Storage device for storing automatic driving analysis data and method of operating same

Abstract

A storage device for storing automatic driving analysis data and a method of operating the same are provided. The storage device includes: a memory device including a first memory area configured to store automatic driving analysis data; and a controller configured to control a memory operation of the memory device, in which the controller includes a management circuit configured to monitor a plurality of pieces of target information related to automatic driving, predict a shortage of the first memory area, and perform an operation for increasing a free space of the first memory area based on a result of the prediction.

Description

[0001] This application is based on and claims priority to Korean Patent Application No. 10-2024-0012666, filed with the Korean Intellectual Property Office on January 26, 2024, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. Technical Field

[0002] The inventive concept relates to a storage device, and more particularly, to a storage device that provides a memory space for storing autonomous driving analysis data and an operation method of the storage device. Background Art

[0003] Autonomous driving technology is being developed to control and automatically drive a vehicle to a given destination by recognizing the surrounding environment and determining the driving situation without driver intervention.

[0004] To clearly determine the liability in disputes related to accidents involving autonomous vehicles, the data items that an autonomous vehicle should record during autonomous driving and the method of recording the data items are being discussed. According to the discussion, it is necessary to store autonomous driving analysis data corresponding to certain events that have occurred for a period of several weeks to several months, and the amount of autonomous driving analysis data is very large. Although the storage device installed in the autonomous vehicle provides a memory space for storing a huge amount of autonomous driving analysis data, there may be a situation where the memory space for storing autonomous driving analysis data is insufficient when the autonomous vehicle is running due to the storage capacity limitation of the storage device. Summary of the Invention

[0005] Some example embodiments of the inventive concept provide a storage device and an operation method of the storage device for storing all autonomous driving analysis data by adaptively managing a memory area to reduce, minimize, or prevent a shortage of the memory area for storing autonomous driving analysis data.

[0006] According to some example embodiments of the inventive concept, there is provided a storage device including: a memory device including a first memory area configured to store autonomous driving analysis data; and a controller configured to control a memory operation of the memory device, wherein the controller includes: a management circuit configured to: monitor a plurality of target information related to autonomous driving, predict a shortage of the first memory area, and perform an operation for increasing an idle space of the first memory area based on a result of the prediction.

[0007] According to some example embodiments of the inventive concept, there is provided an operation method of a storage device communicating with a host device including a plurality of zone control units (ZCUs). The operation method includes: storing first autonomous driving analysis data received from the host device in a first memory area; monitoring a plurality of target information related to autonomous driving and predicting a shortage of the first memory area; and performing an operation for increasing free space of the first memory area.

[0008] According to some example embodiments of the inventive concept, there is provided a storage device including: a memory device including a first memory area and a second memory area, the first memory area being operative to store autonomous driving analysis data received from a host, and the second memory area being operative to store general data; and a controller configured to manage first autonomous driving analysis data stored in the first memory area based on a policy initially set by the host, wherein the controller is further configured to perform: an operation of monitoring second autonomous driving analysis data received from the host and predicting a shortage of the first memory area, and selectively performing one of the following: an operation of requesting the host to change the policy based on a prediction result, and an operation of setting a part of the second memory area to operate as a memory area for storing third autonomous driving analysis data to be received from the host. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0009] Example embodiments will be more clearly understood from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

[0010] Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of an autonomous driving system according to some example embodiments.

[0011] Figure 2 is a schematic diagram of an autonomous vehicle according to some example embodiments.

[0012] Figure 3 is a block diagram of a storage device according to some example embodiments.

[0013] Figure 4 is a flowchart of an operation method of a storage device according to some example embodiments.

[0014] Figure 5 is a flowchart of an operation method of a management circuit according to some example embodiments.

[0015] Figure 6 is a flowchart of an operation method of a storage device and a central zone control unit (ZCU) according to some example embodiments.

[0016] Figure 7 is a detailed flowchart of an operation method of a storage device and a central ZCU according to some example embodiments.

[0017] Figure 8A is a diagram showing a policy register according to some example embodiments, and Figure 8B is a flowchart of a method for managing autonomous driving analysis data based on a Figure 8A policy register according to some example embodiments.

[0018] Figure 9A is a flowchart of an operation method of a storage device according to some example embodiments, and Figure 9B is a detailed flowchart according to some example embodiments.

[0019] Figure 10 is a flowchart of an operation method of a storage device according to some example embodiments.

[0020] Figure 11 is a flowchart of an operation method of a storage device according to some example embodiments.

[0021] Figure 12 is a flowchart of an operation method of a storage device according to some example embodiments.

[0022] Figure 13 is a block diagram of a memory card system according to some example embodiments.

[0023] Figure 14 is a block diagram of a solid state drive (SSD) system according to some example embodiments. Detailed Description

[0024] Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of an autonomous driving system 1 according to some example embodiments.

[0025] Referring to Figure 1 , the autonomous driving system 1 may include an autonomous driving server 2, a network 3, and an autonomous vehicle 10. The autonomous driving server 2 may communicate with the autonomous vehicle 10 and control or support the operation of the autonomous vehicle 10, so that an autonomous driving service can be smoothly provided to a driver through the autonomous vehicle 10. For example, the autonomous driving server 2 may distribute firmware (or software) or data for updating the firmware to the autonomous vehicle 10 through the network 3. For example, the autonomous driving server 2 may provide real-time data necessary for autonomous driving or monitor the condition of the autonomous vehicle 10 through the network 3.

[0026] The network 3 can be implemented using vehicle communication technology, wireless Internet technology, short-range communication technology, or mobile communication technology. For example, the wireless Internet technology can use at least one selected from the group consisting of: Wireless Local Area Network (WLAN), Wireless Broadband (Wibro), and Worldwide Interoperability for Microwave Access (Wimax). For example, the short-range communication technology can use at least one selected from the group consisting of: Bluetooth, Near Field Communication (NFC), Radio Frequency Identification (RFID), Infrared Data Association, Ultra Wideband (UWB), and ZigBee. For example, the mobile communication technology can use at least one selected from the group consisting of: New Radio (NR), Long Term Evolution (LTE), LTE-Advanced, Code Division Multiple Access (CDMA), and Global System for Mobile Communications (GSM).

