49. A method according to claim 48, further comprising a confidence level determining step determining step for determining confidence level of said plural candidates based on the distance values provided by the different distance functions.
49. A method according to claim 48, further comprising a confidence level determining step determining step for determining confidence level of said plural candidates based on the distance values provided by the different distance functions. 50. A method according to claim 49, wherein said providing step selectably provides sorted distance values between the unknown pattern and the at least one known pattern, and sorted candidates for the unknown pattern.