Universal tire pressure monitoring sensor

Abstract

A tire pressure monitoring device includes a memory that includes a plurality of selectable communication protocols to govern communication and operation.

1 . A method of programming a tire pressure monitoring device comprising:
 storing a plurality of selectable programs for operating a tire pressure monitoring device within a first memory device; and   activating one of the selectable programs for operating the tire pressure monitoring device according to a defined protocol corresponding to the selected program.   
     
     
         2 . The method as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the step of activating one of the selectable programs for operating the tire pressure monitoring device comprises loading one of the plurality of selectable programs into a second memory device within the tire pressure monitoring device. 
     
     
         3 . The method as recited in  claim 2 , wherein the first memory device is disposed in a programming device and the method includes the step of communicating the activate one of the selectable programs from the first memory device disposed in the programming device to the second memory device within the tire pressure monitoring device. 
     
     
         4 . The method as recited in  claim 3 , including the step of electrically connecting the programming device with the tire pressure monitoring device for communicating the desired one of the plurality of selectable programs from the programming device to the tire pressure monitoring device. 
     
     
         5 . The method as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the step of activating one of the plurality of selectable programs comprises communicating a signal selecting which of the plurality of selectable programs is to control operation of the tire pressure monitoring device. 
     
     
         6 . The method as recited in  claim 5 , wherein the programming device transmits a wireless signal for communicating which of the plurality of selectable programs is to govern operation of the tire pressure monitoring device. 
     
     
         7 . The method as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the first memory device is disposed within the tire pressure monitoring device. 
     
     
         8 . The method as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the first memory device is disposed within a programming device separate from the tire pressure monitoring device. 
     
     
         9 . The method as recited in  claim 1 , including the step of deactivating a currently selected one of the plurality of selectable programs and providing for selection of a different one of the plurality of selectable programs. 
     
     
         10 . A tire pressure monitoring device comprising:
 a memory device storing a plurality of selectable communication protocols;   a transmitter/receiver for communicating information to an outside device; and   a sensor for measuring at least one parameter indicative of conditions within a tire.   
     
     
         11 . The tire pressure monitoring device as recited in  claim 11 , wherein the transmitter/receiver is configured to receive a signal for selecting which of the plurality of selectable communication protocols governs operation of the tire pressure monitoring device. 
     
     
         12 . The tire pressure monitoring device as recited in  claim 11 , wherein the signal for selecting which of the plurality of selectable communication protocols governs operation of the tire pressure monitoring sensor comprises a wireless signal. 
     
     
         13 . The tire pressure monitoring device as recited in  claim 11 , wherein the plurality of selectable communication protocols comprises communication protocols corresponding to at least two different desired communication schemes. 
     
     
         14 . A tire pressure monitoring system comprising:
 at least one tire pressure monitoring devices mountable within a vehicle tires; and   a programming device for instructing the tire pressure monitoring device which of a plurality of selectable communications protocols will govern operation.   
     
     
         15 . The system as recited in  claim 14 , wherein the plurality of selectable communication protocols are stored within a memory device of the at least one tire pressure monitoring device. 
     
     
         16 . The system as recited in  claim 15 , wherein the programming device is configured to send a wireless signal to the tire pressure monitoring device for selecting which of the plurality of selectable communication protocols will govern operation of the tire pressure monitoring sensor. 
     
     
         17 . The system as recited in  claim 14 , wherein the plurality of selectable communication protocols are stored within a memory device of the programming device. 
     
     
         18 . The system as recited in  claim 17 , wherein the programming device includes an interface adapted for communicating on of the plurality of selectable communication protocols that will govern operation of the tire pressure monitoring device. 
     
     
         19 . A computer readable storage medium containing a plurality of computer executable instructions for programming a tire pressure monitoring device, comprising:
 a first set of instructions storing a plurality of selectable programs for operating a tire pressure monitoring device within a first memory device; and   a second set of instructions for activating one of the selectable programs for operating the tire pressure monitoring device according to a defined protocol corresponding to the selected program.   
     
     
         20 . The computer readable storage medium as recited in  claim 19 , wherein the second set of instructions includes instructions controlling the step of communicating the selected one of the programs from the first memory device disposed in the programming device to a second memory device within the tire pressure monitoring device. 
     
     
         21 . The computer readable storage medium as recited in  claim 19 , including instructions for activating one of the plurality of selectable programs by communicating a signal selecting which of the plurality of selectable programs is to control operation of the tire pressure monitoring device. 
     
     
         22 . The computer readable storage medium as recited in  claim 19 , including instructions for controlling a transmission of a wireless signal for communicating which of the plurality of selectable programs is to govern operation of the tire pressure monitoring device.