[0027] In some example embodiments, the autonomous vehicle 10 may include a regional control system 100 configured to support autonomous driving. The regional control system 100 may include a host (e.g., a host device) 110 including a plurality of Zone Control Units (ZCUs) 111 and a storage device 120 providing a memory space for the host device 110. The storage device 120 may be shared by the ZCUs 111 and may store data generated by the ZCUs 111. Here, each of the ZCUs 111 may include an Electronic Control Unit (ECU) that controls sensors and actuators in a specific region and may be located in respective regions of the autonomous vehicle 10. Some example embodiments of the ZCUs 111 are described below. The inventive concept can be applied not only to the regional control system 100 including the ZCUs 111, but also to an autonomous driving control system including a plurality of ECUs. At this time, the storage device 120 may be shared by the ECUs. In addition, the inventive concept can also be applied to an autonomous driving control system including a plurality of Domain Controller Units (DCUs) that integrate and process and control signals of a single domain (or sensor). At this time, the storage device 120 may be shared by the DCUs. Although, for convenience and consistency of description, the following description is mainly about some example embodiments of the storage device 120 shared by the ZCUs 111, as described above, the inventive concept is not limited thereto.

[0028] In some example embodiments, the storage device 120 may include a management circuit 121 that manages a first memory area, which is operated (e.g., configured) to store autonomous driving analysis data received from one of the ZCUs 111 of the host device 110. For example, the management circuit 121 may be configured to manage the first memory area to store autonomous driving analysis data received from one of the ZCUs 111 of the host device 110. The first memory area may include a first memory cell array of the storage device 120, a first group of memory cells among the memory cell arrays of the storage device 120, a first memory of the storage device 120 (e.g., a first solid state drive (SSD) memory, a first non-volatile memory, etc.). Here, the management circuit 121 may be implemented by hardware or software, the hardware being designed to specifically perform management operations according to the inventive concept, and the software being designed to be executed by a processor (such as a controller of the storage device 120). In addition, the management circuit 121 may be implemented by a combination of hardware and software. Here, the operations of the management circuit 121 may be used interchangeably with the operations of the controller of the storage device 120.

[0029] Hereinafter, some example embodiments in which the storage device 120 receives autonomous driving analysis data from the central ZCU among the ZCUs 111 are mainly presented, but these are merely examples, and the inventive concept is not limited thereto. The storage device 120 may receive autonomous driving analysis data from at least one ZCU among the ZCUs 111 configured to generate autonomous driving analysis data. Here, each of the ZCUs 111 may be referred to as a host. For ease of description, it may be described that the storage device 120 receives autonomous driving analysis data from the host device 110.

[0030] Here, the autonomous driving analysis data can be generated in response to multiple events occurring during the autonomous driving of the autonomous vehicle 10, and can include at least one selected from the group consisting of: data on accident records of the autonomous vehicle 10 (e.g., data associated with the accident records of the autonomous vehicle 10), data for evaluating the safety performance of the autonomous vehicle 10 (e.g., data associated with evaluating the safety performance of the autonomous vehicle 10), and data for safety monitoring of the autonomous vehicle 10 (e.g., data associated with the safety monitoring of the autonomous vehicle 10). For example, the multiple events related (e.g., associated) with the autonomous driving analysis data can be defined by an expert group related to autonomous driving analysis (e.g., the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe). As a specific example, the events can include distance warnings (applied to front and rear detection, vehicle-to-vehicle distance maintenance, and adaptive cruise control (ACC)), automatic cruise control (autonomous driving while maintaining the speed set by the driver and the vehicle-to-vehicle distance), collision prevention (actions necessary for safety before a collision (such as automatic braking)), parking assistance (using ultrasonic sensors, detecting the vehicle-to-vehicle distance, and providing a warning sound), blind spot monitoring (detection and prevention of blind spots for accidents that may occur when changing lanes), lane departure warning (detecting the lane and the driving direction and generating a warning sound in the case of lane departure), drowsiness prevention (checking the driver's attention and alertness and warning in the case of inattentiveness), adaptive lighting (providing optimal headlight conditions according to the road and the driving direction), night vision (providing enhanced visibility for the driver during night driving), and / or pedestrian monitoring / avoidance (providing an early warning and avoiding pedestrian collisions during low-speed driving).

[0031] Here, the storage device 120 can correspond to an event data recorder (EDR) of the autonomous vehicle 10 or a data storage system for autonomous driving (DSSAD).

[0032] In some example embodiments, the management circuit 121 may manage a second memory region, which is operated to store general data received from the ZCU 111 of the host device 110. For example, the management circuit 121 may be configured to manage the second memory region to store general data received from the ZCU 111 of the host device 110. Here, the general data may include data for autonomous driving generated by the ZCU 111 and data or firmware for firmware update distributed by the autonomous driving server 2. In other words, the general data may be defined as data related to autonomous driving other than the autonomous driving analysis data. The second memory region may include the second memory cell array of the storage device 120, the second group of memory cells in the memory cell array of the storage device 120 that also includes the first group of memory cells, the second memory of the storage device 120 (e.g., the second solid state drive (SSD) memory, the second non-volatile memory, etc.). For example, the first memory region and the second memory region may be separate groups of memory cells in the same memory cell array in the storage device 120 (e.g., in the same non-volatile memory of the storage device 120, in the same solid state drive (SSD) storage device included in and / or implementing the storage device 120, etc.). For example, the first memory region and the second memory region may be separate memory cell arrays and / or separate memory storage devices of the storage device 120 (e.g., separate non-volatile memories, separate solid state drive (SSD) storage devices, etc.).

[0033] In some example embodiments, the policy for managing the autonomous driving analysis data stored in the first memory region (e.g., executed by the management circuit 121) may be different from the policy for managing the general data stored in the second memory region (e.g., executed by the management circuit 121). For example, the policy for managing the autonomous driving analysis data may ensure that the autonomous driving analysis data is stored in the first memory region as undamaged as possible within a certain period of time.

[0034] In some example embodiments, the management circuit 121 may monitor multiple pieces of target information related to autonomous driving, predict a shortage of the first memory area, and perform an operation (e.g., an operation for enlargement) for increasing the free space of the first memory area based on the prediction result. In some example embodiments, the management circuit 121 may monitor the received autonomous driving analysis data and predict a shortage of the first memory area. In some example embodiments, during the autonomous driving of the autonomous vehicle 10, the multiple pieces of target information monitored by the management circuit 121 may include information that is referenced for predicting whether a huge amount of autonomous driving analysis data will be frequently generated in the future. For example, the target information may include driver setting information regarding an option set by the driver of the autonomous vehicle 10 to receive a desired autonomous driving service, driver characteristic information regarding the driver's unique habits related to autonomous driving, the driver's specific autonomous driving history, etc., remaining space information of the first memory area (e.g., information indicating the free space of the first memory area), and / or autonomous driving analysis data reception information regarding the reception trend of the autonomous driving analysis data detected by the storage device 120.

[0035] In some example embodiments, in order to increase the free space of the first memory area, the management circuit 121 may trigger a change in the policy for managing the autonomous driving analysis data stored in the first memory area, or set a part of the second memory area as a memory area for storing the autonomous driving analysis data. For example, the management circuit 121 may actively provide a request to the host device 110 to change the policy for managing the autonomous driving analysis data stored in the first memory area, and the policy may be changed by the host device 110. For example, the management circuit 121 may be adaptively set to allow a part of the second memory area to be used as the first memory area.

