VWGoA - Ex. 1011
`Volkswagen Group of America, Inc., Petitioner
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`EUROPEAN PATENT APPLICATION
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`Publication date:
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`File number:
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`Filing date:
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`Designated contracting states:
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`Inventor:
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`Designated extension states:
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`Priority:
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`Applicant:
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`Method and device for destination selection in a navigation system in a motor
`vehicle while using a service control point
`(57) The invention relates to a method and a device
`for destination selection of a navigation system in a
`motor vehicle while using a service control point. To
`select a destination, the service control point
`supplies the motor vehicle with destination
`information data, set up according to user
`specifications, in a wireless manner.
` According to the invention, an operating unit is
`provided in the motor vehicle, and
`
`at least one alphanumeric address specified by the
`user while using the operating unit and/or a voice
`communication means is transmitted to the service
`control point as a data message or a voice message in
`a wireless manner,
`the service control point generates suitable destination
`information data for the destination selection of the
`navigation system in connection with this address,
`the service control point supplies the destination
`information data generated in a wireless manner to
`the operating unit, and
`the operating unit actuates the navigation system
`using the destination information data.
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`Description
`
`[0001] The present invention relates to a method for
`destination selection of a navigation system in a motor
`vehicle, while using a service control point according
`to the definition of the species in Claim 1, as well as to
`a device for carrying out the method according to the
`definition of the species in Claim 15. The service
`control point, in this context, is a central processing
`unit having a database that can be used in a wireless
`manner by subscribers to a corresponding service.
`[0002] For carrying out a navigation, that is, the
`calculation and display of a suitable driving route to a
`travel destination, a destination must first be selected in
`the navigation system. To select a destination, a user-
`selected travel destination is provided to the navigation
`system, the automated processing of the travel
`destination in the navigation system taking place in
`geographical coordinates.
`[0003] German document DE 37 44 532 Al describes a
`method for destination selection of a navigation system
`in a motor vehicle; to select a destination, a user inputs
`data in the form of street names and house numbers.
`Interpolation point data stored in a data memory are
`checked for agreement with the input data. If
`agreement is established, the data required for the
`navigation are taken over from the data memory.
`Consequently, the geographical coordinates of all
`possible streets and house numbers must be stored
`ahead of time in the data memory.
`[0004] European document EP 0 933 744 A2 describes
`a method for searching for a destination address, the
`destination address being used for the destination
`selection by a navigation system. Data input by a user
`are completed to form the destination address, in that
`missing data are ascertained in conjunction with an
`address-related information system in the form of a
`dialog with the user.
`[0005] In generic document DE 298 12 320 Ul, a
`device for destination selection of a navigation system
`in a motor vehicle is described, in which a user
`undertakes the input of data for the destination
`selection outside of the motor vehicle, on a computer
`system having the usual input means. The input data
`are temporarily stored in a service control point that is
`separate from the computer system, and, upon request,
`are supplied to the navigation system in a wireless
`manner. The user is also able to select one of several
`destinations input previously, by requesting the
`corresponding data. A free selection of the travel
`destination by the user in the motor vehicle is not
`provided.
`[0006] It is the object of the present invention to
`improve the generic method in such a way that the
`operating convenience is increased and the usefulness
`is improved.
`[0007] For the method, this objective according to the
`
`present invention is attained by the features of Claim 1
`and for the device, by the features of Claim 15. The
`dependent claims relate to advantageous embodiments
`and refinements of the present invention.
`[0008] The main idea of the invention is that, in a motor
`vehicle having a navigation system, an operating unit is
`additionally provided, and for the destination selection of
`the navigation system, at least one user-defined
`destination address is wirelessly sent to a service control
`point, where suitable destination information data for this
`address is generated; the destination information data
`generated are wirelessly supplied to the operating unit,
`and the operating unit actuates the navigation system
`using the destination information data. In other words, the
`service control point is used to process one or more travel
`destination(s) selected by the user in such a way that
`these travel destinations are able to be used for
`destination selection in the navigation system of the
`motor vehicle. The user unambiguously specifies the
`travel destination for selection.
