JP4574382B2 - Information retrieval apparatus, control method therefor, program, and storage medium - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To achieve the high speed operation of retrieval processing and the saving of resources. <P>SOLUTION: This information retrieving device for retrieving a prescribed retrieval object in a retrieval region is provided with a retrieval object presence managing means for managing retrieval object presence information showing whether or not any retrieval object is present in the retrieval region, a retrieval object information managing means for managing the retrieval object information in the retrieval region, a determination means for determining whether or not the retrieval object is present in the retrieval region based on the retrieval object presence information and a retrieving means for retrieving the retrieval object based on the retrieval object information when the retrieval object is determined to be present by the determination means. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2006,JPO&amp;NCIPI

Description

The present invention relates to an information retrieval apparatus that retrieves data such as still images and moving images, and a control method thereof .

  Conventionally, recording / reproducing devices such as electronic cameras for recording and reproducing still images and moving images using a memory card having a solid-state memory element as a recording medium are already on the market, and devices equipped with an electronic viewfinder such as a color liquid crystal panel are also sold. ing.

In recent years, the recording capacity of a recording medium such as a memory card has increased, and since a large number of image data can be recorded, it has a function of allowing a user to search for a desired image file from a large number of image files. There is.
JP 2004-112708 A

  In such a conventional electronic camera or the like, the search time for a search target corresponding to a predetermined search condition tends to become longer as the number of images increases, and the response becomes worse when search processing is performed by a user operation or the like. There was a problem such as.

  In addition, when trying to hold the search conditions for each directory and / or file in order to perform the search process at high speed, there is a problem that system resources are wasted.

The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide an information search apparatus and a control method therefor that realize high speed search processing and resource saving.

In order to solve the above-described problems and achieve the object, an information search device according to the present invention includes a plurality of pieces of data stored in a predetermined order for each of a plurality of groups having a specific order. An information search device for searching for data as a change point at which date information indicating the date and time of creation of data added to data changes, and for each group, whether there is data as a change point of date information within the group Storage means for storing date change point presence / absence information indicating whether or not , and data in which date information different from the date information added to the data of the search start point that is the top data at the start of the search is added , receiving means and the specific order than groups included data of the search start point is to accept an instruction to start a process of searching the nearest data in the predetermined order from the data of the search start point For group after Oite, with reference to the date change point determination information stored in the storage means, determining means for determining whether the group has data to be change point of date information, the determination means determines If it is determined that the group with the data to be change point of date information, the date for determining whether the data to be change point of date information set for each data stored in the group The change determination information is acquired , and data that is first found as data with date information different from the date information added to the data at the search start point by the acquired date change determination information is output as a search result. and a control means for controlling so.

According to the control method of the information search device of the present invention, for each of a plurality of groups having a specific order, a data creation date and time added to the data is selected from a plurality of data stored in a predetermined order. A method of controlling an information search apparatus for searching for data that becomes a change point at which date information to be changed, the date change point indicating whether or not there is data to be a change point of date information in the group for each group a storage step of storing the presence information in the storage means, of the head of the data date information with different date information added to the data of the search start point is added is data at the time of starting the search, the search start point of a reception step of receiving an instruction to start a process of searching the nearest data in said predetermined sequence from the data, the specific order than groups included data of the search start point Date for the group after you are, with reference to the date change point determination information stored in the storage means, a determination step of determining whether the group or not there is data to be change point of date information, by the decision step If it is determined that the group with the data to be change point information, change the date for determining whether the data to be change point of date information set for each data stored in the group The determination information is acquired , and the first data that is found as data with date information different from the date information added to the data of the search start point by the acquired date change determination information is output as a search result. A control step for controlling.

According to the present invention, the search process is speeded up because a group in which no search target exists is not searched, and the change indicating whether or not there is data having different specific items of attribute information in the group during the search process. Since it is determined based on the point information whether or not to be a search target, resource saving can be realized.

  Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

  The embodiment described below is an example as means for realizing the present invention, and should be appropriately modified or changed according to the configuration and various conditions of the apparatus to which the present invention is applied. It is not limited to the embodiment.

  FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of an electronic camera according to an embodiment of the present invention.