[0036] According to some example embodiments, the storage device 120 may be controlled by the management circuit 121 to monitor multiple pieces of target information, predict a shortage of the first memory area for storing the autonomous driving analysis data, and adaptively perform an operation for increasing the free space of the first memory area, so as to store a huge amount of autonomous driving analysis data by efficiently using the limited memory space.

[0037] Figure 2 is a schematic diagram of an autonomous vehicle 20 according to some example embodiments. Figure 2 Only the components necessary for explaining the inventive concept are shown. In some example embodiments, the autonomous vehicle 20 may include more components than those shown.

[0038] Refer to Figure 2, the autonomous vehicle 20 may include a first ZCU to a third ZCU 211, 212, and 213, a storage device 220, a central computing system 230, a first sensor to a third sensor 241A, 242A, and 243A, and a first actuator to a third actuator 241B, 242B, and 243B. Herein, the central computing system 230 may be referred to as the central ZCU 230. Depending on whether the components included in the autonomous vehicle 20 are ECUs or DCUs, the central computing system 230 may be referred to as the central ECU or the central DCU.

[0039] In some example embodiments, the first ZCU 211 may be located at a first position in the autonomous vehicle 20 and may control the first sensor 241A and the first actuator 241B proximate to the first ZCU 211. The first ZCU 211 may be connected to the first sensor 241A and the first actuator 241B via a wired or wireless link. The second ZCU 212 may be located at a second position in the autonomous vehicle 20 and may control the second sensor 242A and the second actuator 242B proximate to the second ZCU 212. The second ZCU 212 may be connected to the second sensor 242A and the second actuator 242B via a wired or wireless link. The third ZCU 213 may be located at a third position in the autonomous vehicle 20 and may control the third sensor 243A and the third actuator 243B proximate to the third ZCU 213. The third ZCU 213 may be connected to the third sensor 243A and the third actuator 243B via a wired or wireless link. The first ZCU to the third ZCU 211, 212, and 213 may support all functions in a local sub-region of the autonomous vehicle 20. For example, each of the first ZCU to the third ZCU 211, 212, and 213 may perform control, data processing, and data management on one of the first sensor to the third sensor 241A, 242A, and 243A proximate to a specific position in the autonomous vehicle 20 and one of the first actuator to the third actuator 241B, 242B, and 243B.

[0040] For example, the central computing system 230 may be connected to the first to third ZCUs 211, 212, and 213 via a gateway through a wireless or wired link and receive data generated by the first to third ZCUs 211, 212, and 213. The central computing system 230 may determine whether multiple events have occurred based on the received data and generate autonomous driving analysis data based on the determined result. The central computing system 230 may generate data related to the above-described driver setting information and driver characteristic information. The central computing system 230 may perform overall control and management operations on the first to third ZCUs 211, 212, and 213. In some example embodiments, the central computing system 230 may be configured to support functions such as an advanced driver assistance system (ADAS) function or an in-vehicle infotainment (IVI) function.

[0041] In some example embodiments, the storage device 220 may be connected to the first to third ZCUs 211, 212, and 213 and the central computing system 230 via a wireless or wired link and store and manage multiple pieces of data generated by the first to third ZCUs 211, 212, and 213 and the central computing system 230. As described above, the storage device 220 may be shared by the first to third ZCUs 211, 212, and 213 and the central computing system 230 and implemented using an electrical and electronic (E&E) architecture. As a storage medium shared by the first to third ZCUs 211, 212, and 213 and the central computing system 230, the storage device 220 to which the inventive concept is applied may efficiently provide memory space.

[0042] In some example embodiments, the storage device 220 may receive autonomous driving analysis data from the central computing system 230, monitor the autonomous driving analysis data, and predict a shortage of a first memory area storing the autonomous driving analysis data. Specifically, the storage device 220 may monitor multiple pieces of target information, which include at least one (e.g., some or all) of the data related to driver setting information and / or data related to driver characteristic information received from the central computing system 230, and predict whether the first memory area storing the autonomous driving analysis data is insufficient. In addition, the storage device 220 may predict the amount of the insufficient capacity when a shortage of the first memory area is predicted. In some example embodiments, when (e.g., in response to determining) a shortage of the first memory area is predicted, the storage device 220 may adaptively perform an operation for increasing the free space of the first memory area.

[0043] In some example embodiments, the autonomous vehicle 20 may support vehicle communication network technologies. The first to third ZCUs 211, 212, and 213, the storage device 220, the central computing system 230 (i.e., the central ZCU 230), the first to third sensors 241A, 242A, and 243A, and the first to third actuators 241B, 242B, and 243B may communicate based on vehicle communication network technologies. For example, the vehicle communication network technologies may include at least one selected from the group consisting of Controller Area Network (CAN), Local Interconnect Network (LIN), Automotive Ethernet, FlexRay, and Media Oriented Systems Transport (MOST).

[0044] In some example embodiments, the first to third sensors 241A, 242A, and 243A may include at least one selected from the group consisting of an object detector, an interior camera, and a sensing unit. The object detector may detect external objects and include a camera, a Radio Detection and Ranging (RADAR) sensor, a Light Detection and Ranging (LIDAR) sensor, etc. The interior camera may detect a driver or a passenger. The sensing unit may include at least one selected from the group consisting of an Inertial Navigation Unit (INU) sensor, a collision sensor, a wheel sensor, a speed sensor, an inclination sensor, a weight sensor, a heading sensor, a position module, a vehicle forward / backward sensor, a battery sensor, a fuel sensor, a tire sensor, a steering sensor based on the rotation of the steering wheel, a temperature sensor inside the vehicle, a humidity sensor inside the vehicle, an ultrasonic sensor, an illuminance sensor, an accelerator pedal position sensor, and a brake pedal position sensor.

[0045] In some example embodiments, the first to third actuators 241B, 242B, and 243B may include at least one selected from the group consisting of a brake (e.g., an Anti-lock Braking System (ABS)), a body control device (e.g., an Electronic Stability Control (ESC) system), a steering device (e.g., a Motor Driven Power Steering (DPS) system), an airbag system, and a seatbelt system.

[0046] However, Figure 2 the autonomous vehicle 20 is only an example, and the inventive concept is not limited thereto. The autonomous vehicle 20 may include more ZCUs, sensors, or actuators, and the arrangement of the ZCUs, sensors, or actuators may vary.

[0047] [[ID=!4]] Figure 3 is a block diagram of the storage device 220 according to some example embodiments.

[0048] Referring to Figure 3 , the storage device 220 may include a controller 221, a memory device 223, and a buffer memory 224.

