JPH11353589A - Navigation system - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To improve the operability of a navigation system by appropriately selecting possible operations of the navigation system corresponding to surrounding conditions during traveling. SOLUTION: A front distance sensor 2 emits a millimeter wave or laser beam toward the front side of a car body, receives a reflected echo signal from a front object, operates the distance to the end of a preceding car or relative speed from the received echo signal and outputs the operated result. A rear distance sensor 3 emits a millimeter wave or laser beam toward the rear side of the vehicle, receives a reflected echo signal from a rear object, operates the distance to the head of a following vehicle or relative speed from the received echo signal and outputs the operated result. Then, the surrounding conditions are judged while referring to all of the front condition of the vehicle, rear condition or condition of an advancing path as objects and the operation group of the navigation system is selected. A navigation control part 20 outputs signals to a display 25 and a speaker 26 and controls the navigation system by performing the desired display or notification.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to operation of a navigation device.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art There is a navigation device as a device convenient for guiding a traveling route. This navigation device
It searches for an optimal route from the current position set by the user to the destination or searches for a target facility, and is measured by a map database (CD-ROM or the like) and a positioning satellite GPS or the like. Longitude and latitude,
This is a device that guides a traveling route based on a current location specified based on a distance. For example, when a vehicle starts traveling, a route is displayed on a map, and at the same time, the current position of the traveling vehicle is moved and displayed in real time to guide the traveling route. In order for the user to operate the navigation device, it is necessary to have a time corresponding to the operation content, for example, a time for interactive operation while judging by looking at the display content of the display, and watching the operation switch and the display of the display carefully. There is a need to. When operating while the vehicle is stopped,
Even if the operation of the operation panel such as the search for the optimum route is a complicated procedure, it is possible to take the time necessary and to perform the operation exclusively. On the other hand, since the user concentrates his or her attention on safe driving of the vehicle after traveling, there is a limit to the operation of the navigation device. Therefore, in the navigation device,
If it is determined that the vehicle is traveling based on a signal from a vehicle speed sensor or the like, the operation input by the user is invalidated except for a specific operation, for example, a change in the scale of the map, which is very easy to operate, and the operation is suppressed and the driving Is not compromised.

[0003]

However, if the operation is restricted too much, information required during traveling may not be obtained sufficiently. For this reason, if the operation during traveling is enabled, safe driving is performed. There is a problem in loosening the operation restrictions. An object of the present invention is to solve such a problem, and to provide a navigation device that has good operability and does not hinder driving safety.

[0004]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made to solve the above-mentioned problems, and has an operation means for performing an operation in a navigation device mounted on a vehicle and providing route guidance;
A surrounding situation detecting means for detecting a surrounding situation of the vehicle; and an effective operation selecting means for selecting an operation to be validated among the operations by the operating means according to the surrounding situation of the vehicle detected by the surrounding situation detecting means. It is characterized by having.

Further, the surrounding condition detected by the surrounding condition detecting means is a relationship between the host vehicle and the preceding vehicle. Further, the surrounding situation detected by the surrounding situation detecting means is a relationship between the own vehicle and a rear vehicle. Also, the surrounding situation detected by the surrounding situation detecting means is a state of a traveling path.

The surrounding condition detecting means is provided in an inter-vehicle distance control device for controlling the inter-vehicle distance between vehicles, and serves also as inter-vehicle distance control detecting means for detecting the surrounding condition of the vehicle used for the inter-vehicle distance control. It is characterized by doing. Further, the surrounding situation detecting means is constituted by a microcomputer of the inter-vehicle distance control device, and the microcomputer calculates and specifies data specifying an operation to be effective from the surrounding situation detected by the inter-vehicle distance controlling detecting means. , Transmitted to the valid operation selecting means.

