CN102959359B - Method and device for operating a user interface - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a method for operating a user interface, wherein a first user input is detected, a confidence analysis is carried out, in which the user input is compared with a stored plurality of database entries (21) and a confidence value (22) is associated with each compared database entry (21), the confidence value (22) being a score resulting from an evaluation of the degree of agreement of the user input with the database entry (21). Different levels of system response are generated from the results of the confidence analysis, the levels of system response being distinguished from each other by at least one characteristic, wherein the first level of system response includes a system output requesting a second user input as a first distinguishing characteristic, and the second level of system response includes an automatic selection of a database item (21a) as a second distinguishing characteristic. The method according to the invention is characterized in that the third-stage system response comprises the first and second characteristics, wherein the third-stage system response automatically changes to the first or second-stage system response after a period of time has elapsed. In this case, one of the first two stages can be recognized by the user and set as a standard or "default", whereupon an automatic changeover can be carried out after the end of a time period without further user interaction. The invention also relates to a correspondingly designed device for carrying out the method and to a motor vehicle having such a device.

Description

Method and device for operating a user interface

The invention relates to a method for operating a user interface, wherein a first user input is detected, a confidence analysis is carried out, in which the user input is compared with a plurality of stored database entries and a confidence value is associated with each database entry thus compared, said confidence value assessing the degree of agreement of the user input with the database entry or being a score resulting from the assessment of the degree of agreement of the user input with the database entry. Generating different levels of system response from the results of the confidence analysis, the levels of system response being distinguished from each other by at least one characteristic, wherein a first level of system response includes system output requesting second user input as a first distinguishing characteristic and a second level of system response includes automatically selecting a database item as a second distinguishing characteristic. The invention also relates to a correspondingly designed device, in particular for carrying out the method, and to a motor vehicle having such a device.

User interfaces of the type described in the present invention are widely used for operating instruments, in particular electronic devices. In particular, the comparison of user inputs with database entries stored in a database is known from the search engine technology, wherein the user inputs are compared with the database entries and the degree of correlation of each database entry is calculated by means of an algorithm and a corresponding confidence is output which quantifies the degree of correlation. If the search result is unambiguous, the corresponding database item is output or a function is implemented on the basis of the database item. If the search results are not unambiguous, a list of eligible terms is typically output or the system is asked backwards. In this case, in particular when the system output, which is a reaction to a certain user input, requests another user input, the user input and the system output form a dialog-like pattern.

Such user interfaces are used in particular when it is considered that the detected data are erroneous due to incomplete or ambiguous input by the user or due to inaccurate detection by the system (e.g. speech input in noisy environments or manual input in environments disturbed by vibrations). Such interactive user interfaces are therefore increasingly used in motor vehicles to improve the comfort of use of a large number of functional devices, for example navigation systems, telecommunications devices or infotainment devices.

Furthermore, it is necessary to take into account in motor vehicles that the driver's attention to road traffic conditions cannot be diverted during operation via the user interface. It is therefore proposed to perform a multi-mode user input, in which the mode that is most suitable for the user can be switched to among the possible input modes, respectively. Common input modes include, among others, input by voice, keyboard, touch screen, and contactless gestures. For example, DE 102008008948 a1 describes a method in which, in the case of a user input consisting of several parts, it is also possible to switch between two input modes in the input.

DE 10313222 a1 discloses a method for inputting a place name, in which ambiguous place names are displayed graphically, for example, at corresponding geographic positions on a map. The user can thus quickly and specifically select the desired location name with the aid of the indication.

DE 10060654C 1 describes a method and a device for automatically obtaining answers by means of a search engine in which the information sought is stored in the form of a data set together with other associated features. For user-entered search parameters for a plurality of features stored in a data set, a correlation test is performed with the stored database entries and the data set with the highest overall confidence value is output by weighting with the confidence values. In the case of a plurality of data sets with confidence values that are almost equally large, the user is requested to make further user inputs to the data sets until the searched data set is unambiguously identified.

The object of the present invention is to provide a method of the type mentioned at the outset and a corresponding device for operating a user interface in response to a first and a second level system having different first and second characteristics, which improve the efficiency of the dialog. In particular, the duration of the dialog and/or the number of user interactions should be reduced.

This object is achieved according to the invention by a method having the features of claim 1 and by a device having the features of claim 9. Advantageous embodiments and further developments emerge from the dependent claims.