  In FIG. 1, reference numeral 100 denotes a recording / reproducing apparatus such as an electronic camera capable of taking, recording and reproducing an image to which the information retrieval apparatus of the present invention is applied, 10 is a photographing lens, 12 is a shutter having an aperture function, 14 Is an image sensor that converts an optical image of an object into an electrical signal by photoelectric conversion, and 16 is an A / D converter that converts an analog signal output of the image sensor 14 into a digital signal.

  A timing generator 18 supplies a clock signal and a control signal to the image sensor 14, the A / D converter 16, and the D / A converter 26 and is controlled by the memory controller 22 and the system controller 50.

  An image processing unit 20 performs predetermined pixel interpolation processing and color conversion processing on the data from the A / D conversion unit 16 or the data from the memory control unit 22.

  The image processing unit 20 performs predetermined calculation processing using the captured image data, and the system control unit 50 controls the exposure control unit 40 and the distance measurement control unit 42 based on the obtained calculation result. TTL (through-the-lens) AF (autofocus) processing, AE (automatic exposure) processing, and EF (flash pre-emission) processing are performed.

  Further, the image processing unit 20 performs predetermined calculation processing using the captured image data, and also performs TTL AWB (auto white balance) processing based on the obtained calculation result.

  A memory control unit 22 controls the A / D conversion unit 16, the timing generation unit 18, the image processing unit 20, the image display memory 24, the D / A conversion unit 26, the memory 30, and the compression / decompression unit 32.

  Data from the A / D converter 16 passes through the image processing unit 20 and the memory controller 22, or data from the A / D converter 16 passes directly through the memory controller 22 to the image display memory 24 or memory. 30 is written.

  Further, at the time of reproduction, still image data compressed in JPEG format or the like read out from the recording medium 200 or 210 into the memory 30 or moving image data compressed in MPEG format or the like is decompressed by the image processing unit 20. And expanded in the image display memory 24.

  Reference numeral 24 denotes an image display memory, 26 denotes a D / A conversion unit, 28 denotes an image display unit including a TFT LCD, and the display image data written in the image display memory 24 passes through the D / A conversion unit 26. Displayed by the image display unit 28.

  If the image data captured using the image display unit 28 is sequentially displayed, the electronic viewfinder function can be realized.

  The image display unit 28 can display information such as various setting menus, titles, and times by an on-screen display (OSD). The display contents include single shot / continuous shooting display, self-timer display, Compression rate display, number of recorded pixels, number of recorded images, display image serial number display, number of remaining shots display, search key icon display, shutter speed display, aperture value display, exposure compensation display, flash display, red-eye reduction display, macro photography Display, buzzer setting display, battery level display for clock, battery level display, error display, information display with multiple digits, display status of recording media 200 and 210, communication I / F operation display, date / time There are indications, etc.

  Among these various information displays, conditions and settings at the time of shooting can be obtained by storing each information in the image header at the time of shooting and analyzing and extracting the moving image header at the time of playback. Can be referred to.

  Reference numeral 30 denotes a memory for storing captured still images and moving images, and has a storage capacity sufficient to store a predetermined number of still images and a moving image for a predetermined time.

  This makes it possible to write a large amount of images to the memory 30 at high speed even in continuous shooting or panoramic shooting in which a plurality of still images are continuously shot.

  The memory 30 can also be used as a work area for the system control unit 50.

  Reference numeral 32 denotes a compression / decompression unit that compresses or decompresses image data by adaptive discrete cosine transform (ADCT) or the like. The image data stored in the memory 30 is read and subjected to compression processing or decompression processing. Write to memory 30.

  Reference numeral 40 denotes an exposure control unit that controls the shutter 12 having an aperture function, and has a flash light control function in cooperation with the flash 48.

  Reference numeral 42 denotes a distance measurement control unit that controls focusing of the photographing lens 10, reference numeral 44 denotes a zoom control unit that controls zooming of the photographing lens 10, and reference numeral 46 denotes a barrier control unit that controls the operation of the protection unit 102 serving as a barrier.

  A flash 48 has an AF auxiliary light projecting function and a flash light control function.

  The exposure control unit 40 and the distance measurement control unit 42 are controlled using the TTL method, and the system control unit 50 and the exposure control unit 40 and the distance measurement are based on the calculation result obtained by calculating the captured image data by the image processing unit 20. The controller 42 is controlled.

  Reference numeral 50 denotes a system control unit that controls the entire electronic camera 100, and 52 denotes a memory that stores constants, variables, programs, and the like for operation of the system control unit 50.

