PURPOSE: To enable a user to decide either one of an AND priority retrieving method and an OR priority retrieving method by enabling the user to designate the logical relation between key words when both row and column directions are retrieved in a matrix-shaped key word input frame.
CONSTITUTION: A controller consists of a processing part 22 and a buffer part 24. An initializing part 201 initializes each buffer of the part 24 and also sets various information on a system necessary for retrieval of a document. A row direction logical relation setting part 202 generates a retrieving logical expression between key words arranged in the row direction in the same column of a matrix. A column direction logical relation setting part 203 generates a retrieving logical expression of the column direction. A retrieving logical priority direction setting part 204 sets the generating priority to be given to the row or column direction retrieving logical expression. A key input part 205 inputs a character string through an input device 2 as a key word for retrieving a desired document out of a large quantity of documents included in a data base stored in an external storage.
KOYAMA NORIKO
NAKAMOTO YUKIO
OZAKI TOSHIHIRO
NOGAMI KENICHI
TOSHIBA COMPUTER ENG