Date search. I want to use it with syntax like "199X"

hi! I'd like to use some kind of data search engine that lets me search for the pictures taken in some period.

I would like to use a syntax like "199X" or "199?" to search for all the pictures taken between 1990 and 1999. Is there any module, patch or something I could use?

I have seen the datasearch module, so I could search these pictures using some "1995 +/- 5 years" but I havent even tried it, asi I think it's a little bit messy for the users to do so...

anyone could help me? anyone has done something like that? I guess the thing would be to write something that would do this:

- search the dates as strings, and read the "X" or "?" character as ANYTHING...but i dont know how to do it.

thanx!