Methods for retrieving database with image information

• US 6,523,024 B1
• Filed: 05/02/2000
• Issued: 02/18/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 03/18/1994
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.
• Original Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.
• Inventors: Okuda, Hiroyuki, Kagaya, Noritsugu, Tamano, Maki, Akifuji, Shunsuke, Yajima, Hiroshi
• Primary Examiner(s): Rones, Charles
• Application Number:
  US09/562,757
• Time in Patent Office: 1,022 Days
• Field of Search: 707/3, 707/104, 707/501, 701/213, 345/302, 345/145, 353/12, 340/995
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 16/29 Geographical information databases
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 707/99933 Query processing, i.e. searching
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 707/99945 Object-oriented database structure processing

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.

Claims

1. Retrieval area definition information stored on a computer-readable storage medium for retrieving an attribute information linked with an image information, comprising:

a pair of positional coordinate values for specifying a reference point of the retrieval area and area form information for indicating form of said retrieval area and size of the form in which a part of said image information is overlaid on a display displaying another image information; and

a retrieval condition for retrieving said attribute information linked with a part of said image information included in said retrieval area, said retrieval condition being stored with a correspondence to said pair.

2. Retrieval area definition information according to claim 1, wherein shapes indicated by the area form information include a rectangle, a circle, a polygon, a free curve closed area and a registered specific shape.

3. Retrieval area definition information according to claim 1, further comprising:

magnification rate information for the image in the retrieval area when displayed on the display device.

6. Retrieval area definition information according to claim 1, further comprising:

link information for linking the pair of positional coordinate values with a separate image file storing a shape image of the retrieval area.

4. Retrieval image data stored on a computer-readable storage medium for retrieving an attribute information linked with an image information, comprising:

a retrieval condition represented by text format for retrieving said attribute information; and

a pair of positional coordinate values and area form information defining an area range for applying to said retrieval condition and overlaying said image information on a display device, to retrieve said attribute information included in said area range, said pair being stored with a correspondence to said retrieval condition.

5. Retrieval image data according to claim 4, wherein shapes indicated by the area form information include a rectangle, a circle, a polygon, a free curve closed area and a registered specific shape.

7. Retrieval image data according to claim 4, further comprising:

link information for linking the pair of positional coordinate values with a separate image file storing a shape image of the retrieval area.

8. Retrieval image data according to claim 4, further comprising:

magnification rate information for the image in the retrieval area when displayed on the display device.

9. A table for retrieving text data on image, the table being stored on a computer-readable medium, the table comprising:

retrieval area information for defining retrieval target area in the image;

retrieval condition information for defining retrieval condition by specifying attribute of the text data, the information being stored with linked to the retrieval area information; and

the text data including the attributes in text form and positional information on the image,

wherein the retrieval area information is used to extract first text data having the positional information within the defined retrieval target area from the text data, and the retrieval condition linked with the retrieval area information is used to extract second text data having the attribute specified by the retrieval condition from the first text data.

10. A method implemented by a computer for retrieving text data on image, comprising:

storing retrieval area information for defining retrieval target area in the image;

storing condition information for defining retrieval condition by specifying attribute of the text data, the information being stored with linked to the retrieval area information; and

preparing the text data including the attributes in text form and positional information on the image;

extracting first text data having the positional information within the retrieval target area defined in the retrieval area information from the text data;

extracting second text data having the attribute specified by the retrieval condition linked with the retrieval area information from the first text data; and

displaying the second text data in text and displaying a mark corresponding to the positional information of the second text data on the image.