`[0009] In one advantageous specific embodiment, the
`destination address is specified by the user as the
`complete, conventional address, for instance, in the
`format: first name, last name, street name, house number,
`place of residence". A selected travel destination is
`thereby unequivocally named as destination address by
`the user in a particularly simple manner.
`[0010] The method according to the present invention
`advantageously allows a convenient and accurately
`addressed destination selection of the navigation system
`at all times. Instead of carrying out a cumbersome and
`time-consuming operating process, the user merely
`specifies his selected travel destination as the destination
`address, for instance, in the form of a conventional
`address. This simplification of the destination selection
`increases the readiness for using the navigation system,
`and thus enables a convenient, reliable and stress-free trip
`to the travel destination. In addition, because of the
`resulting greater acceptance by the user, the demand for
`navigation systems becomes greater and thereby ensures
`the business success of manufacturers of navigation
`systems. The restriction of the data to be transmitted in a
`wireless manner between the motor vehicle and the
`service control point to one or more destination
`addresses, or destination information data, minimizes the
`communication costs as well.
`[0011] Because of the use of the service control point in
`the destination selection of the navigation system, it is
`possible to access a particularly voluminous and current
`data base. This database is used to generate suitable
`destination information data. This being the case, no
`memory is required in the motor vehicle for the complete
`storage of all destination addresses of the navigation
`system. Furthermore, no updating of the destination
`addresses stored in the motor vehicle is necessary. In the
`present invention, the service control point is used "as late
`as possible", which ensures the most current state
`possible of the database. The generation of the destination
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`information data at the service control point, in this
`context, is provided in automated form, by operating
`personnel, or as an optional combination of these two
`forms.
`[0012] In one advantageous specific embodiment of
`the present invention, at least one of the destination
`addresses is specified by the user while using the
`operating unit. For this purpose, the operating unit in
`the motor vehicle is suitably developed, for instance
`as a function of preferences and financial means of the
`user. For instance, the operating unit includes a
`microphone for recording a destination address
`specified acoustically by the user. In addition, the
`operating unit may include voice recognition, which
`processes the destination address specified
`acoustically by the user into a corresponding data
`message. One skilled in the art knows other
`implementation possibilities, and these may be
`provided individually or also in various combinations.
`[0013] One particularly advantageous specific
`embodiment sends at least one of the destination
`addresses as a voice message to the service control
`point. For this, a mobile phone is preferably used,
`such as is already routinely taken along on trips by the
`majority of users. This being the case, the user is not
`expected to use an unfamiliar device for the
`destination selection, but instead uses the mobile
`phone to which he is accustomed, for example. In
`addition, the technology expenditure in terms of
`devices for destination selection of the navigation
`system is reduced, in that devices already owned by
`the user and/or available in the motor vehicle are used
`for the destination selection.
`[0014] One further advantageous specific embodiment
`sends at least one of the destination addresses as a data
`message to the service control point. As shown above,
`for example, a suitable data message is generated by
`voice recognition from a destination address specified
`acoustically by the user. A further example is the
`creation of a data message by one of the portable
`devices carried by the user (PDA, "personal digital
`assistant") by retrieving stored addresses. A suitable
`transmission means is provided, for example, in the
`motor vehicle and/or in the portable unit carried by the
`user.
`[0015] Standardized addresses, such as in the form of
`"Microsoft VCard - Standard" are especially suitable
`for specifying destination addresses by the user. By
`specifying a certain form and a certain scope when
`identifying the destination address, such a standard
`increases the recognition reliability of the destination
`selection. Furthermore, the use of standardized
`addresses allows a particularly simple utilization of
`address databases already in existence.
`[0016] The destination selection according to the
`present invention of the navigation system, while
`using the service control point, allows the user to
`make a particularly convenient and rapid destination
`selection. Consequently, the user will frequently
`include intermediate travel destinations in his
`destination selection (such as places of interest or
`restaurants close to the travel route). The inclusion of
`such intermediate travel destinations makes it possible
`for the user to plan
`
`an individual and flexible trip.
`[0017] In one advantageous embodiment, at least one
`of the specified destination addresses is able to be
`identified in addition. In particular if more than one
`destination address is indicated (i.e., when
`intermediate travel destinations are included), this
`enables a special identification of a mentioned
`destination address, e.g., as “intermediate destination”
`or as “final destination”.
