Data collection device and method

Abstract

This disclosure relates to a data collection apparatus and method. The data collection apparatus of this disclosure is mounted on a vehicle, collects data related to the state of the vehicle, obtains a aggregated form of the data from an external device, and aggregates the data collected from the vehicle to generate a aggregated result in a specified aggregated form by the external device, and sends the generated aggregated result to the external device. Thus, it is possible to reduce communication load and the processing burden on the external device while providing useful information from the vehicle to the external device that corresponds to the needs of the external device.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This disclosure relates to a data collection apparatus and method for collecting various data related to a vehicle. Background Technology

[0002] Conventional data collection devices accept data collection requests from users' terminals (external devices) such as service providers, developers, and drivers, collect data from in-vehicle devices according to the accepted collection requests, and provide the collected data to the users (see, for example, Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2020-038407). This data collection device includes: a receiving unit that accepts collection requests from users, including collection conditions for object data to be collected; a selection unit that selects vehicles that meet the collection conditions accepted by the receiving unit; a selection request sending unit that sends a selection request for a specified data category based on the collection conditions to the in-vehicle device of the vehicle selected by the selection unit; and a sending request sending unit that sends a sending request for the data selected according to the selection request. The in-vehicle device selected by the data collection device selects the data category that meets the collection conditions according to the selection request from the data collection device, or begins recording data of the data category specified by the selection request. Furthermore, the in-vehicle device sends the selected data to the data collection device according to a sending request from a data collection server. Summary of the Invention

[0003] Users of the aforementioned conventional data collection devices can specify collection conditions in their collection requirements, such as information related to the data category, information related to the vehicle being collected, the collection period, the upper limit of the collection volume, and the collection area. However, the data sent from the vehicle-mounted device to the data collection device consists of actual data obtained from sensors, cameras, etc., connected to the vehicle-mounted device, along with corresponding index data (tag information) of the actual data. Therefore, it is difficult to ensure the amount of information while suppressing the increase in data volume, and the communication load between the data collection device and the vehicle-mounted device becomes excessive. In addition, when flexibly utilizing the actual data from the vehicle-mounted device, some processing of the data needs to be performed on the external device side, which increases the processing load on the external device.

[0004] Therefore, the main objective of this disclosure is to provide useful information from the vehicle to the external device that corresponds to the needs of the external device, while reducing the communication load and the processing burden of the external device.

[0005] The data collection device disclosed herein is mounted on a vehicle and collects data related to the state of the vehicle. The data is obtained in aggregate form from an external device, and the data collected from the vehicle is aggregated to generate an aggregate result in an aggregate form specified by the external device. The aggregate result is then sent to the external device.

[0006] The data collection method disclosed herein is a data collection method for collecting data related to the state of a vehicle, wherein the aggregated form of the data is sent from an external device to the vehicle, the data collected from the vehicle is aggregated at the vehicle side to generate an aggregated result in an aggregated form specified by the external device, and the aggregated result is sent from the vehicle to the external device.

[0007] According to the data collection apparatus and method disclosed herein, it is possible to provide useful information from the vehicle to the external device that corresponds to the needs of the external device while reducing communication load and processing burden on the external device. Attached Figure Description

[0008] Figure 1 This is a schematic structural diagram of a vehicle including the data collection device of this disclosure.

[0009] Figure 2 This is an illustrative diagram illustrating a communication frame used by the data collection apparatus of this disclosure.

[0010] Figure 3 This is an illustrative diagram illustrating multiple aggregate conditions used by the data collection apparatus of this disclosure.

[0011] Figure 4 This is a flowchart illustrating an example of a data aggregation routine performed by the data collection apparatus of this disclosure.

[0012] Figure 5 This is an illustrative diagram illustrating a new aggregate condition table obtained from an external device using the data collection device of this disclosure. Detailed Implementation

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

[0014] Figure 1 This is a schematic structural diagram of a vehicle V including the data collection device of this disclosure. Figure 1 The vehicle V shown is, for example, a hybrid vehicle that includes an engine (internal combustion engine), a generator, an inverter, a battery, etc., none of which are shown. Figure 1 As shown, the vehicle V includes multiple electronic control units (hereinafter referred to as "ECUs") 1, 2, 3, 4, ..., an on-board communication device 20, and a total electronic control unit (hereinafter referred to as "total ECU") 30 that functions as a data collection device of this disclosure.