[0049] In some example embodiments, the memory device 223 may include a first memory region 223A and a second memory region 223B. The first memory region 223A may be operable to store autonomous driving analysis data and may include a plurality of first non-volatile memories. The second memory region 223B may be operable to store general data and may include a plurality of second non-volatile memories. For example, the first non-volatile memory and the second non-volatile memory may include NAND flash memory, vertical NAND (VNAND) flash memory, NOR flash memory, resistive random access memory (RRAM), phase change memory (PRAM), magnetoresistive random access memory (MRAM), ferroelectric random access memory (FRAM), or spin transfer torque RAM (STT-RAM). In some example embodiments, the first non-volatile memory and the second non-volatile memory may be implemented with a three-dimensional array structure. In some example embodiments, the first memory region 223A and the second memory region 223B may be separate memory cells of the same memory cell array of the same non-volatile memory. In some example embodiments, the first memory region 223A and the second memory region 223B may be separate groups of one or more non-volatile memories.

[0050] In some example embodiments, the controller 221 may include a management circuit 222. The management circuit 222 may store the autonomous driving analysis data in the first memory region 223A and manage the stored autonomous driving analysis data based on a first policy set in a policy register PR in the buffer memory 224 (e.g., stored at one or more memory cells in the non-volatile memory of the buffer memory 224). In some example embodiments, the policy register PR may be included in the memory device 223 or the controller 221 (e.g., stored in one or more memory cells in the memory device 223 or the controller 221). When the storage device 220 is powered off (e.g., based on the storage device 220 being powered off), the values of the parameters of the policy register PR may be backed up to the memory device 223.

[0051] In some example embodiments, the management circuit 222 may periodically or aperiodically monitor multiple target information (which may be stored in one or more memory cells in the first memory region 223A of the memory device 223) and predict whether the first memory region 223A is insufficient. For example, the management circuit may determine, based on such monitoring, that the size of the free space in the first memory region 223A is less than a threshold value corresponding to accommodating future autonomous driving analysis data to be received at the storage device 220 and stored in the memory device 223 within a certain future time period, such that the free space is predicted to be not large enough to accommodate the future autonomous driving analysis data predicted to be received at the storage device 220 and stored in the first memory region 223A within a certain future time period. The threshold value used to implement the prediction may be stored in one or more of the controller 221, the memory device 223, and the buffer memory 224, and may be accessed by the management circuit 222 therefrom to implement the prediction determination. In another example, the management circuit may determine, based on such monitoring, that the size of the free space in the first memory region 223A is less than the predicted size of the future autonomous driving analysis data predicted to be received at the storage device 220 and stored in the memory device 223 within a certain future time period, such that the free space is predicted to be not large enough to accommodate the future autonomous driving analysis data predicted to be received at the storage device 220 and stored in the first memory region 223A within a certain future time period. As described herein, the "future time period" may be a specific time period (e.g., 1 day, 7 days, 10 days, 30 days, 60 days, 90 days, etc.). In a specific example, whenever autonomous driving analysis data is received from the central ZCU (e.g., in response to determining at the controller 221 that autonomous driving analysis data is received from the central ZCU at the storage device 220), whenever the amount of autonomous driving analysis data received from the central ZCU exceeds a threshold value (e.g., in response to determining at the controller 221 that the amount or size of the autonomous driving analysis data received from the central ZCU at the storage device 220 exceeds a threshold value, where the threshold value may be stored in the controller 221, the memory device 223, etc. and accessed from the controller 221, the memory device 223, etc.), or whenever at least one of the multiple target information is changed (e.g., in response to determining at the controller 221 that at least one of the multiple target information is changed), the management circuit 222 may monitor the multiple target information. When the free space in the first memory region 223A (e.g., the data size of the set of memory cells in the first memory region 223A that do not store autonomous driving analysis data) is less than the threshold size (e.g., in response to determining that the free space in the first memory region 223A (e.g., the data size of the set of memory cells in the first memory region 223A that do not store autonomous driving analysis data) is less than the threshold size), the management circuit 222 may start monitoring the multiple target information.

[0052] In some example embodiments, when a shortage of the first memory region 223A is predicted (e.g., in response to determining that the size of the free space in the first memory region 223A is less than a threshold corresponding to accommodating future autonomous driving analysis data during a certain future time period, such that the free space is predicted to be not large enough to accommodate future autonomous driving analysis data predicted to be received at the storage device 220 for storage in the first memory region 223A during a certain future time period), the management circuit 222 may generate a policy change request for changing the first policy set in the policy register PR and send the policy change request to the central ZCU. In some example embodiments, the management circuit 222 may determine a desired second policy based on the result of monitoring a plurality of pieces of target information and include information indicating the second policy in the policy change request. In some example embodiments, the central ZCU may change the first policy set in the policy register PR to another policy in response to the policy change request. In some example embodiments, the central ZCU may change the first policy set in the policy register PR to the second policy in consideration of the policy desired by the management circuit 222.

[0053] In some example embodiments, when a shortage of the first memory region 223A is predicted (e.g., in response to determining that the free space of the first memory region 223A in which autonomous driving analysis data is not currently stored is predicted to be insufficient in size to accommodate the size of the autonomous driving analysis data predicted to be received at the storage device 220 and to be stored in the first memory region 223A during a future time period (e.g., based on determining that the size of the free space is less than a threshold)), the management circuit 222 may set a part of the second memory region 223B to operate as storing autonomous driving analysis data. In other words, the management circuit 222 may set a part of the second memory region 223B to operate as the first memory region 223A. Such a setting that a part of the second memory region 223B operates as the first memory region 223A enables at least a part of the autonomous driving analysis data received at the storage device 220 during a future time period to be stored in the said part of the second memory region 223B instead of the initial first memory region 223A, and can efficiently increase the size of the free space of the memory region in which the autonomous driving analysis data is stored in the memory device 223. Such a memory region is referred to as the "first memory region". Therefore, the free space of the "first memory region" can be increased to include both the free space of the first memory region 223A and at least a part of the free space of the second memory region 223B. Such a combination of the free space of the first memory region 223A and the free space of the second memory region 223B may be referred to as a combined memory region, an extended first memory region, an enlarged first memory region, etc.

