Patent ID: 8692661

Claim:
A programming system for a tire pressure monitoring device comprising: at least one tire pressure monitoring device for installation within a vehicle tire, each tire pressure monitoring device includes a memory device capable of storing a first program and a second program, the first program configured to govern operations and communications of the tire pressure monitoring device according to a first protocol associated with a first automobile manufacturer, the second program configured to govern operations and communications of the tire pressure monitoring device according to a second protocol associated with a second automobile manufacturer, a transmitter/receiver for communicating information to a receiver mounted within a vehicle, and a sensor for measuring at least one parameter indicative of conditions within the vehicle tire; and a programming device capable of communicating which of the first program or the second program is to be utilized by the transmitter/receiver of the at least one tire pressure monitoring device for communicating with the receiver mounted within a vehicle, wherein a selection of one of the first program or the second program causes deactivation of a third program that has been active immediately before the deactivation occurs and the selection is accomplished by an indicator that is non-specific to an automobile manufacturer, the programming device including a physical interface for locating the at least one tire pressure monitoring device with respect to the programming device, the programming device further including a user interface actuateable for communicating one of the first program or the second program to the transmitter/receiver of the at least one tire pressure monitoring device, wherein the physical interface comprises a physical connection between the programming device and the tire pressure monitoring device defined on the programming device, the physical connection comprising a mounting location including a cavity shaped for receiving a tire pressure monitoring device.