`[0018] Using the destination information data
`generated by the service control point and supplied to
`the operating unit, the operating unit actuates the
`navigation system. If at least one intermediate
`destination is included in the destination information
`data, the actuation may be carried out in two different
`ways. For one, the operating unit may use the
`destination information data to actuate the navigation
`system individually for each intermediate destination.
`This type of actuation allows the use of navigation
`systems that offer no option for navigation using
`intermediate destinations. For another, the operating
`unit may use the destination information data to
`actuate the navigation system in collective manner.
`This allows the operating unit to have a simpler design
`and especially flexible navigation.
`[0019] In one advantageous embodiment, identifying
`information of the navigation system is transmitted to
`the service control point. This identifying information
`is used to describe the navigation system more
`precisely and, for example, and is made up of the
`model type of the navigation system. The service
`control point uses the identifying information to
`generate destination information data that is especially
`suitable for the destination selection of this particular
`navigation system.
`[0020] In one advantageous embodiment, information
`for identifying the user selecting the destination is
`transmitted to the service control point. This further
`increases the recognition reliability of the destination
`selection in that, for example, information about
`destination addresses that had previously been
`selected by this user is stored in the service control
`point. Moreover, the convenience is enhanced, for
`instance by using a “personalized destination
`database” of the user.
`[0021] It is especially advantageous if the use of the
`service control point takes place via a mobile
`telephone network in the present invention. The
`mobile telephone network allows a wireless link to be
`established between service control point and motor
`vehicle, with virtually blanket coverage while utilizing
`the existing infrastructure. Mobile telephone networks
`in various developments are usable, e.g., on the basis
`of satellites, GSM, UMTS (“Universal Mobile
`Telephone System”), or WLAN (“Wireless Local
`Area Network”), either individually or in any
`combination.
`[0022] A device for destination selection of a
`navigation system in a motor vehicle utilizing
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`a service control point, in which, for the destination
`selection, destination information data generated
`based on user input is wirelessly supplied from the
`service point center to the motor vehicle, is
`characterized in that an operating unit is provided in
`the motor vehicle and the motor vehicle is equipped
`with communication means and/or a voice-controlled
`communication means. At least one destination
`address, identified by the user while using the
`operating unit, is transmitted in a wireless manner by
`the communication means in the vehicle as data and or
`voice message to the communication means in the
`service point center, and/or at least one destination
`address acoustically specified by the user is wirelessly
`transmitted by the voice communication means to the
`communication means in the service control point. In
`the service control point, a destination recognition
`means, in cooperation with a means for generating
`destination information data, generates suitable
`destination information data for destination selection
`of the navigation system in the motor vehicle to this
`particular destination address, utilizing at least one
`address database and a digital road map. The
`generated destination information data are wirelessly
`transmitted from the communication means in the
`service control point to the communication means in
`the motor vehicle, and then supplied to the operating
`unit. The operating unit uses the destination
`information data to actuate the navigation system.
`[0023] One advantageous embodiment of the present
`invention is described in greater detail with the aid of
`the drawing.
`[0024] The single Figure 1 shows a schematic
`representation of a block diagram of a method and a
`device for destination selection of a navigation system
`in a motor vehicle utilizing a service control point.
`[0025] Figure 1 shows a device for destination
`selection of a navigation system in a motor vehicle
`while utilizing a service control point, together with
`its components that are of interest here, in their
`functional interactions, in the form of a block diagram.
`At the same time, Figure 1 represents a flow chart of
`the sequence of the destination selection method
`executed by this device, if, for this purpose, the
`individual blocks of the block diagram are viewed as
`method steps and not as system components, which
`steps are carried out by the individual system
`components. In the following text, the description of
`the individual system components and the functions
`they execute therefore takes place in parallel.
