Data retrieval method and link-information adding method

Claim 2

A link-information adding method of adding new link-information data to a data string in a data-string set consisting of a plurality of data strings, each data string DS -- 1 having (1) a data identification name storage area storing a data identification name, (2) a data level storage area storing a data level value, and (3) a parent data storage area storing link-information data about a data string DS -- 2 storing the data identification name which indicates a set including the data identification name stored in the data string DS -- 1, wherein: (A) the data string DS -- 2 has a greater data level value than the data string DS -- 1 has, (B) the parent data storage area of the data string DS -- 1 does not contain link-information data about the data string DS -- 1 itself, and the link-information data stored in the parent data storage area of the data string DS -- 1 differ from one another, and (C) when data strings are consecutively traced on the basis of link-information data stored in parent data storage areas of data strings, with arbitrary link-information data stored in the parent data storage area of the data string DS -- 1 as a starting point, until the parent data storage area of the traced data string is empty, the link-information data about the data string DS -- 1 is included in none of the parent data storage areas of the traced data strings, the method comprising the steps of (a) inputting a data identification name and a parent concept name which indicates a set including the data identification name, (b) adding no link-information data when the inputted data identification name and the inputted parent concept name are in agreement with each other, (c) extracting a data string DS -- I storing the inputted data identification name when the inputted data identification name and the inputted parent concept name are not in agreement with each other, (d) extracting a data string DS -- P storing the data identification name which is in agreement with the inputted parent concept name, (e) adding no link-information data when the parent data storage area of the data string DS -- I extracted in the step (c) has link-information data about the data string DS -- P extracted in the step (d), (f) extracting a data string on the basis of link-information data stored in the parent data storage area of the data string DS -- P extracted in the step (d) when the parent data storage area of the data string DS -- I extracted in the step (c) has no link-information data about the data string DS -- P extracted in the step (d), and further extracting a data string on the basis of the link-information data stored in the parent data storage area of the extracted data string until the parent data storage area of the extracted data string is empty, (g) adding no link-information data when any one of the data strings extracted in the step (f) is in agreement with the data string DS -- I extracted in the step (c), (h) storing link-information data about the data string DS -- P extracted in the step (d) to the parent data storage area of the data string DS -- I extracted in the step (c) when none of the data strings extracted in the step (f) is in agreement with the data string DS -- I extracted in the step (c), and (i) storing a value obtained by adding 1 to the data level value of the data string DS -- I extracted in the step (c) in the data level storage area of the data string DS -- P extracted in the step (d) when the data string DS -- P extracted in the step (d) has a data level value equal to, or smaller than, the data level value of the data string DS -- I extracted in the step (c).

Claim 3

A link-information adding method of adding new link-information data to a data string in a data-string set consisting of a plurality of data strings, each data string DS -- 1 having (1) a data identification name storage area storing a data identification name, (2) a data level storage area storing a data level value, and (3) an element data storage area storing link-information data about a data string DS -- 0 storing a data identification name which is an element of a set indicated by the data identification name stored in the data string DS -- 1, wherein: (A) the data string DS -- 0 has a smaller data level value than the data string DS -- 1 has, (B) the element data storage area of the data string DS -- 1 does not contain link-information data about the data string DS -- 1 itself, and the link-information data stored in the element data storage area of the data strings DS -- 1 differ from one another, and (C) when data strings are consecutively traced on the basis of link-information data stored in element data storage areas of data strings, with arbitrary link-information data stored in the element data storage area of the data string DS -- 1 as a starting point, until the element data storage area of the traced data string is empty, the link-information data about the data string DS -- 1 is included in none of the element data storage areas of the traced data strings, the method comprising the steps of (a) inputting a data identification name and an element concept name which is an element of a set indicated by the data identification name, (b) adding no link-information data when the inputted data identification name and the inputted element concept name are in agreement with each other, (c) extracting a data string DS -- I storing the inputted data identification name when the inputted data identification name and the inputted element concept name are not in agreement with each other, (d) extracting a data string DS -- E storing the data identification name which is in agreement with the inputted element concept name, (e) adding no link-information data when the element data storage area of the data string DS -- I extracted in the step (c) has link-information data about the data string DS -- E extracted in the step (d), (f) extracting a data string on the basis of link-information data stored in the element data storage area of the data string DS -- E extracted in the step (d) when the element data storage area of the data string DS -- I extracted in the step (c) has no link-information data about the data string DS -- E extracted in the step (d), and further extracting a data string on the basis of the link-information data stored in the element data storage area of the extracted data string until the element data storage area of the extracted data string is empty, (g) adding no link-information data when any one of the data strings extracted in the step (f) is in agreement with the data string DS -- I extracted in the step (c), (h) storing link-information data about the data string DS -- E extracted in the step (d) to the element data storage area of the data string DS -- I extracted in the step (c) when none of the data strings extracted in the step (f) is in agreement with the data string DS -- I extracted in the step (c), and (i) storing a value obtained by adding 1 to the data level value of the data string DS -- E extracted in the step (d) in the data level storage area of the data string DS -- I extracted in the step (c) when the data string DS -- E extracted in the step (d) has a data level value equal to, or greater than, the data level value of the data string DS -- I extracted in the step (c).

