Patent ID: 6985089

Claim:
A method for vehicle to vehicle communication among a plurality of vehicles having wireless communication links, comprising: receiving notification of a priority message communication from a notifying vehicle, wherein said priority message communication concerns a sudden change in vehicle behavior; broadcasting not less than one priority message communication to surrounding vehicles within a transmission range if said notifying vehicle is experiencing said sudden change in vehicle behavior; determining whether said sudden change in vehicle behavior comprises an emergency event, wherein said emergency event includes creating a potential hazard to other vehicles; discontinuing broadcasting of said priority message to said surrounding vehicles if said sudden change in vehicle behavior does not comprise an emergency event; defining a repeat cycle, wherein said repeat cycle comprises the frequency with which said priority message is re-broadcast; defining a maximum number of initial repetitions for said priority message; pausing for variable time intervals between each transmission of said priority message; determining whether said maximum number of repetitions has been reached; repeating broadcasting said priority message and pausing between each said transmission until said maximum number of repetitions has been reached; and electing a leader vehicle, wherein said leader vehicle is the primary transmitting vehicle in a series of vehicles reacting to said emergency event.