Abstract: A method and apparatus for accurately recognizing most of components available in the market with moderate illuminating condition in high speed image processing are disclosed. After imaging a component having a predetermined electrode pattern, a core electrode 32 is extracted with the image being swept from a corner 33a (S1) through a small window. A H0V0 coordinate system is implemented with the core electrode set as its origin to observe its neighbor electrodes (S2). At this state, electrodes are sequentially extracted through a small window placed in an area predicted from previously extracted electrodes. Thereafter, an extracted electrode pattern is produced, and coordinates of its electrodes are obtained. Then, the extracted electrode pattern is collated with the predetermined electrode pattern by overlaying with each other for positioning (S3).