Claim 4

A link-information adding method of adding new link-information data to a data string in a data-string set consisting of a plurality of data strings, each data string DS -- 1 having (1) a data identification name storage area storing a data identification name, (2) a data level storage area storing a data level value, and (3) an element data storage area storing link-information data about a data string DS -- 0 storing a data identification name which is an element of a set indicated by the data identification name stored in the data string DS -- 1, wherein: (A) the data string DS -- 0 has a smaller data level value than the data string DS -- 1 has, (B) the element data storage area of the data string DS -- 1 does not contain link-information data about the data string DS -- 1 itself, and the link-information data stored in the element data storage area of the data strings DS -- 1 differ from one another, and (C) when data strings are consecutively traced on the basis of link-information data stored in element data storage areas of data strings, with arbitrary link-information data stored in the element data storage area of the data string DS -- 1 as a starting point, until the element data storage area of the traced data string is empty, the link-information data about the data string DS -- 1 is included in none of the element data storage areas of the traced data strings, the method comprising the steps of (a) inputting a data identification name and an element concept name which is an element of a set indicated by the data identification name, (b) adding no link-information data when the inputted data identification name and the inputted element concept name are in agreement with each other, (c) extracting a data string DS -- I storing the inputted data identification name when the inputted data identification name and the inputted element concept name are not in agreement with each other, (d) extracting a data string DS -- E storing the data identification name which is in agreement with the inputted element concept name, (e) adding no link-information data when the element data storage area of the data string DS -- I extracted in the step (c) has link-information data about the data string DS -- E extracted in the step (d), (f) extracting a data string on the basis of link-information data stored in the element data storage area of the data string DS -- E extracted in the step (d) when the element data storage area of the data string DS -- I extracted in the step (c) has no link-information data about the data string DS -- E extracted in the step (d), and further extracting a data string on the basis of the link-information data stored in the element data storage area of the extracted data string until the element data storage area of the extracted data string is empty, (g) adding no link-information data when any one of the data strings extracted in the step (f) is in agreement with the data string DS -- I extracted in the step (c), (h) storing link-information data about the data string DS -- E extracted in the step (d) to the element data storage area of the data string DS -- I extracted in the step (c) when none of the data strings extracted in the step (f) is in agreement with the data string DS -- I extracted in the step (c), and (i) storing a value obtained by adding 1 to the data level value of the data string DS -- E extracted in the step (d) in the data level storage area of the data string DS -- I extracted in the step (c) when the data string DS -- E extracted in the step (d) has a data level value equal to, or greater than, the data level value of the data string DS -- I extracted in the step (c).

