Methods for retrieving text information in a database through image information and a program stored on a computer-readable storage medium for performing such a method

• US 6,144,956 A
• Filed: 09/23/1997
• Issued: 11/07/2000
• Est. Priority Date: 03/18/1994
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.
• Original Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.
• Inventors: Okuda, Hiroyuki, Akifuji, Shunsuke, Yajima, Hiroshi, Kagaya, Noritsugu, Tamano, Maki
• Primary Examiner(s): Black, Thomas G.
• Assistant Examiner(s): RONES, CHARLES
• Application Number:
  US08/935,541
• Time in Patent Office: 1,141 Days
• Field of Search: 707/1, 707/2, 707/4, 707/6, 707/104, 707/3, 707/101, 707/10, 707/501, 1/1, 345/329, 345/203
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: F16B 2200/69 Redundant disconnection blocking means
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 16/29 Geographical information databases
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 707/99933 Query processing, i.e. searching
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 707/99934 Query formulation, input preparation, or translation
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 707/99936 Pattern matching access
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 707/99945 Object-oriented database structure processing
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 24/45801 Nonresilient walls define opening
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 24/4599 including closed elongated access opening for guiding transverse projection travel after insertion
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 403/46 Rod end to transverse side of member

Abstract

In a DB retrieval method, a two-step retrieval including quantitative and qualitative retrievals is interactively performed so that, through the operation of image information (e.g. map information) having a correspondence to a DB having text information such as attribute information stored therein, attribute information corresponding to the map information is retrieved from the DB. The quantitative retrieval includes a DB information reading process for reading image information, attribute information and information relevant thereto, and a quantitative retrieval process for making a quantitative retrieval including the partial overlaying of another information for retrieval on the original image information (or map information) or a rough retrieval with the other information used as a retrieval key called information lens, and storing the result of retrieval into a work file. The qualitative retrieval includes a DB information reading process for reading image information, attribute information and information relevant thereto, which are stored in the work file, and a qualitative retrieval process for making a qualitative retrieval in which the original image information (or map information) is overlaid with a retrieval key called a function sheet including the composition of a qualitative retrieval condition and an image indicative of a range of application of the retrieval condition, and displaying the result of retrieval on terminal.

Claims

1. A method for retrieving text information through image information, comprising the steps of:

(a) composing image data with a retrieval condition represented by text format and an image representing an area range of application of said retrieval condition on the basis of predetermined information; and

(b) by displaying said image data overlaying said image information on said display device, retrieving text information, which is linked with said image information corresponding to said retrieval condition of said image data.

2. A method for retrieving text information through image information, comprising the steps of:

(a) displaying, on a display device, said first image information linked with said text information;

(b) changing display manner of an image of a specified area of second image information linked with said first image information on the basis of predetermined information and displaying the changed image in a composite form with said first image information; and

(c) retrieving text information corresponding to the changed image from said database.

3. A program stored on a computer-readable storage medium and executed for retrieving text information, including the steps of:

(a) retrieving said text information, which is linked with a first image information, corresponding to a specified area of a second image information linked with and displayed overlaying said first image information displayed on a display device from database; and

(b) by using image data composed of a retrieval condition and an area range of application thereof on the basis of predetermined information, retrieving text information corresponding to said image data displayed overlaying said first image information displayed on said display device from said text information retrieved at said step (a).

4. A method for retrieving text information through image information, comprising the steps of:

(a) retrieving said text information, which is linked with a first image information, corresponding to a specified area of a second image information linked with and displayed overlaying said first image information displayed on a display device from a database; and

(b) by using image data composed of a retrieval condition and an area range of application thereof on the basis of predetermined information, retrieving text information corresponding to said image data displayed overlaying said first image information displayed on said display device from said text information retrieved at said step (a).

5. A program stored on a computer-readable storage medium and executed for retrieving text information, including the steps of:

(a) composing image data with a retrieval condition represented by text format and an image representing an area range of application of said retrieval condition on the basis of predetermined information; and

(b) by displaying said image data overlaying said image information on said display device, retrieving text information, which is linked with said image information, corresponding to said retrieval condition of said image data.

6. A program stored on a computer-readable storage medium and executed for retrieving text information, including the steps of:

(a) displaying, on a display device, said first image information linked with said text information;

(b) changing display manner of an image of a specified area of second image information linked with said first image information on the basis of predetermined information and displaying the changed image in a composite form with said first image information; and

(c) retrieving text information corresponding to the changed image from database.

7. A method for displaying retrieval results, comprising the steps of:

(a) composing image data with a retrieval condition represented by text format and an image representing an area range of application of said retrieval condition;

(b) by displaying said image data overlaying said image information on said display device, retrieving text information, which is linked with said image information, corresponding to said retrieval condition of said image data; and

(c) displaying, on said display device, retrieved text information connected to a mark showing an object within said area range corresponding to said retrieval condition.

8. A method for displaying image information, comprising the steps of:

(a) displaying an area range coupled with a handling object overlaying said image information displayed on a display device;

(b) displaying, as another display manner, contents corresponding to said image information within said area range on said display device;

(c) moving on said display device said handling object on the basis of a user instruction; and

(d) changing, on said display device, said area range and said contents according to said moving at said step (c).

9. A method for retrieving text information in a database through image information, comprising the steps of:

(a) reading a first image information of a database in which said text information linked with the first image information is stored from a storage device;

(b) determining a retrieval area on the first image information by changing a specified area of a second image information linked with and displayed overlaying said first image information displayed on a display device on the basis of a first user instruction; and

(c) composing a retrieval condition and an area range of application thereof as an image data on the basis of a second user instruction, retrieving text information corresponding to said image data displayed overlaying said determined retrieval area of said first image information displayed on said display device, and outputting the result of retrieval.