The method according to the invention is characterized in that the third-level system response comprises the first and second characteristics (i.e. the characteristics of the first-level and second-level system responses), wherein the third-level system response is automatically converted into the first-level or second-level system response after the end of a time period, and wherein the function based on the selected database item is activated as a function of the result of the plausibility analysis, either immediately or after the end of a further time period. An advantage of a third level system response with both first and second level features is that the user may be provided with both first and second level processing options when the results of the confidence analysis are ambiguous. The user may thus recognize whether the system still recognizes the desired input when its input is ambiguous or incomplete. This is advantageous in case another user input (possibly just confirming a recommendation on the system side) forces the user to be distracted from other activities, e.g. while driving a motor vehicle.

The transition of the system response is preferably based on the results of the confidence analysis. The results of the confidence analysis determine, among other things, whether to transition from a third level system response to a first level system response or to a second level system response. Alternatively or additionally, the results of the confidence analysis may be used to adjust the period length or to design the transition between two-level system responses. For example, the transition may contain a warning signal to warn that the system-side selection may be incorrect based on the results of the confidence analysis. This allows a trade-off between a fast dialog process and a reduced risk of faults occurring.

In a further development of the method according to the invention, the function based on the selected database entry is activated as a function of the result of the confidence analysis, either immediately or after the end of a time period. The database entry with the highest confidence is typically selected and the function based thereon is activated. For example, when the confidence analysis result is sufficiently clear, the function is activated immediately, and when the result is not so clear, the function waits until the end of the period. This has the advantage in the first case that the dialoging process is accelerated.

The time period after which the transition of the system response takes place automatically without further interaction or dialog by the user is expediently designed such that an interaction or dialog can be made by the user. The duration of the period may be adapted to various requirements and is typically in the range of a few seconds to a few tens of seconds.

The second user-entered request preferably includes, depending on the result of the confidence analysis, the display of database entries, the number of which is limited and/or to which a confidence value is assigned which is higher than a first threshold value. The so-called eligible item list shows alternatives to the user, who can quickly and easily select them from the shown list without a complete re-entry.

The value of the confidence level itself can also be shown or visualized here. For example, the confidence values are displayed as percentages after the associated database entries, but the database entries can also be labeled with colors or displayed with sizes that are proportional to the respective values, depending on the value. In this way, the user is able to better visually detect and evaluate the results of the confidence analysis.

In one embodiment of the method according to the invention, a position on the map is associated with the database item and the database item is graphically represented at the associated position on the map. Automatically zooming in to the surrounding area of the database entry with the highest confidence after the end of a period. This further development is particularly advantageous for navigation systems in motor vehicles.

For the case in which the database item selected on the system side with the highest degree of confidence does not correspond to the desired database item that the user wishes to select by his user input, it is expedient to integrate correction options into the method according to the invention. In accordance with the invention, it can therefore be provided that, in the third-stage system response, a second user input can be made before the end of the time period, on the basis of which the function is activated. The second user input is in particular the selection of the indicated database item whose confidence level has the second highest value. It is not important here whether the function has been activated on the basis of a previously erroneously selected database item or whether this is provided after the end of the time period. In the first case, the function implemented on the basis of the erroneously selected database entry ends expediently.

The result of the confidence analysis is the central control of the process according to the invention. In the case of a confidence analysis, the data detected on the system side are considered to be erroneous, for example, due to incomplete or ambiguous input or due to inaccurate detection, as is the case, for example, with speech input in noisy environments or with manual input in environments subject to vibration. In particular the result of the confidence analysis may or may not be unambiguous here. According to the invention, the confidence analysis has the ideal unambiguous result if database entries with very high confidence are detected. Ambiguous results are characterized by, for example, no detection or detection of multiple database entries with extremely high confidence.

Here, the confidence is calculated in different ways and is expressed, for example, in percentages, which are known, for example, in the field of search engines. The computation basis used in the specific case is not critical here and can be adapted to the current actual situation. If the database entries are individual words, the comparison may be on a letter basis and the degree of correspondence of the letters is displayed in percent in the confidence. Furthermore, if the probability of reselection is increasing, the confidence level of database entries that are frequently selected may be increased.

