IMAGE RECOGNITION APPARATUS

An image processing portion (1) performs binarization, segmentation, and feature extraction of a received image using a RAM (2), compares the extracted feature with specific pattern data stored in a dictionary data memory (3), performs recognition processing, and provides recognition results to a CPU (4). The dictionary data memory is a volatile memory, in which specific pattern data held by the CPU is written by the CPU when power is turned on. Since the data stored in the volatile memory is erased when power is turned off, the dictionary data memory can be removed and the contents are analyzed when the power is turned off without causing any trouble.