[0015] Multiple ECUs 1, 2, 3, 4, ... include microcomputers (not shown) with CPUs, ROMs, RAMs, input / output interfaces, etc., and storage devices such as non-volatile RAM (NVRAM) at 1M, 2M, 3M, 4M, ... . In this embodiment, ECU 1 controls the vehicle as a whole. ECU 2 controls the engine of vehicle V. Furthermore, ECU 3 controls the inverter, etc., of the motor generator that drives vehicle V. Additionally, ECU 4 manages the battery of vehicle V.

[0016] Vehicle-mounted communication device 20 in conjunction with Figure 1 The management server 100, vehicle dealerships, and vehicle repair shops' terminals 150 (including portable terminals) exchange various information via high-speed data communication (packet communication) based on wireless or wired methods. The aggregate ECU 30 includes a microcomputer (not shown) with a CPU, ROM, RAM, input / output interfaces, etc., and a storage device 30M such as non-volatile RAM (NVRAM). The aggregate ECU 30 aggregates multiple aggregate results based on time-series data obtained from each ECU 1, 2, 3, 4, ...

[0017] These ECUs 1, 2, 3, 4, ..., vehicle communication devices 20, and the total ECU 30 are connected to a common communication line of the vehicle V, which is a CAN bus including two communication lines (wiring harnesses) Lo and Hi. Multiple ECUs 1, 2, 3, 4, ..., vehicle communication devices 20, and the total ECU 30 exchange information (communication frames) via CAN communication through this common communication line. In this embodiment, the CAN communication frame F is as follows: Figure 2 As shown, it includes a data collection frame Ft that stores data from ECUs 1, 2, 3, 4, ..., a diagnostic record frame Fd that mainly stores data for vehicle diagnostics from ECUs 1, 2, 3, 4, ..., and a general frame Ff that stores arbitrary data.

[0018] Additionally, ECU1, 2, 3, 4, ... such as Figure 1As shown, the system includes data processing modules 1P, 2P, 3P, 4P, ... constructed through the collaboration of separately installed programs (software) and hardware such as CPU, ROM, and RAM. Each data processing module 1P, 2P, 3P, 4P, ... acquires (detects or calculates) multiple data points (physical quantities such as vehicle speed, engine speed, and motor speed, setting status, etc.) related to the state of the vehicle V at a predetermined sampling period (e.g., a few milliseconds to tens of milliseconds). Furthermore, at predetermined intervals, each data processing module 1P, 2P, 3P, 4P, ... stores the acquired data into the data collection frame Ft, diagnostic record frame Fd, or general frame Ff of the CAN communication frame F. Additionally, each data processing module 1P, 2P, 3P, 4P, ... acquires the multiple data points related to the state of the vehicle V at a reference recording period longer than the sampling period (e.g., 500 milliseconds), and stores the acquired data as vehicle diagnostic data into the diagnostic record frame Fd of the CAN communication frame F.

[0019] Therefore, a total of 30 ECUs are available. Figure 1 As shown, the system includes a total processing module 30P constructed through the collaboration of installed programs (software) and hardware such as CPU, ROM, and RAM, as well as multiple arithmetic modules 31, 32, ... 3n. The total processing module 30P of the total ECU 30 receives (acquires) data stored by ECUs 1, 2, 3, 4, ... from data collection frames Ft of CAN communication frames F, and stores it as time-series data (historical information) in the storage device 30M. Additionally, the total processing module 30P receives (acquires) data stored by ECUs 1, 2, 3, 4, ... from diagnostic record frames Fd of CAN communication frames F, and stores it as time-series data for vehicle diagnostics in the storage device 30M. Furthermore, the total processing module 30P, in collaboration with the multiple arithmetic modules 31, 32, ..., performs total processing of the time-series data based on the data obtained from ECUs 1, 2, 3, 4, ...