The result of the confidence analysis therefore generally includes, according to the invention, whether the highest value of the confidence exceeds a second threshold value. The second threshold is typically very high and close to the best possible value (e.g., greater than 90%). Alternatively or additionally, the result includes how many confidence values exceed the second threshold. Alternatively or additionally, it can also be considered whether the difference between the highest value of the confidence level and the second highest value is below a third threshold value. The third threshold is typically small, in particular small (e.g. less than 10%) relative to the second threshold.

In a further embodiment of the method according to the invention, it can be provided that the form of the graphical representation depends on the result of the confidence analysis. For example, the more explicit the result, the smaller the list of eligible items can be displayed.

Alternatively or additionally, the system response may include other characteristics based on the results of the confidence analysis. For example, an acoustic or tactile signal may be output to indicate the correct result to the user in a variety of modes.

If a plurality of display surfaces or a display surface with a very large area is available, the system output can be performed on different display surfaces or different positions of a display surface according to the result of the confidence analysis. When, due to the confidence analysis, it is highly probable that the output is a correctly selected database item, the list of eligible items can be displayed in a less prominent position on the display surface or on a secondary display surface, which is advantageous in particular when at the same time a function is activated which already occupies a large part of the display surface itself. Thereby reducing the risk of distracting the user, especially when the user is deemed to have made no other selections or does not want to enter corrective content.

The device according to the invention for operating a user interface comprises means for detecting user inputs, an interface with a functional device in which database entries are stored, and a display surface for visually presenting system outputs. The device also comprises a control device for carrying out a confidence analysis, wherein a comparison can be carried out between a user input and a plurality of stored database entries and a confidence value can be assigned to each database entry thus compared, said value assessing the degree of agreement of the user input with the database entry or being a score resulting from the assessment of the degree of agreement of the user input with the database entry. Different system responses can be generated by the control device as a function of the result of the confidence analysis, which system responses are distinguished from one another by at least one feature, wherein the system response of the first stage comprises a system output requesting a second user input as a first distinguishing feature and the system response of the second stage comprises an automatic selection of a database item as a second distinguishing feature. In this case, a third-level system response comprising the first and second distinguishing features can be generated by means of the control device, wherein the third-level system response is automatically converted into the first-level or second-level system response after the end of a time period, and wherein a function based on the selected database item is activated as a function of the result of the plausibility analysis, either immediately or after the end of a further time period. The apparatus is particularly suitable for carrying out the method according to the invention. The apparatus therefore also has the advantages of the method according to the invention.

According to the invention, the motor vehicle is also equipped with such a device for operating the user interface.

The invention is further elucidated below on the basis of embodiments with reference to the drawing. In the drawings:

fig. 1 schematically shows the structure of an embodiment of a device for operating a user interface according to the invention;

FIGS. 2 a-2 c show graphical displays of database items generated according to an embodiment of the method according to the invention;

FIG. 3 schematically shows the structure of a list of eligible items generated according to an embodiment of the method according to the invention; and is

Fig. 4a to 4b schematically show the assignment of the system response level to the result of a confidence analysis according to an exemplary embodiment of the method according to the invention.

The embodiments described below relate to the use of the device and the method in motor vehicles, in particular in motor vehicles. By means of the method and the device, a user interface can be provided for a motor vehicle passenger in a motor vehicle. It should be noted, however, that the device and method can also be used in the same way on other instruments, for example portable instruments.

Fig. 1 schematically shows the structure of an exemplary embodiment of a device for operating a user interface according to the present invention. The display screen 10 in the motor vehicle is connected via a control device 13 to a device 11 for manual input and a device 12 for voice input. The control device 13 is connected via an interface 14 to a data bus 18 in the motor vehicle, via which the control device can access the database 15. The database 15 may be a comprehensive database in which all data accumulated in the motor vehicle by different functional devices can be called. Each functional device additionally comprises its own database 15, in which data specific to the functional device are stored. The functional devices are, for example, a navigation system 16 which is fixedly mounted or detachable from the motor vehicle and a functional system 17 with a wireless interface, for example a mobile telephone.

The means 12 for speech input comprise a microphone for receiving acoustic signals, a software module for recognizing speech activity and an adaptive filter for suppressing interfering noise. Alternatively, the voice activity recognition means and the adaptive filter may also be located in other hardware and connected to the means for speech input 12, for example by the control means 13. The means 11 for manual input can be designed as a keyboard or as a manually operated element, for example as a rotary pressure disk. The display surface 10 may have a touch-sensitive surface in whole or in part so that manual input can also be made through the display surface. For example, a keyboard may be displayed on a partial area of the display surface 10 and manual input may be performed by touching displayed keys.

