encoding may also include an orientation component which is useful in helping to resolve image distortion such as rotation , scaling , and translation , etc ., and / or to help detect the message or payload . the orientation component may be a separate signal , or may be combined ( or concatenated ) with the message or payload . the encoding may also be redundantly embedded throughout a document area 12 a - 12 e so as to redundantly convey the payload and / or orientation component . with reference to fig2 , printed document 12 is presented to an optical sensor 20 such as a flat bed scanner , web camera , cell phone camera , digital camera , ccd sensor , etc . optical sensor 20 captures image data ( also referred to as “ optical scan data ”) corresponding to printed document 12 . the image data is communicated to computer 22 . it should be appreciated that optical sensor 20 may be tethered to computer 22 or may wirelessly communicate with computer 22 . in other implementations sensor 20 communicates over a network with computer 22 . computer 22 includes at least memory and electronic processing circuitry . a communications system bus will generally be used to help facilitate data communication in computer 22 . computer 22 includes steganographic decoding software ( e . g ., digital watermark decoding software ) stored in memory for execution on the electronic processing circuitry . the steganographic decoding software analyzes the captured image data in search of steganographic indicia ( step a ). the decoding software identifies a relative spatial positioning of the steganographic encoding within the printed document 12 ( step b ). the positioning ( and relative size and / or area encoded ) of the steganographic encoding can be determined , e . g ., relative to a printed document 12 corner ( e . g ., the upper - left corner of the printed document 12 ) or other document location . in some implementations , we scan the captured image data looking for steganographic encoding in a raster - like manner ( or looking at an image block - by - block ). once the encoding is found at a raster or block location , a spatial location or area boundary can be identified . in one implementation we determine a boundary for the encoding in terms of pixel locations relative to a fixed document position or document area . in another implementation the steganographic encoding carries data conveying the relative size or a corresponding area ( or electronic field positioning ) and / or the relative positioning of the area within the printed or electronic document . in other implementations ( see fig4 ) a printed document 40 includes one or more fiducials 42 . for example , a relative x & amp ; y pixel or spatial distance from an encoded area or boundary is determined with respect to fiducial 42 . placement of encoded areas 12 a - 12 e is determined relative to the one or more fiducials 42 . in still other implementations , the steganographic encoding includes a form indicator . the form indicator is used to index a data record which includes information regarding relative placement of a text box or field . for example , the form indicator may correspond to form 13 — a loan application . the data record includes data to help construct an electronic version of the loan application , such as field placement information . we generate an electronic version of the printed document 12 ( step c ) and present the electronic version ( e . g ., to a user ) for data entry ( step d ). generating an electronic version of the printed document 12 can be achieved using many different techniques . for example , in a html - based system we can use at least some of the captured image data as a background image ( or as an image overlay ). we then use the steganographic data ( or information derived from such data ) to help us correctly position editable text boxes or fields over the background image . a user can use an internet browser ( e . g ., explorer ) to complete the printed form ( see fig3 ). for example , the user enters information in provided editable text boxes ( e . g ., name , address , social security number , occupation , etc .). in another implementation , we use a word processor ( e . g ., word ) as our base program to generate an electronic version of the printed document . the word processor can use some or all of the captured image data ( corresponding to the printed document ) as a background image or overlay for an electronic version of the printed document . or an ocr program can capture text and relative positioning of the text from the printed document . the steganographic data is used to help position character fields within the electronic version of the printed document to receive user data . the selected portions of the electronic version can be write - protected to ensure data entry only in fields corresponding to areas 12 a - 12 e . as mentioned above , the steganographic data can be used to convey a type ( or length ) of anticipated information for a particular field . the base program ( or a plug - in cooperating with the base program ) can use the steganographic data to limit text to a specific type ( e . g ., numbers ) or to prompt a user to type in correct data ( e . g ., numbers instead of letters , or only 9 characters instead of 12 characters , etc .). in still another implementation , our computer 22 includes a so - called tablet pc . the tablet pc includes a touch screen ( e . g ., coupled with handwriting