In-vehicle signage techniques

A method, comprising:

• determining, by a navigation system, a location of the vehicle, wherein the navigation system is configured to use an onboard inertial navigation system or an onboard inertial measurement unit when a satellite-based position location system is temporarily unavailable;
• receiving assisted location information and a map database that includes maps, speed limit information and map data other than speed limit information, wherein the map data other than speed limit information includes sign data, wherein the maps, the speed limit information, and the sign data for the maps are part of the map database that is downloaded via cellular communications or satellite communications for use by said navigation system;
• providing, by the navigation system, a route to a destination based on the maps and the sign data, wherein the route to the destination is based on the sign data which is based on time of day and road conditions from locations remote from the vehicle;
• displaying, by a navigation display of the navigation system that is viewable by an occupant of the vehicle, a map based on one or more of the location of the vehicle determined by the at least one position determining unit, the map data, the assisted location information, and a map database comprising maps of roadways on which the vehicle can travel;
• obtaining, by a processor from the map database, the speed limit for the roadway on which the vehicle is travelling and the traffic control information;
• displaying, on the navigation display with the map, the speed limit for the roadway on which the vehicle is traveling and the traffic control information obtained by the processor;
• receiving, by the navigation system, a cell phone number as the destination;
• and
• providing route guidance to the destination.

A system, comprising:

• a navigation system in the vehicle including a display system visible to the occupant, wherein the navigation system is configured to use an onboard inertial navigation system or an onboard inertial measurement unit when a satellite-based position location system is temporarily unavailable;
• a map database comprising maps and sign data that includes traffic control information, wherein the maps and the sign data for the maps are part of the map database that is downloaded via cellular communications or satellite communications for use by said navigation system, wherein the maps and the sign data are used by the navigation system to provide a route to a destination, wherein the route to the destination is based on the sign data which is based on time of day and road conditions from locations remote from the vehicle;
• at least one position determining unit in the vehicle for determining its location;
• a communications unit on the vehicle configured to receive the information transmitted from the at least one base station or at least one satellite system;
• a processor and that is coupled to said communications unit, said processor obtaining the maps, the speed limit for the roadway on which the vehicle is travelling, map data other than speed limit information from the map database, wherein the map data other than speed limit information includes the traffic control information from the map database;
• said navigation system being coupled to said processor and configured to display on said display system, a map based on one or more of the location determined by said at least one position determining unit, the map data, the assisted location information, and said database;
• and
• said navigation system being further configured to display on said display system, with the map of the roadway on which the vehicle is travelling, the traffic control information from the map database and the speed limit for the roadway on which the vehicle is traveling obtained by said processor;
• and
• said navigation system being further configured to receive a cell phone number as the destination and to provide route guidance to the destination.