Different information can be presented in graphical form on the display surface 10. The information is in particular database entries 21 stored in the database 15, which are displayed on a map or in the form of a list 20 of eligible entries according to the method according to the invention, which is described in more detail below. In the exemplary embodiment shown, the display surface 10 is divided into a main display surface 10a and a sub-display surface 10b of a display designed as a larger area. Here, the display surfaces 10a and 10b may be physically and spatially separated from each other. The main display surface 10a extends in particular over a wide part of the vehicle cabin, so that it extends, for example, over substantially the entire width of the vehicle or projects as a so-called head-up display onto the windshield.

The control device 13 is designed to carry out the method according to the invention. The control device 13 includes a processor for executing programs for performing confidence analysis and controlling system response and a data store for storing results.

The method according to the invention is further explained below with reference to fig. 2 to 4 according to an embodiment. Here, the display of the system response is described with reference to fig. 2a to 2c and 3, while the confidence analysis is further elucidated with reference to fig. 4a and 4 b. The results of the confidence analysis can in principle be assigned to the display of the system response in a different manner than the assignment described below.

Fig. 2a to 2c show a graphic representation of a database entry generated according to an exemplary embodiment of the method according to the present invention, which is visualized. The graphic content of the navigation system 17 is output on the display surface 10, which is designed as a touch screen in the motor vehicle. A user, for example the driver of a motor vehicle, wants to enter "Berlin" as a new destination address. For this purpose, a keyboard is displayed on the display surface 10 for the user, who can comfortably operate the keyboard by simply touching the display surface 10. If he needs to interrupt his user input (for example due to other processes necessary for driving a motor vehicle), the system compares all database entries 21 in the navigation system based on this possibly incomplete input and scores each possible eligible entry with a confidence 22.

Alternatively, the user input may be made by voice. The result may be particularly ambiguous here because the noise level is high in the motor vehicle or the user is not aware of it. Database comparisons can be made in a similar manner. As described in DE 102008008948 a1, which is cited at the outset of the present application, the user input can in particular consist of several parts (multivariate input), wherein, for example, the parts giving street and place names or user input are made multimodal, for example manually and by voice.

In the confidence analysis, for example, the entered letter "be" is compared in particular with existing database entries 21. Additionally, for example, it can be considered which objects have just been driven past, the current position of the vehicle, or whether other attributes of the user input are known, for example when a street name has already been given in a previous search or in a multiple input.

In the example, a number of possible terms are found, the confidence level 22 of which is determined to be high. The corresponding database item 21 is associated with a position 28 on the map and is graphically represented at the position 28. The database entry 21a with the highest confidence 22 is selected. The system will now await further user input in the form of either a determination of the selected database entry 21a or a correction input.

If the user realizes that the selected database item 21a is not the desired target location, he can enter the corresponding correction, in particular another database item 21 shown can be selected by touching the position 28 on the touch screen. If there is no further user input after the end of the period, it is automatically zoomed in to the area around the position 28a of the selected database item 21a, as shown in fig. 2 b. In this case, the more unambiguous the result of the confidence analysis, the shorter the time period can be selected, in particular if only three possible results are identified as in the exemplary embodiment shown.

In fig. 2c it is shown how the user multivariate input is again compared with the database entries 21 after zooming into the desired city area and three more possible eligible entries are now displayed at corresponding locations 28 on the map in order to determine the desired street. Here too, the database item 21a is selected again and automatically enlarged into the area (not shown) around the position 28a of the selected database item 21a without user input after the time period has ended.

Fig. 3 shows a schematic structure of a list 20 of eligible items generated according to a further exemplary embodiment of the method according to the present invention. The eligible items list 20 includes two columns, with the relevant database items 21 listed in the left column and the corresponding calculated confidence 22 values listed in comparison in the right column. The database entries 21 are sorted in descending order of the corresponding confidence 22. In an embodiment, the confidence value is between 0 ≦ C ≦ 1. The first threshold value is determined as C ═ 0.8, where only database items with a confidence level higher than the first threshold value are displayed when the list of eligible items is displayed. Additionally, the displayed database items may be limited to some fixed number, for example ten eligible items, to ensure the intuitiveness of the display and not to visually place too high a demand on the user, especially the motorist.