Claim 5

A link-information adding method of adding link-information data to a data string in a data-string set consisting of a plurality of data strings, each data string DS -- 1 having (1) a data identification name storage area storing a data identification name, (2) a data level storage area storing a data level value, (3) a parent data storage area storing link-information data about a data string DS -- 2 storing a data identification name which indicates a set including the data identification name stored in the data string DS -- 1, and (4) an element data storage area storing link-information data about a data string DS -- 0 storing a data identification name which is an element of a set indicated by the data identification name stored in the data string DS -- 1, wherein: (A) the data string DS -- 2 has a greater data level value than the data string DS -- 1 has, (B) the parent data storage area of the data string DS -- 1 does not contain link-information data about the data string DS -- 1 itself, and the link-information data stored in the parent data storage area of the data string DS -- 1 differ from one another, (C) when data strings are consecutively traced on the basis of link-information data stored in parent data storage areas of data strings, with arbitrary link-information data stored in the parent data storage area of the data string DS -- 1 as a starting point, until the parent data storage area of the traced data string is empty, the link-information data about the data string DS -- 1 is included in none of the parent data storage areas of the traced data strings, (D) the data string DS -- 0 has a smaller data level value than the data string DS -- 1 has, (E) the element data storage area of the data string DS -- 1 does not contain link-information data about the data string DS -- 1 itself, and the link-information data stored in the element data storage area of the data strings DS -- 1 differ from one another, and (F) when data strings are consecutively traced on the basis of link-information data stored in element data storage areas of data strings, with arbitrary link-information data stored in the element data storage area of the data string DS -- 1 as a starting point, until the element data storage area of the traced data string is empty, the link-information data about the data string DS -- 1 is included in none of the element data storage areas of the traced data strings, the method comprising the steps of (a) inputting a data identification name and a parent concept name which indicates a set including the data identification name, (b) adding no link-information data when the inputted data identification name and the inputted parent concept name are in agreement with each other, (c) extracting a data string DS -- I storing the inputted data identification name when the inputted data identification name and the inputted parent concept name are not in agreement with each other, (d) extracting a data string DS -- P storing the data identification name which is in agreement with the inputted parent concept name, (e) adding no link-information data when the parent data storage area of the data string DS -- I extracted in the step (c) has link-information data about the data string DS -- P extracted in the step (d), (f) extracting a data string on the basis of link-information data stored in the parent data storage area of the data string DS -- P extracted in the step (d) when the parent data storage area of the data string DS -- I extracted in the step (c) has no link-information data about the data string DS -- P extracted in the step (d), and further extracting a data string on the basis of the link-information data stored in the parent data storage area of the extracted data string until the parent data storage area of the extracted data string is empty, (g) adding no link-information data when any one of the data strings extracted in the step (f) is in agreement with the data string extracted DS -- I in the step (c), (h) storing link-information data about the data string DS -- P extracted in the step (d) in the parent data storage area of the data string DS -- I extracted in the step (c) when none of the data strings extracted in the step (f) is in agreement with the data string DS -- I extracted in the step (c), (i) storing link-information data about the data string DS -- I extracted in the step (c) in the element data storage area of the data string DS -- P extracted in the step (d), and (j) storing a value obtained by adding 1 to the data level value of the data string DS -- I extracted in the step (c) in the data level storage area of the data string DS -- P extracted in the step (d) when the data string DS -- P extracted in the step (d) has a data level value equal to, or smaller than, the data level value of the data string DS -- I extracted in the step (c).

Claim 6

A link-information adding method of adding link-information data to a data string in a data-string set consisting of a plurality of data strings, each data string DS -- 1 having (1) a data identification name storage area storing a data identification name, (2) a data level storage area storing a data level value, (3) a parent data storage area storing link-information data about a data string DS -- 2 storing a data identification name which indicates a set including the data identification name stored in the data string DS -- 1, and (4) an element data storage area storing link-information data about a data string DS -- 0 storing a data identification name which is an element of a set indicated by the data identification name stored in the data string DS -- 1, wherein: (A) the data string DS -- 2 has a greater data level value than the data string DS -- 1 has, (B) the parent data storage area of the data string DS -- 1 does not contain link-information data about the data string DS -- 1 itself, and the link-information data stored in the parent data storage area of the data string DS -- 1 differ from one another, (C) when data strings are consecutively traced on the basis of link-information data stored in parent data storage areas of data strings, with arbitrary link-information data stored in the parent data storage area of the data string DS -- 1 as a starting point, until the parent data storage area of the traced data string is empty, the link-information data about the data string DS -- 1 is included in none of the parent data storage areas of the traced data strings, (D) the data string DS -- 0 has a smaller data level value than the data string DS -- 1 has, (E) the element data storage area of the data string DS -- 1 does not contain link-information data about the data string DS -- 1 itself, and the link-information data stored in the element data storage area of the data strings DS -- 1 differ from one another, and (F) when data strings are consecutively traced on the basis of link-information data stored in element data storage areas of data strings, with arbitrary link-information data stored in the element data storage area of the data string DS -- 1 as a starting point, until the element data storage area of the traced data string is empty, the link-information data about the data string DS -- 1 is included in none of the element data storage areas of the traced data strings, the method comprising the steps of (a) inputting a data identification name and a parent concept name which indicates a set including the data identification name, (b) adding no link-information data when the inputted data identification name and the inputted parent concept name are in agreement with each other, (c) extracting a data string DS -- I storing the inputted data identification name when the inputted data identification name and the inputted parent concept name are not in agreement with each other, (d) extracting a data string DS -- P storing the data identification name which is in agreement with the inputted parent concept name, (e) adding no link-information data when the parent data storage area of the data string DS -- I extracted in the step (c) has link-information data about the data string DS -- P extracted in the step (d), (f) extracting a data string on the basis of link-information data stored in the parent data storage area of the data string DS -- P extracted in the step (d) when the parent data storage area of the data string DS -- I extracted in the step (c) has no link-information data about the data string DS -- P extracted in the step (d), and further extracting a data string on the basis of the link-information data stored in the parent data storage area of the extracted data string until the parent data storage area of the extracted data string is empty, (g) adding no link-information data when any one of the data strings extracted in the step (f) is in agreement with the data string extracted DS -- I in the step (c), (h) storing link-information data about the data string DS -- P extracted in the step (d) in the parent data storage area of the data string DS -- I extracted in the step (c) when none of the data strings extracted in the step (f) is in agreement with the data string DS -- I extracted in the step (c), (i) storing link-information data about the data string DS -- I extracted in the step (c) in the element data storage area of the data string DS -- P extracted in the step (d), and (j) storing a value obtained by adding 1 to the data level value of the data string DS -- I extracted in the step (c) in the data level storage area of the data string DS -- P extracted in the step (d) when the data string DS -- P extracted in the step (d) has a data level value equal to, or smaller than, the data level value of the data string DS -- I extracted in the step (c).

