Graphic data searching and storage method

摘要

In correspondence with the graphic data having a spatial extent, there is the address data table configured of arrays, the dimension of which are not smaller in number than the dimensions of the extent of the graphic data. Coordinate transformation is performed between the graphic data and the address data table, whereby any desired point on each figure can be brought into correspondence with one array number of the address data table. Those memory addresses of a graphic data table at which the individual graphic data items are sorted, are subsequently stored in the address data table. In case of searching for graphic data located at any desired position, the corresponding array number of the address data table is obtained on the basis of the position, whereupon the desired figure can be searched for through that memory address to the graphic data which is stored. In a case where the memory space of the address data table corresponding to any desired one of cells (each of which is a subspace of a graphic space) is full, relevant information of indirectly utilizing a memory space assigned to another of the cells is substitutionally stored in the address data table, conjointly with the memory address of the graphic data table storing the corresponding graphic data so that the address data table can be used efficiently. When the figure discriminators of the graphic data are stored in the address data, lines or points, the relevant attribute information items, or the like can be extracted selectively and efficiently by deciding the figure discriminators on the searching operation.