  Reference numeral 54 denotes a display unit including a speaker or the like that displays an operation state, a message, or the like using sound or the like according to execution of a program in the system control unit 50, and is configured by a combination of, for example, an LED and a sounding element.

  The display unit 54 has a part of its function installed in the optical viewfinder 104.

  Among the display contents of the display unit 54, what is displayed in the optical finder 104 includes in-focus display, camera shake warning display, flash charge display, shutter speed display, aperture value display, exposure correction display, and the like.

  Reference numeral 56 denotes an electrically erasable / recordable nonvolatile memory such as an EEPROM.

  Reference numerals 60, 62, 64, and 70 are operation means for inputting various operation instructions of the system control unit 50, and may be a single or a combination of a switch, a dial, a touch panel, pointing by gaze detection, a voice recognition device, or the like. Composed.

  Here, a specific description of these operating means will be given.

  Reference numeral 60 denotes a mode dial switch for switching and setting each function mode such as power-off, automatic shooting mode, shooting mode, panoramic shooting mode, playback mode, multi-screen playback / erase mode, and external device (for example, PC) connection mode. Can do.

  Reference numeral 62 denotes a shutter switch SW1, which is turned ON during operation of a shutter button (not shown), and performs AF (auto focus) processing, AE (automatic exposure) processing, AWB (auto white balance) processing, EF (flash pre-flash) processing, and the like. Instruct to start operation.

  Reference numeral 64 denotes a shutter switch SW2, which is turned on when an operation of a shutter button (not shown) is completed, and an electric signal captured from the image sensor 14 is written as image data in the memory 30 via the A / D converter 16 and the memory controller 22. Processing, development processing using calculation in the image processing unit 20 or the memory control unit 22, recording processing for reading out image data from the memory 30, compression in the compression / decompression unit 32, and writing the image data in the recording medium 200 or 210 The operation start of a series of processes is instructed.

  Reference numeral 70 denotes an operation unit including various buttons, a touch panel, and the like. A menu button, a set button, a macro button, a flash setting button, a single shooting / continuous shooting / self-timer switching button, a menu movement + (plus) button, a menu movement − (minus). ) Button, playback image feed + (plus) button, playback image feed-(minus) button, and the like.

  A power control unit 80 includes a battery detection circuit, a DC-DC converter, a switch circuit that switches a block to be energized, and the like. In addition, the DC-DC converter is controlled based on an instruction from the system control unit 50, and a necessary voltage is supplied to each unit including the recording medium for a necessary period.

  Reference numeral 82 denotes a connector, 84 denotes a connector, and 86 denotes a primary battery such as an alkaline battery or a lithium battery, a secondary battery such as a NiCd battery, a NiMH battery, or a Li battery, an AC adapter, or the like.

  90 and 94 are interfaces with a recording medium such as a memory card or a hard disk, 92 and 96 are connectors for connecting to a recording medium such as a memory card or a hard disk, and 98 is a connector 92 and / or 96 with the recording medium 200 or 210 attached thereto. It is a recording medium attachment / detachment detection unit that detects whether or not the recording medium is attached.

  In the present embodiment, it is assumed that there are two systems of interfaces and connectors for attaching a recording medium. Of course, the interface and the connector for attaching the recording medium may have a single or a plurality of systems and any number of systems. Moreover, it is good also as a structure provided with combining the interface and connector of a different standard. The interface and connector may be configured using a PCMCIA card, a CF (Compact Flash (registered trademark)) card, or the like that conforms to a standard.

  Further, when the interfaces 90 and 94 and the connectors 92 and 96 are configured using a PCMCIA card, a CF card, or the like, a LAN card, modem card, USB card, IEEE 1394 card, P1284 card, SCSI card, By connecting various communication cards such as a communication card such as a PHS, image data and management information attached to the image data can be transferred to and from other computers and peripheral devices such as a printer.

  Reference numeral 102 denotes a protection unit that is a barrier that covers the imaging unit including the lens 10 of the electronic camera 100 to prevent the imaging unit from being contaminated or damaged, and its operation is controlled by the barrier control unit 46.

  Reference numeral 104 denotes an optical viewfinder, which can take an image using only the optical viewfinder without using the electronic viewfinder function of the image display unit 28.

