Abstract: The present invention relates to a device and a method for placing an original or translated explanation of a reference numeral around the reference numeral in a patent drawing, by recognizing a reference numeral included in a patent drawing, searching for a space to place an explanation corresponding to the recognized reference numeral, generating a placement information set including position information for displaying the explanation of the reference numeral in the searched empty space, and providing the placement information set to a corresponding patent drawing image. Utilization of the present invention makes it possible to recognize clearly and quickly what is represented by a reference numeral included in a patent drawing, thereby increasing the readability of a drawing, and facilitating understanding of the technical idea of a patent through patent drawings.