[0020] The calculation modules 31, 32, ... of the aggregate ECU 30 execute their respective calculation programs (general logic) to aggregate time-series data based on data from ECUs 1, 2, 3, 4, ... to generate aggregate results in different aggregate formats. In this embodiment, the aggregate formats of time-series data in the multiple calculation modules 31, 32, ... include maximum value, minimum value, average value, cumulative value, one-dimensional frequency distribution, and two-dimensional frequency distribution. That is, the calculation modules 31, 32, ... extract or calculate the maximum value, minimum value, average value, or cumulative value of specified data (such as engine speed and other physical quantities) under specified conditions and output it as the aggregate result, or generate a one-dimensional frequency distribution or two-dimensional frequency distribution of one or two specified data under specified conditions as the aggregate result.

[0021] In addition, the total storage device 30M of ECU30 will Figure 3 The multiple aggregate conditions (data sets) shown are associated with the aggregate form and stored together. Figure 3 The multiple aggregation conditions shown are pre-determined conditions for obtaining the desired aggregation result, stored in storage device 30M during, for example, the manufacturing stage of vehicle V. As shown in the figure, these aggregation conditions include the data ID, attributes, aggregation axis information, calculation cycle (aggregation cycle), aggregation prerequisites, and accompanying information of the variables (aggregation items) determined in vehicle V.

[0022] Regarding the variables (total items) in the total, selections are made from a large number of physical quantities such as vehicle speed, engine speed, and motor speed, and from a large number of setting states. For the attributes of these variables, selections are made from original values, extreme values, average values, etc. Total axis information includes the upper and lower limits of the vertical axis (X-axis) and the horizontal axis (Y-axis), and the intervals of the scale. The calculation period represents, for example, the period during which values ​​are plotted on the XY coordinates. Preconditions are, for example, conditions that define the speed range, temperature range, etc., in the total, including at least one condition variable, equal / inequality signs indicating the magnitude relationship between condition variables, and relationships between multiple preconditions ("AND", "OR", etc.). Additional information includes, for example, any information associated with the total processing, such as the start / end time of the total, vehicle speed, and distance traveled.

[0023] Furthermore, a total ID, serving as an identifier, is assigned to each total condition. In this embodiment, the total ID is a number assigned to each total condition, and is divided into multiple groups, including empty numbers, according to the numbering order. Moreover, each group of total IDs is assigned (associated) with one total form. For example, a "two-dimensional frequency distribution" is assigned to the group of total IDs from n to n+α. Thus, each total condition is associated with its corresponding total form. Furthermore, the total conditions are not limited to... Figure 3 The conditions given can be arbitrarily determined based on the total form, etc.

[0024] Next, refer to Figure 4 This explains the process of summing up the data from ECU30. Figure 4 This is a flowchart showing a data aggregation routine executed at a predetermined time by the aggregate ECU 30, i.e., the aggregate processing module 30P, and multiple arithmetic modules 31, 32, ...

[0025] After the execution time of the data aggregation routine arrives, the aggregation processing module 30P of the aggregation ECU 30 sets the recurrence variable i to "1" (step S100), reads the first aggregation condition with the smallest aggregation ID from the storage device 30M, and expands it in RAM (step S110). In addition, the aggregation processing module 30P selects one aggregation form from the arithmetic modules 31, 32, ... that corresponds to the aggregation form associated with the aggregation ID (number) of the aggregation condition read in step S110 (step S120), and instructs any one of the selected arithmetic modules 31, 32, ... to perform the aggregation of data.

[0026] The calculation modules 31, 32, ... read the data (variables) specified by the aggregation conditions read in step S110 from the storage device 30M, and generate an aggregation result in aggregation form associated with the aggregation ID according to the aggregation conditions (step S130). After generating the aggregation result by any one of the calculation modules 31, 32, ..., the aggregation processing module 30P stores the generated aggregation result in the storage device 30M (step S140). Then, the aggregation processing module 30P determines whether the aggregation of all aggregation conditions stored in the storage device 30M is completed (step S150).

