Method and device for reprogramming TPMS tire sensor data in a vehicle control system

A single tire pressure monitoring system (TPMS) relearning tool for use in setting or resetting TPMS tire sensor data in a vehicle control system, the relearning tool comprising:

• a housing including a user interface having a function input device and a visual display device;
• a relearning tool control system positioned in the housing comprising:
• a controller;
• a data memory storage device;
• preprogrammed sensor instructions stored in the data memory storage device, the preprogrammed sensor instructions operable to activate a TPMS tire sensor to emit a first TPMS tire sensor data signal including a TPMS tire sensor identification (ID);
• preprogrammed vehicle instructions stored in the data memory storage device, the preprogrammed vehicle instructions operable to initiate the vehicle control system to change into a relearning mode;
• a transmitter in communication with the controller, the transmitter selectively operable to transmit a TPMS tire sensor activation signal including the preprogrammed sensor instructions;
• a receiver in communication with the controller, the receiver operable to receive the first TPMS tire sensor data signal emitted from the TPMS tire sensor;
• a data communication port in communication with the controller;
• and
• a microprocessor;
• a communication cable selectively connected to the relearning tool data communication port and a vehicle onboard diagnostic (OBD) port in electronic communication with the vehicle control system, the single relearning tool control system operable to retrieve vehicle information data directly from the vehicle control system through the communication cable comprising a make, model and year of the vehicle, wherein the single relearning tool transmitter is further operable to selectively send a second TPMS tire sensor data signal including the tire sensor ID to the vehicle control system, wherein the vehicle control system one of sets or resets to the second TPMS tire sensor data signal tire sensor ID.

A method for setting or resetting tire pressure monitoring system (TPMS) tire sensor data in a vehicle control system through use of a single TPMS relearning tool, the method comprising the steps of:

• sending a signal by a single TPMS relearning tool to a TPMS tire sensor for the TPMS tire sensor to emit a first TPMS tire sensor data signal including a TPMS tire sensor identification (ID);
• receiving the emitted first TPMS tire sensor data signal by the single TPMS relearning tool;
• engaging a communication cable to the single TPMS relearning tool and a vehicle onboard diagnostic (OBD) port, the OBD port connected to and in electronic communication with the vehicle control system thereby establishing electronic communication between the TPMS relearning tool for receipt of information data from and sending information data to the vehicle control system;
• receiving from the vehicle control system by the single relearning tool through the communication cable the vehicle make, model and year;
• determining by the relearning tool a vehicle control system TPMS communication protocol based on the received vehicle make, model and year;
• placing the vehicle control system in a relearning mode;
• the relearning tool generating a second TPMS tire sensor data signal simulating the received first TPMS tire sensor data signal based on the received vehicle make, model and year and determined vehicle control system TPMS communication protocol, the simulated second TPMS tire sensor data signal including the tire sensor ID;
• and
• emitting wirelessly from the TPMS relearning tool the simulated second TPMS tire sensor data signal to the vehicle control system wherein the vehicle control system TPMS one of sets or resets with the simulated second TPMS tire sensor data signal including the TPMS tire sensor ID.