Claim 7

A link-information adding method of adding link-information data to a data string in a data-string set consisting of a plurality of data strings, each data string DS -- 1 having (1) a data identification name storage area storing a data identification name, (2) a data level storage area storing a data level value, (3) a parent data storage area storing link-information data about a data string DS -- 2 storing a data identification name which indicates a set including the data identification name stored in the data string DS -- 1, and (4) an element data storage area storing link-information data about a data string DS -- 0 storing a data identification name which is an element of a set indicated by the data identification name stored in the data string DS -- 1, wherein: (A) the data string DS -- 2 has a greater data level value than the data string DS -- 1 has, (B) the parent data storage area of the data string DS -- 1 does not contain link-information data about the data string DS -- 1 itself, and the link-information data stored in the parent data storage area of the data string DS -- 1 differ from one another, (C) when data strings are consecutively traced on the basis of link-information data stored in parent data storage areas of data strings, with arbitrary link-information data stored in the parent data storage area of the data string DS -- 1 as a starting point, until the parent data storage area of the traced data string is empty, the link-information data about the data string DS -- 1 is included in none of the parent data storage areas of the traced data strings, (D) the data string DS -- 0 has a smaller data level value than the data string DS -- 1 has, (E) the element data storage area of the data string DS -- 1 does not contain link-information data about the data string DS -- 1 itself, and the link-information data stored in the element data storage area of the data strings DS -- 1 differ from one another, and (F) when data strings are consecutively traced on the basis of link-information data stored in element data storage areas of data strings, with arbitrary link-information data stored in the element data storage area of the data string DS -- 1 as a starting point, until the element data storage area of the traced data string is empty, the link-information data about the data string DS -- 1 is included in none of the element data storage areas of the traced data strings, the method comprising the steps of (a) inputting a data identification name and a parent concept name which indicates a set including the data identification name, (b) adding no link-information data when the inputted data identification name and the inputted parent concept name are in agreement with each other, (c) extracting a data string DS -- I storing the inputted data identification name when the inputted data identification name and the inputted parent concept name are not in agreement with each other, (d) extracting a data string DS -- P storing the data identification name which is in agreement with the inputted parent concept name, (e') adding no link-information data when the element data storage area of the data string DS -- P extracted in the step (d) has link-information data about the data string DS -- I extracted in the step (c), (f') extracting a data string on the basis of link-information data stored in the element data storage area of the data string DS -- I extracted in the step (c) when the element data storage area of the data string DS -- P extracted in the step (d) has no link-information data about the data string DS -- I extracted in the step (c), and further extracting a data string on the basis of the link-information data stored in the element data storage area of the extracted data string until the element data storage area of the extracted data string is empty, (g') adding no link-information data when any one of the data strings extracted in the step (f') is in agreement with the data string DS -- P extracted in the step (d) and (h') storing link-information data about the data string DS -- P extracted in the step (d) in the parent data storage area of the data string DS -- I extracted in the step (c) when none of the data strings extracted in the step (f') is in agreement with the data string DS -- P extracted in the step (d), (i) storing link-information data about the data string DS -- I extracted in the step (c) in the element data storage area of the data string DS -- P extracted in the step (d), and (j) storing a value obtained by adding 1 to the data level value of the data string DS -- I extracted in the step (c) in the data level storage area of the data string DS -- P extracted in the step (d) when the data string DS -- P extracted in the step (d) has a data level value equal to, or smaller than, the data level value of the data string DS -- I extracted in the step (c).

