Patent ID: 7933432
Filing Date: 2011-04-26
Classification: G01C

Abstract:
1. An information retrieval system, comprising; a storage unit storing a character type database containing character string data in a plurality of search hierarchy levels, a higher hierarchy level representing a larger geographical area than a lower hierarchy level; an interface unit allowing a user to enter characters; a character type data search unit retrieving character data designated by the interface unit from a higher hierarchy level to a lower hierarchy level as a candidate or a plurality of candidates for selection; a monitor displaying the candidate or candidates of data retrieved from each hierarchy level of the database, the interface unit allowing the user to select a desired one from the candidate or candidates; wherein if a current hierarchy level does not include any candidate of data that corresponds to a character string entered by the user on the interface unit, the character type data search unit retrieves candidates from a next lower hierarchy level, and displays the retrieved candidates on the monitor; wherein when one of the candidates in the lower hierarchy level is selected, the character type data search unit retrieves character string information corresponding to the selected lower hierarchy level candidate from the upper hierarchy level, and wherein when the character string information retrieved from the upper hierarchy level comprises a plurality of candidates, the character string information retrieved from the upper hierarchy level is displayed as upper hierarchy level candidates on the display for the user to select.