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EP0283267A2 Expired / Lapsed EP ⏱️ 0.0 years remaining

Information retrieval apparatus and interface for information retrieval

Assignee: Toshiba Corp
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Filing: 1988-03-16
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Granted: —
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Expires: 2008-03-16
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Abstract

Abstract An interface (3), adapted for receiving information composed of symbols, characters, and diagrams repre­senting a spatial positional relationship and used as a retrieval request, comprises an entry device (11, 12) for entering a two-dimensional image, and a retrieval request interpreting device (15, 16, 19) for recognizing elements forming the entered image, such as symbols, characters, and diagrams, and determining a two-­dimensional spatial relationship between elements so as to determine retrieval conditions. Information retrieval is executed on the basis of the retrieval con­ditions determined by the retrieval request interpreting device. According to the present invention, a user is allowed to enter a retrieval request in two-dimensional image form, namely, in an easily intelligible form and in a timesaving manner. This enables makes it possible to retrieve easily sophisticated information as well.

Inventors

  • 👤 Akio C/O Patent Division Okazaki

Bibliographic Details

Application Number —
Jurisdiction EP
Data Source google_patents
Last Synchronized 2026-10-28 16:40
CPC Classifications
G; G06; G06F; G06F17/00; G06F16/00; G06F16/50; G06F16/58; G06F16/583; G06F16/5846; G06F16/5854; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S707/00; Y10S707/99931; Y10S707/99933; Y10S707/99934

Claims Analysis

Total Claims: 10
Claim 1
Independent Claim 136 words
An information retrieval apparatus comprising: an interface (3) for receiving information composed of symbols, characters, diagrams, or the like, repre­senting a spatial position relation as a retrieval request; and retrieval executing means (4) for executing information retrieval in response to the retrieval request received by said interface; characterized in that said interface (3) comprises entry means (11, 12) for entering an entry image used as the retrieval request, formed of elements of symbols, characters, diagrams, or the like; and retrieval request interpreting means (15, 16, 19) for recognizing each of said elements forming said entry image, and determining a two-dimensional rela­tionship between elements so as to determine retrieval conditions; and that said retrieval executing means (4) executes the retrieval of information which meets the retrieval con­ditions determined by said retrieval request interpreting means (15, 16, 19).
Claim 2
Dependent Claim 136 words
An information retrieval apparatus comprising: an interface (3) for receiving information composed of symbols, characters, diagrams, or the like, repre­senting a spatial position relation as a retrieval request; and retrieval executing means (4) for executing information retrieval in response to the retrieval request received by said interface; characterized in that said interface (3) comprises entry means (11, 12) for entering an entry image used as the retrieval request, formed of elements of symbols, characters, diagrams, or the like; and retrieval request interpreting means (15, 16, 19) for recognizing each of said elements forming said entry image, and determining a two-dimensional rela­tionship between elements so as to determine retrieval conditions; and that said retrieval executing means (4) executes the retrieval of information which meets the retrieval con­ditions determined by said retrieval request interpreting means (15, 16, 19).
Claim 3
Dependent Claim 54 words
An information retrieval apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that said entry means (11, 12) is provided with symbol menus so that a code for each symbol can be entered by menu selection; and that said retrieval request interpreting means (15, 16, 19) recognizes the entered symbol on the basis of the code.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim 45 words
An information retrieval apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that said entry means (11, 12) comprises a tablet device (11) for enabling entry of hand-drawn elements; and said retrieval request interpreting means (15, 16, 19) comprises recognizing means (16) for recognizing said hand-drawn elements.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim 27 words
An information retrieval apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that said retrieval request interpreting means (15, 16, 19) forms a retrieval table as the retrieval conditions.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim 29 words
An information retrieval apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that said retrieval request interpreting means (15, 16, 19) forms retrieval commands in language form as the retrieval conditions.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim 92 words
An information retrieval interface adapted for receiving information composed of symbols, characters, diagrams, or the like, representing a spatial positional relationship and used as a retrieval request, charac­terized by comprising: entry means (11, 12) for entering an entry image used as the retrieval request, formed of elements of symbols, characters, diagrams, or the like; and retrieval table forming means (15, 16, 19) for recognizing each of said elements forming said entry image, and determining a two-dimensional relationship between elements so as to form a retrieval table repre­senting the positional relationship between elements.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim 92 words
An information retrieval interface adapted for receiving information composed of symbols, characters, diagrams, or the like, representing a spatial positional relationship and used as a retrieval request, charac­terized by comprising: entry means (11, 12) for entering an entry image used as the retrieval request, formed of elements of symbols, characters, diagrams, or the like; and retrieval table forming means (15, 16, 19) for recognizing each of said elements forming said entry image, and determining a two-dimensional relationship between elements so as to form a retrieval table repre­senting the positional relationship between elements.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim 54 words
An information retrieval interface according to claim 6, characterized in that said entry means (11, 12) is provided with symbol menus so that a code for each symbol can be entered by menu selection; and that said retrieval table forming means (15, 16, 19) recognizes the entered symbol on the basis of the code.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim 45 words
An information retrieval apparatus according to claim 6, characterized in that said entry means (11, 12) comprises a tablet device (11) for enabling entry of hand-drawn elements; and said retrieval table forming means (15, 16, 19) comprises recognizing means (16) for recognizing said hand-drawn elements.

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