recognition software ) that allows a user to “ write ” on an electronic version of the printed document 12 as displayed on the touch screen . the handwriting is converted into a type font by the handwriting recognition software and the electronic version of the printed document 12 is ready for printing or transmitting . ( in some implementations steganographic encoding may include routing information such as an email address , ip address , url , fax number , etc . this routing information can be used to transmit the electronic version once completed .). with reference to fig4 , we optionally provide an identifying steganographic encoded area 44 somewhere on the printed document 40 . this identifying steganographic encoding provides data that can be used to identify a “ type ” of printed document . for example , the steganographic data may include plural bit data to be used by a steganographic decoder or software application / plug - in as a clue to launch an electronic form generator program . we envision a scenario where the steganographic decoder or software application / plug - in constantly searches for this plural bit data , and once found , launches the electronic form generator , whether it be html , word processor or other application based . the plural - bit data can also be used to indicate which type of printed document the form generator should generate . for example , the plural - bit data may correspond to a predetermined template or to a predetermine set of electronic form fields . the form generator can use the template or field set to generate the electronic form . thus , in some implementations , printed document 40 may not even include encoding in areas 40 a - 40 e . we note that in alternative implementations , the type or indicator plural - bit data is included in one of the areas 40 a - 40 e , instead of in a separate form area 44 . in still another implementation , a user launches an electronic form generator on a computer and then proceeds to electronically capture printed document 40 ( or 12 ). the electronic generator cooperates with ( or includes ) a steganographic decoder to generate a corresponding electronic version of the printed document . in some implementations a steganographic payload includes a tag or field name to be used with extensible markup language ( xml ) files . for example , if the payload corresponds to an area ( e . g ., 40 a in fig4 ) associated with a “ name ”, the xml tag may include the descriptor : “ name ”. a form generator can use the descriptor when creating an xml file associated with an electronic version of a printed document . then , when a user enters information associated with an electronic field associated with area 40 a , the user &# 39 ; s information can be stored in the tag or descriptor line titled “ name ”. ( in an alternative implementation , instead of a payload including a tag or descriptor , we include an index in the payload . once decoded , the index can be used to access a table or data record including a set of tags or descriptors . the index is used to interrogate the table or data record to find the corresponding tag or descriptor .). now consider a likely execution scenario . a user receives a printed document 12 . the user then presents the print document 12 to optical sensor 20 ( fig2 ) for image capture . steganographic decoding software recognizes the steganographic machine - readable code and an electronic form generator is launched . ( in some cases the electronic form generator includes the steganographic decoder ). an electronic version of the printed document is constructed , which allows a user to enter information in the electronic version . once the electronic form is completed , the completed electronic form can be electronically stored . in one implementation , we store the electronic version ( or information input from the user ) as an xml file . xml file fields represent at least the user &# 39 ; s inputted information , perhaps with a relative spatial alignment or field indicator ( e . g ., social security number or name ) of the inputted information . in some cases the xml file will reference ( or include ) a background or overlay image . if the steganographic encoding includes routing information , such information can also be stored as an xml field . or we can store the completed form as a file that corresponds to the host program . for example , if using word as the host program we store the completed form as a word file , or if we are using an editable . pdf format , the completed form is stored as a . pdf file . the user prints out the completed form for signing . we can embed additional steganographic information to be printed with the completed form . the additional steganographic information may include a form identifier or memory address . once signed , the executed form can be presented to an optical sensor for image capture . a steganographic decoder obtains the form identifier from the signed , captured form . the form identifier can be used , e . g ., to locate the stored , completed electronic version . ( see , e . g ., assignee &# 39 ; s u . s . pat . no . 