Patent ID: 6917306

Claim:
A vehicle communication system comprising: a first system component adapted for mounting in a first vehicle, said, first system component having a transceiver, means to determine the heading of said first vehicle, and means for visual display of indica to the driver of said first vehicle; a second system component adapted for mounting in a second vehicle, said second system component having a computer, means to determine the directional travel of said second vehicle in communication with said computer, means to broadcast a pilot signal on a pilot channel and means to receive transmissions from said transceiver in operative communication with said computer; said first system component having a default mode wherein said transceiver monitors said pilot channel for said pilot signal; said first system component having a respond mode triggered by receipt of said pilot signal broadcast from said second system component; said first system component having a display mode, triggered by a second signal from said second system component, wherein said visual display provides a visual warning of the proximity of said second vehicle to said driver of said first vehicle; said first system component, in said respond mode, transmitting a response signal to said second vehicle component, said response signal including at least said heading of said first vehicle; means for said second system component to determine the separation distance between said first vehicle and said second vehicle; and a trigger signal broadcast by said second system component, said trigger signal triggering said first system component to said display mode should said separation distance fall within predetermined separation parameters.