PURPOSE: To recognize the loop-shaped picture element pattern of an object to be recognized at a high speed.

CONSTITUTION: This device is provided with a data shift means 11 which in order shifts loop-shaped picture element pattern data of the object to be recognized and one of reference picture element pattern data by one pixel, at a time a coincident frequency totalizing means consisting of pattern data which are shifted pixel by pixel in order by the data shift 11, a subtracter 13 which counts coincidence or noncoincidence between the pixel pattern data of the object to be recognized and the other reference pixel pattern data at every pixel and totalizes the sum, an absolute value circuit 14, and a minimum value holding circuit 15, and a comparing means which compares the totalized sum value of the coincidence frequency totalizing means with a preliminarily set value.