Claim 8

A link-information adding method of adding link-information data to a data string in a data-string set consisting of a plurality of data strings, each data string DS -- 1 having (1) a data identification name storage area storing a data identification name, (2) a data level storage area storing a data level value, (3) a parent data storage area storing link-information data about a data string DS -- 2 storing a data identification name which indicates a set including the data identification name stored in the data string DS -- 1, and (4) an element data storage area storing link-information data about a data string DS -- 0 storing a data identification name which is an element of a set indicated by the data identification name stored in the data string DS -- 1, wherein: (A) the data string DS -- 2 has a greater data level value than the data string DS -- 1 has, (B) the parent data storage area of the data string DS -- 1 does not contain link-information data about the data string DS -- 1 itself, and the link-information data stored in the parent data storage area of the data string DS -- 1 differ from one another, (C) when data strings are consecutively traced on the basis of link-information data stored in parent data storage areas of data strings, with arbitrary link-information data stored in the parent data storage area of the data string DS -- 1 as a starting point, until the parent data storage area of the traced data string is empty, the link-information data about the data string DS -- 1 is included in none of the parent data storage areas of the traced data strings, (D) the data string DS -- 0 has a smaller data level value than the data string DS -- 1 has, (E) the element data storage area of the data string DS -- 1 does not contain link-information data about the data string DS -- 1 itself, and the link-information data stored in the element data storage area of the data strings DS -- 1 differ from one another, and (F) when data strings are consecutively traced on the basis of link-information data stored in element data storage areas of data strings, with arbitrary link-information data stored in the element data storage area of the data string DS -- 1 as a starting point, until the element data storage area of the traced data string is empty, the link-information data about the data string DS -- 1 is included in none of the element data storage areas of the traced data strings, the method comprising the steps of (a) inputting a data identification name and a parent concept name which indicates a set including the data identification name, (b) adding no link-information data when the inputted data identification name and the inputted parent concept name are in agreement with each other, (c) extracting a data string DS -- I storing the inputted data identification name when the inputted data identification name and the inputted parent concept name are not in agreement with each other, (d) extracting a data string DS -- P storing the data identification name which is in agreement with the inputted parent concept name, (e') adding no link-information data when the element data storage area of the data string DS -- P extracted in the step (d) has link-information data about the data string DS -- I extracted in the step (c), (f') extracting a data string on the basis of link-information data stored in the element data storage area of the data string DS -- I extracted in the step (c) when the element data storage area of the data string DS -- P extracted in the step (d) has no link-information data about the data string DS -- I extracted in the step (c), and further extracting a data string on the basis of the link-information data stored in the element data storage area of the extracted data string until the element data storage area of the extracted data string is empty, (g') adding no link-information data when any one of the data strings extracted in the step (f') is in agreement with the data string DS -- P extracted in the step (d) and (h') storing link-information data about the data string DS -- P extracted in the step (d) in the parent data storage area of the data string DS -- I extracted in the step (c) when none of the data strings extracted in the step (f') is in agreement with the data string DS -- P extracted in the step (d), (i) storing link-information data about the data string DS -- I extracted in the step (c) in the element data storage area of the data string DS -- P extracted in the step (d), and (j) storing a value obtained by adding 1 to the data level value of the data string DS -- I extracted in the step (c) in the data level storage area of the data string DS -- P extracted in the step (d) when the data string DS -- P extracted in the step (d) has a data level value equal to, or smaller than, the data level value of the data string DS -- I extracted in the step (c).

