Data recording device and method

Abstract

The present disclosure relates to a data recording device and method. The data recording device records a plurality of data related to a vehicle state, each acquired at a predetermined sampling period, at a base recording period longer than the sampling period, and records at least one designated data item designated by an off-vehicle device from the plurality of data items at a shortened recording period that is longer than the sampling period and shorter than the base recording period.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a data recording device and method for recording a plurality of data related to a state of a vehicle. Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, meter reading devices capable of obtaining detailed information on measured values ​​from multiple sensors are known (see, for example, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2012-190202). This meter reading device stores a sampling period corresponding to the intended use of the measured values, determines a sampling period corresponding to the specified purpose, and performs measurements using multiple sensors within the determined sampling period. Furthermore, this meter reading device detects changes in the measured values ​​measured by the sensors. If a change is detected, the measured values ​​during the period of detection are extracted as detailed information. Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2012-190202 also describes a meter reading device that includes one or more sensors and performs measurements with a sampling period set to an extremely short period required for detailed data. In this meter reading device, measured data is divided and managed according to a predetermined period, and a measured value A1 at the start of a measurement period A is maintained as a representative value for that measurement period A. Furthermore, the meter reading device compares the measured value A1 with the measured value A2 at the end of the measurement period, and stores the measured value A1-A2 in the storage area when the change between the two exceeds a threshold value; otherwise, the measured value A1-A2 is discarded. Summary of the Invention

[0003] However, it is also conceivable that a meter reading device in a vehicle, such as that described in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2012-190202, determines a sampling period corresponding to a specified usage purpose from a sampling period stored for each of a plurality of data items related to the vehicle's status, and measures the plurality of data items using the determined sampling period. However, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2012-190202 does not describe any method for specifying a usage purpose or determining a sampling period, making it difficult to flexibly change the sampling period on the vehicle side as needed while obtaining accurate data. On the other hand, if a meter reading device, such as that described in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2012-190202, stores or discards data during a measurement period based on the difference between the measured value at the start time and the measured value at the end time of the measurement period, even when measuring data in extremely short cycles, it is possible to reduce storage space usage. However, depending on how the measurement period is divided, there is a possibility that even if the difference exceeds a threshold, accurate data corresponding to the occurring phenomenon may not be obtained.

[0004] Therefore, a main object of the present disclosure is to enable flexible and accurate recording of a plurality of data related to the state of a vehicle as needed while suppressing an increase in the capacity required for data recording.

[0005] The present disclosure provides a data recording device that records multiple data related to the status of a vehicle obtained at a predetermined sampling period at a base recording period longer than the sampling period, wherein at least one specified data among the multiple data specified by an off-vehicle device is recorded at a shortened recording period that is longer than the sampling period and shorter than the base recording period.

[0006] In addition, the present disclosure provides a data recording method, which records multiple data related to the status of a vehicle obtained at a predetermined sampling period at a base recording period longer than the sampling period, wherein at least one specified data among the multiple data specified by an off-vehicle device is recorded at a shortened recording period longer than the sampling period and shorter than the base recording period. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0007] Features, advantages, and technical and industrial significance of exemplary embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which like reference numerals represent like elements, and appended hereto:

[0008] Figure 1 1 is a schematic diagram showing the configuration of a vehicle including the data recording device of the present disclosure.

[0009] Figure 2 This is an explanatory diagram illustrating freeze frame data recorded by the data recording device of the present disclosure.

[0010] Figure 3 1 is a flowchart showing an example of a routine executed by an in-vehicle communication device of a vehicle including the data recording device of the present disclosure.

[0011] Figure 4 This is an explanatory diagram for explaining a process in which the data recording device of the present disclosure records designated data at a standard recording cycle and a shortened recording cycle in response to a designation from an off-vehicle device.

[0012] Figure 5 This is an explanatory diagram illustrating freeze frame data and arbitrary recording data recorded by the data recording device of the present disclosure in response to a designation from an external device. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0013] Next, specific embodiments of the present disclosure will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0014] Figure 11 is a schematic diagram showing the structure of a vehicle 1 including the data recording device of the present disclosure. The vehicle 1 shown in the figure is, for example, a hybrid vehicle including an engine (internal combustion engine), a motor generator, an inverter, a battery, etc., all of which are not shown. As shown in the figure, the vehicle 1 includes an on-board communication device 5 and multiple electronic control units (hereinafter referred to as "ECUs") 10, 20, 30... The on-board communication device 5 is capable of exchanging information with a management server 50 as an off-vehicle device or a terminal (including a portable terminal) used, for example, in a vehicle sales store or a vehicle repair shop via high-speed data communication (wireless packet communication), and can also exchange information with multiple ECUs 10, etc.