Fig. 4a and 4b schematically show the assignment of a system response level as a function of the confidence analysis result according to an exemplary embodiment of the method according to the invention. The confidence analysis results are sorted in the results table 24 of the 3 x 3 matrix by checking two criteria that exceed or fall below two thresholds, respectively. The first criterion is to check whether the highest value C of the confidence 22 exceeds the second threshold value C0.8 and C0.9. The second criterion is to check whether the value Δ C of the difference 23 between the highest value and the second largest value of the confidence 22 is below a third threshold value Δ C of 0.1 and Δ C of 0.2.

The more unambiguous the results of the confidence analysis, the more right and up the results are located in the results table 24. Thus in matrix lattice a13, the confidence of the most relevant database entry is high (>0.9) and the difference from the next database entry is also large (> 0.2). The results in matrix lattice A31-A33 are correspondingly ambiguous.

It is therefore reasonable to assign the ambiguous search results represented by the matrix lattice A31-A33 as a first level system response I, which is defined by the value range 25 and requests a second user input. In this case, the system would not be considered to be able to accurately identify and select the desired database item based on the first user input. Thus, to avoid causing errors, the second user input during the dialog may cause the desired result to be obtained more quickly. The second user input can be supported and accelerated in particular by displaying the database entry 21 with the highest value of confidence 22 (as shown in fig. 3), which improves the recognition and comfort of the second user input (for example by typing on the touch-sensitive display 10).

Similarly, an explicit search result represented by matrix lattice A13 may be assigned as a second level system response II, which is defined by value range 26. Based on this first user input, the system is able to accurately identify and select the desired database item. Thus, in order to avoid unnecessary asking the user back by the system side, a function can be performed immediately on the basis of the selected database entry 21, which speeds up the dialog process and makes the desired result more quickly available.

The remaining matrix lattice is assigned a third level system response III, which is defined by a value range 27. In this case, both the database entry 21 with the highest confidence 22 is selected and a second user input is requested by the system. The third-stage system response III can be divided into a plurality of value ranges 27a and 27b as in the exemplary embodiment shown. The confidence analysis result of the range 27a is more definite than that of the range 27 b. It is therefore provided that a system response of level IIIa is generated for the value range 27a, in which a function is executed immediately on the basis of the selected database entry 21a, and a system response of level IIIb is generated for the value range 27b, in which the function is executed only after a certain period of time has elapsed. In both cases, a list 20 of eligible items, for example according to fig. 3, may be displayed as support in order to speed up the second user input that may be made as a correction for the erroneously selected database item 21 a. After the period is over, the eligible item list 20 fades out again.

The method according to the invention can be designed in various ways to be adapted to the respective situation. The adaptation relates in particular to the input and output modes, the grading of the system response according to the confidence analysis and the specific design of the display. Here, they can be preset and optimized for the application situation or can also be configured by the user himself.

The input and output modes for user input and system output may be ergonomically adapted to various application scenarios. In the method according to the invention, user input by speech is particularly suitable for operation in a motor vehicle, but a multimode input, in particular by gestures and by means of a manual operating element, is advantageous. The speech interface is not well suited for use in so-called quiet areas, where the noise level should be kept low, or for users with hearing and speaking impairments. In this case, the method according to the invention can be continued by setting a manual user input. The system output can likewise be adapted to the specific case in a multimode manner.

The ranking of system responses can be done in various ways. More than two confidence analysis result criteria may be considered and multiple thresholds defined for each criteria herein. In this way, the system can react more discriminatively to user input and thereby optimize performance and reaction time. In particular, a time period can be calculated from the highest confidence value or the highest values or the sum and the difference, after which the third-stage system response is converted into the first-stage or second-stage system response. These values may be adapted in particular in coordination with the application scheme for which the user interface is provided.

For applications with long reaction times, the execution of the function can be activated more quickly than in applications with short reaction times. If, for example, a contact stored in a mobile telephone is searched by the method according to the invention, which contact is to be called by the mobile telephone, this may take some time in a faster vehicle, since firstly the mobile telephone requires a reservation of the transmission source in the local radio unit, and secondly a further participant (possibly also a mobile telephone) must first be located by the network and a connection to it established. In this case, the call can be prepared earlier, even if the result of the confidence analysis is not very clear. It is also possible to interrupt the call and select other call numbers always in good time by means of the correction option if the wrong participant is selected.