`[0026] Figure 1 shows a motor vehicle 1, which
`includes a navigation system 2 having a conventional
`design, an operating unit 3, storage means 16 having
`dynamic local addresses (hereinafter abbreviated to
`local memory 16), a means for driver identification 17
`(hereinafter abbreviated to identmeans 17), and a
`communication means 4'. In addition, motor vehicle 1
`has a voice communication means 5, such as a mobile
`phone. Communication means 4' at least intermittently
`establishes a wireless, bidirectional
`
`communication link to a communication means 4” in a
`service control point 6. Voice communication means 5
`at least intermittently establishes a wireless,
`unidirectional communication link to communication
`means 4” in a service control point 6. In addition,
`service control point 6 includes a destination
`recognition means 7, operator access 8, an address
`database 9, a means for generating destination
`information data 10, a digital road map 11, and a
`personalized destination database 12. In this
`embodiment, a data center 13 including a
`communication means 4''' and a storage means 14 is
`provided in addition.
`[0027] Operating unit 3, for example, is embodied as
`control device or as conventional processing system,
`such as “car PC”, and transmits and receives signals
`to/from communication means 4', local memory 16,
`identmeans 17, and navigation system 2. Navigation
`system 2, operating unit 3, local memory 16,
`identmeans 17, and communication means 4' are
`electrically interconnected for the transmission and
`reception of signals, e.g., via a network provided in
`the vehicle such as a “CAN bus”. Communication
`means 4', 4”, 4''', as well as voice communication
`means 5, individually or in any combination, utilize
`for the wireless communication a mobile telephone
`network based, for example, on satellites, GSM,
`UMTS (“Universal Mobile Telephone System”), and/
`or WLAN (“Wireless Local Area Network”). Both the
`use of voice messages, e.g., in the form of a telephone
`call, and data messages such as text messages (SMS
`“Short Message Service”) or a radio data transmission
`(WAP “Wireless Application Protocol” or “Mobile
`Internet”) are provided in communication means 4',
`4”, 4'''.
`[0028] In a first processing step, the user specifies at
`least one user-selected destination as destination
`address. One option for making this identification is
`the use of operating unit 3. For this purpose, operating
`device 3 includes, for example, a microphone for an
`audio recording of one or all destination address(es)
`acoustically named by the user. The audio recording
`of the acoustically identified destination addresses is
`transmitted as voice message ZA to communication
`means 4'. As an alternative, the audio recording is
`forwarded to a voice recognition module included in
`operating unit 3, automatically processed, and
`transmitted as corresponding data message ZD to
`communication means 4'. It may in this context also
`be provided to transmit a destination address that is
`not to be processed automatically by the voice
`recognition module as voice message ZA to
`communication means 4' instead.
`[0029] In addition or as an alternative, operating unit 3
`accesses a local memory 16. For example, addresses
`that are wirelessly transmitted from a portable device
`carried by the user
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`(PDA “Personal Digital Assistant”) to a means for
`near-range communication integrated into operating
`unit 3, e.g., according to the “Bluetooth” standard, are
`stored in local memory 16. Another example is the
`wireless provision of position-dependent address data
`via a mobile telephone network (“Location Based
`Services”), in which the data are received via
`communication means 4' and forwarded to operating
`unit 3. Operating unit 3 stores these addresses in local
`memory 16 for a predefinable period of time. The
`specification of one or more destination address(es) is
`realized in that the user makes a selection from these
`local addresses. The selection is made, for example,
`via a conventional manual operating element on
`operating unit 3, e.g., a joystick or a combined twist-
`push button. To display the destination address that
`are specifiable at a particular instant, operating unit 3
`may include voice output and/or a display, for
`instance. The destination address or all destination
`addresses specified by the user by way of selection is/
`are sent as data message ZD to communication means
`4'.
`[30] Identmeans 17, for example, may be provided in
`the form of an electronic data carrier taken along by
`the user, e.g., a driver-specific chip card, which is
`inserted into a device linked to the vehicle. Driver-
`specific values are stored on the chip card, which are
`analyzed by operating unit 3 and trigger the generation
`of a data set that characterizes the user. This data set is
`transmitted to communication means 4'.
`[0031] As an alternative or in addition to the
`previously described options, the specification of a
`destination address by the user is realized by using a
`voice communication means 5. Voice communication
`means 5 is not part of operating unit 3 and does not
`transmit or receive any signals to or from
`communication means 4' and to and from navigation
`system 2.