[0015] Multiple ECUs 10, 20, and 30 include a microcomputer (not shown) having a CPU, ROM, RAM, input / output interfaces, and the like (all not shown), and non-volatile memory (NVRAM) 11, 21, or 31. ECU 10 controls the engine of vehicle 1. ECU 20 controls the inverter that drives the motor generator of vehicle 1, and the like. ECU 30 manages the battery of vehicle 1. ECUs 10, 20, and 30 also include data recording modules (data recording devices) 15, 25, or 35, constructed through the collaboration of applications (software) installed in each ECU 10, 20, or 30, and hardware such as the CPU, ROM, RAM, and non-volatile memory 11, 21, or 31.

[0016] The data recording modules 15, 25, and 35 respectively store (record) multiple data related to the state of the vehicle 1 (various physical quantities, setting states, etc.) acquired (detected or calculated) at a predetermined sampling period Ts (e.g., several msec to several tens of msec) as freeze frame data in the non-volatile memory 11, 21, or 31 at a reference recording period Trb (e.g., 500 msec) that is longer than the sampling period Ts. Figure 2 The following illustrates freeze frame data recorded by the data recording module 15 of the ECU 10. As shown in the figure, freeze frame data is generated by arranging a plurality of predetermined data items, such as vehicle speed or engine speed, in columns within a predetermined storage area of ​​a non-volatile memory 11, etc., and then arranging each of these data items in rows at a reference recording period Trb. Furthermore, as shown in the figure, the index of each row of freeze frame data stores a data ID (identifier) ​​previously assigned to the data item, along with the name of the data item (such as vehicle speed or engine speed). Basically, freeze frame data is deleted from the non-volatile memory 11, etc., after a predetermined period of time, for example, has elapsed since it was recorded in the data.

[0017] Freeze frame data recorded in each ECU 10, 20, or 30 is transmitted from the onboard communication device 5 to the management server 50, for example, at a predetermined period. The management server 50 is installed and managed, for example, by the manufacturer of the vehicle 1 and includes a computer equipped with a CPU, ROM, RAM, input / output devices, a communication module for communicating with the onboard communication device 5 of the vehicle 1, and a storage device for storing various information. The management server 50 associates the freeze frame data transmitted from the onboard communication device 5 of the vehicle 1 with vehicle information such as the chassis number or vehicle number of the vehicle 1 and stores it in the storage device. The freeze frame data managed by the management server 50 can be accessed from terminals at vehicle dealerships, repair shops, and the like. If an abnormality occurs in the vehicle 1, freeze frame data not stored on the vehicle 1 side can be retrieved from the management server 50 for use in analyzing the cause of the abnormality.

[0018] Here, the freeze-frame data recorded by the data recording module 15 of the ECU 10 or the like is recorded with the relatively long base recording period Trb as described above. Therefore, data recorded before and after an event such as abnormality detection occurs in the vehicle 1 may not be included in the freeze-frame data. Furthermore, further shortening the base recording period Trb for freeze-frame data can yield detailed data, but this results in increased costs due to the increased capacity of the non-volatile memories 11, 21, and 31, and increased communication time between the on-board communication device 5 and the management server 50. On the other hand, unlike rewriting programs, which are subject to various restrictions, changing the data recording period in the data recording module 15 or the like does not require authentication.

[0019] As described above, in vehicle 1, at least a portion of the plurality of data (physical quantities, etc.) included in the freeze frame data recorded by each data recording module 15, 25, and 35 can be recorded as arbitrary recorded data at a period shorter than the aforementioned reference recording period Trb (hereinafter referred to as the "shortened recording period Trs"), in response to a designation from a management server 50 (an external device). In this embodiment, upon establishing communication with the onboard communication device 5 of vehicle 1 (during initial setup), the management server 50 transmits a recording period notification to each of the plurality of ECUs 10, 20, 30, etc. of vehicle 1, specifying the data to be recorded at the shortened recording period Trs. Furthermore, the management server 50 also transmits the recording period notification to the onboard communication device 5 of vehicle 1 when it is necessary to obtain more detailed data related to system updates for safety features of vehicle 1, or when it is necessary to obtain more detailed data related to the same vehicle model due to a problem occurring in another vehicle.

