6. A machine implemented pattern recognition method for inferring an input pattern comprising the steps: comparing an input pattern with a plurality of standard patterns; selecting a plurality of candidates that are likely to be the input pattern based upon identified values that represent the results of the comparison of the input pattern with the standard patterns; and inferring an input pattern from the plurality of candidates based upon a predetermined criterion of inference for evaluating the selected plurality of candidates, the predetermined criterion of inference being different than the criteria for selecting the plurality of candidates, and utilizing at least one characteristic parameter of each of the selected plurality of candidates and the commonness of at least one characteristic parameter within each selected candidate and the other remaining selected candidates.
6. A machine implemented pattern recognition method for inferring an input pattern comprising the steps: comparing an input pattern with a plurality of standard patterns; selecting a plurality of candidates that are likely to be the input pattern based upon identified values that represent the results of the comparison of the input pattern with the standard patterns; and inferring an input pattern from the plurality of candidates based upon a predetermined criterion of inference for evaluating the selected plurality of candidates, the predetermined criterion of inference being different than the criteria for selecting the plurality of candidates, and utilizing at least one characteristic parameter of each of the selected plurality of candidates and the commonness of at least one characteristic parameter within each selected candidate and the other remaining selected candidates. 10. A machine implemented pattern recognition method according to claim 6, wherein said criterion of inference assumes a quantity given by ##EQU19## where p(i) denotes an appearing probability of the input pattern i (i=1, 2, . . . N), p(d.sub.i,j .vertline.i,j) denotes a probability in which a quantity corresponding to the similarity degree between the input pattern i and the standard pattern j (j=1, 2, . . . N) is d.sub.i,j, p (i.vertline.d.sub.i,j) denotes a probability in which the input pattern is i when the quantity corresponding to said similarity degree is d.sub.i,j, and p (i,j) denotes a probability in which an input pattern i is checked with a standard pattern j.