Patent ID: 7707211

Claim:
An information management method in an information management apparatus having an information processor which performs a retrieval process based on information input via an input unit and information stored in a storage unit, the method performed by the information processor comprising the steps of: preparing plural relating pin tables, each of which includes plural records for associating parent key information with child key information, and storing the plural relating pin tables in the storage unit; preparing plural access path tables, each of which hierarchically links between the plural relating pin tables, and storing the plural access path tables in the storage unit; obtaining parent key information and child key information, both of which are input via the input unit; referring to the plural relating pin tables, specifying a first relating pin table stored therein including the input parent key information and a second relating pin table stored therein including the input child key information; referring to the plural access path tables, retrieving access path tables including the first relating pin table and the second relating pin table; if more than two access path tables are retrieved in the access path tables retrieving step, specifying, from the retrieved access path tables, one access path table having a shortest distance between a first hierarchic level to which the input parent key information belongs and a second hierarchic level to which the input child key information belongs; and performing a retrieval process based on the specified access path table, the input parent key information, and the input child key information.