[0020] Figure 31 is a flowchart showing an example of a routine executed by the vehicle-mounted communication device 5 of the vehicle 1 in response to the recording cycle notification sent by the management server 50. Figure 3 As shown, when the vehicle-mounted communication device 5 receives the recording cycle notification from the management server 50 (step S100), it obtains the data ID of the ECU specified by the management server 50 (hereinafter referred to as the "specified ECU") and the data to be recorded with the shortened recording cycle Trs specified by the management server 50 (hereinafter referred to as the "specified data") from the recording cycle notification (step S110). In the recording cycle notification, at least one of the data IDs of the specified ECU and the specified data may include multiple or only one of the data IDs of the specified ECU and the specified data. In the following, it is assumed that the specified ECU is ECU10 and the specified data is "vehicle speed" for explanation. Figure 3 routine.

[0021] After processing step S110, the onboard communication device 5 sends a notification to the designated ECU, ECU 10, indicating that the vehicle speed should be recorded using the shortened recording period Trs (step S120). Upon receiving the notification from the onboard communication device 5, ECU 10 sets the predetermined shortened recording period Trs (e.g., 100 msec) as the vehicle speed recording period for the data recording module 15, in addition to the aforementioned base recording period Trb (e.g., 500 msec). Consequently, the data recording module 15 stores the vehicle speed acquired by a vehicle speed sensor (not shown) as freeze frame data using the base recording period Trb in the non-volatile memory 11, and also stores the vehicle speed acquired by the vehicle speed sensor using the shortened recording period Trs as random recording data in the non-volatile memory 11.

[0022] After changing the vehicle speed recording period of the data recording module 15, the ECU 10 as the designated ECU notifies the vehicle communication device 5 of a setting completion notification indicating that the setting change of the recording period is completed. Upon receiving the setting completion notification from the ECU 10 as the designated ECU (step S130), the vehicle communication device 5 transmits a setting completion notification indicating that the setting change of the recording period of the designated data ID in the designated ECU is completed on the vehicle 1 side to the management server 50 (step S140). Figure 2 A series of processing is completed.

[0023] Figure 4 This is an explanatory diagram for explaining the process in which the data recording module 15 of the ECU 10 as the designated ECU records the vehicle speed as designated data at the reference recording period Trb and the shortened recording period Trs according to the recording period notification from the management server 50. Figure 5This is an explanatory diagram illustrating freeze frame data and arbitrary recording data recorded by the data recording module 15 in response to the recording cycle notification from the management server 50 .

[0024] like Figure 4 as well as Figure 5 As shown, in response to a designation (designated data) from the management server 50 for recording the vehicle speed at a shortened recording period Trs, the data recording module 15 retrieves the vehicle speed obtained by the vehicle speed sensor at a predetermined sampling period Ts at the shortened recording period Trs. Furthermore, the data recording module 15 stores the retrieved vehicle speeds as freeze frame data in a storage area of ​​the nonvolatile memory 11, arranged in rows with a reference recording period Trb. Furthermore, the data recording module 15 stores the vehicle speeds retrieved at the shortened recording period Trs as arbitrary recorded data in a storage area of ​​the nonvolatile memory 11, arranged in columns relative to the vehicle speeds stored at the reference recording period Trb.

[0025] More specifically, the data recording module 15 records the vehicle speed (for example, Figure 4 The vehicle speed in frame 1) is stored in the storage area of ​​the non-volatile memory 11 in a row-wise manner. In addition, the data recording module 15 stores the vehicle speed (for example, Figure 4 The vehicle speed of frames 2 to 5 in the next recording period Trb) is relative to the vehicle speed stored in the storage area when the reference recording period Trb passes. Figure 5 The data position "-1" Figure 4 The vehicle speed in frame 6 is stored in the storage area of ​​the nonvolatile memory 11 in the order in which data is taken in, for example, in a manner arranged in a column direction from bottom to top in the figure. Figure 4 as well as Figure 5 As shown, the recording period Trs is shortened to become a multiple of the reference recording period Trb, so the vehicle speed stored in the reference recording period Trb (for example Figure 4 The vehicle speed in frame 6 of FIG) is also stored as arbitrary record data to the vehicle speed stored with the reference record period Trb (for example, stored in Figure 5 The lower section of the data position "-1" (vehicle speed).