[0007]

Next, a navigation device according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described. FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram showing a configuration of a navigation device according to one embodiment of the present invention. 2 is
This is a forward distance sensor configured with a radar device that detects an inter-vehicle distance with a vehicle ahead using a millimeter wave, a laser beam, or the like. The forward distance sensor 2 emits a millimeter wave, a laser beam, or the like toward the front of the vehicle, receives a reflected echo signal from a forward object, and, based on the received echo signal, an inter-vehicle distance to a preceding vehicle,
Alternatively, the relative speed is calculated, and the calculation result is output. 3 is
The rear distance sensor includes a radar device that detects an inter-vehicle distance to a rear vehicle or the like using a millimeter wave, a laser beam, or the like. The rear distance sensor 3 emits a millimeter wave, a laser beam, or the like toward the rear of the vehicle, receives a reflected echo signal from a forward object, and calculates a distance between the vehicle and the preceding vehicle based on the received echo signal.
Alternatively, the relative speed is calculated, and the calculation result is output. 4 is
A steering sensor that detects the rotation angle of the steering wheel, for example, a shielding plate having a plurality of slits that rotate with the handle shaft, and a light emitting element and a light receiving element arranged so as to sandwich the shielding plate, the light receiving element through the slit This is an optical detector that detects the rotation angle of the steering wheel based on the state of the reaching light (such as counting the number of times of light reception). Reference numeral 5 denotes a yaw rate sensor which detects a yaw rate which is an angular velocity of a vehicle rotation angle around a vehicle center-of-gravity axis, and is constituted by an angular velocity sensor. Reference numeral 6 denotes a vehicle speed sensor for detecting the speed of the vehicle, which is constituted by a magnet rotating with the axle, a reed switch connected / disconnected according to the position of the magnet, and a wheel speed sensor for detecting the rotational speed of the wheel. 7 is a set switch operated to set the traveling speed in the constant speed traveling control.
It is installed near the steering wheel, and the actual speed when operated by the driver is set as the target vehicle speed of the constant speed traveling control. 8
Is a coast switch operated to reduce the speed during the constant speed running control, and is installed near the steering wheel. Reference numeral 9 denotes an accelerator switch that is operated to increase the speed during the constant speed traveling control, and is installed near the steering wheel.

Reference numeral 1 denotes an inter-vehicle distance control unit for performing inter-vehicle distance control, constant speed running control, and the like, and is configured by a microcomputer (microcomputer) including a CPU, a RAM, a ROM, and the like. The inter-vehicle distance control unit 1 also performs processing such as outputting a signal related to display control of the navigation device. Note that C
PU is a functional element that performs arithmetic control and the like based on input signals and programs, RAM is a rewritable storage element that stores, for example, arithmetic data, and ROM is a read-only memory that stores, for example, control programs and data. Storage element. Reference numeral 10 denotes a throttle actuator which is installed in an intake pipe of the engine, rotates a throttle valve, and adjusts an opening degree of the throttle valve in accordance with an input signal from the microcomputer 1 to adjust a vehicle speed.
Reference numeral 11 denotes a brake actuator that drives a brake in accordance with a signal from the microcomputer 1 to brake the vehicle speed, and is configured by a hydraulic valve or the like provided in a hydraulic system of the brake. Reference numeral 12 denotes a display for displaying a control state such as an inter-vehicle distance, which comprises a liquid crystal display or the like and is attached to the instrument panel. The inter-vehicle distance control unit 1 receives signals from the front distance sensor 2, the rear distance sensor 3, the steering sensor 4, the yaw rate sensor 5, the vehicle speed sensor 6, the set switch 7, the coast switch 8, and the accelerator switch 9, and receives these signals. By performing a process according to the signal, the throttle actuator 10 and the brake actuator 1
1 by outputting a control signal to control the display 1
2 to control the inter-vehicle distance control device, for example, by outputting a display signal to perform a desired display.

Reference numeral 21 denotes a GPS positioning device that measures the longitude and latitude of the current location based on radio waves received from GPS satellites. Reference numeral 22 denotes a direction sensor using a rotating gyro or the like that indicates the direction of the vehicle, and measures the traveling direction of the vehicle. 23
Is a CD-RO recording map information (road data, etc.)
A map database input from the M reading device,
Road data such as the position (latitude / longitude) of a road node and data such as facilities are stored with hierarchical attributes required for retrieval. Reference numeral 24 denotes an operation unit for operating the navigation device, which includes a push switch, a joystick, and the like.

Reference numeral 20 denotes a navigation control unit for controlling the navigation device, which includes a CPU, a RAM, and an RO.
It is constituted by a microcomputer (microcomputer) including M and the like. Reference numeral 25 denotes a display for displaying a road map, a route, a current position, and the like, and includes a liquid crystal display panel and the like. 2
Reference numeral 6 denotes a speaker that outputs a sound such as an alarm. Then, the navigation control unit 20 controls the GPS positioning device 2
1. Input signals from the azimuth sensor 22, the map database 23, the operation switch 24, the vehicle speed sensor 6, and the inter-vehicle distance control unit 1, perform processing according to these signals, and output signals to the display 25 and the speaker 26. Then, the navigation device is controlled, for example, by performing desired display or notification.

