Abstract: A storage medium on which geographic data of a geographic region are stored together as map units, a corresponding method for generating a map from the geographic data, and a corresponding navigation device. In order to reduce the amount of data to be processed, the map units are structured hierarchically, map units of an nth order respectively corresponding to one geographic partial region, n being a natural number, and map units of an (n+1)th order respectively corresponding to one geographic subregion of one of the partial regions.

Abstract: In a method for the input of a destination, first of all a category selection is made, destinations corresponding to the category selection subsequently being offered for selection, at least a portion of the destinations being assigned to at least one subordinate category that, in each instance, has a superordinate category, characterized in that a category selection is made such that in each case, a superordinate category is displayed for the category selection or the superordinate category is replaced by one or the plurality of categories subordinate to it, and in each instance, a replacement is made when the number of subordinate categories with respect to a superordinate category is less than a predefined first threshold value.

Abstract: A possibility for simplifying the inputting of the destination in a motor vehicle navigation system by providing the user with useful additional items of information for the specification of ambiguous destination indications. Such a navigation system includes means for destination input, a navigation module for route planning, and means for displaying information, in particular indications of location, additional items of information concerning the indications of location, and route information, the means for destination input supporting a hierarchical, interactive inputting of the destination, by providing the user, in the case of ambiguous textual destination indications, with a choice of destination alternatives, including additional items of specifying information, until an unambiguous destination indication is made. The textual destination indications are stored together with corresponding geographic coordinates.

Abstract: To generate appendices which uniquely reference an object geographically, a tree of possible paths is generated. The paths are evaluated in accordance with predefined criteria, which are suited for use as termination criteria, at the time the paths are formed. Of the remaining paths, at least that one is coded as an appendix which best fulfills at least one of the criteria.

Abstract: A method, a data format, an encoding device, a decoding device and a system for encoding, for decoding and/or for transmitting location information, the location information including both locating information and description information, a data packet separately containing locating information and description information, and the data packet containing assignment information for assigning at least a part of the locating information to at least a part of the description information.

Abstract: A storage medium on which geographic data of a geographic region are stored together as map units, a corresponding method for generating a map from the geographic data, and a corresponding navigation device. In order to reduce the amount of data to be processed, the map units are structured hierarchically, map units of an nth order respectively corresponding to one geographic partial region, n being a natural number, and map units of an (n+1)th order respectively corresponding to one geographic subregion of one of the partial regions.

Abstract: A navigation device for a vehicle, in particular for a motor vehicle, has a hierarchical database containing a data tree with hierarchically arranged data and at least one geographic database containing data that are arranged in geographic subregions. A reference to at least one geographic database is provided in the hierarchical database.

Abstract: In a method for the input of a destination, first of all a category selection is made, destinations corresponding to the category selection subsequently being offered for selection, at least a portion of the destinations being assigned to at least one subordinate category that, in each instance, has a superordinate category, characterized in that a category selection is made such that in each case, a superordinate category is displayed for the category selection or the superordinate category is replaced by one or the plurality of categories subordinate to it, and in each instance, a replacement is made when the number of subordinate categories with respect to a superordinate category is less than a predefined first threshold value.

Abstract: To generate appendices which uniquely reference an object geographically, a tree of possible paths (A . . . E) is generated. The paths are evaluated in accordance with predefined criteria, which are suited for use as termination criteria, already at the time the paths are formed. Of the remaining paths, at least that one is coded as an appendix which best fulfills at least one of the criteria.

Abstract: Proposed is a method, a data format, an encoding device, a decoding device and a system for encoding, for decoding and/or for transmitting location information, the location information including both locating information (450) and description information (470), a data packet (400) separately containing locating information (450) and description information (470); and the data packet (400) containing assignment information (460) for assigning at least a part of the locating information (450) to at least a part of the description information (470).