Claim 9

A link-information adding method of adding new link-information data to a data string in a data-string set consisting of a plurality of data strings, each data string DS -- 1 having (1) a data identification name storage area storing a data identification name, (2) a data level storage area storing a data level value, (3) a parent data storage area storing link-information data about a data string DS -- 2 storing the data identification name which indicates a set including the data identification name stored in the data string DS -- 1, and (4) an element data storage area storing link-information data about a data string DS -- 0 storing the data identification name which is an element of a set indicated by the data identification name stored in the data string DS -- 1, wherein: (A) the data string DS -- 2 has a greater data level value than the data string DS -- 1 has, (B) the parent data storage area of the data string DS -- 1 does not contain link-information data about the data string DS -- 1 itself, and the link-information data stored in the parent data storage area of the data string DS -- 1 differ from one another, (C) when data strings are consecutively traced on the basis of link-information data stored in parent data storage areas of data strings, with arbitrary link-information data stored in the parent data storage area of the data string DS -- 1 as a starting point, until the parent data storage area of the traced data string is empty, the link-information data about the data string DS -- 1 is included in none of the parent data storage areas of the traced data strings, (D) the data string DS -- 0 has a smaller data level value than the data string DS -- 1 has, (E) the element data storage area of the data string DS -- 1 does not contain link-information data about the data string DS -- 1 itself, and the link-information data stored in the element data storage area of the data string DS -- 1 differ from one another, and (F) when data strings are consecutively traced on the basis of link-information data stored in element data storage areas of data strings, with arbitrary link-information data stored in the element data storage area of the data string DS -- 1 as a starting point, until the element data storage area of the traced data string is empty, the link-information data about the data string DS -- 1 is included in none of the element data storage areas of the traced data strings, the method comprising the steps of (a) inputting a data identification name and an element concept name which is an element of a set indicated by the data identification name, (b) adding no link-information data when the inputted data identification name and the inputted element concept name are in agreement with each other, (c) extracting a data string DS -- I storing the inputted data identification name when the inputted data identification name and the inputted element concept name are not in agreement with each other, (d) extracting a data string DS -- E storing the data identification name which is in agreement with the inputted element concept name, (e) adding no link-information data when the element data storage area of the data string DS -- I extracted in the step (c) has link-information data about the data string DS -- E extracted in the step (d), (f) extracting a data string on the basis of link-information data stored in the parent data storage area of the data string DS -- I extracted in the step (c) when the element data storage area of the data string DS -- I extracted in the step (c) has no link-information data about the data string DS -- E extracted in the step (d), and further extracting a data string on the basis of the link-information data stored in the parent data storage area of the extracted data string until the parent data storage area of the extracted data string is empty, (g) adding no link-information data when any one of the data strings extracted in the step (f) is in agreement with the data string DS -- E extracted in the step (d), (h) storing link-information data about the data string DS -- E extracted in the step (d) in the element data storage area of the data string DS -- I extracted in the step (c) when none of the data strings extracted in the step (f) is in agreement with the data string DS -- E extracted in the step (d), (i) storing link-information data about the data string DS -- I extracted in the step (c) in the parent data storage area of the data string DS -- E extracted in the step (d), and (j) storing a value obtained by adding 1 to the data level value of the data string DS -- E extracted in the step (d) in the data level storage area of the data string DS -- I extracted in the step (c) when the data string DS -- E extracted in the step (d) has a data level value equal to, or greater than, the data level value of the data string DS -- I extracted in the step (c).