Next, a process performed by the following distance control section 1 with respect to the operation of the navigation device will be described. FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing the processing performed by the following distance control section 1 according to the first embodiment of the present invention. This processing is repeatedly performed together with other inter-vehicle distance control processing and the like with the ignition key of the automobile turned on. At step a1, it is determined whether or not the set switch 7 is ON (during inter-vehicle distance control). If it is ON (during inter-vehicle distance control), the process proceeds to step a2. . In step a2, a signal indicating that the following distance control is being performed is output to the navigation control unit 20, and the process proceeds to step a3. In step a3, the inter-vehicle distance to the vehicle in front is output to the navigation control unit 20, and the process proceeds to step a4. In step a4, the relative speed with respect to the vehicle ahead is output to the navigation control unit 20, and the process proceeds to step a5. In step a5, the inter-vehicle distance to the vehicle behind is output to the navigation control unit 20, and the process proceeds to step a6. In step a6, the relative speed with respect to the vehicle behind is output to the navigation control unit 20, and the process proceeds to step a7. In step a7, a steering sensor value, that is, data indicating the steering operation angle is output to the navigation control unit 20, and the process proceeds to step a8. At step a8, the yaw rate sensor value, that is, data indicating the yaw rate of the vehicle is output to the navigation control unit 20, and the process is terminated.

According to this processing, when the following distance control unit 1 is performing the following distance control, a signal indicating that the following distance control is being performed, the following distance which is the surrounding data of the vehicle, and the relative distance between the preceding vehicle and the preceding vehicle. The data of the speed, the inter-vehicle distance to the vehicle behind, the relative speed to the vehicle behind, the steering operation state, and the yaw rate are output to the navigation control unit 20.

Next, the processing performed by the navigation control unit 20 with respect to the operation of the navigation device will be described.
FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing the processing performed by the navigation control unit 20. This process is repeatedly performed together with other navigation-related processes while the navigation device is running. In step b1, it is determined whether the vehicle speed is 0 km / h (that is, whether the vehicle is stopped). If it is 0 km / h, the process proceeds to step b2. If it is not 0 km / h,
Move to step b3. In step b2, the group A is set to be operable among the operations on the navigation device, and the process proceeds to step b10. The operations of the group A include, for example, a route search to a destination (designating a destination after selecting a map to which the current location and the destination belong, and determining a favorite route from a recommended route) and a destination facility. This is an operation such as a search (guidance for displaying facilities such as banks and restaurants on a map, and performing a search by specifying, for example, the name of the bank) from among them. These operations of the group A are troublesome and time-consuming, and can be performed safely only when the vehicle is stopped while the vehicle is in a safe driving state. In step b3, it is determined whether or not a signal indicating that the following distance control is being performed is received.
The process proceeds to step b11, and if not received, the process proceeds to step b11.
In step b4, it is determined whether or not the inter-vehicle distance to the vehicle in front is greater than 70 m. If it is, the process proceeds to step b5, and if not, the process proceeds to step b11. In step b5, it is determined whether the relative speed with respect to the vehicle in front is less than 5 km / h, and if it is less than 5 km / h, the process proceeds to step b6. If it is not less than 5 km / h, the process proceeds to step b11. That is, in this processing, the inter-vehicle distance to the vehicle ahead is 70.
m, and if the relative speed is less than 5 km / h, it is determined that the vehicle in front is in the surrounding state where the operation of the group B can be performed. In step b6, it is determined whether or not the inter-vehicle distance to the vehicle behind is greater than 60 m. If it is, the process proceeds to step b7, and if not, the process proceeds to step b11. At step b7, it is determined whether or not the relative speed with the vehicle behind is less than 10 km / h.
If it is less than m / h, the process proceeds to step b8, and the speed of 10 km / h
If not, the process proceeds to step b11. That is, in this process, if the inter-vehicle distance to the vehicle behind is more than 60 m and the relative speed is less than 10 km / h, it is determined that the surrounding vehicle can operate the group B for the vehicle behind. I have. In step b8, the yaw rate value is set to 0.
It is determined whether it is less than 8 deg / s. If it is less than 0.8 deg / s, the process proceeds to step b9. If it is not less than 0.8 deg / s, the process proceeds to step b11. In step b9, it is determined whether the steering sensor value is less than 10 deg, and 10d
If it is less than eg, the process proceeds to step b10, and if it is not less than 10 deg, the process proceeds to step b11. In other words, if the yaw rate value is less than 0.8 deg / s and the steering sensor value is less than 10 deg, the surrounding state is that the traveling path is substantially straight. It is determined that the road is in a surrounding state where the operation of the group B can be performed. Step b
At 10, the group B among the operations of the navigation device is set to be operable, and the process proceeds to step b11. The operation of the group B includes, for example, an operation of displaying facilities (displaying landmarks indicating facilities such as a gas station and an amusement park on a map) (including an operation of selecting a type of facility to be displayed) and a simple map of a search route. Indication (facilities such as schools,
This is an operation (including an operation of selecting a facility, an intersection, and an interchange to be displayed) of an intersection, a highway interchange, and the like, which are displayed in a schematic form by connecting them with a diagram.
These group B operations involve not only one-touch operations but also several push-button operations, and are operations that can be performed if there is enough driving operation. In step b11, the group C is set to be operable among the operations on the navigation device, and the process ends. The operation of the group C is, for example, an operation of changing the scale of the map (including a switch operation for enlargement or reduction), an operation of scrolling the map (including a switch operation for instructing a moving direction), and the like, which can be performed with one touch. This is an operation that can be easily performed even during normal traveling.

