Information retrieval apparatus and method

Abstract

The invention provides an information retrieval apparatus and an information retrieval method by which information can be retrieved in an improved operability. A CPU controls a video camera to fetch an image and controls a GPS to detect a current position. The CPU reads out, from within image data stored in a corresponding relationship with URLs of WWW servers, those image data which correspond to position data regarding positions around the detected current position from a WWW data base via a modem and a host machine. Then, the CPU selects, from among the read out image data, that image data which matches with the fetched data, reads out a URL corresponding to the image data and accesses a WWW server designated by the URL.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. An information retrieval apparatus for retrieving information from a data base which contains registration data including position data, image data and designation information for retrieval of additional information comprising:
 imaging means for obtaining an image;   location detection means for detecting a current position location of said information retrieval apparatus; and   selection means for selecting image data from said data base which corresponds to the image obtained by said imaging means, said image data having position data representing positions in the vicinity of the current position location detected by said location detection means, and said designation information corresponding to said image data for retrieving said additional information.   
     
     
       2. An information retrieval apparatus according to  claim 1 , further comprising reception means for receiving the image data and the designation information via a computer network. 
     
     
       3. An information retrieval apparatus according to  claim 2 , wherein said reception means has a portable telephone function and is connected to said computer network via a telephone line. 
     
     
       4. An information retrieval apparatus according to  claim 2 , wherein the designation information is a URL for specifying information stored in a server of a world wide web build up on the Internet. 
     
     
       5. An information retrieval method for retrieving information by information retrieval apparatus from a data base which contains registration data including position data, image data and designation information for retrieval of additional information, comprising the steps of:
 obtaining an image;   detecting the current position location of the information retrieval apparatus; and   selecting image data from said data base which corresponds to the image obtained, said image data having position data representing positions in the vicinity of the detected current position location of the information retrieval apparatus, and designation information corresponding to said image data for retrieving said additional information.   
     
     
       6. An information terminal comprising:
 a transmitting unit configured to transmit information relating to a captured image to a remote server system, the captured image being captured by using the information terminal;   a receiving unit configured to receive, from the remote server system, a plurality of image data items and a plurality of information sets, each received information set associated with one of the plurality of received image data items, the received plurality image data items selected by the remote server system from among a second plurality of image data items for potentially corresponding to the captured image and each received information set including access information to access a specified internet site;   a providing unit configured to provide the one or more image data items to a user; and   a user selection unit configured to allow the user to select at least one of the received image data items and configured to access the specified internet site included in the information set associated with a selected received image data item.   
     
     
       7. The information terminal according to claim 6, wherein the information terminal further includes an image capturing unit configured to capture and store the captured image. 
     
     
       8. The information terminal according to claim 6, wherein the providing unit is further configured to compare the received one or more image data items with the captured image and provide the one or more image data items to a user based on the comparison. 
     
     
       9. The information terminal according to claim 6, wherein the transmitting unit transmits information of a position of the captured image to the remote server system. 
     
     
       10. The information terminal according to claim 6, wherein the access information is a URL identifying information stored in a world wide web server on the Internet. 
     
     
       11. The information terminal according to claim 6, wherein the user selection unit facilitates comparison of characteristic portions of received image data items and a characteristic portion of the captured image. 
     
     
       12. The information terminal according to claim 6, wherein the transmitting and receiving units communicate with the remote server system through a computer network. 
     
     
       13. The information terminal according to claim 6, wherein the information terminal is a mobile terminal. 
     
     
       14. An non-transitory computer readable storage medium storing a computer program, which when executed by a computer, performs the following steps:
 transmitting, via an information terminal, information relating to a captured image to a remote server system, the captured image being captured by using an information terminal;   receiving, from the remote server system, one or more image data items and an information set associated with each of the one or more received image data items, the received one or more image data items selected by the remote server system from among a plurality of image data items for potentially corresponding to the captured image, and each information set including access information to access a specified internet site;   presenting, to a user, at least one of the received image data items for selecting one of the received image data items; and   accessing, based on a selection of one of the received image data items by the user, the specified internet site included in the information set associated with the selection.   
     
     
       15. The non-transitory computer readable storage medium according to claim 14, further comprising capturing and storing an image as the captured image using the information terminal. 
     
     
       16. The non-transitory computer readable storage medium according to claim 14, wherein presenting, to a user, at least one of the received image data items for selecting one of the received image data items is based, at least in part, on a comparisons of the received image data items with the captured image made by the computer. 
     
     
       17. The non-transitory computer readable storage medium according to claim 14, wherein transmitting information relating to the captured image to the remote server system includes transmitting information relating to a position of the captured image to the remote server system. 
     
     
       18. The non-transitory computer readable storage medium according to claim 14, wherein the access information is a URL identifying information stored in a world wide web server on the Internet. 
     
     
       19. An information retrieval method comprising:
 transmitting, via an information terminal, information relating to a captured image to a remote server system, the captured image being captured by using an information terminal;   receiving, from the remote server system, a plurality of image data items and a plurality of information sets, each received information set associated with one of the plurality of received image data items, the received plurality of image data items selected by the remote server system from among a second plurality of image data items for potentially corresponding to the captured image, and each received information set including access information to access a specified internet site;   presenting, to a user, at least one of the received image data items for selecting one of the received image data items; and   accessing, based on a selection of one of the received image data items by the user, the specified internet site included in the information set associated with the selection.   
     
     
       20. The method according to claim 19, further comprising capturing and storing an image as the captured image using the information terminal. 
     
     
       21. The method according to claim 19, wherein presenting, to a user, at least one of the received image data items for selecting one of the received image data items is based, at least in part, on a comparison of the received image data items with the captured image made by the information terminal. 
     
     
       22. The method according to claim 19, wherein transmitting information relating to the captured image to the remote server system includes transmitting information relating to a position of the captured image to the remote server system. 
     
     
       23. The method according to claim 19, wherein the access information is a URL identifying information stored in a world wide web server on the Internet.