Universal transponder interface with a databus docking station

A universal transponder interface, comprising:

• a housing forming a compartment configured to enclose an entire physical vehicle ignition key therein, the key including a transponder chip, wherein the housing includes:
• a docking station located at a first external portion of the housing such that a databus cartridge can be removed from and/or added to the housing after the housing is installed in a vehicle, wherein the databus cartridge includes codes to support a plurality of different types of databus communication;
• a first interface disposed at a second external portion of the housing and configured to connect the housing to a vehicle databus;
• and
• a second interface disposed at a third external portion of the housing and configured to connect the housing to a vehicle security/remote start system, wherein the housing is hand-held and removable from the vehicle,
• wherein the universal transponder interface further includes a radio frequency (RF) antenna ring to transmit a transponder code of the key to the vehicle's ignition system to remote start the vehicle and, when the key is not in the compartment and the databus cartridge is in the docking station, the databus cartridge is used to remote start the vehicle.