[0054] As a result of setting a part of the second memory region 223B to operate as the first memory region 223A, even if the size of such future autonomous driving analysis data is larger than the current free space of the initial first memory region 223A, the management circuit 222 can configure the memory device 223 to increase the effective free space in the "first memory region" where the autonomous driving analysis data predicted to be received at the storage device 220 during a future time period can be stored. Thus, the function of the storage device 220 for storing a sufficient amount of autonomous driving analysis data to support autonomous driving (e.g., storage capacity) (e.g., the storage capacity of the storage device 220 for storing a sufficient amount of autonomous driving analysis data to facilitate determining liability in a dispute related to an accident involving an autonomous vehicle) can be improved, thereby reducing, minimizing, or preventing a shortage of storage space at the storage device for storing autonomous driving analysis data and ensuring sufficient space for storing such autonomous driving analysis data. Based on ensuring sufficient space for such autonomous driving analysis data, the storage device 220 can be configured to enable sufficient autonomous driving analysis data to be stored for improving autonomous driving (e.g., to facilitate determining liability in a dispute related to an accident involving an autonomous vehicle).

[0055] In some example embodiments, the management circuit 222 can store the autonomous driving analysis data in the first memory region 223A with increased free space and continuously monitor whether the first memory region 223A is insufficient. Based on the result of the monitoring, the management circuit 222 can additionally perform an operation for increasing the free space of the first memory region 223A (e.g., based on setting at least a part of the second memory region 223B to operate as the first memory region 223A).

[0056] In some example embodiments, after performing (e.g., in response to performing) an operation for increasing the free space of the first memory region 223A (e.g., based on setting at least a portion of the second memory region 223B to operate as the first memory region 223A), the management circuit 222 may determine whether the free space of the first memory region 223A (e.g., the free space of the initial first memory region 223A, excluding the portion of the second memory region 223B that is set to operate as the first memory region 223A) is sufficient (e.g., greater than or equal to the size of the autonomous driving analysis data that is predicted to be received at the storage device 220 in a future time period and will be stored in the first memory region 223A). When it is determined that the free space of the first memory region 223A is sufficient, the management circuit 222 may restore the first memory region 223A to its original state. Specifically, the management circuit 222 may restore the policy changed in the policy register PR or restore the settings such that general data is stored in the said portion of the second memory region 223B.

[0057] In some example embodiments, the management circuit 222 may determine whether the free space of the second memory region 223B is insufficient (e.g., less than the size of the autonomous driving analysis data that is predicted to be received at the storage device 220 in a future time period and will be stored in the first memory region 223A), and when (e.g., in response to determining) the free space of the second memory region 223B is determined to be insufficient, set a portion of the first memory region 223A to operate as a memory for storing general data.

[0058] Figure 4 is a flowchart of an operation method of a storage device according to some example embodiments. Figure 4 The operation method shown in Figure 2 the storage device 220 shown in Figure 3 the storage device 220 shown in Figure 1 the storage device 120 shown in etc.

[0059] Referring to Figure 4 , in operation S100, the storage device may store and manage autonomous driving analysis data.

[0060] In operation S110, the storage device may determine whether a shortage of a first memory area for storing autonomous driving analysis data is predicted. In some example embodiments, the storage device may monitor multiple pieces of target information related to autonomous driving and predict a shortage of the first memory area based on the monitoring results. In some example embodiments, the storage device may additionally predict the amount of the insufficient capacity. For example, in operation S110, the storage device (e.g., the management circuit) may determine whether the size of the free space of the first memory area that currently does not store autonomous driving analysis data and is available for storing future autonomous driving analysis data to be received within a future time period is less than the size of the autonomous driving analysis data predicted to be received at the storage device and stored in the first memory area within the future time period. In response to determining that the size of the free space of the first memory area is less than the size of the autonomous driving analysis data predicted to be received at the storage device and stored in the first memory area within the future time period, the free space of the first memory area may be predicted to be not large enough to accommodate the future autonomous driving analysis data predicted to be received at the storage device and stored in the first memory area, thereby predicting a shortage of the first memory area for storing autonomous driving analysis data (S110 = yes).

[0061] In the case of "yes" in operation S110, in operation S120, the storage device may perform an operation to increase the free space of the first memory area. In some example embodiments, the storage device may perform an operation to change the policy corresponding to the first memory area or an operation to set a part of the second memory area to operate as the first memory area, for example, thereby efficiently increasing the size of the memory area operating as the "first memory area" to include at least a part of the second memory area in addition to the free space of the "actual" first memory area.

[0062] In the case of "no" in operation S110 (e.g., determining that the size of the free space of the first memory area 223A that currently does not store autonomous driving analysis data and is available for storing future autonomous driving analysis data to be received within a future time period is equal to or greater than a threshold), the operation method of the storage device may proceed to operation S100.

[0063] Figure 5 It is a flowchart of an operation method of the management circuit 222 according to some example embodiments. Figure 5 The operation method shown in may be implemented by any example embodiment of the management circuit, which includes Figure 3 the management circuit 222 shown in, Figure 1 the management circuit 121 shown in, etc.

[0064] Referring to Figure 5, the management circuit 222 may receive multiple pieces of target information INFO_TG. For ease of description, in Figure 5 it is shown that the management circuit 222 receives all the target information INFO_TG, but this is only an example, and the inventive concept is not limited thereto. A part of the target information INFO_TG may be generated by the management circuit 222.

[0065] In some example embodiments, the target information INFO_TG may include at least one of driver setting information INFO_DS, driver characteristic information INFO_DC, remaining space information INFO_RS, and / or autonomous driving analysis data reception information INFO_AD.

[0066] In some example embodiments, the driver setting information INFO_DS may include information about (e.g., associated with) the autonomous driving level selected by the driver from among multiple autonomous driving levels, information about (e.g., associated with) the autonomous driving options set by the driver, etc. In some example embodiments, the driver characteristic information INFO_DC may be generated by Figure 2 the central ZCU 230 in

[0067] In some example embodiments, the driver characteristic information INFO_DC may include information about (e.g., associated with) the time (or driving time) when the driver uses the autonomous driving service, information about (e.g., associated with) the driver's habits when using the autonomous driving service, and / or information about similar things, etc. In some example embodiments, the driver characteristic information INFO_DC may be generated by Figure 2 the central ZCU 230 in

[0068] In some example embodiments, the remaining space information INFO_RS may include information about (e.g., associated with) the remaining space (e.g., free space) of the first memory area that is operated to store the autonomous driving analysis data. In some example embodiments, the remaining space information INFO_RS may be generated by Figure 3 the memory device 223 in

[0069] In some example embodiments, the autonomous driving analysis data reception information INFO_AD may include information about (e.g., associated with) the reception trend according to the amount of received autonomous driving analysis data, the reception frequency, and / or similar things. In some example embodiments, the autonomous driving analysis data reception information INFO_AD may be generated by the management circuit 222.

