Abstract: An attribute decision method includes steps of making a comparison between one feature value, selected from seven feature values, of an input pattern contained in an input image and membership functions determined from 37 standard patterns including alphanumeric characters of "0" to "9" and "A" to "Z" and a hyphen of "-" with respect to the selected feature value and then obtaining output values of the membership functions for the individual standard patterns with respect to the input pattern. The seven feature values are, when the input pattern is a mesh pattern, vertical structure vector sums, horizontal structure vector sums, up-down and left-right area differences, and a vertical cross number.