Abstract:
For the further development of an information processing system (navigation assistance), an allocated navigation system, and a method for processing data with regard to successive units, such as successive spatial and/or temporal route segments of a path, at least one information list having at least one information element being allocated to each unit, in such a way that data or information items that are equivalent per se, such as road names or road numbers of a path or a route, are weighted with regard to successive units, such as path segments or route segments, and especially so that no faulty data (travel recommendations) are output that irritate and/or disturb the user, it is provided that in at least one of the information lists at least one of the information elements is weighted while taking into consideration the relationship, as a function of the order, of the unit, to which this information list is allocated, to at least one of the further units.

Description:
[0001]    However, the sequence within a road category is random or the road numbers are used by increasing numerical value. 
         [0002]    This problem will be illustrated below by giving a few examples of the output of travel recommendations with respect to road numbers. The routes with regard to the general road situation shown in  FIG. 2  are used as examples. 
         [0003]    The current illustration of the travel recommendations in conventional navigation units, such as model “DX-N” of the firm Blaupunkt or in similar navigation units is illustrated in  FIG. 3 . 
         [0004]    The first route runs
       to first decision point E 1 , particularly to the first location or junction along federal road B 65 ,   to second decision point E 2 , particularly to the second location or to the second junction along federal road B 6  as well as federal road B 65 ,   to third decision point E 3 , particularly to the third location or the third junction along federal road B 3 , federal road B 6  as well as federal road  65 .   to the destination along federal road B 65 .       
 
         [0009]    Without special sorting, the following is displayed in conventional navigation units: 
         [0000]    
       
         
               
               
               
             
           
               
                   
                   
               
             
             
               
                   
                 +B65 
                 --&gt; E1 
               
               
                   
                 +B6/B65 
                 --&gt; E2 
               
               
                   
                 +B3/B6/B65 
                 --&gt; E3 
               
               
                   
                 +B65 
               
               
                   
                   
               
             
          
         
       
     
         [0010]    Depending on the state of the software and data carriers used, the bordering streets are shown in addition for the crossings and junctions: 
         [0000]    
       
         
               
               
               
             
           
               
                   
                   
               
             
             
               
                   
                 +B65 
                 --&gt; E1 [B6] [B65] 
               
               
                   
                 +B6/B65 
                 --&gt; E2 [B3] [B6] [B65] 
               
               
                   
                 +B3/B6/B65 
                 --&gt; E3 [B3] [B6] [B65] 
               
               
                   
                 +B65 
               
               
                   
                   
               
             
          
         
       
     
         [0011]    With the aid of this first exemplary route  12  it becomes clear that, although entire first route  12  runs continuously over federal road B 65 , the important or primary road numbers are perpetually changing in the route list. This circumstance tends to be a real problem when the important or primary number is given out verbally besides, or instead of a visual display: 
         [0000]    
       
         
               
               
               
               
             
           
               
                   
                   
               
               
                   
                 Route List 
                   
                 Travel Recommendations 
               
               
                   
                   
               
             
             
               
                   
                 +B65 
                 --&gt; E1 
                 “turn right and follow B6” 
               
               
                   
                 +B6/B65 
                 --&gt; E2 
                 “turn left and follow B3” 
               
               
                   
                 +B3/B6/B65 
                  --&gt; E3 
                 “straight ahead and follow B65” 
               
               
                   
                 +B65 
               
               
                   
                   
               
             
          
         
       
     
         [0012]    Because of the perpetual change of the road number that is suggested by the travel recommendations, the driver is bothered with information that is of little help, and is diverted unnecessarily by road traffic, which is undesired. 
         [0013]    The second route (reference numeral  14 ), described below with the aid of  FIG. 4 , characterizes a seemingly very similar problematic case which is meaningful because of the different form of its result. 
         [0014]    Second route  14  runs
       to first decision point E 1 , particularly to the first location or to the first junction along federal road B 65 ,   to second decision point E 2 , particularly to the second location or to the second junction along federal road B 6  as well as federal road B 65 ,   to third decision point E 3 , particularly to the third location or the third junction along federal road B 3 , federal road B 6  as well as federal road  65 , and   to the destination along federal road B 3 .       
 