  A communication unit 110 has various communication functions such as RS232C, USB, IEEE1394, P1284, SCSI, modem, LAN, and wireless communication.

  Reference numeral 112 denotes a connector for connecting the electronic camera 100 to another device by the communication unit 110 or an antenna in the case of wireless communication.

  Reference numeral 200 denotes a recording medium such as a memory card or a hard disk.

The recording medium 200 includes a recording unit 122 composed of a semiconductor memory, a magnetic disk, or the like, an interface 124 with the electronic camera 100, and a connector 126 for connecting with the electronic camera 100.

  Reference numeral 210 denotes a recording medium such as a memory card or a hard disk. The recording medium 210 includes a recording unit 212 composed of a semiconductor memory, a magnetic disk, or the like, an interface 214 with the electronic camera 100, and a connector 216 that connects to the electronic camera 100.

  Next, the search processing of this embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS.

[file organization]
FIG. 2 shows a configuration example and management information example of a file stored in the recording medium.

  Reference numeral 201 denotes an example of the configuration of a directory and a file stored in the directory, and here, it conforms to a DCF (Design Rule for Camera File System) standard generally used in a digital camera.

  Reference numeral 202 denotes an example of search target presence / absence information, which holds search target presence / absence information regarding files in each directory as a search condition. Here, as the search target existence information in each directory, the first date and time (oldest shooting date and time, search start point), last date and time (newest shooting date and time, search end point), date change point (files with different shooting dates and times) Management information files such as presence / absence, total number of files having a specific format (extension such as JPEG, AVI, etc.) or attribute in each directory are held. That is, the search target presence / absence information holds the start (search start point) and end (search end point) of the files (or directories) in each directory as search targets, and the search target points (from the search start point to the search end point ( Management information for managing the presence or absence of a date change point, the total number of files in a specific format, and the like.

  Note that the search target presence / absence information may include shooting conditions (single shooting, continuous shooting, panoramic), image file color information (black and white, different colors), etc., and target at least one of these information It is good.

  Reference numerals 203 to 207 are examples of search target point information in each directory. Here, a flag indicating a date change point is set for each file in the directory (in the example shown, a flag is set for a file having a different date). ), A flag indicating whether the file is in a specific format (extension) (in the example shown, the flag is set in the AVI format file) is stored in association with the file number (file name).

  The search target presence / absence information and search target point information files are analyzed for the directory and / or file structure in the recording medium using the shooting condition and setting information stored in each image header at the time of shooting. It is created at the same time. Each file of the search target presence / absence information and search target point information is recorded so as to be writable and / or readable on a recording medium such as a nonvolatile memory.

[First Embodiment]
FIG. 3 is a flowchart of processing for searching for a search target point according to the first embodiment. The following processing is executed by the system control unit 50.

  The search target in the present embodiment is a directory or file corresponding to the search condition included in the search target presence / absence information.

  In FIG. 3, first, if there is an instruction for search processing via the operation unit 70, search target point information of a directory (search target directory) including the search start point is acquired (S301).

  Next, it is confirmed from the search target point information acquired in S301 whether the next search target point exists (S302). If there is a next search target point, a file corresponding to this search target point is output to the display unit 54 as a search result (S307), and the process is exited.

  If there is no next search target point in S302, the next directory is searched.

  If it is determined in S303 that the current directory is a terminal directory, the fact that there is no search result is output to the display unit 54 (S308), and the process is exited.

  On the other hand, if it is determined in S303 that the directory is not a terminal directory, the next directory is set as the current search target directory (S304).

  It is determined whether there is a search target in the current directory changed in S304 by referring to the search target presence / absence information (S305). If it is determined that there is a search target directory, the current directory is the first time at that time. Search target point information is acquired (S306), and a file corresponding to the first search target point is output to the display unit 54 as a search result based on the first search target point information in the search target point information (S309). ), Exit the process.

  If it is determined in S305 that there is no search target point, the process returns to S303 and the same search process is executed for the subsequent directories.

[Second Embodiment]
FIG. 4 is a flowchart of processing for searching for a change point of a search target point according to the second embodiment. The following processing is executed by the system control unit 50.

  The search target in the present embodiment is a directory or a file in which the search condition included in the search target presence / absence information changes (for example, with a date change point).

  First, if there is a search processing instruction via the operation unit 70, the search target point information of the directory including the search start point is acquired (S401).