List of reference numerals

10 display surface

10a main display surface

10b sub display surface

11 device for manual input

12 device for speech input

13 control device

14 interface

15 database

16 navigation system

17 functional system with wireless interface

18 data bus in a motor vehicle

20 list of eligible items

21 database entry

21a selected database entry

22 degree of confidence

23 difference between two confidences

24 confidence analysis results table

25 numerical range for first order system response

26 numerical range for second stage system response

27a, b numerical range for third level system response

28 location on map

Claims (7)

1. A method for operating a user interface, wherein,

-detecting a first user input,

-performing a confidence analysis in which the user input is compared with a stored plurality of database entries (21) and a confidence value (22) is associated with each database entry (21) thus compared, said value assessing the degree of correspondence of the user input with the database entry (21), and

generating different system response levels depending on the result of the confidence analysis, the system response levels being distinguished from each other by at least one characteristic,

-wherein the system response of the first level comprises a system output requesting a second user input as a first distinguishing characteristic and the system response of the second level comprises an automatic selection of a database entry (21a) as a second distinguishing characteristic,

wherein,

-the third level system response comprises said first and second distinguishing features, wherein after the end of a period of time said third level system response automatically transforms into said first level or second level system response, and wherein the function based on the selected database item (21a) is activated immediately if the confidence analysis result is sufficiently unambiguous, and the function based on the selected database item (21a) is activated after the end of another period of time if the confidence analysis result is less unambiguous,

it is characterized in that the preparation method is characterized in that,

the second user-entered request comprises, depending on the result of the confidence analysis, the display of database entries (21), the number of which database entries (21) is limited and/or the associated confidence level (22) of which has a value above a first threshold value, wherein,

-assigning a location (28) on a map to a database item (21) and

-graphically presenting the database item (21) at an attached location (28) on a map, wherein automatically zooming in into the surrounding area of the database item (21a) with the highest confidence (22) occurs after the end of the period of time, wherein,

the more unambiguous the result of the confidence analysis, the shorter the period of time is chosen.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the transition of the system response is based on the results (24) of the confidence analysis.

3. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that in the system response of the third stage a second user input is made before the end of the period, based on which the function is activated.

4. The method of claim 1,

the results of the confidence analysis include

Whether the highest value of the confidence (22) exceeds a second threshold value and/or

-how many confidence level (22) values exceed the second threshold and/or

-whether the difference between the highest value and the second highest value of the confidence (22) is below a third threshold.

5. Method according to claim 1, characterized in that the system output is carried out on different display surfaces (10a, 10b) or at different positions of the display surface (10) depending on the result of the confidence analysis.

6. An apparatus for operating a user interface, comprising

-means (11, 12) for detecting a user input,

-an interface (14) with a functional device holding database entries (21),

-a display surface (10) for visually presenting a system output and

-a control device (13) for performing a confidence analysis, wherein a comparison can be made between a user input and a plurality of stored database entries (21) and a confidence value (22) can be associated with each database entry (21) thus compared, said value assessing the degree of correspondence of the user input with the database entry (21), and

-different system responses can be generated by means of the control device (13) depending on the result of the confidence analysis, said system responses being distinguished from each other by at least one characteristic,

-wherein the system response of the first level comprises a system output requesting a second user input as a first distinguishing characteristic and the system response of the second level comprises an automatic selection of a database entry (21a) as a second distinguishing characteristic,

wherein,

-a third level system response comprising the first and second distinguishing features can be generated by means of the control device (13), wherein the third level system response automatically changes to the first level or second level system response after the end of a period of time, and wherein the function based on the selected database item (21a) is activated immediately if the confidence analysis result is sufficiently unambiguous, and the function based on the selected database item (21a) is activated after the end of a further period of time if the confidence analysis result is less unambiguous,

it is characterized in that the preparation method is characterized in that,

the second user-entered request comprises, depending on the result of the confidence analysis, the display of database entries (21), the number of which database entries (21) is limited and/or the associated confidence level (22) of which has a value above a first threshold value, wherein,

-assigning a location (28) on a map to a database item (21) and

-graphically presenting the database item (21) at an attached location (28) on a map, wherein automatically zooming in into the surrounding area of the database item (21a) with the highest confidence (22) occurs after the end of the period of time, wherein,

the more unambiguous the result of the confidence analysis, the shorter the period of time is chosen.

7. A motor vehicle having a device for operating a user interface according to claim 6.