JP2003271651A - Symbol mark search system, client terminal, symbol mark search server, and program used for client terminal - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To easily and reliably search Web pages containing desired information from Web pages opened on Web system such as WWW, etc., by inputting a symbol mark such as a brand. <P>SOLUTION: The system is equipped with an input part for inputting a symbol mark and an output part for outputting a search result, and is equipped with a client terminal connected to a network, a database for storing the addresses of the Web pages on which the information on the symbol mark is contained, and a search part for search the addresses by accessing the database, and has a symbol mark search server connected to the network. The symbol mark search server searches the addresses of Web pages containing information on symbol marks similar to the symbol mark inputted to the input part, and sends the search result to the client terminal. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2003,JPO

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a symbol mark search system, a client terminal, a symbol mark search server, and a client terminal program.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, the World Wide Web (World W
The idea Web (hereinafter, referred to as “WWW”) system has become widespread and widely used for obtaining information.
A large number of homepages, web pages such as information providing pages, etc. are established on the WWW, and a large number of web page users can freely use personal computers, mobile phones, and other terminal devices connected to the Internet. You can access (visit) to collect various information in a short time.
And it can be easily done. In particular, recently, with the spread of terminal devices, speeding up of communication lines, enhancement of web page contents, information to be provided, etc., the convenience of web pages has increased and search services have been provided like portal sites. The number and functions of websites have been enhanced, and the number, number, and time of users who access desired web pages to obtain desired information have increased significantly.

[0003]

However, in the search system in the conventional search service, a keyword is input to collate with a database, and a list of web pages including the keyword is displayed as a search result. However, since various kinds of web pages are mixed in the list, it is difficult to select a web page required by the user from the list. In this case, the search by the keyword makes it easy to search an inappropriate web page, and often the web page required by the user is not included in the search result.

For example, when searching for a foreign company or product using a Japanese-based search system, it is not possible to properly search a web page due to differences in the characters input as keywords such as "digital" and "digital". There is. In addition, when a company name or product name is written in unfamiliar characters (for example, Hangul or Arabic characters) on magazines or products imported from foreign countries, the characters are present on the input means such as a keyboard. Therefore, it is difficult to search for a company or a product based on the company name or the product name.

On the other hand, when searching a web page, the URL (Uniform Resource) of the web page is searched.
e Locator) etc. can be directly specified and accessed, but in general, the address consists of a long character string, so it takes time and effort to record the desired address in a notebook etc. However, a recording error will occur. Furthermore, the same applies when the address is input by an input means such as a keyboard. Further, when the address is changed, the previously usable address cannot be used.

The present invention solves the problems of the conventional symbol mark retrieval system and inputs a symbol mark such as a trademark so that a desired web page can be selected from among web pages established on a web system such as WWW. An object of the present invention is to provide a symbol mark search system, a client terminal, a symbol mark search server, and a program for a client terminal that can easily and accurately search a web page on which information is posted.

[0007]

Therefore, in the symbol mark search system of the present invention, there is provided a client terminal connected to a network, which comprises an input section for inputting a symbol mark and an output section for outputting a search result, and A symbol mark search server that includes a database that stores an address of a web page in which information about a symbol mark is stored, and a search unit that accesses the database to search for the address and that is connected to the network. The symbol mark search server searches for an address of a web page in which information about a symbol mark similar to the symbol mark input to the input unit is posted, and transmits the search result to the client terminal.

In another symbol mark retrieval system of the present invention, the symbol mark input to the input section is further decomposed into image elements, and the similarity of each of the image elements is given, Is
A symbol mark similar to the symbol mark input to the input unit is searched based on the similarity.

The client terminal of the present invention has an input section for inputting a symbol mark, an output section for outputting a search result, and a network access section for performing communication by connecting to a network. An address of a web page in which information about a symbol mark similar to the symbol mark input to the input unit is posted is received as the search result.

In another client terminal of the present invention, the network access unit further accesses the web page based on the address.

In still another client terminal of the present invention, the symbol mark input to the input unit is decomposed into image elements, and the degree of similarity for each of the image elements is given to the network access unit. A sequence of numbers representing the degree of similarity is transmitted.