Claim 10

A link-information adding method of adding new link-information data to a data string in a data-string set consisting of a plurality of data strings, each data string DS -- 1 having (1) a data identification name storage area storing a data identification name, (2) a data level storage area storing a data level value, (3) a parent data storage area storing link-information data about a data string DS -- 2 storing the data identification name which indicates a set including the data identification name stored in the data string DS -- 1, and (4) an element data storage area storing link-information data about a data string DS -- 0 storing the data identification name which is an element of a set indicated by the data identification name stored in the data string DS -- 1, wherein: (A) the data string DS -- 2 has a greater data level value than the data string DS -- 1 has, (B) the parent data storage area of the data string DS -- 1 does not contain link-information data about the data string DS -- 1 itself, and the link-information data stored in the parent data storage area of the data string DS -- 1 differ from one another, (C) when data strings are consecutively traced on the basis of link-information data stored in parent data storage areas of data strings, with arbitrary link-information data stored in the parent data storage area of the data string DS -- 1 as a starting point, until the parent data storage area of the traced data string is empty, the link-information data about the data string DS -- 1 is included in none of the parent data storage areas of the traced data strings, (D) the data string DS -- 0 has a smaller data level value than the data string DS -- 1 has, (E) the element data storage area of the data string DS -- 1 does not contain link-information data about the data string DS -- 1 itself, and the link-information data stored in the element data storage area of the data string DS -- 1 differ from one another, and (F) when data strings are consecutively traced on the basis of link-information data stored in element data storage areas of data strings, with arbitrary link-information data stored in the element data storage area of the data string DS -- 1 as a starting point, until the element data storage area of the traced data string is empty, the link-information data about the data string DS -- 1 is included in none of the element data storage areas of the traced data strings, the method comprising the steps of (a) inputting a data identification name and an element concept name which is an element of a set indicated by the data identification name, (b) adding no link-information data when the inputted data identification name and the inputted element concept name are in agreement with each other, (c) extracting a data string DS -- I storing the inputted data identification name when the inputted data identification name and the inputted element concept name are not in agreement with each other, (d) extracting a data string DS -- E storing the data identification name which is in agreement with the inputted element concept name, (e) adding no link-information data when the element data storage area of the data string DS -- I extracted in the step (c) has link-information data about the data string DS -- E extracted in the step (d), (f) extracting a data string on the basis of link-information data stored in the parent data storage area of the data string DS -- I extracted in the step (c) when the element data storage area of the data string DS -- I extracted in the step (c) has no link-information data about the data string DS -- E extracted in the step (d), and further extracting a data string on the basis of the link-information data stored in the parent data storage area of the extracted data string until the parent data storage area of the extracted data string is empty, (g) adding no link-information data when any one of the data strings extracted in the step (f) is in agreement with the data string DS -- E extracted in the step (d), (h) storing link-information data about the data string DS -- E extracted in the step (d) in the element data storage area of the data string DS -- I extracted in the step (c) when none of the data strings extracted in the step (f) is in agreement with the data string DS -- E extracted in the step (d), (i) storing link-information data about the data string DS -- I extracted in the step (c) in the parent data storage area of the data string DS -- E extracted in the step (d), and (j) storing a value obtained by adding 1 to the data level value of the data string DS -- E extracted in the step (d) in the data level storage area of the data string DS -- I extracted in the step (c) when the data string DS -- E extracted in the step (d) has a data level value equal to, or greater than, the data level value of the data string DS -- I extracted in the step (c).

Claim 11

A link-information adding method of adding new link-information data to a data string in a data-string set consisting of a plurality of data strings, each data string DS -- 1 having (1) a data identification name storage area storing a data identification name, (2) a data level storage area storing a data level value, (3) a parent data storage area storing link-information data about a data string DS -- 2 storing the data identification name which indicates a set including the data identification name stored in the data string DS -- 1, and (4) an element data storage area storing link-information data about a data string DS -- 0 storing the data identification name which is an element of a set indicated by the data identification name stored in the data string DS -- 1, wherein: (A) the data string DS -- 2 has a greater data level value than the data string DS -- 1 has, (B) the parent data storage area of the data string DS -- 1 does not contain link-information data about the data string DS -- 1 itself, and the link-information data stored in the parent data storage area of the data string DS -- 1 differ from one another, (C) when data strings are consecutively traced on the basis of link-information data stored in parent data storage areas of data strings, with arbitrary link-information data stored in the parent data storage area of the data string DS -- 1 as a starting point, until the parent data storage area of the traced data string is empty, the link-information data about the data string DS -- 1 is included in none of the parent data storage areas of the traced data strings, (D) the data string DS -- 0 has a smaller data level value than the data string DS -- 1 has, (E) the element data storage area of the data string DS -- 1 does not contain link-information data about the data string DS -- 1 itself, and the link-information data stored in the element data storage area of the data string DS -- 1 differ from one another, and (F) when data strings are consecutively traced on the basis of link-information data stored in element data storage areas of data strings, with arbitrary link-information data stored in the element data storage area of the data string DS -- 1 as a starting point, until the element data storage area of the traced data string is empty, the link-information data about the data string DS -- 1 is included in none of the element data storage areas of the traced data strings, the method comprising the steps of (a) inputting a data identification name and an element concept name which is an element of a set indicated by the data identification name, (b) adding no link-information data when the inputted data identification name and the inputted element concept name are in agreement with each other, (c) extracting a data string DS -- I storing the inputted data identification name when the inputted data identification name and the inputted element concept name are not in agreement with each other, (d) extracting a data string DS -- E storing the data identification name which is in agreement with the inputted element concept name, (e') adding no link-information data when the parent data storage area of the data string DS -- E extracted in the step (d) has link-information data about the data string DS -- I extracted in the step (c), (f') extracting a data string on the basis of link-information data stored in the element data storage area of the data string DS -- E extracted in the step (d) when the parent data storage area of the data string DS -- E extracted in the step (d) has no link-information data about the data string DS -- I extracted in the step (c), and further extracting a data string on the basis of link-information data stored in the element data storage area of the extracted data string until the element data storage area of the extracted data string is empty, (g') adding no link-information data when any one of the data strings extracted in the step (f') is in agreement with the data string DS -- I extracted in the step (c), and (h') storing link-information data about the data string DS -- E extracted in the step (d) in the element data storage area of the data string DS -- I extracted in the step (c) when none of the data strings extracted in the step (f') is in agreement with the data string DS -- I extracted in the step (c), (i) storing link-information data about the data string DS -- I extracted in the step (c) in the parent data storage area of the data string DS -- E extracted in the step (d), and (j) storing a value obtained by adding 1 to the data level value of the data string DS -- E extracted in the step (d) in the data level storage area of the data string DS -- I extracted in the step (c) when the data string DS -- E extracted in the step (d) has a data level value equal to, or greater than, the data level value of the data string DS -- I extracted in the step (c).

