36. A method according to claim 35, wherein said step of determining distance values includes calculating the distance values between the unknown pattern and the at least one known pattern.
36. A method according to claim 35, wherein said step of determining distance values includes calculating the distance values between the unknown pattern and the at least one known pattern. 37. A method according to claim 36, further comprising confidence level determining step for determining confidence level of said plural candidates based on distance values provided by said different distance functions.