The present invention permits to determine an image characteristic amount for efficiently searching an image without affecting a bad influence upon searching accuracy. The subband signals are examined to assess one or more characteristics of the audio signal. The steps of the overall process can be interlocked, so that the order of the process is controlled. The code is also configured for receiving a request for directions to a destination in a geographic region, identifying a first area in an electronic map of the geographic region and generating a first route to the destination. In addition, a heating device is provided on the refrigerant compressor or an accumulator so that the refrigerant compressor or the accumulator is heated by the heating devices while the automotive air conditioning system is operated in the heater mode functioning as auxiliary heating.