[0027] If the totaling of all total conditions is not completed (step S150: "No"), the total processing module 30P, after incrementing the iterative variable i (step S160), executes the processing steps S110-S150. Conversely, if the totaling of all total conditions is completed (step S150: "Yes"), the total processing module 30P increments the iterative variable i. Figure 4 The data aggregation routine has ended. Additionally, it can be changed... Figure 4 The routine executes each of steps S110, S120, S130, and S140 sequentially for all total IDs.

[0028] Regarding execution Figure 4 The aggregated results of the time-series data generated by the data aggregation routine are similar to the time-series data used for vehicle diagnostics. For example, based on a transmission request from the management server 100, or at a predetermined cycle, the aggregated ECU 30 sends the aggregated data to the vehicle communication device 20, and the vehicle communication device 20 sends it to the management server 100. Therefore, compared to sending the time-series data used to obtain multiple aggregated results from the vehicle V (aggregated ECU 30) to the management server 100, the data volume of the information sent from the vehicle V (vehicle communication device 20) to the management server 100 can be significantly reduced. Furthermore, the management server 100 can flexibly utilize the aggregated results essentially unchanged without needing to aggregate the data from the vehicle V (aggregated ECU 30).

[0029] On the other hand, the management server 100 is a server set up / managed by a vehicle manufacturer, such as the manufacturer of vehicle V. It includes a computer with a CPU, ROM, RAM, input / output devices, a communication module for communicating with the vehicle communication device 20 of vehicle V, and a storage device 100M for storing various information. The management server 100 stores time-series data for vehicle diagnostics sent from a large number of vehicles, including vehicle V, along with the aggregated results of the time-series data, and vehicle information such as the chassis number and license plate number of vehicle V, in the storage device 100M. Furthermore, developers from the aforementioned vehicle manufacturer, personnel at vehicle dealerships, or repair shops can access the management server 100 via their own terminals to view or download the time-series data and aggregated results for vehicle diagnostics managed by the management server 100. Therefore, the information managed by the management server 100 can be used for the development of new vehicles, market research, and analysis of the causes of anomalies occurring in vehicles.

[0030] Here, it is required to ensure as much measured data as possible in the development of new vehicles, market research, and analysis of the causes of anomalies occurring in vehicles. However, if the aggregation conditions stored in the storage device 30M of the aggregation ECU 30 are only those prepared during the manufacturing stage of vehicle V, there is a possibility that the aggregation results desired by developers may not be obtained from the vehicle V side. Therefore, the management server 100 is configured to receive requests from developers for new aggregation results and notify the vehicle V side of the new aggregation conditions and aggregation format corresponding to the requests from developers. Furthermore, the vehicle V is configured so that the aggregation ECU 30 can aggregate time-series data according to the new aggregation conditions and aggregation format notified from the management server 100.

[0031] In this embodiment, the storage device 100M of the management server 100 stores information related to data processing and in-vehicle data communication performed by multiple ECUs for each vehicle type. When the management server 100 receives a request from developers or others to obtain new aggregate results for vehicle V, it refers to the information stored in the storage device 100M and creates a process such as... Figure 5 The newly generated total condition table is sent to the vehicle communication device 20 of vehicle V. The new total condition table is a table that associates the total conditions used to obtain the new total result requested by the developers with the total form of the new total result.

[0032] like Figure 5As shown, the new total condition table created by the management server 100 also includes variables (total items) in the total, the attributes of the variables (total items), total axis information, calculation period (total period), preconditions for the total, and accompanying information. Additionally, the management server 100 specifies variables (...) as total items in the new total condition table. Figure 5 Variables 1 and 2), and preconditions ( Figure 5 The data ID of the condition variables 1 and 2 in the data collection frame Ft, diagnostic record frame Fd or general frame Ff, which should store the data corresponding to the data ID, the address (start address) where the data in the data collection frame Ft, diagnostic record frame Fd or general frame Ff should be stored, and the data length.

