INFORMATION APPARATUS, TABLE RETRIEVAL APPARATUS, TABLE RETRIEVAL METHOD, AND RECORDING MEDIUM

A retrieval key to be used for the retrieval of a table is divided into a plurality of divided retrieval keys consisted of a plurality of bit strings. Each divided retrieval key is provided with a corresponding retrieval table. Further, the size of the table to be retrieved by one divided retrieval key is made to be smaller than the size of a table to be retrieved one time by a whole retrieval key. First, the first retrieval table is retrieved by the divided retrieval key (A bits). If the result is obtained, the result is outputted unchanged. If the pointer to the second retrieval table is obtained, the second retrieval table is retrieved by the other divided retrieval key (B bits). In this way, a retrieval process continues using the divided retrieval keys.