[0070] In operation S200, the management circuit 222 may monitor a plurality of target information INFO_TG and predict a shortage of the first memory area. In some example embodiments, the management circuit 222 may predict the amount of autonomous driving analysis data to be received in the future based on the plurality of target information INFO_TG (e.g., the size of the future autonomous driving analysis data predicted to be received at the storage device 220 and stored at the first memory area 223A during a specific future time period, and the specific future time period may be a specific future time period that can be stored at the controller 221, the buffer memory 224, or the memory device 223), and predict a shortage of the first memory area by comparing the predicted amount with the free space of the first memory area (e.g., predicting whether the size of the future autonomous driving analysis data predicted to be received at the storage device 220 and stored at the first memory area 223A during a specific future time period is greater than the size of the free space of the first memory area 223A). In some example embodiments, the management circuit 222 may input the plurality of target information INFO_TG into a specific function and check the output of the specific function to predict a shortage of the first memory area. Additionally, the management circuit 222 may apply (or assign) different weights to the plurality of target information INFO_TG and predict a shortage of the first memory area based on the differently weighted plurality of target information INFO_TG. In some example embodiments, the management circuit 222 may assign different weights to the plurality of target information INFO_TG before monitoring the plurality of target information. In some example embodiments, the size of the future autonomous driving analysis data predicted to be received at the storage device 220 and stored at the first memory area 223A during a specific future time period may be a fixed value, and the fixed value may be stored at the controller 221, the buffer memory 224, or the memory device 223 or at a location external to the storage device 220, and the management circuit 222 may access the fixed value of the size of the future autonomous driving analysis data predicted to be received at the storage device 220 and stored at the first memory area 223A during a specific future time period, and (e.g., via subtraction) determine the difference between the fixed value and the current value of the free space of the first memory area 223A indicated by the remaining space information INFO_RS, and the remaining space information INFO_RS may be generated by the memory device 223 and sent to the controller 221. The management circuit 222 may predict a shortage of the first memory area based on the following determination: the fixed value of the size of the future autonomous driving analysis data predicted to be received at the storage device 220 and stored at the first memory area 223A during a specific future time period is greater than the current value of the free space of the first memory area 223A indicated by the remaining space information INFO_RS.As described herein, a future time period, a certain future time period, a specific future time period, etc. can be a specific time period represented by a specific value (e.g., 1 day, 7 days, 30 days, 90 days, etc.), and the specific value can be stored at a memory device (e.g., memory device 223, buffer memory 224, etc.) of the storage device 220 and can be accessed by the controller 221 (e.g., management circuit 222).

[0071] In some example embodiments, the memory cells of the first memory region 223A and / or the second memory region 223B to which various data are stored can be tracked based on the management circuit 222 and / or the memory device 223 so as to track which memory cells of the first memory region 223A and / or the second memory region 223B store autonomous driving analysis data, which memory cells of the first memory region 223A and / or the second memory region 223B store general data, which memory cells of the first memory region 223A and / or the second memory region 223B do not currently store any data, which memory cells of the first memory region 223A and / or the second memory region 223B do not currently store any autonomous driving analysis data, etc., to determine the current value of the free space of the first memory region 223A that can be indicated by the remaining space information INFO_RS. Such tracking can include maintaining and updating, by the memory device 223 and / or the controller 221, a database of the corresponding indications of the memory cells of the first memory region 223A and / or the second memory region 223B and the data stored (or not stored) at the corresponding memory cells. The memory cells of the first memory region 223A that do not currently store any autonomous driving analysis data can be identified based on accessing a table (or database), and the remaining space information INFO_RS indicating the corresponding memory storage capacity or "free space" of the first memory region 223A can be generated to generate the remaining space information INFO_RS at the memory device 223 and / or the management circuit 222. In some example embodiments, which memory cells currently store or do not store data can be determined based on querying the memory cells of the first memory region 223A and / or the second memory region 223B, and the memory storage capacity corresponding to the memory cells determined to not store any data based on the query can also be identified as the current "free space" of the first memory region 223A and / or the second memory region 223B to generate the remaining space information INFO_RS.

[0072] In operation S210, the management circuit 222 may predict the size of the additional space required for the first memory region (e.g., the additional free space of the first memory region such that the free space of the first memory region is equal to or greater than the size of the future autonomous driving analysis data to be stored at the storage device 220 and to be stored in the first memory region 223A during a specific future time period). In some example embodiments, the management circuit 222 may predict the additional space required based on the difference between the amount predicted in operation S200 (e.g., the size of the future autonomous driving analysis data predicted to be received at the storage device 220 and to be stored in the first memory region 223A during a specific future time period) and the free space of the first memory region (e.g., the size of the current free space of the first memory region 223A).

[0073] In operation S220, the management circuit 222 may manage the first memory region based on operations S200 and S210. In some example embodiments, the management circuit 222 may perform an operation for increasing (e.g., in order to increase) the free space of the first memory region (e.g., based on an operation of setting at least a part of the second memory region as a "part" of the first memory region such that the future autonomous driving analysis data to be received at the storage device 220 and to be stored in the first memory region 223A during a specific future time period can be stored in the free space of the first memory region 223A and / or the part of the second memory region 223B "set" as a part of the first memory region).

[0074] Figure 6 is a flowchart of an operation method of the storage device 220 and the central ZCU 230 according to some example embodiments. Figure 6 The operation method shown in may be implemented by any example embodiment of a storage device, the storage device including Figure 2 the storage device 220 shown in Figure 3 the storage device 220 shown in Figure 1 the storage device 120 shown in etc. In Figure 6 the storage device 220 may include a management circuit 222. The following operations may be performed by the management circuit 222. In some example embodiments, Figure 6 the operation of the central ZCU 230 in may use Figure 1 the operation of at least one of the ZCUs 111 of the host device 110 in instead.

[0075] In operation S300, the central ZCU 230 may provide a first policy to the storage device 220 as an initial policy. In some example embodiments, the central ZCU 230 may provide a first policy to the storage device 220 as an initial policy for managing autonomous driving analysis data to be stored in a first memory region of the storage device 220.

[0076] In operation S310, the storage device 220 may set the first policy in a policy register. In some example embodiments, the storage device 220 may set the first policy in the policy register based on the first policy provided in operation S300.

[0077] In operation S320, the central ZCU 230 may send autonomous driving analysis data to the storage device 220.

[0078] In operation S330, the storage device 220 may store and manage the autonomous driving analysis data based on the first policy set in the policy register (e.g., access the "set" policy as the first policy from the policy register based on receiving the autonomous driving analysis data in operation S320). In some example embodiments, the storage device 220 may store the received autonomous driving analysis data in the first memory region and manage the stored autonomous driving analysis data based on the first policy.

[0079] In operation S340, the storage device 220 may monitor multiple pieces of target information related to autonomous driving. In some example embodiments, the storage device 220 may receive or generate and monitor multiple pieces of target information.

