An electronic device includes at least one communication circuit, and a processor electrically connected with the at least one communication circuit. The processor may be configured to select an external electronic device in response to a user input, broadcast, through the at least one communication circuit using a first protocol, a connection request for a second protocol-based communication with the external electronic device, receive a response to the connection request from the external electronic device through the at least one communication circuit, and perform communication with the external electronic device through the at least one communication circuit using a second protocol, based on connection information about the external electronic device for the second protocol-based communication, the connection information being contained in the response.

The invention relates to a method for determining a communication network for collecting information in the surroundings of a motor vehicle, in which a request message is transmitted, and the request message is received by a first outside vehicle, and a first response message is transmitted by the outside vehicle to the motor vehicle, wherein the request message of each first outside vehicle is transmitted to at least one respective second outside vehicle, wherein a second response message is transmitted by means of the respective second outside vehicle to the first outside vehicle and from there is transmitted to the motor vehicle, wherein a current position of the respective outside vehicle is transmitted with the response messages, and wherein, depending on the response messages, a network plan of the communication network is determined by the motor vehicle, and on the basis of the network plan, a unique transmission path to one of the outside vehicles is established for another request message of the motor vehicle for collecting information from one of the outside vehicles.

A multi-device in-vehicle-infotainment system is configured to playback audio files one after another using a media device shuffling operation and an audio file shuffling operation. Specifically, in response to instructions from a user interface, a controller is further configured to automatically provide a plurality of audio files, one audio file after another, to an audio output component where the controller selects the plurality of audio files randomly shuffling between a plurality of electronic media devices selecting one or more audio files from differing ones of the plurality of electronic media devices for audio playback.

Systems and methods are disclosed for communicating an emergency alert message from a digital radio broadcast transmission system of a mobile vehicle to a digital radio broadcast receiver system. A digital radio broadcast signal including first and second data is broadcasted using the digital radio broadcast transmission system to end-user digital radio broadcast receivers. The first data includes an emergency code, and the second data includes an emergency alert message. The digital radio broadcast signal is transmitted at a predetermined frequency that is recognized by the receivers as an emergency notification frequency. The digital radio broadcast signal can be decoded only be receivers located within a localized area in a proximity of the transmission system. The receivers are configured to automatically tune to the emergency notification frequency to receive the digital radio broadcast signal and render the second data based on a detection of the emergency code within the signal.

Systems and methods are disclosed for communicating an emergency alert message from a digital radio broadcast transmission system of a mobile vehicle to a digital radio broadcast receiver system. A digital radio broadcast signal including first and second data is broadcasted using the digital radio broadcast transmission system to end-user digital radio broadcast receivers. The first data includes an emergency code, and the second data includes an emergency alert message. The digital radio broadcast signal is transmitted at a predetermined frequency that is recognized by the receivers as an emergency notification frequency. The digital radio broadcast signal can be decoded only be receivers located within a localized area in a proximity of the transmission system. The receivers are configured to automatically tune to the emergency notification frequency to receive the digital radio broadcast signal and render the second data based on a detection of the emergency code within the signal.

Systems and methods are described for distribution of content within a vehicle. A server having a first set of content stored within a memory can be communicatively coupled with one or more clients such as using a plurality of wireless access points. Each of the clients can have a processor, memory, and transceiver, such that it can communicate with the server and potentially its neighbors. Groups of the clients can be communicatively coupled, such as via a wired or wireless network, which permits the clients to communicate with one another to retrieve content, for example, rather than burden the server or the wireless access points.

A digital radio receiver system is provided as a single module for retro-fit connection to the external antenna connector of a vehicle or the like. The system includes an antenna connected to a radio receiver which is configured to scan and receive digital radio channels through the antenna. There is also a wireless communications module for wirelessly transmitting to an external display and control unit information relating to the available channels and for receiving back a selected channel. A transmitter is provided for decoding a selected channel and transmitting it as a modulated signal down a wired feed from the eternal antenna connector to an analog radio head unit for output on a given channel. A renewable energy unit is provided on the module for powering the receiver, communications module and transmitter.

A digital radio receiver system is provided as a single module for retro-fit connection to the external antenna connector of a vehicle or the like. The system includes an antenna connected to a radio receiver which is configured to scan and receive digital radio channels through the antenna. There is also a wireless communications module for wirelessly transmitting to an external display and control unit information relating to the available channels and for receiving back a selected channel. A transmitter is provided for decoding a selected channel and transmitting it as a modulated signal down a wired feed from the eternal antenna connector to an analog radio head unit for output on a given channel. A renewable energy unit is provided on the module for powering the receiver, communications module and transmitter.

An audio data sharing method for radio broadcast systems includes sharing audio data using vehicle-to-vehicle communication and vehicle-to-infrastructure communication between vehicles and infrastructure units in low reception areas for radio broadcasting. The audio data sharing occurs by means of tuner leasing. The method also includes forming a framework for message sharing between the different units. The method enables uninterrupted audio data availability in low reception areas for enhancing the customer experience.

An audio data sharing method for radio broadcast systems includes sharing audio data using vehicle-to-vehicle communication and vehicle-to-infrastructure communication between vehicles and infrastructure units in low reception areas for radio broadcasting. The audio data sharing occurs by means of tuner leasing. The method also includes forming a framework for message sharing between the different units. The method enables uninterrupted audio data availability in low reception areas for enhancing the customer experience.