         [0019]    The navigation systems named at the outset, such as model “DX-N” of the firm Blaupunkt and similar navigation systems, show the route list as follows, and accordingly they output the following travel recommendations: 
         [0000]    
       
         
               
               
               
               
             
           
               
                   
                   
               
               
                   
                 Route List 
                   
                 Travel Recommendations 
               
               
                   
                   
               
             
             
               
                   
                 +B65 
                 --&gt; E1 
                 “turn right and follow B6” 
               
               
                   
                 +B6/B65 
                 --&gt; E2 
                 “turn left and follow B3” 
               
               
                   
                 +B3/B6/B65 
                  --&gt; E3 
                 “turn right and follow B3” 
               
               
                   
                 +B3 
               
               
                   
                   
               
             
          
         
       
     
         [0020]    By contrast to first route  12  (cf.  FIG. 3 ), in the case of second route  14  (cf.  FIG. 4 ) an actually necessary change in the road numbers takes place, but the user is notified of two changes in the road number. Second exemplary route  14  is described especially to show genuine change in the road number, since these changes in the road numbers can be submitted to a typical form of the present invention. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0021]    Starting from disadvantages and shortcomings shown above, and while acknowledging the outlined related art, example embodiments of the present invention provide an information processing system, especially a navigation assistance of the type named at the outset, a navigation system allocated to this information processing system as well as a method of the type named at the outset. This is to be done in such a way that equivalent data or information per se, such as road names or road numbers of a path or a route, are weighted with respect to successive units, such as with respect to successive segments of the path or road, in particular, in such a way that no information, especially travel recommendation, is output that is erroneous, irritates and/or disturbs the user. 
         [0022]    According to example embodiments of the present invention, the description of successive units, for instance, the description of a path composed of various route segments, takes place by information with respect to these units, especially by information with respect to the individual route segments. 
         [0023]    At least one information list having at least one information element is assigned to each unit, in this context. The information lists assigned to the units advantageously in each case regard at least one information category or information type. For example, the at least one information element of the respective information list is able to have at least one road name and/or at least one road number, and is able to be allocated to the information category “highway”. 
         [0024]    It is also possible for different information lists to be assigned to each of these units, particularly to each of these route segments, which each refer to different information categories. 
         [0025]    In the case of the weighting undertaken, according to example embodiments of the present invention, of the one or of the several information elements of the respective information list, in accordance with an example embodiment of the present invention, this information element is assigned to at least one of at least two priority categories, such as of the category primary information element or the category alternative information element. 
         [0026]    Furthermore, the one information element or the several information elements in the respective information list are able to be sorted corresponding to its or their weighting, the order or sequence of the information elements in the respective information list reflecting the importance or the significance of the respective information element. According to an example embodiment of the present invention, the first element thus has the greatest importance and is designated as the primary element. 
         [0027]    An example embodiment of the information system of the present invention is designed to output at least one part of the weighted data, such as the data assigned to the category primary information element, for instance, as at least one travel recommendation. This output of the information may be output optically and/or acoustically. 
         [0028]    Since various information categories or various information types do not have to have any direct relationship to one another, according to an example embodiment of the present invention, in the case of the weighting of the at least one information element of the respective information list, only information lists concerning the same information category or the same information type of the other units are considered. 
         [0029]    For better illustration, from now on the described advantageous forms of the present invention will relate only to one information category or one information type in one weighting pass. 
         [0030]    If information elements of a plurality of information categories or of a plurality of information types are to be weighted, the weighting will advantageously be run through successively for each information category. 
         [0031]    In this context, the weighting of the respective information elements of information lists of different information categories or different information types may be determined in a different manner; for instance, for each information category a different form of the present invention, particularly a different form of the method may be used. 
         [0032]    Thus, according to an example embodiment of the present invention, the weighting of the respective information element, particularly the specification for the at least one primary element of the respective information list, is able to be determined by the weighting of the corresponding information element in at least one of the further units, especially in the preceding and/or following spatial and/or temporal segment, for instance, in the preceding and/or following route segment of the path. 
         [0033]    If the specification for the at least one primary element of the respective information list is determined, for example, by the primary element of the spatially and/or temporally preceding unit, a change in the information determined as the primary element takes place as late as possible. 
         [0034]    In the case of weighting according to the exemplary embodiment described above, in the case of an example embodiment of the present invention, in particular in the case of an example embodiment of the navigation system according to an example embodiment of the present invention, in which at least a part of the weighted data, such as the data assigned to the category primary information element, is output using a loudspeaker and/or a monitor as at least one of the travel recommendations, in the case of a route change, this route change is output as late as possible. 
         [0035]    By contrast, if the specification for the at least one primary element of the respective information list is determined, by the primary element of the spatially and/or temporally following unit, a change in the information determined as the primary element takes place as early as possible. 
         [0036]    Independently of, or in connection with the possibilities of weighting the respective information elements described above, it is also possible for the weighting of the respective information elements, particularly the specification of the at least one primary element of the respective information list, to be determined by the probability that at least two of the information elements assigned to the respective units are connected to each other, particularly that they are contiguous. 
         [0037]    A change in the information determined as the primary element takes place, according to this exemplary embodiment, independently of the direction of the route, but always at the same place. 
         [0038]    According to an example embodiment of the present invention, for the weighting of the at least one information element, particularly for the determination of the primary information element, there exist the above three advantageous forms, particularly method forms, having their significant properties. 
         [0039]    Example embodiments of the present invention offer the advantage that the disadvantages shown in the section “Background Information” in light of the two route examples can be removed in the continuity of the information mapping. 
         [0040]    In this context, expediently the weighting of the primary element essentially comes into focus. According to an example embodiment of the present invention, the sorting of the other information element alternatives is of subordinate importance. 
         [0041]    Furthermore, example embodiments of the present invention offer the advantage that
       segment-related multiple data corresponding to a path, such as road names or road numbers are able to be presented in optimized fashion in the route list of navigation systems;   great continuity in the segment-related information presentation is made possible, and frequent changes are avoided; and   required changes in the segment-related information presentation take place optimized with respect to the path.       
 