  Next, it is confirmed from the search target point information acquired in S401 whether the next search target point exists (S402). If there is a next search target point, the file corresponding to this search target point is output to the display unit 54 as a search result (S408), and the process is exited.

  If there is no next search point in S402, the next directory is searched.

  If it is determined in S403 that the current directory is a terminal directory, the fact that there is no search result is output to the display unit 54 (S409), and the process is exited.

  On the other hand, if it is determined in S403 that the directory is not a terminal directory, the current directory final search condition (search end point) and the next directory start search condition (search start point) simultaneously held in the search target presence / absence information. And the first file (or directory) of the next directory is determined as a search target point (S404). Here, if the final search condition for the current directory is different from the first search condition for the next directory, it is determined that the point is a search target point, and if they are the same, it is determined that the boundary between these directories is not the search target point.

  If it is determined in S404 that the point is a search target point, the first file in the next directory is output as a search result to the display unit 54 (S410), and the process is exited. If it is determined that the boundary between these directories is not a search target point, the next directory is set as the current directory (S405).

  It is determined whether there is a search target in the current directory changed in S405 by referring to the search target presence / absence information (S406). If it is determined that there is a search target, the current directory is the first time at that time. Search target point information is acquired (407), and a file corresponding to the first search target point is output to the display unit 54 as a search result based on the first search target point information in the search target point information (S411). ), Exit the process.

  If it is determined in S405 that there is no search target point, the process returns to S403, and the same search process is executed for the subsequent directories.

[Other Embodiments]
In the present embodiment, a computer-readable recording medium (or storage medium) in which a program code of software that realizes the functions of the above-described embodiments is recorded is supplied to the system or apparatus, and the computer (or CPU) of the system or apparatus is supplied. Or MPU) can read out and execute the program code stored in the recording medium. In this case, the program code itself read from the recording medium realizes the functions of the above-described embodiment, and the recording medium on which the program code is recorded constitutes the present invention. Further, by executing the program code read by the computer, not only the functions of the above-described embodiments are realized, but also an operating system (OS) running on the computer based on the instruction of the program code. It goes without saying that a case where the function of the above-described embodiment is realized by performing part or all of the actual processing and the processing is included.

  Further, after the program code read from the recording medium is written into a memory provided in a function expansion card inserted into the computer or a function expansion unit connected to the computer, the function expansion is performed based on the instruction of the program code. It goes without saying that the CPU or the like provided in the card or the function expansion unit performs part or all of the actual processing, and the functions of the above-described embodiments are realized by the processing.

  When the present embodiment is applied to the recording medium, program code corresponding to the flowchart described above is stored in the recording medium.

  Note that the present embodiment can be applied to a system composed of a plurality of devices (for example, a host computer, an interface device, a reader, a printer, etc.), but a device (for example, a copier, a facsimile machine, etc.) composed of a single device. ).

[effect]
According to the present embodiment, since a search in a directory where no search target exists is not performed based on the search target presence / absence information, a search can be performed at high speed. Further, since the search target point information is held only for the directory where the search target exists, it is possible to suppress the resource consumption of the system RAM and the like.

  Further, the search target presence / absence information and / or the search target point information are created at the same time when analyzing and extracting the configuration of the directory and / or file in the recording medium, so that the directory and / or file configuration in the recording medium is changed. The file system information acquired at the time of analysis can be used effectively, and the processing time for building search target presence / absence information and / or search target point information can be reduced by reducing the number of times the file system is accessed. It becomes possible to do.

Further, the time for reconstructing the search target presence / absence information and / or the search target point information by enabling the search target presence / absence information and the search target point information to be written and / or read as a file in a recording medium such as a nonvolatile memory. In addition, the search condition included in the search target presence / absence information is one or more of shooting conditions, date, time, file format, file attribute, and color information. It is possible to realize a high-speed search that is convenient for the user, such as a point search or a search only for files in a specific format.

  The search target presence / absence information includes a search target searched first in the directory and a search target searched last, and a search target searched first in a search area to be searched next and a previous search Search by eliminating the relationship between different directories when the search target point does not change by determining whether there is a search target by acquiring and comparing the search target searched at the end of the area in a timely manner. Is possible.

  In addition, since the search target is a directory or file corresponding to the predetermined search condition, the search target of the predetermined search condition can be easily searched.

