Patent ID: 7844247

Claim:
A computer-implemented method comprising: providing a controller and a short-range wireless communicator mounted on a vehicle, the short-range communicator having a peer-to-peer communications capability; responsive to a requirement to transmit an emergency notification message, pinging by the short-range wireless communicator a long-range communication device contemporaneously within range of the peer-to-peer communications capability, the long-range communication device having a long-range communication capability for delivering the notification to a specified party via a wireless network, the long-range communication device being physically detached from the vehicle and having a communication range capability longer than the peer-to-peer communications capability; subsequent to the pinging, receiving from the long-range communication device a response message indicating that user authorization is required; responsive to receipt of the response message, sending from the short-range wireless communicator to the long-range communication device a request for authorization message selected from a group consisting of a telephone call, a pager message, an instant message and an electronic mail message; subsequent to a user of the long-range communication device responding in an affirmative manner to the request for authorization message, receiving from the long-range communication device temporary authorization to co-opt the long-range communications device to deliver the emergency notification message via the wireless network; and sending the emergency notification message from the short-range wireless communicator through the co-opted long-range communication device first over the peer-to-peer communications and second over the wireless network, to a hotline service.