Information search apparatus and method, and computer readable memory

An information search method for searching information based on an input query word, comprising:

• a first search step for determining a query keyword on the basis of the query word, and searching the information by comparing the query keyword with a feature keyword expressing a feature of the information, wherein said feature keyword is stored in association with the information;
• a second search step for determining a feature amount of a pattern corresponding to the query word, and searching the information by comparing the determined feature amount with a feature amount extracted from the information, wherein said extracted feature amount is stored in association with the information;
• and
• generating search result information based on both results obtained in the first and second search steps.

A computer readable memory for storing a computer program for searching information based on an input query word, the computer program comprising:

• code for a first search step to determine a query keyword on the basis of the query word, and to search information by comparing the query keyword with a feature keyword expressing a feature of the information, wherein said feature keyword is stored in association with the information;
• code for a second search step to determine a feature amount corresponding to the query word, and to search information by comparing the determined feature amount with a feature amount extracted from the information, wherein said extracted feature amount is stored in association with the information;
• and
• code to generate search result information based on both results obtained in the first and second search steps.