Patent ID: 6738785
Filing Date: 2004-05-18
Classification: G06F,Y10S

Abstract:
A search unit for searching information in a memory means, wherein the memory means stores information regarding material supplied by a material supplier and production place of the material or an area where the material supplier is located, comprising:condition receiving means which receives an input of a search condition concerning the material including designation of a searching range to be first searched; searching means capable of conducting a search any number of times by changing the searching range each time, wherein: a) the searching means first searches the information in the memory means which relates to the material produced in the production place contained within the searching range, or supplied by the material supplier located within the searching range, and satisfies the search condition received by the condition receiving means; b) optionally, changing the input regarding the searching range of the first or a subsequent search wherein the searching means then searches the information in the memory means which relates to the material produced in the production place contained within a searching range, or supplied by the material supplier located within a searching range, broader than the searching range set in the previous search and satisfies the search condition received by the condition receiving means; c) optionally repeating step (b); and output means which outputs the information on the material searched by the searching means.