         [0045]    Example embodiments of the present invention are not tied to a specific information type, in this context; the method provided herein cannot only be used to optimize the indication of road names or numbers in route lists of navigation systems, but is also usable for optimizing the representation of similar problem cases. 
         [0046]    Moreover, example embodiments of the present information are not restricted to one certain number of alternative data. 
         [0047]    An example embodiment of the navigation system according to the present invention makes possible for a user an optimized representation of alternative names and numbers, by having a priority specification oriented to the routing or by having a sorting of alternative road names and numbers oriented to the routing. 
         [0048]    This signals a great continuity in the roads used, depending on the situation. This becomes clear especially in utilizing the primary information element, for instance, the primary road number, for the acoustical presentation of the at least one travel recommendation. 
         [0049]    In addition, according to an example embodiment of the present invention, the continuity of the primary element, for instance, the road name or number, is maintained for as long as possible, in order not to provoke any irritation in response to the at least one travel recommendation, especially in response to acoustical travel recommendations. 
         [0050]    According to an example embodiment of the present invention, especially of the navigation system of an example embodiment of the present invention, the representation of multiple data that are equivalent per se and are segment-related or unit-related, takes place in such a way that the sequence of the data for one unit or one segment is sorted in such a way that
       the priority of the information in the information list decreases for a unit or for a segment,   a change in the sequence of the data is minimized, and   a change in the important information elements takes place in a manner optimized with respect to path, depending on the form, especially the method form.       
 
         [0054]    Furthermore, example embodiments of the present invention concern a computer program product having at least one program section for executing a method according to the type explained above. 
         [0055]    In addition, example embodiments of the present invention relate to a machine-readable data memory or data carrier, particularly a computer-readable storage module, for instance, a C[ompact]D[isk], a D[igital]V[ersatile]D[isc] or a memory stick
       on which at least one computer program product is recorded and/or stored according to the manner shown above, and   that is provided for making current and/or updating at least one information processing system, particularly at least one navigation assistance, according to the type explained at the outset.       
 
         [0058]    Example embodiments of the present invention may be used generally for optimizing the presentation of data relating to successive units or to segments, and especially for the path-optimized representation of segment-related multiple data. 
         [0059]    Finally, example embodiments of the present invention relate to the use
       of at least one information processing system, in particular, at least one navigation assistance according to the type shown above, and/or   of a method according to the type shown above and/or   of at least one computer program product according to the type shown above and/or   of at least one machine-readable data memory or data carrier, particularly at least one computer-readable storage module, for example, at least one C[ompact]D[isk], at least one D[igital]V[ersatile]D[isc] or at least one memory stick according to the type shown above
 
in at least one navigation system according to the type shown above, for instance, in a navigation system “RNS-MFD2” of the firm Blaupunkt, that has a map system.
       
 
         [0064]    As already explained above, there are various possibilities for advantageously implementing and refining example embodiments of the present invention. For this purpose, further example embodiments, features, and advantages of example embodiments of the present invention are described in greater detail in the following on the basis of the three exemplary embodiments illustrated by  FIGS. 1 through 11 . 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0065]      FIG. 1  a schematic representation of an exemplary embodiment for a navigation system according to the present invention, having an information processing system according to an example embodiment of the present invention and operating according to the method of an example embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0066]      FIG. 2  a schematic representation of an example of a traffic or road situation, shown as a road map section, in which the navigation system in  FIG. 1 , and, in this connection, particularly the information processing system in  FIG. 1  is able to be used; 
           [0067]      FIG. 3  a schematic representation of a first example for a routing visually high-lighted by enhancement, in the traffic situation or road situation shown in  FIG. 2 ; 
           [0068]      FIG. 4  a schematic representation of a second example for a routing visually high-lighted by enhancement, in the traffic situation or road situation shown in  FIG. 2 ; 
           [0069]      FIG. 5  a schematic representation of an example of data with respect to successive units that are stored in the navigation system of  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0070]      FIG. 6  a schematic representation of a sequence/flow diagram of a first exemplary embodiment for a method according to the present invention; 
           [0071]      FIG. 7  a schematic representation of a sequence/flow diagram of a second exemplary embodiment for a method according to the present invention; 
           [0072]      FIG. 8  a schematic representation of a sequence/flow diagram for a detailed view of a step of the method in  FIG. 6  and  FIG. 7 , namely, the step of weighting or sorting the information elements of one of the units; 
           [0073]      FIG. 9  a schematic representation of a sequence/flow diagram of a third exemplary embodiment for a method according to the present invention; 
           [0074]      FIG. 10  a schematic representation of a sequence/flow diagram for a detailed view of a step of the method in  FIG. 9 , namely, the step of determining the probability that at least two of the information elements assigned to the respective units are connected to each other; and 
           [0075]      FIG. 11  a schematic representation of a sequence/flow diagram for a detailed view of a step of the method in  FIG. 9 , namely, the step of weighting or sorting the information elements of one of the units. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0076]    In  FIGS. 1 and 11 , equal or similar embodiments, elements or features are provided with identical or equivalent reference numerals. 
         [0077]    In order to avoid superfluous repetitions, the following explanations, with respect to the example embodiments, the features and the advantages of example embodiments of the present invention (unless it is noted differently) refer
       to the first exemplary embodiment of the method according to the present invention shown in  FIGS. 6 and 8     and to the second exemplary embodiment of the method according to the present invention shown in  FIGS. 7 and 8     and to the third exemplary embodiment of the method according to the present invention shown in  FIGS. 9 and 11 .       
 
