According to an embodiment, a device includes a detector, first and second recognizers, an estimator, a second recognizer, and an output unit. The detector is configured to detect a visible text area including a visible character from an image. The first recognizer is configured to perform character pattern recognition on the visible text area, and calculate a recognition cost according to a likelihood of a character pattern. The estimator is configured to estimate a partially-hidden text area into which a hidden text area estimated to have a hidden character and the visible text area are integrated. The second recognizer is configured to calculate an integrated cost into which the calculated cost and a linguistic cost corresponding to a linguistic likelihood of a text that fits in the entire partially-hidden text area are integrated. The output unit is configured to output a text selected or ranked based on the integrated cost.