1. Pattern recognition apparatus which provides an identity for an unknown pattern, said apparatus comprising: pattern recognition means for providing plural candidates for the unknown pattern, each of the plural candidates being based on a different one of respectively different distance functions; comparing means for comparing said plural candidates so as to determine whether or not said plural candidates are comparable, and for outputting one of said plural candidates as the identity of the unknown pattern in a case where said comparing means determines that said plural candidates are comparable; and detail processing means for performing detail processing to determine the identity of the unknown pattern, said detail processing means being selectably operable so as to determine the identity of the unknown pattern in accordance with a determination by said comparing means that said plural candidates are not comparable.
2. Apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said pattern recognition means includes classification means for providing distance values between the unknown pattern and at least one known pattern.