         [0081]      FIG. 1  shows a navigation system  200  according to an example embodiment of the present invention, having a information processing system  100 , in particular having a navigation assistance according to an example embodiment of the present invention. 
         [0082]    Navigation assistance  100 , and, with that, also navigation system  200  are able to be made current or updated using a computer-readable data memory  300  in the form of a C[ompact]D[isc], on which a corresponding computer program is recorded and stored. In place of the C[ompact]D[isc], any other suitable data carrier may be used, such as a D[igital]V[ersatile]D[isc] or any other suitable semiconductor storage module, such as a memory stick. Alternatively, or in supplementation of this, the updating may also be performed online, such as by remote data transmission or by the Internet. 
         [0083]    Navigation assistance  100  has a position-finding/processing unit  10  for ascertaining possible routes  12  (cf.  FIG. 3 ) or  14  (cf.  FIG. 4 ) from a point of departure to a destination. Position-finding/processing unit  10  communicates with a (or a plurality of) route guidance unit(s)  20  for the output of travel recommendations, which guide the driver of the means of conveyance along the specified route  12 ,  14 . 
         [0084]    Furthermore, position-finding/processing unit  10  communicates with one or more sensors  30 , by which the current position of the means of conveyance is continuously recorded. 
         [0085]    Moreover, navigation assistance  100  has at least one memory unit  40 , particularly at least one databank, to store data with respect to successive units  52 ,  54 ,  56 ,  58 , and particularly with regard to successive spatial and/or temporal segments, for instance, with regard to route segments of path or route  12 ,  14 . 
         [0086]    As is shown in  FIG. 5 , the description of routes  12  or  14  takes place by the sum  50  of successive units  52 ,  54 ,  56 ,  58 ; these units  52 ,  54 ,  56 ,  58  may be stored particularly in at least one table and/or in at least one route list or unit list. 
         [0087]    To each of these units  52 ,  54 ,  56 ,  58  various information types or various information categories may be assigned. If a plurality of data are admissible for certain data types or data categories, these are described by an information table or information list  60 ,  70 ,  80 ,  90 . 
         [0088]    In the example shown in  FIG. 5 , units  52 ,  54 ,  56 ,  58  describe the route segments of path or route  12 ,  14 ,
       segment  52  corresponding to the route extension from the starting point to first decision point E 1 , particularly to the first location or the first junction,   segment  54  corresponding to the route extension from first decision point E 1  to second decision point E 2 , particularly to the second location or the second junction,   segment  56  corresponding to the route extension from second decision point E 2  to third decision point E 3 , particularly to the third location or the third junction, and   segment  58  corresponding to the route extension from third decision point E 3  to the destination.       
 
