GB1420964A - Device for search of information - Google Patents

Abstract

1420964 Information retrieval systems ASAHI KOGAKU KOGYO KK 7 Dec 1972 [7 Dec 1971] 56549/72 Heading G4A In an information retrieval system data is stored on a record medium in a storage assembly in for example alphabetical order, each data word having assigned to it a code indicating the number of the letter at which it differs from a preceding word and the different letter. If for example the word " abandon " is to be retrieved from recorded information including the following data list a counter 3 is stepped to its " one " state and the first letter " a " of " abandon " is coded by a device 4 and entered into a register 7. A circuit 12 controls a comparator 5 so that when the counter is at a count of " one " or the storage assembly is at its starting position for any letter, if the contents of register 1 are greater or less than the count in counter 3 the storage assembly is advanced or returned by output (a) or (b) respectively. At equality output (c) activates comparator 6, outputs (d) or (e) of which advance or return respectively the assembly in dependence on whether the contents of register 2 is less than or greater than the contents of register 7. At equality output (f) stops the assembly. When the counter is at a count of two or higher and the storage assembly is not at its starting position the control for comparator 5 is reversed. If the assembly is initially at position 6 detectors supply signals representing 4 and s to registers 1 and 2 respectively. Comparator 5 controlled by the circuit 12 consequently initially advances the storage assembly until at position 8 equality is reached so that the control transfers to comparator 6. Since the contents of register 2 are greater than the contents of register 7 the storage assembly is then returned to its first position. Counter 3 is then stepped to a count of two and the second letter " b " of " abandon " is entered into register 7. The storage assembly is again advanced to position 2 when the equality signal from comparator 5 enables comparator 6 and since the contents of register 7 exceed those of register 2 the assembly is advanced to position 3 at which equality occurs. The third letter " a " is then entered and the counter stepped to 3. The storage assembly is again advanced, initially since the assembly is in its starting position for the letter and subsequently because the contents of register 1 exceed the contents of counter 3, until at position 7 control is transferred to the comparator 6 which returns the assembly to its starting position for this letter, i.e. position 3. The fourth letter " n " is then entered and the counter incremented. Comparator 5 advances the assembly to position 4, control then being transferred to the comparator 6 which advances the assembly to position 5 at which the word " abandon " is stored. Subsequent letters result in the assembly being advanced and then returned to position 5. The apparatus may also be used for searching items in the Japanese syllabary.