Claim 12

A link-information adding method of adding new link-information data to a data string in a data-string set consisting of a plurality of data strings, each data string DS -- 1 having (1) a data identification name storage area storing a data identification name, (2) a data level storage area storing a data level value, (3) a parent data storage area storing link-information data about a data string DS -- 2 storing the data identification name which indicates a set including the data identification name stored in the data string DS -- 1, and (4) an element data storage area storing link-information data about a data string DS -- 0 storing the data identification name which is an element of a set indicated by the data identification name stored in the data string DS -- 1, wherein: (A) the data string DS -- 2 has a greater data level value than the data string DS -- 1 has, (B) the parent data storage area of the data string DS -- 1 does not contain link-information data about the data string DS -- 1 itself, and the link-information data stored in the parent data storage area of the data string DS -- 1 differ from one another, (C) when data strings are consecutively traced on the basis of link-information data stored in parent data storage areas of data strings, with arbitrary link-information data stored in the parent data storage area of the data string DS -- 1 as a starting point, until the parent data storage area of the traced data string is empty, the link-information data about the data string DS -- 1 is included in none of the parent data storage areas of the traced data strings, (D) the data string DS -- 0 has a smaller data level value than the data string DS -- 1 has, (E) the element data storage area of the data string DS -- 1 does not contain link-information data about the data string DS -- 1 itself, and the link-information data stored in the element data storage area of the data string DS -- 1 differ from one another, and (F) when data strings are consecutively traced on the basis of link-information data stored in element data storage areas of data strings, with arbitrary link-information data stored in the element data storage area of the data string DS -- 1 as a starting point, until the element data storage area of the traced data string is empty, the link-information data about the data string DS -- 1 is included in none of the element data storage areas of the traced data strings, the method comprising the steps of (a) inputting a data identification name and an element concept name which is an element of a set indicated by the data identification name, (b) adding no link-information data when the inputted data identification name and the inputted element concept name are in agreement with each other, (c) extracting a data string DS -- I storing the inputted data identification name when the inputted data identification name and the inputted element concept name are not in agreement with each other, (d) extracting a data string DS -- E storing the data identification name which is in agreement with the inputted element concept name, (e') adding no link-information data when the parent data storage area of the data string DS -- E extracted in the step (d) has link-information data about the data string DS -- I extracted in the step (c), (f') extracting a data string on the basis of link-information data stored in the element data storage area of the data string DS -- E extracted in the step (d) when the parent data storage area of the data string DS -- E extracted in the step (d) has no link-information data about the data string DS -- I extracted in the step (c), and further extracting a data string on the basis of link-information data stored in the element data storage area of the extracted data string until the element data storage area of the extracted data string is empty, (g') adding no link-information data when any one of the data strings extracted in the step (f') is in agreement with the data string DS -- I extracted in the step (c), and (h') storing link-information data about the data string DS -- E extracted in the step (d) in the element data storage area of the data string DS -- I extracted in the step (c) when none of the data strings extracted in the step (f') is in agreement with the data string DS -- I extracted in the step (c), (i) storing link-information data about the data string DS -- I extracted in the step (c) in the parent data storage area of the data string DS -- E extracted in the step (d), and (j) storing a value obtained by adding 1 to the data level value of the data string DS -- E extracted in the step (d) in the data level storage area of the data string DS -- I extracted in the step (c) when the data string DS -- E extracted in the step (d) has a data level value equal to, or greater than, the data level value of the data string DS -- I extracted in the step (c).