31. Apparatus according to claim 25, wherein said pattern recognition means includes classification means for providing the candidate in a case where the candidate is closer than a predetermined level from a known pattern.
25. Pattern recognition apparatus which provides an identity for an unknown pattern, said apparatus comprising: a computerized network bus for carrying image information; an image input device connected to said network bus, said image input device for inputting image information; pattern recognition means connected to said bus, said pattern recognition means for providing plural candidates for an unknown pattern, each of the plural candidates being based on a different one of plural respectively different distance functions, for comparing said plural candidates so as to determine whether or not said plural candidates are comparable, for outputting one of said plural candidates as the identity of the unknown pattern in a case where it is determined that the plural candidates are comparable, and for performing detail processing to determine the identity of the unknown pattern in a case where it is determined that the plural candidates are not comparable; and plural processing means connected to said bus, each said processing means for segmenting image information input by said image input device into patterns whose identities are unknown, for providing each unknown pattern to said pattern recognition means, and for receiving the identity of the unknown pattern determined from said pattern recognition means.