  In addition, since the search target is a directory or file whose predetermined search condition changes, the search target whose predetermined search condition changes can be easily searched.

It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the electronic camera of one Embodiment which concerns on this invention. It is an example of the directory structure and management information of this embodiment. It is a flowchart of the search process of 1st Embodiment. It is a flowchart of the search process of 2nd Embodiment.

Explanation of symbols

10: Shooting lens 12: Shutter 14: Image sensor 16: A / D converter 18: Timing generator 20: Image processor 22: Memory controller 24: Image display memory 26: D / A converter 28: Image display 30: Memory 32: Image compression / decompression unit 40: Exposure control unit 42: Distance measurement control unit 44: Zoom control unit 46: Barrier control unit 48: Flash 50: System control unit 52: Memory 54: Display unit 56: Non-volatile Memory 60: Mode dial switch 62: Shutter switch SW1
64: Shutter switch SW2
70: operation unit 80: power supply control unit 82: connector 84: connector 86: power supply unit 90: interface 92: connector 94: interface 96: connector 98: recording medium attachment / detachment detection unit 100: electronic camera 102: protection unit 104: optical viewfinder 110: Communication unit 112: Connector (or antenna)
200: Recording medium
122 : Recording unit
124 : Interface
126 : Connector 210: Recording medium 212: Recording unit 214: Interface 216: Connector

Claims (10)

For each of a plurality of groups having a specific order, from among a plurality of data stored in a predetermined order, data serving as a change point at which the date information indicating the data creation date / time added to the data changes An information search device for searching,
Storage means for storing date change point presence / absence information indicating whether or not there is data serving as a change point of date information in the group for each group;
Among the data added with date information different from the date information added to the data of the search start point, which is the first data at the start of the search , the closest data in the predetermined order from the data of the search start point Accepting means for accepting an instruction to start the search process ;
There is data serving as a change point of date information with reference to the date change point presence / absence information stored in the storage unit for a group in the specific order after the group including the data of the search start point. A determination means for determining whether or not a group ;
If it is determined that the group with the data to be change point of date information by said determining means, determines whether the data to be change point of date information set for each data stored in the group To obtain the date change determination information to search for the data first found as the date information different from the date information added to the search start point data by the acquired date change determination information And a control means for controlling to output as a result . The control means includes the data in which the date information is the same as the last data included in the immediately preceding group in the specific order included in the head in the predetermined order, and the change point of the date information by the determination means. The information search apparatus according to claim 1, wherein control is performed so as not to acquire date change determination information of each data included in a group that is determined not to be a group in which data becomes . It said storage means further for each of the groups, store the date information of the start data and end data of the predetermined order in the group,
The date information data is the same as the last data included in the immediately preceding group in said particular order, whether groups contained in the head in the predetermined order, stored in the storage means 3. The information search apparatus according to claim 2, further comprising second determination means for determining based on date information of the first data and the last data . Said determination means, the groups included data of the search starting point, the search result becomes when there is data according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that not performed determination Information retrieval device. Wherein the data information retrieval apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the image data. The information search apparatus according to claim 5 , wherein the date information is information on a shooting date included in the attribute information of the image data. The information retrieval apparatus according to claim 6 , wherein the information retrieval apparatus is an imaging camera having an imaging unit. For each of a plurality of groups having a specific order, from among a plurality of data stored in a predetermined order, data serving as a change point at which the date information indicating the data creation date / time added to the data changes A method for controlling an information retrieval device to retrieve,
For each group, a storage step of storing date change point presence / absence information indicating whether or not there is data serving as a change point of date information in the group in a storage unit ;
Among the data added with date information different from the date information added to the data of the search start point, which is the first data at the start of the search , the closest data in the predetermined order from the data of the search start point A reception step for receiving an instruction to start a search process ;
There is data serving as a change point of date information with reference to the date change point presence / absence information stored in the storage unit for a group in the specific order after the group including the data of the search start point. A determination step of determining whether or not a group ;
If it is determined that the group with the data to be change point of date information by said determination step, it determines whether or not data to be a change point of date information set for each data stored in the group To obtain date change determination information to search for data first found as data with date information different from the date information added to the search start point data by the acquired date change determination information And a control step of controlling to output as a result . A program that causes a computer to function as each unit of the information search device according to any one of claims 1 to 7 . Computer, storage medium storing a program to function as each means of an information retrieval apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 7.

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