An image collating apparatus comprises a device for setting a plurality of
predetermined paths in a reference image and a check image and
accumulating pixel values in the paths of both images with respect to the
plurality of paths to obtain a projected waveform or histogram of the
reference and the check image; a device for generating information of a
characteristic value as reference characteristic value information based
on the projected waveform or histogram of the reference image; a device
for generating the information of the characteristic value as check
characteristic value information based on the projected waveform or
histogram of the check image; and a device for collating the reference
image with the check image based on the reference characteristic value
information and check characteristic value information.