         [0093]    The information lists  60 ,  70 ,  80 ,  90  are assigned to information category “highway”. 
         [0094]    Each information list  60 ,  70 ,  80 ,  90  is subdivided into two priority categories, namely the category “primary elements” p 1  and the category “alternative elements” p 2 , and has at least one information element  62 ,  72 ,  74 ,  82 ,  84 ,  86 ,  92 . 
         [0095]    The respective sequence of information elements  62  and  72 ,  74  and  82 ,  84 ,  86  and  92  in information list  60  and  70  and  80  and  90  reflects their respective importance. In this context, the first information element  62 ,  72 ,  82 ,  92  in each case has the greatest importance respectively, and is designated in each case as the primary element. 
         [0096]    In the present case, each information element  62  and  72 ,  74  and  82 ,  84 ,  86  and  92  describes a road name or a road number of a segment  52  or  54  or  56  or  58  of route  12 ,  14 . 
         [0097]    The respective weighting or sorting of information elements  62  and  72 ,  74  and  82 ,  84 ,  86  and  92  may be carried out in a different manner. 
         [0098]    A decisive feature of the first exemplary embodiment of the method of an example embodiment of the present invention shown in  FIG. 6  is that, in the case of a change in the road number or the road name, the primary information element changes as late as possible, and thus the new road number or the new road name is output as late as possible as the travel recommendation. 
         [0099]    This means that a primary information element, such as a road number determined to be a primary information element or a road name determined to be a primary information element remain constant as long as possible. In this context, the primary information element is determined by the previous segment  52 ,  54 ,  56 ,  58  in the path or route  12 ,  14 . 
         [0100]    The method sequence for processing segments  52 ,  54 ,  56 ,  58  of route  12 ,  14  in an information category, namely the information category “highway”, according to the first exemplary embodiment of the method according to the present invention is described by  FIG. 6 . 
         [0101]    Before the actual processing of segments  52 ,  54 ,  56 ,  58  of path  12 ,  14 , the preferred primary information element is initialized (reference numeral  400 ), that is, the preferred primary information element is empty. In the following loop, all segments  52 ,  54 ,  56 ,  58  of path  12 ,  14  are processed, beginning with first segment  52 . 
         [0102]    Sorting based on the preferred primary information element takes place first, in this instance, and then primary element  62  of current segment  52  is transferred as the new preferred primary information element  62  for following segments  54 ,  56 ,  58 . 
         [0103]    After step  400  of initializing the preferred primary information element, current segment  52  or  54  or  56  or  58  is equated to first segment  52  of path  12 ,  14  (reference numeral  500 ). 
         [0104]    Then it is tested (reference numeral  600 ) whether a current segment  52  or  54  or  56  or  58  is present. If no current segment  52  or  54  or  56  or  58  is present (reference symbol “−”), the method is ended. 
         [0105]    If, however, there exists a current segment  52  or  54  or  56  or  58  (reference symbol “+”), a weighting (reference numeral  700 ), namely a sorting of data  62  or  72 ,  74  or  82 ,  84 ,  86  or  92  of current segment  52  or  54  or  56  or  58  is carried out based on preferred primary information elements  62  or  72  or  82  or  92 . 
         [0106]    The actual sorting  700  of data  62  or  72 ,  74  or  82 ,  84 ,  86  or  92  of a segment  52  or  54  or  56  or  58  based on specified preferred primary information element  62  or  72  or  82  or  92  is shown in  FIG. 8 . 
         [0107]    At the beginning, at least one result list is initialized or deleted (reference numeral  7010 ). Then preferred primary information element  62  or  72  or  82  or  92  is searched for in information list  60  or  70  or  80  or  90  of given segment  52  or  54  or  56  or  58  (reference numeral  7020 ). 
         [0108]    If preferred primary information element  62  or  72  or  82  or  92  is present or included in it, it is removed from information list  60  or  70  or  80  or  90  of segment  52  or  54  or  56  or  58  and is transferred into previously initialized or deleted (cf. step  7010 ) result list (reference numeral  7030 ). 
         [0109]    Thereafter, the remaining information elements  74  or  84 ,  86  of segment  54  or  56  are transferred to the result list before this result list can be allocated to respective segment  52 ,  54 ,  56 ,  58  as information list  60 ,  70 ,  80 ,  90 . 
         [0110]    Corresponding to the example of first route  12  (cf.  FIG. 3 ), in which entire route  12  runs on federal road B 65 , and only touches on federal road B 6  and federal road B 3  in a shared manner, the first exemplary embodiment of the method, described above, of the present invention makes possible an optimized route list as well as optimized travel recommendations. 
         [0111]    As a result of the sorting according to  FIGS. 6 and 8 , the following route list relating to first route  12  (cf.  FIG. 3 ) and travel recommendations are output having an optimized road number sequence. 
         [0000]    
       
         
               
               
               
             
           
               
                   
               
               
                 Route List 
                   
                 Travel Recommendations 
               
               
                   
               
             
             
               
                 +B65 
                 --&gt; E1 
                 “turn right and keep following B65“ 
               
               
                 +B65/B6 
                 --&gt; E2 
                 “turn left and keep following B65” 
               
               
                 +B65/B3/B6 
                  --&gt; E3 
                 “straight ahead and continue following B65” 
               
               
                 +B65 
               
               
                   
               
             
          
         
       
     
