Abstract:
An identification device is user configurable to communicate according to different communication protocols. Once the identification device has been set to a desired communication protocol where all it will immediately transmit an identification code to the corresponding vehicle controller such that the vehicle controller will learn the identification code and be able to recognize subsequent transmissions and authenticate the identification device.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
       [0001]    The application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/854,251 which was filed on Oct. 25, 2006, 60/881,763 which was filed Jan. 22, 2007 and 60/881,766 which was filed on Jan. 22, 2007. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    This invention generally relates to passive entry and start system for a motor vehicle. More particularly this invention relates to a communication protocol configuration for a remote identification device. 
         [0003]    A passive entry and start system includes a remote authorization device that communicates with a control module within a vehicle. The identification device and the control module within the vehicle communicate using a specified protocol with a unique identification code. Different systems utilize different protocols and therefore identification devices from different systems are not compatible. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0004]    An example identification device includes at least two user selectable communication protocols that provide for the use with differently configured receivers. 
         [0005]    The identification device includes a non-volatile memory device that includes instructions for transmitting according to at least two different communication protocols. The identification device can be selected by a user to operate and communicate according to one of the two stored communication protocols. The selection between communication protocols is accomplished through a desired sequence of button actuation. 
         [0006]    These and other features of the present invention can be best understood from the following specification and drawings, the following of which is a brief description. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0007]      FIG. 1  is a schematic representation of an example keyless remote entry system. 
           [0008]      FIG. 2  is a schematic representation of the identification device and two vehicle controllers operating according to different communication protocols. 
           [0009]      FIG. 3  is a flow diagram illustrating the example method. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
       [0010]    Referring to  FIG. 1 , a vehicle  10  includes a controller  12  that is part of a remote keyless entry system  15 . The remote keyless entry system  15  utilizes an identification device  14  to communicate with a controller  12  within the vehicle  10 . The controller  12  operates according to a defined communication protocol. This communication protocol provides instructions and format for the signal  16  sent from the controller  12  and received by the identification device  14 . Similarly, the identification device  14  also operates according to this transmission protocol and sends signals  18  that are received by the controller  12 . 
         [0011]    As appreciated, different vehicles  10  will include different controllers that operate according to different transmission protocols. However, the example identification device  14  is operable with many different controllers as it includes several different transmission protocols. These transmission protocols within the identification device  14  are selected by the user such that the identification device  14  can be set up and utilized with several different vehicles. 
         [0012]    Referring to  FIG. 2 , the vehicle  10  includes the controller  12  that in turn includes a memory device  22 . The controller  12  operates according to a communication protocol schematically indicated at  30 . This communication protocol is different than that of a second controller  12 ′ within a second vehicle  10 ′. The second communication protocol  32  is different than the first protocol  30  of the first controller  12 . The second controller  12 ′ includes a memory location  22 ′. 
         [0013]    The example identification device  14  includes a memory device  20  that has stored instructions for transmitting and operating according to the first protocol  30  or the second protocol  32 . The identification device  14  will only operate in one of the two protocols  30 ,  32  at any one time. However, the identification device  14  is selectable by a user such that it can be set to be utilized with either the first vehicle  10  or the second vehicle  10 ′. 
         [0014]    The identification device includes actuateable buttons  26  and is powered by a battery  28 . A defined sequence of button presses  26  is utilized to select or switch between one of the two protocols  30 ,  32  that are stored within in the memory device  20 . The example memory device is a non-volatile memory that enables the identification device  14  to maintain the desired communication protocol during battery replacement or other power absences. 
         [0015]    Actuation of the buttons  26  to select between the different selectable communication protocols  30 ,  32  can be as simple as a combination of the buttons pressed within a desired time period. Further, more complex sequences could involve the removal of the battery  28  followed by a desired button combination after a period after replacement of the battery. 
         [0016]    The identification device  14  also provides for a learning procedure for which an identification code  34  stored within the non-volatile memory  20  is transmitted immediately after selection of one of the at least two protocols.  30 ,  32 . In the example, identification device  14  the identification code  34  is transmitted responsive to the selection process for the communication protocol. 
         [0017]    Referring to  FIG. 3 , this process is schematically illustrated and includes the initial step  40  of selecting one of the at least two communication protocols for which the identification device will operate. The controller or other module within the vehicle is set and placed into a learn mode where it is capable of receiving, accepting and restoring identification codes from various identification devices as indicated at step  42 . Once the vehicle controller is placed in a learn mode, the identification device is actuated as indicated at step  44  according to a defined sequence to select which of the two communication protocols that are compatible and correspond with the desired vehicle controller. Once this process is complete, the identification device  14  will automatically transmit an identification code to the vehicle controller as indicated at  46 , so that the vehicle controller  12  may receive that transmission and retain the identification code within the controller memory  22  for later use. 
         [0018]    Accordingly, the example identification device and method of selecting a communication protocol of this identification device provides for the easy selection and programming of an identification device without the use of tools or other specialized devices. 
         [0019]    Although a preferred embodiment of this invention has been disclosed, a worker of ordinary skill in this art would recognize that certain modifications would come within the scope of this invention. For that reason, the following claims should be studied to determine the true scope and content of this invention.