Using v2x in-network session maintenance protocols to enable instant chatting applications

A method for providing a wireless chatting session between vehicle occupants of vehicles, said method comprising:

• wirelessly transmitting a chatting request message from a chatting initiator vehicle on a specific topic;
• receiving the chatting request message at a plurality of other vehicles;
• accepting the chatting request message by a chatting partner vehicle by sending an accept chatting message back to the chatting initiator vehicle;
• establishing a chatting path between the chatting initiator vehicle and the chatting partner vehicle through a plurality of intermediate vehicles where the plurality of intermediate vehicles transfer chatting messages between the chatting initiator vehicle and the chatting partner vehicle to allow occupants of the vehicles to speak to each other;
• monitoring a communications link between the chatting initiator vehicle, the intermediate vehicles and the chatting partner vehicle to determine whether the chatting path will be maintained;
• re-establishing the communications link if a communications link is broken;
• and
• ending the chatting session by either the chatting initiator vehicle or the chatting partner vehicle by sending a message ending the chatting session to destroy the chatting path.

A system for providing a wireless chatting session between vehicle occupants of vehicles;

• said system comprising:
• means for wirelessly transmitting a chatting request message from a chatting initiator vehicle;
• means for receiving the chatting request message at a plurality of other vehicles;
• means for accepting the chatting request message by a chatting partner vehicle by sending an accept chatting message back to the chatting initiator vehicle;
• and
• means for establishing a chatting path between the chatting initiator vehicle and the chatting partner vehicle through an intermediate vehicle where the intermediate vehicle transfers chatting messages between the chatting initiator vehicle and the chatting partner vehicle to allow occupants of the vehicles to speak to each other.