1. A method for identifying patterns by means of a pattern registration means and a data processing means, wherein each pattern comprises at least one stroke based upon relative movement between a pattern-forming means and a pattern-accommodating means of said registration means, said registration means being operative to generate first signal information represented by first signals specifying relative position sequentially along a stroke, said data processing means being provided with prestored second signal information represented by second signals and being operative to generate third signals representing third signal information, said third signal information comprising specification of identity labels for strokes for use in developing coded information specifying said pattern, said method comprising for at least one stroke: designating from said first signal information a set of sequential first data points, said set of first data points being selected from or interpolated on the basis of said first signal information along said stroke; defining templates consisting of said second signal information, each said template comprising a set of second data points defining relative sequentially related position values and a set of permissible tolerance values, each of said tolerance values representing a preselected deviation for its associated second data point, at least one of said permissible tolerance values differing from at least one other of said permissible tolerance values for a single template; and comparing said first data points with said second data points to determine which of said templates provides best correspondence between said first and second signal information to produce said third signal information.