In still another client terminal of the present invention, the symbol mark is input by handwriting.

In still another client terminal of the present invention, the network access unit further transmits the symbol mark input to the input unit as image data.

In still another client terminal of the present invention, the symbol mark input to the input section is processed into image data of a standard angle of view, and the network access section transmits the image data of the standard angle of view. To do.

In the symbol mark search server of the present invention, there is provided a database for storing the address of the web page in which the information regarding the symbol mark is posted, and a search section for accessing the database and searching for the address. The search result is transmitted by searching the address of the web page where the information about the symbol mark similar to the received symbol mark is posted.

In another symbol mark search server of the present invention, the search unit may further include a symbol mark similar to the received symbol mark based on the similarity of each image element of the received symbol mark. To search.

In still another symbol mark search server of the present invention, the received symbol mark is further decomposed into image elements, and a similarity is given to each of the image elements.

In the client terminal program of the present invention, the computer is caused to function as an input unit for inputting a symbol mark, an output unit for outputting a search result, and a network access unit for connecting to a network for communication. The network access unit receives, as the search result, an address of a web page in which information about a symbol mark similar to the symbol mark input to the input unit is posted.

[0019]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing the configuration of a symbol mark search system according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

In the figure, 25 is a network, 10 is a client terminal, and the client terminal 10 is
It is communicably connected to the network 25 either directly via a public line such as a wired or wireless line or a dedicated line or indirectly via another network.

Here, the network 25 is, for example,
Although it is the Internet, a mobile phone network, L
AN (Local Area Network), WA
Any network such as N (Wide Area Network) may be used.

The client terminal 10 is a CP
U, MPU, etc. calculation means, magnetic disk, semiconductor memory, etc. storage means, keyboard, touch panel, input means such as pointing device such as mouse and tablet, CRT, liquid crystal display etc. display means, digital camera, scanner, printer Is a kind of computer having an input / output interface for connecting a peripheral device such as an external storage device, an interface such as a communication interface for connecting to the network 25 to perform communication, and is capable of communicating with the network 25. It is a device that can be connected and exchange information in both directions. In this case, although the client terminal 10 is, for example, a personal computer (personal computer), an electronic notebook, a mobile phone,
Personal digital assistants, PDAs (Personal Digits)
al Assistant (personal personal digital assistant), digital television, videophone, game console, or any other form. Further, the input unit, the display unit, the peripheral device, etc. may be integrally formed with the client terminal 10. Note that the client terminal 10 may actually be plural, but in the present embodiment, it is singular for convenience of explanation.

From the viewpoint of function, the client terminal 10 has a control unit 11, an image input unit 12 as an input unit for inputting a symbol mark, a symbol mark cutout unit 13, an image information extraction unit 14, and a network access unit 15. , An input unit 16 and an output unit 17 for outputting a search result. In this case, image (image) information including a symbol mark is input to the image input unit 12 from an image input device such as a digital camera or a scanner. Further, the symbol mark cutout unit 13 cuts out only the symbol mark portion from the image information, and the image information extraction unit 14 performs pattern recognition by a neural network, and the cut out symbol mark has a simple shape such as ◯ or Δ. Is decomposed into image elements having, and extracted, and the degree of similarity (matching degree) is output. Note that pattern recognition by the neural network is well known (Masafumi Hagiwara, "Electronics Practice Series, Neuro-Fuzzy-Genetic Algorithm", September 12, 1994, published by Sangyo Tosho Co., Ltd.,
(See pages 27 to 29), so detailed description thereof will be omitted.

Further, the network access unit 15 is
It connects to the network 25 and performs communication to transmit various transmission data including the output of the image information extraction unit 14 and receive various reception data. The input unit 16 receives various input signals from the input unit, and the output unit 17 transmits various output signals to display devices such as a CRT and a liquid crystal display, and peripheral devices such as a printer and an external storage device. Then, the control unit 11 receives the image input unit 12, the symbol mark cutout unit 13, the image information extraction unit 14, and the like via a bus such as a data bus.
Network access unit 15, input unit 16 and output unit 1
7 and controls the operation of the entire client terminal 10 including the image input unit 12, the symbol mark cutout unit 13, the image information extraction unit 14, the network access unit 15, the input unit 16 and the output unit 17.