[0033] However, in the new total condition table, the address of the storage device 1M, 2M, 3M, 4M, ... that stores the data corresponding to the data ID can also be recorded in the designated column for variables that become total items or prerequisites. Furthermore, the new total condition table is not limited to... Figure 5 The example shown can be arbitrarily determined within the range that can be handled on the vehicle V side.

[0034] Furthermore, when the vehicle communication device 20 of vehicle V receives a new aggregate condition table from the management server 100, it sends the received new aggregate condition table to the aggregate ECU 30. Then, as needed, the vehicle communication device 20 executes a process to store data corresponding to the variables and condition variables specified in the new aggregate condition table into a general frame Ff of CAN communication. Thus, data that was not previously provided (sent) to the aggregate ECU 30 can be stored into the CAN communication frame F via ECUs 1, 2, 3, 4, ...

[0035] Furthermore, the aggregation processing module 30P of the aggregation ECU 30 assigns an aggregation ID (e.g., the smallest free number in the range of numbers for the specified aggregation form) to the new aggregation conditions specified in the new aggregation condition table received from the vehicle communication device 20, and associates the new aggregation conditions and aggregation forms, storing them in the storage device 30M. Then, the aggregation processing module 30P obtains (receives) data stored by ECUs 1, 2, 3, 4, ... from the data collection frame Ft, diagnostic record frame Fd, and general frame Ff of the CAN communication frame F, and stores it as time-series data (historical information) in the storage device 30M. Thus, after receiving the new aggregation condition table from the management server 100 via the vehicle communication device 20, the aggregation ECU 30 executes... Figure 4After the data aggregation routine is completed, in addition to generating aggregation results corresponding to the existing aggregation conditions, the aggregation ECU30 also generates aggregation results corresponding to the new aggregation conditions specified by the new aggregation condition table, that is, aggregation results in the aggregation form specified by the management server 100.

[0036] As described above, when the aggregation ECU 30, which is a data collection device, sends a new aggregation condition table from the management server 100 (which is an external device) to the vehicle communication device 20, it aggregates the time-series data collected from the vehicle V to generate an aggregation result in an aggregation format specified by the management server 100, and then sends the aggregation result to the management server 100 via the vehicle communication device 20. Therefore, compared to the case where data used to obtain the aggregation result corresponding to the new aggregation condition table is sent from the vehicle V to the management server 100, the data volume of information sent from the vehicle V (vehicle communication device 20) to the management server 100 can be significantly reduced. Furthermore, the management server 100 does not need to aggregate the data from the vehicle V (aggregation ECU 30), and can flexibly utilize the aggregation result corresponding to the new aggregation condition table essentially unchanged. As a result, by equipping the aggregation ECU 30 on the vehicle V, useful information corresponding to the needs of the management server 100 (developers, etc.) can be provided from the vehicle V to the management server 100 while reducing communication load and processing burden on the management server 100.

[0037] Furthermore, in the above embodiment, the aggregation ECU 30 includes multiple calculation modules 31, 32, ..., 3n that aggregate time-series data to generate aggregation results in different aggregation formats. Thus, useful aggregation results corresponding to various needs of the management server 100 (developers, etc.) can be provided from the vehicle V to the management server 100.

[0038] Furthermore, the aggregation processing module 30P of the aggregation ECU 30 obtains from the management server 100 a new aggregation condition table (refer to) that includes at least the variables that become aggregation items, the attributes of the aggregation items (variables), aggregation axis information, calculation cycle (aggregation cycle), and aggregation prerequisites, and is associated with the aggregation format required by the developers, etc. Figure 5 Furthermore, the total processing module 30P stores the new total conditions and total format defined by the new total condition table in the storage device 30M. Then, the total processing module 30P causes any one of the operation modules 31, 32, ... corresponding to the total format from the management server 100 to perform totaling on the time series data according to the new total conditions associated with that total format. Figure 4Thus, any one of the corresponding calculation modules 31, 32, ... can perform appropriate aggregation processing to obtain a useful aggregation result corresponding to the needs of the management server 100 (developers, etc.).