By performing the above-described processing, setting of an operable operation is performed in accordance with the surrounding situation of the vehicle. That is, when the vehicle is stopped, the group A, B, and C among the operations of the navigation device are set to be operable, and all operations are possible. Further, the surroundings of the vehicle are under the inter-vehicle distance control, and there is a margin in the approaching state with the vehicle in front (that is, the inter-vehicle distance exceeds 70 m, and the relative speed becomes 5).
km / h), there is room in the approaching state with the vehicle behind (the inter-vehicle distance is more than 60 m, the relative speed is less than 10 km / h), and the course is straight (the yaw rate value is 0.8 deg).
/ S, the steering sensor value is less than 10 deg), the groups B and C are set to be operable among the operations on the navigation device, and the group B (for example, display of facilities or a simple map of a search route) is performed. Display and the like and group C (for example, changing the scale of the map, scrolling the map, and the like) can be performed. In addition, even when the vehicle is running, if there is no surrounding state in which the group B can be operated, the operation of the group C (for example, changing the scale of the map, scrolling the map, etc.) among the operations on the navigation device is performed. Is set to be operable, and the operation can be performed with a minimum operation.

As described with reference to the configuration diagram shown in FIG. 1 and the flowcharts shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, in the above-described embodiment, the surrounding situation is the situation in front of the vehicle, the situation behind the vehicle,
And all of the course conditions (straight ahead)
The operation group of the navigation device is selected. However, the determination of the surrounding situation is limited to the forward situation, the limited situation to the rear situation, or the situation of the traveling route (straight). It is also possible to make a determination on a target or a combination of these individual situations. For example, when the determination of the surrounding situation is limited to the situation in front and the situation of the traveling path (straight traveling), and the decision about the situation in the rear is omitted (the rear distance sensor 3).
Is unnecessary), and FIG.
5, a6, and in FIG. 3, it is possible to select the operation group of the navigation device by deleting the processing of steps b6 and b7.

