Numeric value search apparatus and numeric value search method

7) A numeric value search method characterized in that it comprises the following:

• a procedure which specifies a frequency distribution resolution;
• a procedure which determines the frequency distribution of the digitized numeric value data in the storage unit, using this specified resolution;
• and
• a procedure which determines the numeric value range or numeric value with the prescribed rank from this determined frequency distribution;
• wherein the specified resolution is increased in steps based on the range of numeric values of the prescribed rank.

8) A numeric value search apparatus characterized in that it comprises the following:

• a storage unit which stores multiple pieces of digitized numeric value data;
• a resolution specifying means which specifies a cumulative count distribution resolution;
• a cumulative count distribution creation unit which determines the cumulative count distribution of numeric value data in the aforementioned storage unit using the resolution specified by this resolution specifying means;
• and
• a computation unit which determines the numeric value range or numeric value with the prescribed rank from the cumulative count distribution determined by this cumulative count distribution creation unit;
• wherein the aforementioned resolution specifying means increases the resolution specified to the aforementioned cumulative count distribution creation unit in steps, based on the computation results of the aforementioned computation unit.

12) A numeric value search method characterized in that it comprises the following:

• a procedure which specifies a cumulative count distribution resolution;
• a procedure which determines the cumulative count distribution of the digitized numeric value data in the storage unit, using this specified resolution;
• and
• a procedure which determines the numeric value range or numeric value with the prescribed rank from this determined cumulative count distribution;
• wherein the specified resolution is increased in steps based on the range of numeric values of the prescribed rank.