1. A method of recognizing objects comprising the steps of: extracting a brightness pattern A(Ca.sub.1, Ca.sub.2,. .. Ca.sub.n) including n picture image data points from picture image data in a predetermined field of view in which a plurality of objects to be detected are present; determining an average value Ca from said brightness pattern by using an equation ##EQU15## determining a pattern A' (C'a.sub.1, C'a.sub.2,. .. C'a.sub.n) obtained by converting said brightness pattern in connection with a deviation from said average value according to an equation EQU C'ai=Cai-Ca; determining a pattern A" (C"a.sub.1, C"a.sub.2,. .. C"a.sub.n) obtained by normalizing said pattern A' according to an equation ##EQU16## preparing a reference pattern B (Cb.sub.1, Cb.sub.2,. .. Cb.sub.n) comprising n picture image data points representing as brightness values the configuration of an object to be detected; determining a pattern B' obtained by converting said reference pattern B in connection with a deviation from an average value of said reference pattern B; calculating inner products of said patterns A" and B' and of said patterns A' and B', and identifying said objects by using said products as evaluation values.