Next, another embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. The hardware configuration is the same as the configuration shown in FIG. First, processing performed by the following distance control unit 1 regarding selection of a display operation of the navigation device will be described. FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing the processing performed by the following distance control unit 1. This processing is repeatedly performed together with other inter-vehicle distance control processing and the like with the ignition key of the automobile turned on. At step c1, the set switch 7 is turned on (during inter-vehicle distance control).
If it is ON (during inter-vehicle distance control), the process proceeds to step c2, and if it is not ON (during inter-vehicle distance non-control), the present process ends. In step c2, a signal indicating that the following distance control is being performed is output to the navigation control unit 20, and the process proceeds to step c3. In step c3, it is determined whether the vehicle speed is 0 km / h (that is, whether the vehicle is stopped). If 0 km / h, this process ends. If not, the process proceeds to step c4.
In step c4, it is determined whether or not the inter-vehicle distance to the vehicle in front exceeds 70 m. If it has, the process proceeds to step c5, and if not, the process ends. In step c5, it is determined whether the relative speed with respect to the vehicle ahead is less than 5 km / h.
If it is not less than m / h, the present process is terminated. In step c6, it is determined whether or not the inter-vehicle distance to the vehicle behind is greater than 60 m.
If the distance does not exceed 0 m, the process ends. Step c7
Then, it is determined whether the relative speed with respect to the vehicle behind is less than 10 km / h, and if it is less than 10 km / h, the process proceeds to step c8. If it is not less than 10 km / h, the process is terminated. In step c8, it is determined whether the yaw rate value is less than 0.8 deg / s.
If not less than 0.8 deg / s, the process is terminated. In step c9, the steering sensor value is 10d
It is determined whether it is less than eg, and if less than 10 deg, the process proceeds to step c10, and if less than 10 deg, the present process is terminated. In step c10, a signal indicating that group B among the operations on the navigation device is operable is output to the navigation control unit 20, and the process ends.

In this manner, the signal indicating whether or not the inter-vehicle distance control is being performed is sent from the inter-vehicle distance control unit 1 to the navigation control unit 20.
And the surroundings of the vehicle have a margin in the approaching state to the vehicle in front (that is, the inter-vehicle distance exceeds 70 m and the relative speed is less than 5 km / h), and the approaching state to the vehicle in the rear also has margin. Yes (inter-vehicle distance exceeds 60m, relative speed is 10k
m / h), and the traveling path is straight (the yaw rate value is 0.
Less than 8 deg / s, steering sensor value is 10 deg
Less than group B) in the navigation device
Is output from the inter-vehicle distance control unit 1 to the navigation control unit 20.

Next, the processing performed by the navigation control unit 20 will be described. FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing the processing performed by the navigation control unit 20. This process is repeatedly performed together with other navigation-related processes while the navigation device is running. Step d
At 1, it is determined whether the vehicle speed is 0 km / h (that is, whether the vehicle is stopped), and if it is 0 km / h, the process proceeds to step d2, where 0 km / h is determined.
If not h, proceed to step d3. In step d2,
The group A is set to be operable among the operations on the navigation device, and the process proceeds to step d5. The operations of the group A include, for example, a route search to a destination (designating a destination after selecting a map to which the current location and the destination belong, and determining a favorite route from a recommended route) and a destination facility. This is an operation such as a search (guidance for displaying facilities such as banks and restaurants on a map, and performing a search by specifying, for example, the name of the bank) from among them. These operations of the group A are troublesome and time-consuming, and can be performed safely only when the vehicle is stopped while the vehicle is in a safe driving state. In step d3, it is determined whether or not a signal indicating that the following distance control is being performed is received. If the signal has been received, the process proceeds to step d4. If not, the process proceeds to step d6.
Move on to In step d4, it is determined whether or not a signal enabling the operation of group B among the operations on the navigation device has been received from the headway control controller 1. If so, the process proceeds to step d5;
Move to 6. The operation of the group B includes, for example, an operation of displaying facilities (displaying landmarks indicating facilities such as a gas station and an amusement park on a map) (including an operation of selecting a type of facility to be displayed) and a simple map of a search route. This is an operation (including an operation of selecting a facility, an intersection, and an interchange to be displayed) (a guidance display in which facilities such as schools, intersections, interchanges of expressways, and the like are schematically displayed by connecting them with a diagram). These group B operations involve not only one-touch operations but also several push-button operations, and are operations that can be performed if there is enough driving operation. In step d5, a setting is made so that group B can be operated among the operations on the navigation device.
Move on to In step d6, a setting is made so that group C can be operated among the operations on the navigation device,
This processing ends. The operation of the group C includes, for example, an operation of changing the scale of the map (including an operation of switching between enlargement and reduction),
This operation is a one-touch operation, such as an operation of scrolling the map (including a switch operation for instructing the moving direction), and is an operation that can be easily performed even during normal traveling.

