Abstract: A computer-understandable knowledge base for accumulating computer-understandable task knowledge and a know-how knowledge base for accumulating know-how knowledge understandable for a human being are provided. In accordance with, for example, a result of the process for solving a problem which has been performed by the computer-understandable knowledge base 1, know-how knowledge relating to the problem solution is automatically retrieved and presented. Since know-how knowledge relating to the problem solution is automatically retrieved and presented in accordance with the state of the problem solving process which has been performed by the computer-understandable knowledge base, a user is able to efficiently make a reference to required know-how knowledge without a complicated process for conditions for retrieving the know-how knowledge. Even if a problem cannot be solved by the computer-understandable knowledge base, the know-how knowledge is used to guide the problem solution.

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: An image location identification apparatus extracts a first set of control point data for calculating transformation coefficient and a second set of control point data for verifying the transformation coefficient, from image data. According to global location data entered with the image data, a map corresponding to the image data is retrieved from the map database. A first part of the control point data for calculating transformation coefficient is selected from predetermined control points of the map, and all permutation of the first part of the control point data is formed. Then, the transformation coefficients are calculated according to the first set of control point data of the image data and each permutation of the first part of the control point data of the map. The transformation coefficients are verified by using the second set of control point data of the image data and the second part of the control point data of the map.