6 , 522 , 770 , which is herein incorporated by reference , for related techniques ). for example , if the completed version is stored as an xml file , the form identifier can be used to locate the corresponding xml file . in some implementations , we capture a bit - map image of the user &# 39 ; s signature . the bit - map is associated with the xml file . the xml and the associated bit - map can then be electronically transmitted to , e . g ., the provider of the original printed document 12 ( or 40 ). we can optionally encrypt the xml file and / or bit - map for additional security . the above print - out - for - signature - and - then - rescan example can be circumvented in several other implementations . for example , the user can sign the printed document 12 ( or 40 ) prior to the initial image capture . or , if using , e . g ., a tablet pc , the user can sign the completed electronic form on the tablet pc screen , and then electronically transmit the form without needing to print the electronic version for a signature . in another implementation , instead of printing a completed electronic form , we provide user inputted information , along with a relative orientation or positioning of the information ( e . g ., where the information should be printed on a printed document ), to a printer . the original printed document is feed into the printer to receive the user - inputted information . as long as the registration of the user inputted information to be printed and the printed document feed path are reasonably correlated , the original printed document should receive the printed user input in the appropriate locations . this implementation is helpful in scenarios requiring the original document , such as some product registrations , government paperwork , legal documents , etc . in a related implementation a printer includes an optical sensor . the printer &# 39 ; s optical sensor reads an original printed document to determine the type of field represented by steganographic indicia . ( for example , the indicia may include an xml descriptor , and the type of field is evidenced by the xml descriptor ). the printer receives user - inputted information ( e . g ., from a form generator ). the user inputted information includes type of field indicators ( e . g ., xml descriptors or tags ). the printer ( or a print controller ) matches the user - inputted information with the appropriate printed document location and applies printing to those locations . we imagine that in some implementations not every printed document ( e . g ., document 10 in fig1 ) will include steganographic encoding . in these implementations a user can apply encoding prior to image capture . for example , a user may apply “ stickers ” including steganographic or machine - readable encoding . the stickers are applied over areas in which the user intends to enter information . the alignment and positioning of the stickers on the printed document 10 is determined and a suitable electronic version of document 10 is generated . to provide a comprehensive disclosure without unduly lengthening this specification , applicant incorporates by reference the above - cited u . s . patent documents . having described and illustrated the principles of the invention with reference to illustrative embodiments , it should be recognized that the invention is not so limited . the present invention finds application beyond such illustrative embodiments . for example , the technology and solutions disclosed herein have made use of elements and techniques known from the cited documents . other elements and techniques from the cited documents can similarly be combined to yield further implementations within the scope of the present invention . thus , for example , single - bit watermarking can be substituted for multi - bit watermarking , local scaling of watermark energy can be provided to enhance watermark signal - to - noise ratio without increasing human perceptibility , various filtering operations can be employed to serve the functions explained in the prior art , watermarks can include subliminal graticules to aid in image re - registration , encoding may proceed at the granularity of a single pixel ( or dct coefficient ), or may similarly treat adjoining groups of pixels ( or dct coefficients ), the encoding can be optimized to withstand expected forms of content corruption . etc ., etc ., etc . thus , the exemplary embodiments are only selected samples of the solutions available by combining the teachings referenced above . the other solutions necessarily are not exhaustively described herein , but are fairly within the understanding of an artisan given the foregoing disclosure and familiarity with the art . the implementation of some of the functionality described above ( including watermark or steganographic encoding and decoding ) is straightforward to artisans in the field , and thus not further belabored here . conventionally , such technology is implemented by suitable software , stored in long - term memory ( e . g ., disk , rom , etc . ), and transferred to temporary memory ( e . g ., ram ) for execution on an associated processor or processing circuitry . in other implementations , the functionality can be achieved by dedicated hardware , or by a combination of hardware and software . reprogrammable logic , including fpgas , can advantageously be employed in certain implementations . in view of the wide variety of embodiments to which the principles and features discussed above can be applied , it should be apparent that the detailed embodiments are illustrative only and should not be taken as limiting the scope of the invention . rather , we claim as our invention all such modifications as may come within the scope and spirit of the following claims and equivalents thereof .