[0039] Furthermore, in the above embodiment, the aggregation ECU 30 collects data from multiple ECUs 1, 2, 3, 4, ... of the vehicle V, which respectively obtain assigned data, via CAN communication. Additionally, the CAN communication frame F includes a data collection frame Ft storing data received through the aggregation ECU 30, a diagnostic record frame Fd storing data for vehicle diagnostics, and a general frame Ff storing arbitrary data. Furthermore, the new aggregation conditions specified by the new aggregation condition table include the data ID of the data to be stored in the CAN communication frame F, the ID of the data collection frame Ft, diagnostic record frame Fd, or general frame Ff to which the data should be stored, and the address at which the data should be stored in the data collection frame Ft, diagnostic record frame Fd, or general frame Ff. Moreover, the multiple ECUs 1, 2, 3, 4, ... store the data they respectively obtain in the CAN communication frame F according to the new aggregation conditions from the management server 100. Therefore, the data collected by the aggregation ECU 30 and the aggregation results can be flexibly changed according to the constantly changing needs of the management server 100 (developers, etc.).

[0040] also, Figure 3 The multiple aggregated conditions illustrated do not necessarily need to be stored in storage device 30M during the manufacturing stage of vehicle V. For example, they can be stored sequentially from the conditions specified by the external device in storage device 30M after vehicle V is delivered to the user. Furthermore, the external device is not limited to the aforementioned management server 100, vehicle dealership, or vehicle repair shop terminal 150; it can also be a dedicated terminal (not shown) connected to the vehicle communication device 20 via wired or wireless communication for fault diagnosis of vehicle V. Furthermore, the aggregated ECU 30 can be configured as a data logger mounted on vehicle V and continuously recording multiple data at a predetermined period. Additionally, the functions of the aggregated ECU 30 can be embedded in any one of ECUs 1, 2, 3, 4, ... . Furthermore, vehicle V is not limited to hybrid vehicles; it can also be a vehicle that uses only an engine as a power source, or an electric vehicle (including fuel cell vehicles).

[0041] As described above, this disclosure provides a data collection device (30) mounted on a vehicle (V) to collect data related to the state of the vehicle (V), wherein the data is obtained in aggregate form from external devices (100, 150), and the data collected from the vehicle (V) is aggregated to generate an aggregate result in an aggregate form specified by the external devices (100, 150), and the aggregate result is sent to the external devices (100, 150).

[0042] The data collection apparatus of this disclosure aggregates data collected from the vehicle to generate a totalized result in a format specified by an external device, and then sends the generated totalized result to the external device. Therefore, compared to sending the data used to obtain the totalized result from the vehicle to the external device, the data volume of information sent from the vehicle to the external device can be significantly reduced. Furthermore, the external device does not need to aggregate the data from the vehicle (data collection apparatus), and can flexibly utilize the totalized result essentially unchanged. As a result, the data collection apparatus of this disclosure can provide useful information corresponding to the needs of the external device from the vehicle while reducing communication load and processing burden on the external device.

[0043] In addition, the data collection device (30) may also include multiple calculation modules (31, 32, ..., 3n) that respectively sum the data to generate summation results in different summation forms.

[0044] Therefore, useful aggregate results corresponding to various needs of the external device can be provided from the vehicle to the external device.

[0045] Furthermore, the data collection device (30) may also obtain, in addition to the total form, total conditions from the external devices (100, 150), including at least total items, attributes of the total items, total axis information, total period, and preconditions for totaling, and store the obtained total form and total conditions in the storage device (30M), so that the calculation module (31, 32, ..., 3n) corresponding to the total form from the external devices (100, 150) performs totaling on the data according to the total conditions associated with the total form.

[0046] Therefore, the corresponding calculation modules can perform appropriate total processing to obtain useful total results corresponding to the needs of the external devices.