[0026] In addition, the data recording module 15 records the vehicle speed (for example, the vehicle speed) taken in as one designated data with a shortened recording period Trs in response to an event in which an abnormality is detected by the diagnostic function of the vehicle 1. Figure 4 The vehicle speed in frame 8) is recorded relative to the vehicle speed stored in the reference recording period Trb (for example Figure 4The data recording module 15 stores the data ID of the vehicle speed as the designated data in the row direction in the storage area of ​​the non-volatile memory 11 in the form of arranging the vehicle speed in the frame 6 and the vehicle speed in the frame 11 in the shortened recording period Trs in the row direction, and stores the data ID of the vehicle speed as the designated data in the row direction in the form of arranging the vehicle speed in the frame 6 and the vehicle speed in the frame 11 in the shortened recording period Trs in the form of arranging the vehicle speed in the row direction in the form of arranging the vehicle speed in the frame 6 and the vehicle speed in the frame 11 in the row direction. Figure 5 The vehicle speed at the data position "0" is stored in the storage area of ​​the nonvolatile memory 11 as arbitrary record data in a manner arranged in the column direction. In addition, when the ECU 20 or ECU 30 is designated as a specific ECU by the management server 50, the data recording modules 25 or 35 refer to Figure 4 as well as Figure 5 The described process stores the freeze frame data and the optional recorded data in the nonvolatile memory 21 or 31. In addition, in the present embodiment, deletion of the freeze frame data and the optional recorded data of each ECU 10 and the like is prohibited in response to the occurrence of an event.

[0027] As described above, the data recording modules 15, 25, and 35 constituting the data recording device of vehicle 1 record multiple data items (physical quantities, etc.) related to the status of vehicle 1 as freeze-frame data at a base recording period Trb that is longer than sampling period Ts. Furthermore, the data recording modules 15, 25, and 35 record at least one piece of designated data, designated by the management server (external device) 50, as arbitrary recording data at a shortened recording period Trs that is longer than sampling period Ts and shorter than base recording period Trb. By recording only the designated data designated by the management server 50 at the shortened recording period Trs, an increase in the capacity of the non-volatile memories 11, 21, and 31 can be minimized. Furthermore, the management server 50 can more flexibly and accurately determine the designated data to be recorded at the shortened recording period Trs in response to changing needs, compared to the vehicle 1, which faces many constraints. As a result, the data recording modules 15, 25, and 35 can flexibly and accurately record multiple pieces of data related to the status of vehicle 1 as needed, while minimizing the increase in data recording capacity.

[0028] Furthermore, the data recording modules 15, 25, and 35 of the vehicle 1 store designated data as freeze frame data in the storage area of ​​the nonvolatile memories 11, 21, and 31 at the reference recording period Trb, arranged in the row direction. Furthermore, designated data retrieved at the shortened recording period Trs is stored as arbitrary recording data at the shortened recording period Trs in the storage area of ​​the nonvolatile memory 11 or the like, arranged in the column direction relative to the data stored at the reference recording period Trb. Consequently, detailed arbitrary recording data can be recorded at the shortened recording period Trs without changing the format (row-wise format) of the freeze frame data recorded at the reference recording period Trb.

[0029] Furthermore, in response to an event such as detecting an abnormality, the data recording modules 15, 25, and 35 of the vehicle 1 store a single piece of designated data acquired during the shortened recording cycle Trs in a storage area such as the nonvolatile memory 11, aligned in the row direction with the designated data stored during the reference recording cycle Trb. Furthermore, the data IDs (identifiers) of the designated data are stored in a storage area such as the nonvolatile memory 11, aligned in the row direction with the designated data stored during the shortened recording cycle Trs and aligned in the column direction with the designated data. This allows the designated data recorded during the shortened recording cycle Trs to be assigned the identifier of the corresponding designated data recorded during the reference recording cycle Trb. Consequently, detailed time-series data can be restored based on the data IDs, based on the designated data recorded during the reference recording cycle Trb and the shortened recording cycle Trs.

[0030] In addition, the shortened recording period Trs is not limited to the predetermined time stored on the vehicle 1 side, but can also be a period (time) specified by the management server 50 as an off-vehicle device. In addition, the shortened recording period Trs does not necessarily need to be a multiple of the base recording period Trb. Furthermore, the designated ECU, the designated data, and the shortened recording period Trs can also be set by a terminal used in a vehicle sales store or a vehicle repair shop as an off-vehicle device other than the management server 50. In addition, the terminal (including a portable terminal) of the vehicle sales store or the vehicle repair shop can also be connected to the data recording module 15, etc. through wired or wireless communication for fault diagnosis of the vehicle 1. Furthermore, the invention disclosed in the present invention as described above can also be applied to a data recorder that is mounted on the vehicle 1 and always records multiple data at a predetermined base recording period. In addition, the vehicle 1 is not limited to a hybrid vehicle, but can also be a vehicle that uses only an engine as a power source, or an electric vehicle (including a fuel cell vehicle).

