An information processing apparatus comprises a camera that outputs picture information, a memory which stores concise information related to at least one string of one or more characters and a data communication interface for communication via a network. The information processing apparatus includes a CPU which recognizes a string of one or more characters included in picture information output by the camera and displays a result of recognition and the concise information related to the recognized string of one or more characters in response to a character recognition request by a user. The CPU also controls the data communication interface to communicate via a network and displays information received by the data communication interface, when the user requests detailed information related to the recognized string of one or more characters.