PURPOSE: To execute the labeling processing of a moving picture at real time by writing a picture element address in a multiconnection information memory in each generation of multiconnection with a target block.

CONSTITUTION: An input binary picture is sent to an one-line delay part 2, a block number applying part 3 and a connection detecting part 5 and the delayed binary picture is sent to a block number applying part 4, the detection part 5 and a label generation part 12. When the connection of blocks is detected, the detection part 5 writes distance between the leading picture elements of the target block and a 1st block connected to the target block in a memory 6. The generation part 12 generates a label based on the outputs of the memory 6, the number applying part 4 and the delay part 2 and a picture element address indicating the spatial position of the input binary picture in a labeling memory 13 as a write address. At the time of detecting the multiconnection with the block set up one line before twice or more, the detection part 5 writes the picture element address in a multiconnection information memory 8. Then processing necessary for completing the labeling processing is executed by software while referring the contents of the memory 8.