A plurality of binary images are obtained from one form image by binarizing the form image by using a plurality of binarizing threshold values for improving a recognition rate of the search form irrespective of a state of the inputted form image, and format data are generated respectively from the plurality of binary images. A method of collecting light by reflecting light inside the concave cell, striking the light at the concave surface, scattering the light at the concave surface, and registering the scattered light with the photo detector. The L-PSN is used to connect a first set of conductors, through the L-PSN, to multiple sets of conductors in a given logic circuit hierarchy whereby the conductors in each of the multiple sets are equivalent or exchangeable, which in term, by construction, makes the first set of conductors equivalent when used in the next level of circuit hierarchy.