Further, reference numeral 30 is an information providing server connected to the network 25, which is a computing means such as a CPU and an MPU, a storage means such as a magnetic disk and a semiconductor memory, an input means such as a keyboard, a mouse, a touch panel and a tablet. It is a kind of computer provided with a display means such as a CRT and a liquid crystal display, an input / output interface, an interface such as a communication interface, and the like. In addition,
The information providing server 30 may actually be plural, but in the present embodiment, it is singular for convenience of explanation. Here, in the information providing server 30, a single or a plurality of web pages are opened and incorporated in the web system. Thereby, the information providing server 30
The web page opened therein is in a state of being opened on the web system and can be accessed via the network 25.

Various web pages are opened on the web system, and the user can operate the client terminal 10 to access the various web pages via the network 25. ing. Here, the website stores information such as virtual stores, EC sites for conducting EC (electronic commerce) such as electronic catalogs, entertainment information, traffic information, science and technology information, company information, financial transaction information, academic information, etc. An information providing site to be posted, a portal site providing a site search service, an ASP site providing various application services such as music distribution and software distribution, homepages of individuals, companies, groups, governments, etc. Then, the website is generally opened on a computer such as a personal computer or a server having a computing means, a storage means, a communication interface, an input / output means, etc. You can access it.

The above website is for individuals, companies,
It may be operated by any person such as a group. Further, access to the website may be free, paid, or partially paid, and even if it is accessible to an unspecified number of people, only registered persons or persons who have signed a contract It may be one that can be accessed.
Further, the website is the client terminal 1
The information may be interactive, which can accept information from 0, or all or part of the posted information can be downloaded for free or for a fee.

Reference numeral 20 is a symbol mark search server connected to the network 25, which includes a CPU and an MP.
Operation means such as U, storage means such as magnetic disk and semiconductor memory, input means such as keyboard, touch panel, pointing device such as mouse and tablet, CR
It is a kind of computer provided with a display unit such as a T and a liquid crystal display, an input / output interface, an interface such as a communication interface, and the like. The number of the symbol mark search servers 30 may actually be plural, but in the present embodiment, the number is one for convenience of explanation. Here, the symbol mark search server 30 stores a sequence of image extraction results of the symbol mark, a database 22 in which the address of a web page in which various information regarding the symbol mark is posted, and the input image. It has a search unit 21 for matching with the image of the symbol mark stored in the database 22.

Here, the database 22 stores data about various symbol marks.
In this case, each symbol mark is previously decomposed into image elements having a simple shape such as ◯ or Δ, and numerical values representing the degree of similarity (matching degree) of each image element are set and stored as a sequence. In addition, the IP (Inter
An address such as a net protocol address or a URL is stored in association with each symbol mark. Therefore, when the symbol mark is specified,
The address of the web page where the symbol mark is posted can be specified.

Further, when the searching unit 21 receives the similarity (matching degree) of each image element forming the symbol mark from the client terminal 10, the searching unit 21 accesses the database 22 to calculate the similarity of each image element. Is compared with a numerical value representing the degree of similarity of each image element of each symbol mark stored in the database 22 to perform matching. Then, a symbol mark belonging to a range similar to the symbol mark received from the client terminal 10 is extracted from a large number of symbol marks stored in the database 22. Here, the width of the similar range can be appropriately set. It is desirable to extract a plurality of symbol marks as a result of matching. Further, the address of the web page corresponding to the selected symbol mark is also extracted.

Next, the operation of the symbol mark retrieval system having the above construction will be described.

FIG. 2 is a diagram schematically showing the operation of the client terminal and the search unit in the first embodiment of the present invention. The range indicated by A in FIG. 2 indicates the operation of the client terminal.

