Image processing apparatus

Abstract

An apparatus including a pick-up device which picks up an optical image of an actual object and a background, a first memory which stores image data representing the picked-up image by defining optical-characteristic values at respective positions in the optical image, a second memory which stores seek-template data representing one or more seek templates each of which includes pairs of points matching a reference edge line of a portion or a whole of a reference object, and a processing device for processing the image data and the seek-template data so that the seek template is superposed on the optical image, the image-data processing device including a judging device for making, when the optical-characteristic values of the optical image which correspond to the two points of each pair of each seek template satisfy a predetermined condition relating to an amount of difference between the optical-characteristic values inside and outside an actual edge line of the actual object in the optical image, an individual positive judgement that one of the two points of each pair is located inside the actual edge line and the other point is located outside the actual edge line, and further making, when the individual positive judgment is made with respect to the two points of each pair out of not less than a predetermined amount of the pairs, a total positive judgment that the actual object is identical with the reference object.