By performing the above processing, the setting of the operation according to the surrounding conditions of the vehicle is performed. That is, when the vehicle is stopped, the group A, B, and C among the operations of the navigation device are set to be operable, and all operations are possible. Further, when the surroundings of the vehicle are in the inter-vehicle distance control, there is a margin in the approach state with the vehicle in front (that is, the inter-vehicle distance exceeds 70 m and the relative speed is less than 5 km / h), and There is also room (the inter-vehicle distance exceeds 60 m, the relative speed is less than 10 km / h), and the traveling path is straight (the yaw rate value is less than 0.8 deg / s,
When the steering sensor value is less than 10 deg), the groups B and C are set to be operable among the operations of the navigation device, and the group B (for example, display of facilities, simplified map display of a search route, and the like) are set. The operation of group C (for example, changing the scale of the map, scrolling the map, etc.) can be performed. In addition, even when the vehicle is running, if there is no surrounding state in which the group B can be operated, the operation of the group C (for example, changing the scale of the map, scrolling the map, etc.) among the operations on the navigation device is performed. Is set to be operable, and the operation is restricted to a minimum operation. Also,
In this embodiment, two types of data are transmitted from the inter-vehicle distance control unit 1 to the navigation control unit 20: a signal indicating whether the inter-vehicle distance control is being performed, and a signal that enables the navigation device to operate the group B. A signal indicating whether or not the inter-vehicle distance control is being performed in the embodiment described with reference to FIGS.
Since the number of data types is smaller than that of transmitting different types of data, a simple data transmission configuration is provided.

As described above, according to the above-described embodiment,
Even while the vehicle is running, the inter-vehicle distance control unit 1 detects the surrounding conditions of the vehicle (the inter-vehicle distance to the preceding vehicle, the relative speed, the inter-vehicle distance to the following vehicle, the relative speed, and the condition of the traveling path (straight traveling condition)). To the navigation control unit 20, and the navigation control unit 20 selects an operable operation of the navigation device according to the surrounding condition of the vehicle based on the surrounding condition, so that the operability of the operation of the navigation device is improved. And a navigation device that does not hinder driving safety. In addition, since the processing load on the navigation control unit 20 that involves a large amount of processing such as map display is large, processing such as map display can be performed smoothly.

[0021]

As described in detail above, according to the present invention, the operable operation of the navigation device is appropriately selected in accordance with the surrounding situation during traveling, and the operability of the navigation device is improved. .

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram illustrating a configuration of a navigation device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing a process performed by an inter-vehicle distance control unit 1;

FIG. 3 is a flowchart illustrating a process performed by a navigation control unit.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing a process performed by an inter-vehicle distance control unit 1;

FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing a process performed by a navigation control unit 20;

FIG. 6 is a configuration diagram showing a configuration of a conventional navigation device.

[Explanation of symbols]

 1 ... inter-vehicle distance control unit 2 ... front distance sensor 3 ... rear distance sensor 4 ... steering sensor 5 ... yaw rate sensor 6 ... vehicle speed sensor 20 ... Navigation control unit 21 GPS positioning device 22 Direction sensor 23 Map database 24 Operation switch

Claims (6)

[Claims] 1. A navigation device mounted on a vehicle for performing route guidance, an operation unit for performing an operation, a surrounding condition detecting unit for detecting a surrounding condition of the vehicle, and a vehicle detected by the surrounding condition detecting unit. And a valid operation selecting means for selecting an operation to be valid among the operations by the operating means according to a surrounding situation of the navigation apparatus. 2. The navigation device according to claim 1, wherein the surrounding situation detected by the surrounding situation detecting means is a relationship between the host vehicle and a preceding vehicle. 3. The navigation device according to claim 1, wherein the surrounding situation detected by the surrounding situation detecting means is a relationship between the host vehicle and a rear vehicle. 4. The surrounding condition detected by the surrounding condition detecting means is a state of a traveling path.
3. The navigation device according to 3. 5. The inter-vehicle distance control device for controlling the inter-vehicle distance of the vehicle, and also serves as inter-vehicle distance control detection means for detecting the surrounding condition of the vehicle used for the inter-vehicle distance control. The navigation device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein 6. The surrounding condition detecting means includes a microcomputer of the inter-vehicle distance control device, and the microcomputer transmits data designating an operation to be validated from the surrounding condition detected by the inter-vehicle distance controlling detecting device. 6. The navigation device according to claim 5, wherein the navigation device performs calculation processing and transmits the result to the valid operation selecting unit.