`[0032] To specify one or more destination address(es)
`by the user, the aforementioned possibilities should be
`interpreted merely as examples. The expert is aware of
`numerous additional realization options. These
`realization options are used individually or in various
`combinations for specifying one or more destination
`address(es) as destinations selected by a user. The
`previously described realization options make it
`possible to specify destination addresses whenever the
`user is inside the vehicle, i.e., also when the vehicle is
`moving. Depending on the selected type of realization,
`further options for specifying destination addresses
`exist. For example, the user may utilize voice
`communication means 5 even outside of the vehicle
`for the purpose of specifying a destination address.
`Also provided is the consecutive use of various
`possibilities for specifying
`
`multiple destination addresses for a trip. For example,
`the user specifies a first destination address, e.g., the
`address of a motel for an overnight stay, by selecting
`from among the local addresses stored in local
`memory 16, and later, as intermediate travel
`destination, a second destination address such as the
`address of a restaurant, using voice communication
`means 5.
`[0033] Furthermore, an additional identification of
`one or more of the specified destination address(es) is
`possible. For example, such an identification
`specification is made by actuating a manual operating
`element on operating unit 3, during or after specifying
`a destination address or, in the event that a destination
`address is specified acoustically, by speaking special
`key words such as the words “Intermediate
`destination”.
`[0034] Voice communication means 5 transmits the
`intermediate destination address(es) acoustically
`specified by the user in the form of a voice message,
`by an at least intermittent establishment of a wireless
`link to communication means 4” in operating control
`point 6. The voice message is transmitted in the
`conventional manner, i.e., the destination address or
`all destination addresses specified through
`communication means 5 is/are transmitted, in the
`order of their specification, in the form of a “telephone
`call”, so to speak.
`[0035] Communication means 4' transmits the
`destination address(es) specified by the user while
`utilizing operating unit 3, the data set generated using
`identmeans 17 and characterizing the user, and
`identifying information of navigation system 2 (such
`as the model series designation of navigation system
`2) through the at least intermittent establishment of a
`wireless link to communication means 4” in service
`control point 6. Depending on the form in which
`operating unit 3 is realized, a transmission as voice
`message ZA and/or as data message ZD is optionally
`available. Voice messages are transmitted to
`communication means 4' and transmitted as
`“telephone calls” in the order of their specification.
`Data messages are either immediately transmitted to
`communication means 4' by operating unit 3, once a
`destination address has been specified in full, or all
`destination addresses fully specified with the aid of
`operating unit 3 within a settable time period are
`buffer-stored in operating unit 3 and then collectively
`transmitted to communication means 4'. Whether an
`immediate or collective transmission from operating
`unit 3 to communication means 4' is selected, depends
`on the mobile radio network used by communication
`means 4', for example. For the immediate transmission
`of a fully identified destination address from operating
`unit 3 to communication means 4', for instance, an
`actuation of a manual operating element by the user is
`provided.
`[0036] The destination address or any destination
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`address identified by the user in motor vehicle 1 is/are
`transmitted wirelessly to communication means 4” in
`service control point 6 by communication means 4'
`and/or voice communication means 5. Communication
`means 4” makes the specified destination address
`available to destination recognition means 7 as voice
`message ZA and/or as data message ZD. Like the
`means for generating destination information data 10,
`destination recognition means 7 is developed as part
`of a conventional processing system, for instance;
`further components are provided, such as one or more
`conventional memory unit(s), e.g., hard disk memories
`and/or CD-ROM, for address database 9 or digital
`road map 11, and a display unit such as a screen with
`associated input means, e.g., an input keyboard, for
`operator access 8.
`[0037] Destination recognition means 7 processes a
`destination address specified by the user, this
`destination address being made available either as
`voice message ZA or as data message ZD, in two
`steps. In a first step, the destination address is checked
`for accuracy and completeness. Using address
`database 9, it is checked whether the destination
`address is unambiguous, i.e., whether the user-
`specified destination address exists precisely once in
`the database. If the destination address is in the form
`of a data message ZD, conventional means for text
`recognition and text comparison, which need no
`further explanation, are used for this check. If the
`destination address is present as voice message ZA,
`this voice message ZA is forwarded to a speech
`recognition module. It is also possible to provide
`additional speech recognition modules for foreign-
`language destination addresses. The speech
`recognition module processes voice message ZA in
`automated manner and generates a corresponding data
`message. This data message is processed in the
`manner explained above.
