Abstract: An automatic dispensing device for use in storing and selectively dispensing electronic transmission devices, for example tire pressure monitoring system (TPMS) tire sensors. The dispensing device assists a user in determining the proper transmission device to be dispensed and programs or configures the transmission device in the dispenser prior to dispensing the programmed or configured transmission device to the user. When used for TPMS tire sensors, the dispenser determines the type of TPMS sensor to be programmed, programs the sensor with the proper communication protocol, and dispenses the programmed or configured sensor to the user for installation in the vehicle wheel and tire.

Abstract: A diagnostic tool for a vehicle includes an imaging device operable to acquire an image of tire characters positioned on an exterior of a vehicle tire. The diagnostic tool includes an optical character recognition (OCR) module configured to identify the tire characters of the tire and an assistance module configured to assist a user to acquire the image of the tire characters with the imaging device. In one example, the diagnostic tool includes a database of vehicle tire information and a database of TPMS tire sensor information. The diagnostic tool is configured to identify a compatible TPMS tire sensor based on the identified tire resulting from the image of the tire characters. In one example, the diagnostic tool is a TPMS tool configured to communicate with a TPMS tire sensor in the vehicle tire.

Abstract: An automatic dispensing device for use in storing and selectively dispensing electronic transmission devices, for example tire pressure monitoring system (TPMS) tire sensors. The dispensing device assists a user in determining the proper transmission device to be dispensed and programs or configures the transmission device in the dispenser prior to dispensing the programmed or configured transmission device to the user. When used for TPMS tire sensors, the dispenser determines the type of TPMS sensor to be programmed, programs the sensor with the proper communication protocol, and dispenses the programmed or configured sensor to the user for installation in the vehicle wheel and tire.