[0031] As described above, the data recording device of the present disclosure records a plurality of data related to the state of the vehicle with a reference recording period that is longer than the sampling period, and records at least one designated data specified by the off-vehicle device among the plurality of data with a shortened recording period that is longer than the sampling period and shorter than the reference recording period. In this way, by recording only the designated data specified by the off-vehicle device with a shortened recording period, it is possible to suppress the increase in the capacity required for data recording. Furthermore, on the off-vehicle device side, compared to the vehicle side with many constraints, it is possible to more flexibly and accurately determine the designated data to be recorded with the shortened recording period according to various changing needs. As a result, according to the data recording device of the present disclosure, it is possible to flexibly and accurately record a plurality of data related to the state of the vehicle according to needs while suppressing the increase in the capacity required for data recording. In addition, the shortened recording period can be either a predetermined time stored on the vehicle side or a period (time) specified by the off-vehicle device.

[0032] Alternatively, the data recording device may store the designated data in the storage area at the reference recording period so that the designated data is arranged in the row direction, and store the designated data acquired at the shortened recording period in the storage area at the shortened recording period so that the designated data is arranged in the column direction relative to the designated data stored at the reference recording period. Thus, detailed data can be recorded at the shortened recording period without changing the format (row-direction format) of the data recorded at the reference recording period.

[0033] Furthermore, the data recording device may store the designated data acquired at the shortened recording cycle in the storage area in a manner aligned in the row direction relative to the designated data stored at the base recording cycle in response to an event, and may store identifiers of the designated data in the storage area aligned in the row direction relative to the designated data stored at the shortened recording cycle and aligned in the column direction relative to the designated data. Thus, the designated data recorded at the shortened recording cycle can be assigned the identifier of the corresponding designated data recorded at the base recording cycle, and detailed time series data can be restored based on the identifier from the designated data recorded at the base recording cycle and the designated data recorded at the shortened recording cycle.

[0034] Furthermore, the off-vehicle device may be at least one of a management server that acquires and manages the plurality of data from the vehicle via a communication device mounted on the vehicle, and a terminal connected to the data recording device for fault diagnosis of the vehicle.

[0035] Furthermore, the data recording device may always record the plurality of data at the reference recording period.

[0036] Furthermore, according to the data recording method of the present disclosure, it is possible to flexibly and accurately record a plurality of data related to the state of the vehicle as needed while suppressing an increase in the capacity required for data recording.

[0037] However, the invention disclosed herein is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and various modifications can be made within the scope of the invention. Furthermore, the above-described embodiment is merely a specific form of the invention described in the Summary of the Invention and is not limited to the elements of the invention described in the Summary of the Invention.

[0038] The invention disclosed herein can be used in the vehicle manufacturing industry and the like.

Claims

1. A data recording device that records a plurality of data related to a vehicle state, each acquired at a predetermined sampling period, at a reference recording period that is longer than the sampling period, wherein: recording at least one designated data designated by the off-vehicle device among the plurality of data at a shortened recording period that is equal to or greater than the sampling period and shorter than the reference recording period; The designated data is stored in the storage area at the base recording period in a manner arranged in the row direction, and the designated data taken in at the shortened recording period is stored in the storage area at the shortened recording period in a manner arranged in the column direction relative to the designated data stored at the base recording period.

2. The data recording device according to claim 1, wherein In response to an event occurring, one of the designated data taken in with the shortened recording period is stored in the storage area in a manner arranged in a row direction relative to the designated data stored with the base recording period, and the identifier of the designated data is stored in the storage area in a manner arranged in a row direction relative to the designated data stored with the shortened recording period and in a column direction relative to the one designated data.

3. The data recording device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein: The off-vehicle device is at least one of a management server that acquires and manages the plurality of data from the vehicle via a communication device mounted on the vehicle, and a terminal connected to the data recording device for fault diagnosis of the vehicle.

4. The data recording device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein: The plurality of data are always recorded at the reference recording period.

5. A data recording method for recording a plurality of data related to a vehicle state obtained at predetermined sampling periods at a reference recording period longer than the sampling period, wherein: recording at least one designated data designated by the off-vehicle device among the plurality of data at a shortened recording period that is equal to or greater than the sampling period and shorter than the reference recording period; The designated data is stored in the storage area at the reference recording period in a manner arranged in a row direction, and the designated data taken in at the shortened recording period is stored in the storage area at the shortened recording period in a manner arranged in a column direction relative to the designated data stored at the reference recording period.

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