VEHICLE KEY FOR BI-DIRECTIONAL COMMUNICATION WITH VEHICLE
A method for bi-directional communication between a vehicle and a vehicle key includes providing a vehicle key with a connector to communicate with the vehicle, storing user data on the vehicle key, communicating with the vehicle with the vehicle key, and adjusting a plurality of vehicle settings to match the user data stored on the vehicle key responsive to communicating between the vehicle and the vehicle key.
1 . A method for bi-directional communication between a vehicle and a vehicle key, comprising the steps of:
a) providing the vehicle key with a connector to communicate with the vehicle;
b) storing user data on the vehicle key;
c) communicating with the vehicle with the vehicle key; and
d) adjusting a plurality of vehicle settings to match the user data stored on the vehicle key responsive to said step c).
2 . The method as recited in claim 1 , wherein the connector is a USB connector.
3 . The method as recited in claim 1 , wherein the connector is a wireless communication device.
4 . The method as recited in claim 1 , wherein said step a) includes the step of:
providing the vehicle key with a memory device and a plurality of switches to actuate signals to be transmitted to the vehicle.
5 . The method as recited in claim 1 , wherein said step b) includes the steps of:
communicating between the vehicle key and a home computer through the connector; and
transferring the user data from the home computer onto the vehicle key.
6 . The method as recited in claim 5 , wherein said step b) includes the step of:
downloading a plurality of services onto the vehicle key subsequent to connecting the vehicle key to the home computer.
7 . The method as recited in claim 1 , wherein said step c) includes the steps of:
plugging the connector of the vehicle key into a port of the vehicle.
8 . The method as recited in claim 1 , wherein said step c) includes the step of:
wirelessly communicating between the vehicle key and the vehicle.
9 . The method as recited in claim 8 , wherein the wireless communication is achieved through Bluetooth communications.
10 . The method as recited in claim 1 , wherein the user data includes at least one of a plurality of user settings, navigation information, audio and video downloads, home access data and phone links.
11 . The method as recited in claim 1 , wherein said step d) includes the step of:
reading the user data with an electronic control module on the vehicle; and
adjusting a plurality of user settings to match the user data responsive to command signals communicated by the electronic control module.
12 . The method as recited in claim 1 , comprising the step of:
e) transferring vehicle data from the vehicle onto the vehicle key.