First, the user acquires image data of a symbol mark given to a product or the like for which information is desired to be acquired by an image input device such as a digital camera or a scanner. Here, the symbol mark is visually identifiable and is composed of a design or a figure, but may include a schematic character.
The symbol mark is, for example, a trademark (including service mark) indicating the source of goods or services, a group of volunteers, a sports or hobby team, a public organization,
Marks that represent a group of companies, corporations, etc., crests and crests that represent the nation, family, etc., personal seals and flower stamps, cartoon and animated characters, signs, signs, and goodwill.
Etc., the symbols and marks, etc., but may be anything. Further, the symbol mark is, for example,
It may be directly applied to products such as industrial products and miscellaneous goods, may be applied to packaging and containers of the products, may be printed on printed matter such as magazines, newspapers, leaflets, and the web. It may be posted on the page, a hat,
It may be applied to clothing such as clothes, it may be applied to a wall or a window of a building, or it may be present at any place. Furthermore, the symbol mark is
It may be printed or handwritten.

Here, as shown in FIG. 2, a case where a symbol mark indicating the source of a product is described in a magazine will be described. In this case, the user uses a digital camera to photograph the symbol mark described in the magazine and inputs an image including the symbol mark into the image input unit 12 of the client terminal 10. In this case, the input of the image is to connect the digital camera to the client terminal 10 with a connection cable,
This is performed by a known method such as inserting the memory card stored in the digital camera into the client terminal 10. Further, when the scanner can be used, the image of the page including the symbol mark in the magazine may be input from the scanner to the image input unit 12 of the client terminal 10. Further, when the symbol mark is posted on a web page or included in a word processing document and has a computer readable form, a copy (copy) function or a paste (paste) of the client terminal 10 is performed. It may be input using the (attach) function.

Then, the image including the symbol mark is transmitted from the image input unit 12 to the symbol mark cutout unit 13. Then, the symbol mark cutout unit 13 performs binarization processing of the image data, cuts out an area including only the symbol mark portion, and enlarges or reduces the image data of the area, and is shown in FIG. As described above, the image data having the standard angle of view (for example, the number of pixels is N vertical pixels × M horizontal pixels) is output.

Subsequently, the image data of the standard angle of view is transmitted to the image information extracting section 14. Here, the image information extraction unit 14 performs pattern recognition by a neural network, and marks the symbol mark as ◯ or Δ.
Etc. are decomposed into image elements having a simple shape and extracted, and the similarity (matching degree) is output. In this case, the image data of the standard angle of view is input to the input layer of the neural network. Then, the output of the neuron of the input layer is transmitted to the neuron of the intermediate layer, the output of the neuron of the intermediate layer is transmitted to the neuron of the output layer, and the neuron of the output layer fires. Accordingly, the image data of the symbol mark is decomposed into image elements having a simple shape and extracted, and the degree of similarity for each of the image elements is output as the ignition intensity, as shown in FIG. . In the case shown in FIG. 2, the symbol mark is decomposed into a plurality of image elements, and the similarity for each image element is, in order from the top,
It can be seen that they are 1.0, 0.9, 0.0 and 1.0.

Subsequently, the numerical sequence representing the similarity of each image element is transmitted to the network access unit 15. Then, the network access unit 15 accesses the symbol mark search server 20 via the network 25 and transmits a numerical sequence representing the degree of similarity of each image element of the symbol mark to the symbol mark search server 20. .

Subsequently, the symbol mark search server 20
Upon receiving the similarity of each image element forming the symbol mark from the client terminal 10, the search unit 21 accesses the database 22 and stores the numerical value indicating the similarity of each image element in the database 22. Matching is performed by comparing the numerical value indicating the degree of similarity of each image element of each symbol mark. Then, the symbol marks belonging to the range similar to the symbol mark received from the client terminal 10 are extracted from the symbol marks stored in the database 22. Further, the address of the web page corresponding to the selected symbol mark is also extracted and output as a search result as shown in FIG. The search result is returned to the client terminal 10 via the network 25.

Subsequently, the search result is output from the output unit 17 of the client terminal 10 to a display means such as a CRT or a liquid crystal display, and is displayed on the screen of the display means as shown in FIG. . In this case, the address of the web page is also displayed so as to correspond to each of the symbol marks, so that the user can easily grasp the address of the web page on which the information regarding the desired symbol mark is posted. Then, the user operates the input means such as the keyboard to input the address of the web page corresponding to the desired symbol mark in the input unit 16.
When input to, the address is transmitted to the network access unit 15. Then, the network access unit 15 accesses the web page having the address via the network 25. With this, the user can browse a web page on which information regarding a desired symbol mark is posted, and various information regarding the symbol mark, for example, information regarding a product to which the symbol mark is attached, You can get information about companies that manufacture and sell products.