[0080] In operation S350, the storage device 220 may predict a shortage of the first memory region based on the result of the monitoring in operation S340, and determine to request a policy change of the first policy according to the shortage prediction. For example, at operation S340, the storage device 220 (e.g., the management circuit 222) may determine whether the size of the free space of the first memory region where the autonomous driving analysis data is not currently stored and can be used to store future autonomous driving analysis data received within a future time period is less than a threshold, and this threshold corresponds to accommodating future autonomous driving analysis data within a certain future time period. In response to determining that the size of the free space of the first memory region is less than the threshold, the free space may be predicted to be not large enough to accommodate the future autonomous driving analysis data predicted to be received at the storage device and stored in the first memory region within a certain future time period, so a shortage of the first memory region can be predicted in operation S340. In some example embodiments, when a shortage of the first memory region is predicted, the storage device 220 may determine to request a change in the first policy to increase the free space of the first memory region, and may generate a policy change request.

[0081] In operation S360, the storage device 220 may send a policy change request to the central ZCU 230. In some example embodiments, the storage device 220 may include information indicating the desired policy in the policy change request and propose that the central ZCU 230 change the first policy to the desired policy.

[0082] In operation S370, the central ZCU 230 may determine to change the first policy to a second policy in response to the policy change request. In some example embodiments, the second policy may be a policy that is predetermined to replace the first policy when the central ZCU 230 receives the policy change request (e.g., in response to the central ZCU 230 receiving the policy change request), or may be a policy arbitrarily determined by the central ZCU 230. In some example embodiments, the second policy may be the policy desired by the storage device 220 (e.g., the management circuit 222) and included (e.g., indicated) in the policy change request.

[0083] In operation S380, the central ZCU 230 may provide the second policy determined in operation S370 to the storage device 220.

[0084] In operation S390, the storage device 220 may set the second policy in the policy register to the "set" policy. In some example embodiments, the storage device 220 may remove the first policy from the policy register and set the second policy in the policy register, or may overwrite the first policy with the second policy in the register.

[0085] Figure 7 is a detailed flowchart of an operation method of the storage device 220 and the central ZCU 230 according to some example embodiments. Figure 7 The operation method shown in may be implemented by any example embodiment of a storage device that includes Figure 2 the storage device 220 shown in, Figure 3 the storage device 220 shown in, Figure 1 the storage device 120 shown in, etc. In Figure 7 the storage device 220 may include a management circuit 222. The following operations may be performed by the management circuit 222. In some example embodiments, Figure 7 the operation of the central ZCU 230 in may be replaced by using Figure 1 the operation of at least one of the ZCUs 111 of the host device 110 in.

[0086] Refer to Figure 7, in operation S401, the central ZCU 230 may send a set feature command to the storage device 220. In some example embodiments, the central ZCU 230 may start setting options necessary for the operation of the storage device 220 via the set feature command (e.g., based on the reception and processing of the set feature command).

[0087] In operation S402, the central ZCU 230 may set the policy register of the storage device 220 to a first policy. In some example embodiments, the storage device 220 may include a policy register configured with a policy for managing autonomous driving analysis data. The policy register may be initially set to the first policy by the central ZCU 230. Although not shown in Figure 6 , the central ZCU 230 may also set a policy for managing general data in the policy register.

[0088] In operation S403, the storage device 220 may send a setting completion response indicating that the policy register has been set to the first policy to the central ZCU 230. In some example embodiments, in operation S402, the storage device 220 may set the policy register to the first policy under the control of the central ZCU 230 and may send a setting completion response to the central ZCU 230 after the setting is completed. Thereafter, the storage device 220 may manage the autonomous driving analysis data received from the central ZCU 230 and stored in the first memory area of the storage device 220 based on the first policy. The storage device 220 may continuously receive autonomous driving analysis data from the central ZCU 230.

[0089] In operation S404, the storage device 220 may determine to request a policy change for the first policy based on the result of monitoring multiple pieces of target information related to autonomous driving. In some example embodiments, the storage device 220 may monitor multiple pieces of target information and predict a shortage in the first memory area. Accordingly, the storage device 220 may determine to send a policy change request to the central ZCU 230 to increase the free space in the first memory area.

[0090] In operation S405, for the first policy set in the policy register, the storage device 220 may send a policy change request to the central ZCU 230. In some example embodiments, the storage device 220 may determine the best policy for resolving the shortage in the first memory area based on the result of monitoring multiple pieces of target information and may present the determined best policy to the central ZCU 230 as the policy desired by the storage device 220. At this time, the policy change request may include information indicating the policy desired by the storage device 220.

[0091] In operation S406, the central ZCU 230 may send a policy change command for the policy register of the storage device 220 to the storage device 220 in response to a policy change request.

[0092] In operation S407, the central ZCU 230 may set the policy register to a second policy. In some example embodiments, the second policy may be determined by the central ZCU 230. In some example embodiments, when a policy change request for the first policy occurs, the selection of the second policy may be pre-approved. In some example embodiments, the second policy may be the policy desired by the storage device 220 and indicated by the information included in the policy change request.

[0093] In operation S408, the storage device 220 may send a setting completion response indicating that the policy register has been set to the second policy to the central ZCU 230. In some example embodiments, in operation S407, the storage device 220 may set the policy register to the second policy under the control of the central ZCU 230 and may send a setting completion response to the central ZCU 230 after the setting is completed. Thereafter, the storage device 220 may manage the autonomous driving analysis data received from the central ZCU 230 and stored in the first memory area of the storage device 220 based on the second policy.

[0094] Figure 8A is a diagram showing a policy register 300 according to some example embodiments, and Figure 8B is based on some example embodiments Figure 8A The flowchart of the method for managing autonomous driving analysis data of the policy register 300. The policy register 300 may be included in Figure 3 in the policy register PR in the buffer memory 224 of the storage device 220 shown in Figure 3 and / or implemented by the policy register PR in the buffer memory 224 of the storage device 220 shown in Figure 8B The method shown in Figure 2 may be implemented in any example embodiment of a storage device, which includes Figure 3 the storage device 220 shown in Figure 1 the storage device 220 shown in

[0095] Refer to Figure 8A, the configurable parameters of the policy register 300 may include a first parameter 310, a second parameter 320, and a third parameter 330. In some example embodiments, when each of the first parameter 310, the second parameter 320, and the third parameter 330 has any value, a policy for autonomous driving analysis data may be set (e.g., as a "setting" policy for managing autonomous driving analysis data). In other words, the first parameter 310 to the third parameter 330 are related to the setting policy for managing autonomous driving analysis data.

[0096] In some example embodiments, the first parameter 310 may be related to the storage duration of the autonomous driving analysis data.

[0097] In some example embodiments, the second parameter 320 may be related to a data deletion unit (e.g., the amount of data deletion) for the autonomous driving analysis data that has reached the expiration of the storage duration (e.g., associated with).