[0047] Additionally, the data collection device (30) can also collect the data from multiple devices (1, 2, 3, 4, ...) of the vehicle (V) that have respectively obtained the allocated data via CAN communication. The CAN communication frame (F) may also include a data collection frame (Ft) storing the data received by the data collection device (30), a diagnostic record frame (Fd) storing the data used for vehicle diagnosis, and a general frame (Ff) storing any data. The aggregate condition may also include the ID of the data to be stored in the CAN communication frame (F), the ID of the data collection frame (Ft), the diagnostic record frame (Fd), or the general frame (Ff) to which the data should be stored, and the address at which the data in the data collection frame (Ft), the diagnostic record frame (Fd), or the general frame (Ff) should be stored. The multiple devices (1, 2, 3, 4, ...) may also store the data they have respectively obtained in the CAN communication frame (F) according to the aggregate condition from the external device (100, 150).

[0048] Therefore, the data and aggregated results collected by the data collection device can be flexibly changed according to the ever-changing needs of the external devices on the vehicle side.

[0049] Alternatively, the external device may be at least one of a management server (100) that obtains and manages information from the data collection device (30) via a communication device (20) mounted on the vehicle (V), and a terminal (150) that is connected to the data collection device (30) via the communication device (20) for fault diagnosis of the vehicle (V).

[0050] This disclosure provides a data collection method for collecting data related to the state of a vehicle (V), wherein the aggregated data is sent from an external device (100, 150) to the vehicle (V), the data collected from the vehicle (V) is aggregated at the vehicle (V) side to generate an aggregated result in an aggregated form specified by the external device (100, 150), and the aggregated result is sent from the vehicle (V) to the external device (100, 150).

[0051] According to the above method, it is possible to reduce communication load and processing burden on external devices while providing useful information from the vehicle to the external devices that corresponds to the needs of those external devices.

[0052] However, the invention disclosed herein is not limited to any of the above-described embodiments, and various modifications can certainly be made within the scope of this disclosure. Furthermore, the above-described embodiments are merely one specific way of the invention described in the invention summary, and are not limited to the elements of the invention described in the invention summary.

[0053] Industrial availability

[0054] The invention disclosed herein can be used in industries such as vehicle manufacturing.

Claims

1. A data collection device mounted on a vehicle, for collecting data related to the state of the vehicle, wherein, The data collection device includes multiple processing modules, which sum the data to generate summation results with different summation formats. The data collection device obtains the total form of the data from the external device, including at least the total items, the attributes of the total items, the total axis information, the total period, and the total conditions as prerequisites for the total. It then associates the obtained total form and the total conditions with the storage device, and the calculation module corresponding to the total form from the external device performs the totaling of the data according to the total conditions associated with the total form. Finally, it sends the totaling result generated by the calculation module and specified by the external device to the external device.

2. The data collection device according to claim 1, wherein, The data collection device collects the data from multiple devices in the vehicle that have acquired the assigned data, via CAN communication. The CAN communication frames include data collection frames that store the data received through the data collection device, diagnostic record frames that store the data used for vehicle diagnostics, and general frames that store arbitrary data. The aggregate conditions include the ID of the data to be stored in the frame of the CAN communication, the ID of the data collection frame, the diagnostic record frame, or the general frame to which the data should be stored, and the address at which the data in the data collection frame, the diagnostic record frame, or the general frame should be stored. The multiple devices will each acquire the data and store it in the frame of the CAN communication according to the aggregate conditions from the external device.

3. The data collection apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, wherein, The external device is at least one of a management server that obtains and manages information from the data collection device via a communication device mounted on the vehicle, and a terminal connected to the data collection device via the communication device for vehicle fault diagnosis.

4. A data collection method for collecting data related to the state of a vehicle, wherein, The data aggregation format, including at least the aggregation items, the attributes of the aggregation items, aggregation axis information, aggregation period, and aggregation prerequisites, is sent from the external device to the vehicle. The aggregate form and aggregate conditions from the external device are associated and stored in the vehicle's storage device. The vehicle's calculation module, corresponding to the totaling form from the external device, totals the data according to the totaling conditions associated with the totaling form. The total result, generated by the computing module and specified by the external device, is sent from the vehicle to the external device.

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