When the user operates the input means to input the address of the web page to the input section 16, the pointing device such as a mouse is used to move the cursor or pointer on the screen of the display means to the address of the desired web page. The address may be input by hitting. In this case, since the user does not need to input the character string forming the address, the user can easily and accurately input the address to access the desired web page.

As described above, in this embodiment, by inputting the image data of the symbol mark which can be visually discriminated, the address of the web page in which the information regarding the symbol mark is posted can be obtained. it can. Therefore, it is possible to easily and accurately search the web page on which the information regarding the symbol mark is posted.

When the symbol mark is registered by a public organization or the like, for example, when the symbol mark is a registered trademark, the right holder of the symbol mark is specified. It is possible to reduce the rate of searching for web page addresses that are unrelated to the symbol mark.

The search for the symbol mark and the search for a character string such as a keyword can be used together. For example, when searching a web page of a company belonging to a corporate group such as a conglomerate composed of a plurality of companies that use a common symbol mark, the common symbol mark search and the keyword search by company name are used together. By doing so, the address of the web page of the company can be easily and accurately searched.

Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described. In addition, about the thing which has the same structure as 1st Embodiment, the description is abbreviate | omitted by giving the same code | symbol.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing the configuration of a symbol mark search system according to the second embodiment of the present invention.

In this embodiment, in the client terminal 10, as shown in the figure, the symbol mark cutout unit 13 and the image information extraction unit 14 are omitted.
Therefore, the network access unit 15 of the client terminal 10 directly inputs the image information including the symbol mark from the image input device such as a digital camera or a scanner, which is input to the image input unit 12, through the network 25 as a symbol. The information is transmitted to the mark search server 20.

On the other hand, the symbol mark search server 20
Has a symbol mark cutout unit 23 and an image information extraction unit 24. In this case, the symbol mark cutout unit 23 and the image information extraction unit 24 have the same functions as the symbol mark cutout unit 13 and the image information extraction unit 14 in the first embodiment. Then, the symbol mark cutout unit 23 cuts out only the symbol mark portion from the image information received from the client terminal 10, and the image information extraction unit 24
Is designed to perform pattern recognition by a neural network, decompose the extracted symbol marks into image elements having a simple shape such as ◯ or Δ, extract the image elements, and output the degree of similarity.

Next, the operation of the symbol mark retrieval system having the above structure will be described.

FIG. 4 is a diagram schematically showing the operations of the client terminal and the search unit in the second embodiment of the present invention. The range indicated by B in FIG. 4 indicates the operation of the client terminal.

First, similarly to the first embodiment, the user acquires the image data of the symbol mark given to the product or the like for which information is desired to be acquired by the image input device. In this case, the user uses a digital camera to shoot a symbol mark described in a magazine as shown in FIG. 4, and an image including the symbol mark is displayed on the image input unit 12 of the client terminal 10. To enter.

Then, the image including the symbol mark is transmitted from the image input unit 12 to the network access unit 15. Then, the network access unit 15 accesses the symbol mark search server 20 via the network 25 and transmits the image including the symbol mark to the symbol mark search server 20.

Subsequently, the symbol mark search server 20
When the symbol mark cutout unit 23 receives the image including the symbol mark from the client terminal 10, the symbol mark cutout unit 23 binarizes the image data as in the symbol mark cutout unit 13 according to the first embodiment. Cut out the area containing only the mark part, expand or reduce the image data of the area,
As shown in FIG. 4, image data having a standard angle of view (for example, the number of pixels is N vertical × M horizontal) is output.

