| 摘要 |
<p>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.</p> |
