Abstract: A method for controlling an information system during the output of stored information segments via a signaling device (50a). Useful information is stored in a database (32) for being requested, from which information at least one information segment is specified as a first data segment (W1) via a first voice signal (sa(t),sa(z)) and is provided via a control output (20,40,50;50a) or is converted (50b) into a control signal for a technical device (G). The information is organized in the database such that an initially limited first information area (32a) of stored information is accessible (4,4a,4b) to said voice signal, for selecting the specified information segment therefrom. A further information area (32b,32c,32d) of said database (32) is activated (59,70,4c,4d) as a second information area, if the information segment (W1) corresponding to a first voice signal segment (s1) of said first voice signal (sa(t) is not contained in said first information area (32a).

Abstract: Disclosed is a method for classifying samples wherein the information content of a sample is divided up into two information areas. The first area contains necessary information and the second area contains sufficient information. An initially imprecise preselection concerning a plurality but extremely limited number of classes is made through the necessary information area. After said preselection, identification occurs with the sufficient information area in order to pinpoint the initially imprecise preselection in relation to an effective target class. This enables classification quality to be improved by means of new classifiers or new principal formulations of classification formulations.