Subsequently, the image data of the standard angle of view is transmitted to the image information extracting section 24. Here, the image information extraction unit 24, like the image information extraction unit 14 in the first embodiment, performs pattern recognition by a neural network, and the symbol mark has a simple shape such as ◯ or Δ. It is decomposed into image elements and extracted, and the similarity is output. As a result, the image data of the symbol mark is decomposed into image elements having a simple shape and extracted, and the degree of similarity for each of the image elements is output as the ignition intensity, as shown in FIG. . Then, the numerical sequence representing the similarity of each image element is transmitted to the search unit 21.

Subsequently, the search unit 21 determines that the database 2
2 is accessed to compare the numerical value indicating the similarity of each image element with the numerical value indicating the similarity of each image element of each symbol mark stored in the database 22 to perform matching. Then, the symbol marks belonging to the range similar to the symbol mark received from the client terminal 10 are extracted from the symbol marks stored in the database 22. Further, the web page address corresponding to the selected symbol mark is also extracted and output as a search result as shown in FIG. The search result is the network 25
Is sent back to the client terminal 10 via.

Subsequently, the search result is output from the output unit 17 of the client terminal 10 to a display means such as a CRT or a liquid crystal display, and the screen of the display means displays the result shown in FIG.
Is displayed as shown in. Then, when the user operates an input means such as a keyboard to input a web page address corresponding to a desired symbol mark into the input unit 16, the network access unit 15 causes the network access unit 15 to access the network 2.
Via 5, access the web page having the web page address. As a result, the user can browse the web page on which the information regarding the desired symbol mark is posted and obtain various information regarding the symbol mark.

As described above, in this embodiment, the client terminal 10 does not need to have the symbol mark cutout unit 13 and the image information extraction unit 14. for that reason,
The configuration of the client terminal 10 can be simplified, and the cost of the client terminal 10 can be reduced. Therefore, the client terminal 10 may be an electronic notebook, a mobile phone, or the like, which has a lower processing capacity and is cheaper than a personal computer or the like.

In this embodiment, the client terminal 10 binarizes the image data input to the image input unit 12, cuts out an area including only the symbol mark, and extracts an image of the area. The data may be enlarged or reduced, processed into image data having a standard angle of view, and then transmitted from the network access unit 15. As a result, the amount of data to be transmitted can be reduced, and the communication time and communication cost can be reduced.

Next, a third embodiment of the present invention will be described. In addition, about the thing which has the same structure as 1st Embodiment, the description is abbreviate | omitted by giving the same code | symbol.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing the configuration of a symbol mark search system according to the third embodiment of the present invention.

In the present embodiment, in the client terminal 10, as shown in the figure, the symbol mark cutout unit 13, the image information extraction unit 14, and the input unit 16 are omitted, and the handwriting input unit 18 and handwriting function as the input unit are omitted. It has a symbol recognition unit 19. In this case, the handwriting input unit 18
A symbol mark manually input by the user using a pointing device such as a touch panel that can be input with a pen or a finger, or a tablet equipped with a pen is input to the.
For example, when using a tablet, the user writes the symbol mark on the tablet with a pen in his hand. Then, the locus of the pen traced on the tablet is input as the position information of the symbol mark. Then, the handwritten symbol recognition unit 19 decomposes and extracts the symbol mark into an image element having a simple shape such as ◯ or Δ based on the position information, and outputs the similarity.

Next, the operation of the symbol mark retrieval system having the above construction will be described.

FIG. 6 is a diagram schematically showing the operation of the client terminal and the search unit in the third embodiment of the present invention. The range indicated by C in FIG. 6 indicates the operation of the client terminal.

First, as shown in FIG. 6, the user visually draws the symbol mark written in the magazine and handwrites the symbol mark on the tablet with the pen held in his hand. Then, the locus of the pen traced on the tablet is input to the handwriting input unit 18 as the position information of the symbol mark. The handwritten input position information as shown in FIG.
9 is sent.

Subsequently, the handwritten symbol recognition unit 19 decomposes and extracts the symbol mark into an image element having a simple shape such as ◯ or Δ based on the position information, and outputs the similarity. Thereby, the symbol mark is decomposed and extracted into an image element having a simple shape,
The similarity for each of the image elements is shown in FIG.
Is output as shown in. Then, the numerical sequence representing the degree of similarity of each image element is transmitted to the network access unit 15.