         [0112]    Furthermore, the continuity in the road name and the road number is maintained as long as possible for the user, so as not to provoke any irritation in response to travel recommendations, especially when they are output in acoustical form. 
         [0113]    The change in the road name and the road number takes place as late as possible in the method shown in  FIGS. 6 and 8 . This feature of sorting road names and numbers becomes clear when it comes to second route  14  (cf.  FIG. 4 ). 
         [0114]    As a result of the sorting according to  FIGS. 6 and 8 , the following route list relating to second route  14  (cf.  FIG. 4 ) and travel recommendations are output having an optimized road number sequence: 
         [0000]    
       
         
               
               
               
             
           
               
                   
               
               
                 Route List 
                   
                 Travel Recommendations 
               
               
                   
               
             
             
               
                 +B65 
                 --&gt; E1 
                 “turn right and keep following B65” 
               
               
                 +B65/B6 
                 --&gt; E2 
                 “turn left and keep following B65” 
               
               
                 +B65/B3/B6 
                  --&gt; E3 
                 “straight ahead and continue following B3” 
               
               
                 +B3 
               
               
                   
               
             
          
         
       
     
         [0115]    A decisive feature of the second exemplary embodiment of the method of the present invention shown in  FIG. 7  is that, in the case of a change in the road number or the road name, the primary information element changes as early as possible, and thus the new road number or the new road name is output as early as possible as the travel recommendation. 
         [0116]    In the second exemplary embodiment, the primary information element is determined by the succeeding segment  52 ,  54 ,  56 ,  58  in path or route  12 ,  14 . 
         [0117]    The method sequence for processing segments  52 ,  54 ,  56 ,  58  of route  12 ,  14  in an information category, namely the information category “highway”, according to the second exemplary embodiment of the method according to the present invention is described by  FIG. 7 . 
         [0118]    Before the actual processing of segments  52 ,  54 ,  56 ,  58  of path  12 ,  14 , the preferred primary information element is initialized (reference numeral  400 ), that is, the preferred primary information element is empty. 
         [0119]    In the following loop, all segments  52 ,  54 ,  56 ,  58  of path  12 ,  14  are processed, beginning with last segment  58 , the sorting based on the preferred primary information element taking place first, and then primary element  92  of current segment  58  is transferred as the new preferred primary information element for following segments  56 ,  54 ,  52  to be processed. 
         [0120]    The actual sorting of the data of a segment  56  based on the specified preferred primary element  92  is shown in  FIG. 8 , and it corresponds to the sorting of the data of a segment  52  or  54  or  56  or  58  according to the first specific embodiment. 
         [0121]    Corresponding to the example of first route  12  (cf.  FIG. 3 ), in which entire route  12  runs on federal road B 65 , and only touches on federal road B 6  and federal road B 3  in a shared manner, the second exemplary embodiment of the method of the present invention makes possible an optimized route list as well as optimized travel recommendations, there being no difference from the other forms, especially from the other method forms. 
         [0122]    As a result of the sorting according to  FIGS. 7 and 8 , the following route list relating to first route  12  (cf.  FIG. 3 ) and travel recommendations are output having an optimized road number sequence: 
         [0000]    
       
         
               
               
               
             
           
               
                   
               
               
                 Route List 
                   
                 Travel Recommendations 
               
               
                   
               
             
             
               
                 +B65 
                 --&gt; E1 
                 “turn right and keep following B65” 
               
               
                 +B65/B6 
                 --&gt; E2 
                 “turn left and keep following B65” 
               
               
                 +B65/B3/B6 
                  --&gt; E3 
                 “straight ahead and continue following B65” 
               
               
                 +B65 
               
               
                   
               
             
          
         
       
     
         [0123]    By contrast to first exemplary route  12 , a significant difference comes about between the first example embodiment of the method according to the present invention (cf.  FIG. 6 ) and the second example embodiment of the method according to the present invention (cf.  FIG. 7 ) for second route  14  (cf.  FIG. 4 ), since the change in the road number in the second example embodiment of the method according to the present invention takes place as early as possible. 
         [0124]    As a result of the sorting according to  FIGS. 7 and 8 , the following route list relating to second route  14  (cf.  FIG. 3 ) and travel recommendations are output having an optimized road number sequence: 
         [0000]    
       
         
               
               
               
             
           
               
                   
               
               
                 Route List 
                   
                 Travel Recommendations 
               
               
                   
               
             
             
               
                 +B65 
                 --&gt; E1 
                 “turn right and keep following B65” 
               
               
                 +B65/B6 
                 --&gt; E2 
                 “turn left and follow B3” 
               
               
                 +B3/B6/B65 
                  --&gt; E3 
                 “straight ahead and continue following B3” 
               
               
                 +B3 
               
               
                   
               
             
          
         
       
     
