Wireless-enabled consumer port apparatus for accommodating after-market devices flexibly in vehicles

Abstract

A vehicle system, for implementation at a subject vehicle, including a vehicle storage component having a device-discovery module that, when executed by a vehicle processing unit, determines, using vehicle communication hardware, presence of non-subject-vehicle devices. The storage component also includes a service-discovery module that, when executed, uses the communication hardware in determining needs of various devices including any of the non-subject-vehicle devices and any vehicle device. The storage component also includes a resource-discovery module that, when executed, determines what resources amongst the various devices available to serve the needs determined. The component also includes a grouping module that, when executed, establishes one or more groups amongst the various devices, yielding grouped devices of the various devices. The storage may also include a role-assignment module, a maintenance module, a soft-state-refresh module, and a broker module including an auction-and-bid protocol. The technology may include simply the storage device having any mentioned module, and processes performed.