Methods for retrieving database with image information

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 a terminal.

1 . A method of retrieving a database with image information comprising the steps of: 
 (a) reading a first image information, a database in which text information linked with the image information is stored and relevant information from a storage device;    (b) retrieving text information corresponding to a second image information displayed overlaying said first image information displayed on a display device from said database on the basis of a first user instruction from an input device and storing the text information into a work file together with said first image information and relevant information; and    (c) composing a retrieval condition and a range of application thereof as image data on the basis of a second user instruction from said input device, retrieving text information corresponding to said image data displayed overlaying said first image information displayed on said display device from said work file, and outputting the result of retrieval to said display device.    
     
     
         2 . A method according to  claim 1 , further comprising the step of: 
 (d) repeatedly performing said steps (a) to (c) or said step (c) on the basis of an instruction from said input device by the user.    
     
     
         3 . A method according to  claim 1 , wherein said step (b) further includes the steps of: 
 (b1) displaying said first image information on said display device;    (b2) changing an image of a specified area of said second image information linked with said image information on the basis of said first instruction from said input device and displaying the changed image in a composite form with said image information; and    (b3) retrieving information corresponding to said second image information from said database stored in said storage device in a form linked with said first image information.    
     
     
         4 . A method according to  claim 3 , wherein said step (b3) further includes: 
 retrieving the information corresponding to said second image information in a form linked with said image information, said image information or both the image information from said database stored in said storage device in the form linked with said first image information.    
     
     
         5 . A method according to  claim 1 , wherein said step (c) includes the steps of: 
 (c1) composing image data by a retrieval condition represented by text information and an image representing a range of application of said retrieval condition on the basis of an instruction from said input device by the user;    (c2) displaying said image data overlaying said first image information on said display device; and    (c3) retrieving information corresponding to said image data from said database stored in said storage device in a form linked with said first image information.    
     
     
         6 . A method of retrieving a database with image information, comprising the steps of: 
 (a) reading a first image information, a database in which text information linked with the image information is stored and relevant information from a storage device;    (b) displaying said first image information on a display device;    (c) changing an image of a specified area of second image information linked with said first image information on the basis of an instruction from an input device and displaying the changed image in a composite form with said first image information; and    (d) retrieving information corresponding to said second image information from said database stored in said storage device in a form linked with said first image information.    
     
     
         7 . A method according to  claim 6 , wherein said step (d) includes: 
 retrieving the information corresponding to said second image information in a form linked with said first image information, said second image information or both said first and second image information from said database stored in said storage device in the form linked with said first image information.    
     
     
         8 . A method according to  claim 6 , further comprising the step of: 
 (e) repeatedly performing said steps (a) to (d) on the basis of an user instruction from said input device.    
     
     
         9 . A method of retrieving a database with image information, comprising the steps of: 
 (a) composing image data by a retrieval condition represented by text information and an image representing a range of application of said retrieval condition on the basis of an instruction from an input device;    (b) displaying said image data overlaying image information on a display device; and    (c) retrieving information corresponding to said image data from a database stored in said storage device in a form linked with said image information.    
     
     
         10 . A method according to  claim 9 , further comprising the step of: 
 (d) repeatedly performing said steps (a) to (c) on the basis of an user instruction from said input device.    
     
     
         11 . A method according to  claim 3 , wherein in said substep (b2), a magnified version of said second image information including detailed information is composed in a local area on said first image information.  
     
     
         12 . A method according to  claim 3 , wherein in said substep (b2), said second image information including detailed information is composed in a local area on said first image information and within a range in which a distance from a center set by the user is fixed.  
     
     
         13 . A method according to  claim 3 , wherein in said substep (b2), a modified version of said second image information including detailed information is composed and displayed in a local area on said first image information by use of the correspondence of said first image information to said second image information to be composed thereon.  
     
     
         14 . A method according to  claim 1 , wherein in said step (c), a plurality of image data including the composition of different retrieval conditions and the ranges of application thereof are displayed overlaying said first image information displayed on said display device on the basis of an instruction from said input device by the user, text information corresponding to the result of a logical operation defined by said plurality of image data is retrieved from said work file, and the result of retrieval is outputted to said display device.