Since the subsequent operation is the same as that of the first embodiment, its explanation is omitted.

As described above, in the present embodiment, the symbol mark can be input by handwriting. Therefore, since an image input device such as a digital camera or a scanner is not required, the configuration of the client terminal 10 can be simplified and the cost of the client terminal 10 can be reduced. Therefore, the client terminal 10 may be a touch panel that can be input with a pen or a finger, an inexpensive electronic notebook having a pointing device such as a tablet having a pen, a PDA, a game machine, or the like.

Since the image data of the symbol mark is not required, the product to which the symbol mark is added,
Even if you do not have a printed material with the symbol mark written on it, or if you have not obtained the image data of the symbol mark in advance, the user can handwrite the symbol mark that he or she remembers at his or her convenience. You can enter to get information about the symbol mark.

The present invention is not limited to the above-mentioned embodiments, but can be variously modified within the scope of the present invention, and they are not excluded from the scope of the present invention.

[0070]

As described above in detail, according to the present invention, a visually recognizable mark such as a trademark can be entered to easily and easily display a desired information on a web page. And it can be accessed accurately.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a configuration of a symbol mark search system according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a diagram schematically showing operations of a client terminal and a search unit according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a configuration of a symbol mark search system according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a diagram schematically showing operations of a client terminal and a search unit according to the second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a configuration of a symbol mark search system according to a third embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a diagram schematically showing operations of a client terminal and a search unit according to the third embodiment of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

10 client terminal 12 Image input section 15 Network access section 16 Input section 17 Output section 18 Handwriting input section 20 Symbol mark search server 21 Search Department 22 Database 25 network

Claims (12)

[Claims] 1. A client terminal connected to a network, comprising: (a) an input unit for inputting a symbol mark and an output unit for outputting a search result; and (b) a web page on which information about the symbol mark is posted. A symbol mark search server connected to the network, the database including the address storing the address, and a search unit that accesses the database to search for the address, and (c) the symbol mark search server, A symbol mark search system, which searches an address of a web page in which information about a symbol mark similar to the symbol mark input to the input unit is searched and transmits a search result to the client terminal. 2. The symbol mark input to the input unit is decomposed into image elements, and the degree of similarity is given to each of the image elements, and the search unit is based on the degree of similarity. The symbol mark search system according to claim 1, wherein a symbol mark similar to the symbol mark input to is searched. 3. An input unit for inputting (a) a symbol mark, (b) an output unit for outputting a search result, and (c) a network access unit for communicating by connecting to a network. The client terminal is characterized in that the network access unit receives, as the search result, an address of a web page in which information about a symbol mark similar to the symbol mark input to the input unit is posted. 4. The client terminal according to claim 3, wherein the network access unit accesses the web page based on the address. 5. The symbol mark input to the input unit is decomposed into image elements and given a similarity for each of the image elements, and the network access unit transmits a sequence representing the similarity. 3 or 4
The client terminal described in. 6. The client terminal according to claim 5, wherein the symbol mark is input by handwriting. 7. The client terminal according to claim 3, wherein the network access unit transmits the symbol mark input to the input unit as image data. 8. The client terminal according to claim 7, wherein the symbol mark input to the input unit is processed into standard view angle image data, and the network access unit transmits the standard view angle image data. 9. (c) A database that stores an address of a web page on which information about a symbol mark is posted, and (b) a search unit that accesses the database to search for the address. ) A symbol mark search server, which searches an address of a web page in which information about a symbol mark similar to the received symbol mark is posted and transmits the search result. 10. The symbol mark search according to claim 9, wherein the search unit searches for a symbol mark similar to the received symbol mark based on the degree of similarity of each image element of the received symbol mark. server. 11. The symbol mark search server according to claim 10, wherein the received symbol mark is decomposed into image elements, and a degree of similarity is given to each of the image elements. 12. A computer as: (b) an input unit for inputting a symbol mark, (c) an output unit for outputting a search result, and (d) a network access unit for connecting to a network for communication. The client, characterized in that (e) the network access unit receives, as the search result, an address of a web page on which information about a symbol mark similar to the symbol mark input to the input unit is posted. Program for terminals.