PURPOSE: To provide a system and device for recognizing an object in a scene by using a picture processing. CONSTITUTION: A light source for illuminating a scene is included in this system. A picture processing system can photograph a first digitized picture of a scene including an object illuminated in a high level, and a second digitized picture including the object illuminated in a low level by controlling the light source. The two photographed digitized pictures are compared by using an algorithm 200 so that an object picture can be segmented from the background picture of the scene. The processed object picture (which can be used for the characteristic description of features) is compared with a stored reference picture. When coincidence is generated, the object is recognized. The training of this system can be attained so that the object can be recognized regardless of the size or number, and the object which is not originally programmed so as to be recognized can be recognized. COPYRIGHT: (C)1995,JPO