         [0125]    In the third exemplary embodiment of the method according to the present invention shown in  FIGS. 9 to 11 , the utilization distribution of an information element  62  or  72 ,  74  or  82 ,  84 ,  86  or  92  for contiguous segments determines primary element  62  or  72  or  82  or  92  of a segment  52  or  54  or  56  or  58 . 
         [0126]    Since the distribution is determined only by specific properties, such as length or travel time for the current segment, and not by the sequence, the place of change of primary information elements  62  or  72  or  82  or  92  remains the same for each route  12 ,  14 , independent of the direction. 
         [0127]    The method sequence for processing segments  52 ,  54 ,  56 ,  58  of route  12 ,  14  in an information category, namely the information category “highway”, according to the third exemplary embodiment of the method according to the present invention is described by  FIG. 9 . 
         [0128]    First of all, the utilization distribution of information elements  62  or  72 ,  74  or  82 ,  84 ,  86  or  92  is determined or ascertained with respect to the contiguous segments of path  12 ,  14  (reference numeral  420 ). 
         [0129]    Then, in a loop, all segments  52 ,  54 ,  56 ,  58  of path  12 ,  14  are processed, beginning with first segment  52 . In this context, information elements  62  or  72 ,  74  or  82 ,  84 ,  86  or  92  of respective segment  52  or  54  or  56  or  58  are sorted (reference numeral  720 ) according to the previously determined utilization distribution in the specified sequence. 
         [0130]    The utilization distribution is organized in at least one addressable list, the elements being able to be uniquely determined via information element  62  or  72 ,  74  or  82 ,  84 ,  86  or  92  and the respective contiguous segment, described by the first and last appertaining segment in the path. 
         [0131]    The respective value of an entry is determined by the accumulated properties of the contiguous segment. 
         [0132]    The determination or ascertainment  420  of the utilization distribution of the information elements for contiguous segments is shown in  FIG. 10 . 
         [0133]    The list describing the utilization distribution is first initialized (reference numeral  4210 ), so that it is empty. 
         [0134]    Subsequently, all the segments  52 ,  54 ,  56 ,  58  of path  12 ,  14  are processed, for each information element  62 ,  72 ,  74 ,  82 ,  84 ,  86 ,  92  in the utilization distribution list the properties of the current segment being accumulated and the starting and ending entries describing the contiguous segment being updated. That is, the current segment is set equal (reference numeral  4220 ) to the last segment of the path. 
         [0135]    It is also checked (reference numeral  4230 ) whether there is a current segment. 
         [0136]    If no segment is present (reference symbol “−”), the sorting (reference numeral  4232 ) of the utilization distribution list takes place according to the value of the information elements, for instance, decreasing. 
         [0137]    If, however, no segment is present (reference symbol “+”), the current information element of the current segment is set equal to the first information element (reference numeral  4240 ). 
         [0138]    It is then checked (reference numeral  4250 ) whether a current information element is present. 
         [0139]    In this context, before taking into consideration the values of the current segment, a new entry is made if the information element does not yet have an entry in the list or if the current segment does not border on the entered segments. 
         [0140]    If no current information element is present (reference symbol “−”), the current segment is set equal to the previous segment of path  12 ,  14  (reference numeral  4252 ). 
         [0141]    On the other hand, if a current information element is present (reference symbol “+”), the current information element is entered in the utilization distribution list, and a segment is determined or newly applied (reference numeral  4260 ), if not present yet. 
         [0142]    Thereupon, the properties of the current segment are updated for the list element (reference numeral  4270 ). 
         [0143]    After the analysis of all the segments of the path, the utilization distribution list is sorted in descending order corresponding to the value of the entries, so that the utilization distribution list may be used as sorting sequence. 
         [0144]    The actual sorting  720  of the data of a segment  52  or  54  or  56  or  58  according to a specified sorting sequence is shown in  FIG. 11 . 
         [0145]    The result list is initialized or deleted (reference numeral  7210 ) before the sorting of the data of a segment. 
         [0146]    The current information element is thereupon set equal to the first information element of the specified sorting sequence. 
         [0147]    It is then checked (reference numeral  7220 ) whether a current information element is present. If no current information element is found (reference symbol “−”), the remaining information elements of the information list of the corresponding segment are transferred to the result list (reference numeral  7250 ). 
         [0148]    The result list is then transferred to become the information list of the corresponding segment (reference numeral  7260 ). 
         [0149]    If, however, a current information element is found (reference symbol “+”), a search is made in a subsequent loop, via the information elements of the specified sorting sequence, for the current information element of the entry valid for this segment in the information list of the corresponding segment (reference numeral  7222 ). 
         [0150]    If the current information element of the entry valid for this segment is contained therein (reference symbol “+”), the current information element is transferred into the result list as primary information element (reference numeral  7230 ) and removed from information list  60  or  70  or  80  or  90  of segment  52  or  54  or  56  or  58  (reference numeral  7240 ). 
         [0151]    In this case, the loop via the information elements of the specified sorting sequence is interrupted and the remaining elements of the current segment are transferred (reference numeral  7250 ). Subsequently, the result list is allocated to the current segment (reference numeral  7260 ). 
         [0152]    However, if no current information element is present in the information list  60  or  70  or  80  or  90  of the corresponding segment  52  or  54  or  56  or  58  (reference symbol “−”), the current information element is set equal to the next information element of the specified sorting sequence (reference numeral  7224 ). 
         [0153]    In accordance with the example of first route  12 , in which the entire route runs on federal road B 65  and only touches on federal road B 6  and B 3  in a shared manner, the following utilization distribution of the road number by length comes about as a result, after sorting: 
         [0000]    
       