`[0038] As an alternative, the destination address is
`made available to an operator via an operator access 8.
`The operator, for example, is an expert specially
`trained in order to detect words that are difficult to
`understand or spoken in a dialect or a foreign
`language. Via operator access 8, the operator utilizes
`address database 9 for the unambiguous identification
`of the user-specified destination address. With the aid
`of operator access 8, even destination addresses that
`are unable to be identified automatically are made
`available to the operator in a wireless manner for
`manual identification. In addition, a further inquiry
`option for the operator to the user in motor vehicle 1
`may be provided, for instance via communication
`means 4”. Such a further inquiry to the user is
`initiated, for example, if a manual identification of a
`destination address specified by the user is impossible.
`[0039] In the event that a user-specified destination
`address cannot be identified unambiguously,
`additional data may be made available. For instance,
`
`additional data such as foreign-language address data,
`are transmitted wirelessly from a memory 14 in a data
`control point 13, via communication means 4''', to
`communication means 4” in service control point 6.
`[0040] In addition or as an alternative, special
`personal addresses from a personalized destination
`database 8 are taken into account for a user. The
`selection of the special personal addresses assigned to
`the particular user is made with the aid of the data set
`that is generated in motor vehicle 1 using identmeans
`17 and characterizes the particular user. For example,
`destination addresses of previous trips taken by the
`user are stored as special personal addresses in
`personalized destination database 8.
`[0041] In a second step, destination recognition means
`7 assigns geographical coordinates to a specified and
`clearly identified destination address. In so doing, the
`same system of geographical coordinates (e.g.,
`“WGS84”) is used that is also used by the navigation
`system of the motor vehicle. The assignment of
`geographical coordinates to destination addresses
`takes place by an automated use of known geodesy
`methods using digital road map 11.
`[0042] The destination address(s) specified by the user
`in motor vehicle 1, unambiguously identified by
`destination recognition means 7 and assigned to
`geographical coordinates, then is forwarded to a
`means for generating destination information data 10.
`The means for generating destination information data
`10 generates suitable destination information data ZI
`for each destination address for destination selection
`of navigation system 2 in motor vehicle 1.
`[0043] If the user specifies more than one destination
`address, then the means for generating destination
`address data 10 selects from the user-specified
`destination addresses precisely one “final destination”
`as destination point of the trip. The remaining
`destination addresses specified by the user are
`classified as intermediate destinations, i.e., a
`destination to be reached first during the trip and then
`to be left again. For example, this classification is
`implemented in such a way that the first or the last
`user-specified destination address is the final
`destination, and all other specified destination
`addresses are intermediate destinations. This type of
`classification is made in case, for example, the user
`has specified all destination addresses one after the
`other, without pausing, and none of the destination
`addresses has any further characterization by the user.
`Whether the first or the last specified destination
`address is the final destination is determined, for
`instance, as a function of the position of all specified
`destination addresses that are assigned to geographical
`coordinates, using digital road map 11. If, viewed
`from the direction of the current position of motor
`vehicle 1, the first user-specified destination address is
`“the closest” of all specified destination addresses,
`then the destination address specified last is declared
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`the final destination. Otherwise, the first specified
`destination address is declared the final destination.
`The other user-specified destination addresses are
`classified as intermediate destinations.
`[0044] As an alternative or in addition, it is checked
`whether a specified destination address is already
`stored in personalized destination database 8. If a
`specified destination address has been stored in
`personalized destination database 8, an identification
`associated with this destination address is taken into
`account by the means for generating destination
`information data 10 as intermediate destination or
`final destination in the corresponding categorization of
`this specified destination address. In the event that a
`specified destination address is not included in
`personalized destination database 8, the means for
`generating destination information data 10 stores this
`destination address, together with a corresponding
`categorization as intermediate destination or final
`destination, in personalized destination database 8.
`[0045] If the user has specified more than two
`addresses, i.e., if more than one intermediate
`destination exists, the means for generating
`destination information data 10 determines a
`sequence, advantageous for the user, in the
`“arrangement” of the intermediate destinations along
`the travel route. Toward this end, for examp