Abstract: A method of beautificating a graphic pattern approximated by line segments divided by knots, includes the step (H) of moving each knot under a predetermined limited condition, the step (G) of obtaining a quality evaluation value for the graphic pattern corresponding to the moved knot, and the step (I) of obtaining a graphic pattern which corresponds to the moved knot and has a largest quality evaluation value as a beautificated graphic pattern. For all combinations of movable knots, quality evaluation values of graphic patterns corresponding to the moved knots are obtained and are compared with each other to obtain a graphic pattern having the largest quality evaluation value. Alternatively, quality evaluation values of graphic patterns are obtained upon sequential movement of the knots, and a graphic pattern having the largest quality evaluation value is obtained while sequentially selecting the moved knots corresponding to higher quality evaluation values.

Abstract: A drawing information presentation apparatus has a memory for storing data representing a plurality of drawings, including text labels, and a concept dictionary memory for storing synonyms and connection relation for terms used in the text labels. A correspondence analysis section analyzes correspondence relation of elements of two drawings by referring to data of the concept dictionary memory. Then, a display section displays elements of a first drawing in a manner which demonstrates those elements of the first drawing which correspond to elements of the second drawing, from those elements of the first drawing which do not so correspond, in accordance with the analysis performed by the correspondence analysis section. The apparatus also comprises a drawing description analysis section for extracting drawing titles from document information, and for analyzing the correspondence relationship of the drawing titles between two drawings, by referring to date of the concept dictionary memory.

Abstract: A figure encoder is disclosed which is particularly suitable for closed figures and which requires considerably reduced amount of information to be supplied by an operator and which is capable of registering the correct figures even when the original images contains some errors. The figure encoder may includes an image memory, a display, a device for specifying points on a displayed images, a device for extracting figures in accordance with the specified points, and a device for symbolizing the extracted figures. The figure encoder may include an image memory, a display, a device for specifying points on a displayed images, a device for thinning displayed images, a device for interpolating end points in the thinned figure, and a device for symbolizing the thinned figure.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus for line figure encoding capable of reducing the amount of information required to be supplied and of encoding line figures correctly even when original images contain errors. In encoding the line figures, points are specified by a pointer in the vicinity of line figures to be encoded as a single connected line piece on displayed images. The line figures indicated to be a single connected line piece are extracted as the single connected line piece, and the line figures extracted as the single connected line piece are encoded as the single connected line piece.

Abstract: An image data filing system capable of facilitating an easy and accurate modification on the image filed in the system, without demanding a cumbersome operation for an operator. In the system, the image is modified by specifying an image to be modified among images filed in the system; displaying the specified image to be modified; specifying a region to be modified on the displayed image to be modified; obtaining a hard copy of the specified region to be modified; making a modification on the obtained hard copy of the specified region to be modified to obtain an modified image; and entering the modified image obtained on the hard copy into the system.

Abstract: An interface, adapted for receiving information composed of symbols, characters, and diagrams representing a spatial positional relationship and used as a retrieval request, comprises an entry device for entering a two-dimensional image, and a retrieval request interpreting device for recognizing elements forming the entered image, such as symbols, characters, and diagrams, and determining a two-dimensional spatial relationship between elements so as to determine retrieval conditions. Information retrieval is executed on the basis of the retrieval conditions determined by the retrieval request interpreting device. Thus, a user is allowed to enter a retrieval request in two-dimensional image form, namely, in an easily intelligible form and in a timesaving manner. This enables makes it possible to retrieve easily sophisticated information as well.

Abstract: In a data filing system, a data input unit converts an input document into an electrical image signal. A data processing unit sequentially performs multi-step image compression processing including a pattern recognition step. The processing unit includes subprocessors which independently execute corresponding image compression processing of higher processing levels. A data storage unit has a hierarchical memory structure, so that, when it receives compression image data of a given image processing level from the processing unit, it can store this data in accordance with its image processing level. A system controller causes, in the document registration mode, the first subprocessor of the data processing unit to execute image compression processing of a first level, and causes the data storage unit to store the resultant compression image data.