         
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
             
           
               
                   
               
             
             
               
                   
                 Route 
                 12 
                 B65 
                   
                 B6 
                   
                 B3 
               
               
                 Route List 
                   
                 10 
                   
                 10 
                   
                 7 
                 6 
               
               
                 +B65 
                   
                 2 
                   
                 2 
               
               
                 --&gt; E1 
               
               
                 +B6/B65 
                   
                 1 
                   
                 1 
                   
                 1 
               
               
                 --&gt; E2 
               
               
                 +B3/B6/B65 
                 6 
                 6 
                   
                 6 
                   
                 6 
               
               
                 --&gt; E3 
               
               
                 +B65 
                   
                 1 
                   
                 1 
               
               
                   
               
             
          
         
       
     
         [0154]    Based on this distribution, after sorting according to the exemplary embodiment of the method according to the present invention, shown in  FIGS. 9 through 11 , one obtains the route list shown below and travel recommendations having an optimized road number sequence. 
         [0155]    Since first route  12  completely utilizes federal road B 65 , there turns out to be no difference for this example from the other two exemplary embodiments of the method according to the present invention (cf.  FIGS. 6 through 8 ). 
         [0000]    
       
         
               
               
               
             
           
               
                   
               
               
                 Route List 
                   
                 Travel Recommendations 
               
               
                   
               
             
             
               
                 +B65 
                 --&gt; E1 
                 “turn right and keep following B65” 
               
               
                 +B65/B6 
                 --&gt; E2 
                 “turn left and keep following B65” 
               
               
                 +B65/B3/B6 
                  --&gt; E3 
                 “straight ahead and continue following B65” 
               
               
                 +B65 
               
               
                   
               
             
          
         
       
     
         [0156]    For second route  14  (cf.  FIG. 4 ), one obtains the following utilization distribution of the road numbers by the length of the roads: 
         [0000]    
       
         
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
             
           
               
                   
               
             
             
               
                   
                 Route 
                 14 
                 B65 
                   
                 B6 
                   
                 B3 
               
               
                 Route List 
                   
                 13 
                   
                 9 
                   
                 7 
                 10  
               
               
                 +B65 
                   
                 2 
                   
                 2 
                   
               
               
                 --&gt; E1 
               
               
                 +B6/B65 
                   
                 1 
                   
                 1 
                   
                 1 
               
               
                 --&gt; E2 
               
               
                 +B3/B6/B65 
                 6 
                   
                 6 
                   
                 6 
                   
                 6 
               
               
                 --&gt; E3 
               
               
                 +B3 
                   
                 4 
                   
                   
                   
                   
                 4 
               
               
                   
               
             
          
         
       
     
         [0157]    Based on this distribution, the sorting according to the third exemplary embodiment of the method according to the present invention, shown in  FIGS. 9 through 11 , generates the route list shown below and travel recommendations having an optimized road number sequence for second route  14  (cf.  FIG. 4 ). 
         [0158]    Because of federal road B 3 &#39;s greater proportion of the path, the same optimized road number sequence comes about as in the second exemplary embodiment of the present invention. 
         [0000]    
       
         
               
               
               
             
           
               
                   
               
               
                 Route List 
                   
                 Travel Recommendations 
               
               
                   
               
             
             
               
                 +B65 
                 --&gt; E1 
                 “turn right and keep following B65” 
               
               
                 +B65/B6 
                 --&gt; E2 
                 “turn left and follow B3” 
               
               
                 +B3/B6/B65 
                  --&gt; E3 
                 “straight ahead and continue following B3” 
               
               
                 +B3 
               
               
                   
               
             
          
         
       
     
         [0159]    In the case of the same route having start and destination exchanged, the place of change of the primary road number remains the same in each case, in contrast to the first and the second exemplary embodiment of the method according to the present invention (cf.  FIGS. 6 through 8 ), for this second route  14  (cf.  FIG. 4 ). 
         [0160]    Consequently, the method of the present invention may be used for the optimized mapping of road numbers and road numbers along a route  12 ,  14 . 
         [0161]    One advantageous specific embodiment of the present invention is reflected in
       the optimized display of road names and/or road numbers, particularly in the so-called road name list or route information list, and/or   the optimized acoustical presentation of road names and/or road numbers in travel recommendations.