[0098] In some example embodiments, the third parameter 330 may be related to the data deletion method for the autonomous driving analysis data that has reached the expiration of the storage duration (e.g., associated with).

[0099] In some example embodiments, when it is predicted that there is a shortage of the first memory area for storing autonomous driving analysis data, the storage device may request the central ZCU to change the first policy set in the policy register 300, and change the first policy set in the policy register 300 to a second policy under the control of the central ZCU.

[0100] In a specific example, the first parameter 310 of the second policy may be set to have a storage duration shorter than that of the first parameter 310 of the first policy. In other words, by changing the policy (e.g., the "setting" policy for managing autonomous driving analysis data) to shorten the storage duration, the storage device can increase the amount of autonomous driving analysis data that will be deleted due to the expiration of the storage duration, thereby ensuring free space in the first memory area.

[0101] The second parameter 320 of the second policy may be set to have a data deletion unit larger than that of the second parameter 320 of the first policy. In other words, by changing the policy (e.g., the "setting" policy for managing autonomous driving analysis data) to increase the amount of data deleted at one time, the storage device can quickly delete the autonomous driving analysis data that has reached the expiration of the storage duration (e.g., 1 day, 7 days, 30 days, 90 days, etc.), thereby ensuring free space in the first memory area.

[0102] The third parameter 330 of the second policy can be set to have a data deletion method different from that of the third parameter 330 of the first policy. For example, the data deletion method set in the third parameter 330 of the second policy may include a method of migrating expired autonomous driving analysis data that has reached the storage duration to cloud storage, and the data deletion method set in the third parameter 330 of the first policy may include a method of overall deleting expired autonomous driving analysis data that has reached the storage duration. In some example embodiments, the cloud storage may be implemented by Figure 1 the autonomous driving server 2 and the network 3 in

[0103] In some example embodiments, the first parameter 310, the second parameter 320, and the third parameter 330 may be complementary to each other. In a specific example, when the autonomous driving analysis data is migrated to cloud storage according to the third parameter 330 of the second policy, the storage duration may be reduced by the first parameter 310, or the data deletion unit may be increased by the second parameter 320.

[0104] Also referring to Figure 8B , in operation S500, the storage device (e.g., the management circuit) may search for the autonomous driving analysis data to be deleted based on the policy register 300 (e.g., based on the "set" policy for managing the autonomous driving analysis data to which the policy register is "set"). In some example embodiments, among the multiple pieces of autonomous driving analysis data stored in the first memory area, the storage device may search for the expired autonomous driving analysis data that has reached the storage duration according to the first parameter 310.

[0105] In operation S510, the storage device (e.g., the management circuit) may delete the autonomous driving analysis data found in operation S500 based on the policy register 300 (e.g., based on the "set" policy for managing the autonomous driving analysis data to which the policy register is "set"). In some example embodiments, the storage device may delete the found autonomous driving analysis data based on the data deletion unit according to the second parameter 320 and the data deletion method according to the third parameter 330.

[0106] Figure 9A is a flowchart of an operation method of a storage device according to some example embodiments, and Figure 9B is according to some example embodiments of Figure 9A the detailed flowchart of operation S610 in Figure 9A and Figure 9B The operation methods shown in Figure 2 the storage device 220 shown in Figure 3 the storage device 220 shown in Figure 1 the storage device 120 shown in

[0107] Refer to Figure 9A In operation S600, the storage device may check the available space of a second memory area that is operated as storing general data. In some example embodiments, the storage device may monitor a plurality of target information related to autonomous driving, predict a shortage of a first memory area for storing autonomous driving analysis data, and first check the available space of the second memory area to increase the free space of the first memory area.

[0108] In operation S610, the storage device may set a part of the second memory area to operate as a memory area for storing autonomous driving analysis data based on the result of the check in operation S600 (e.g., efficiently operate as a part of the first memory area for storing autonomous driving analysis data). In some example embodiments, the storage device may set a part of the available space of the second memory area (e.g., memory cells that do not currently store data) to operate as the first memory area (e.g., as a part of the first memory area). In some example embodiments, the storage device may predict the amount of insufficient capacity of the first memory area (e.g., determine the storage capacity represented by the amount of memory cells, and represent the difference between the storage capacity represented by the memory cells of the free space of the first memory area and the predicted future amount of autonomous driving analysis data to be received and stored in the first memory area within a specific future time period as the amount of insufficient capacity), and secure (or obtain) a capacity corresponding to the amount of insufficient capacity from the second memory area (e.g., set memory cells of the second memory area representing a corresponding amount of storage capacity equal to or greater than the predicted amount of insufficient capacity). The storage device may predict whether the shortage of the first memory area is resolved, and may restore the capacity secured (or obtained) from the second memory area when predicting (e.g., in response to determining) that the shortage of the first memory area is resolved.

[0109] Also refer to Figure 9B In operation S611, the storage device may determine details of the adaptive operation of the second memory area based on a policy register. In some example embodiments, the details may include the capacity set to operate as the first memory area, the memory cell level of the memory area set to operate as the first memory area (e.g., single-level cell (SLC), multi-level cell (MLC), triple-level cell (TLC), or quad-level cell (QLC)), the recovery time, etc.

[0110] In operation S612, the storage device may set a part of the second memory area to operate as a memory area for storing autonomous driving analysis data based on the details determined in operation S611.

[0111] Figure 10It is a flowchart of an operation method of a storage device according to some example embodiments. Figure 10 The operation method shown in Figure 2 can be implemented by any example embodiment of a storage device, and the storage device includes Figure 3 the storage device 220 shown in Figure 1 the storage device 220 shown in

[0112] Referring to Figure 10 , in operation S700, the storage device may determine to perform an operation for increasing the free space of the first memory area.

[0113] In operation S710, the storage device may determine whether the operation can be performed based on the first mode. In some example embodiments, the storage device may determine whether the operation can be performed based on the first mode in the current state, or whether the operation can be supported based on the first mode.

[0114] In the case of "Yes" in operation S710, the storage device may perform the operation based on the first mode in operation S720.

[0115] In the case of "No" in operation S710, the storage device may perform the operation based on the second mode in operation S730.

[0116] In some example embodiments, the first mode may include setting a part of the second memory area to operate as the first memory area, and the second mode may include changing the policy for managing autonomous driving analysis data stored in the first memory area. In some example embodiments, the first mode may include changing the policy for managing autonomous driving analysis data stored in the first memory area, and the second mode may include setting a part of the second memory area to operate as the first memory area.

[0117] According to some example embodiments, the storage device may selectively use one of the first mode and the second mode for the operation of increasing the free space of the first memory area.

[0118] Figure 11 It is a flowchart of an operation method of a storage device according to some example embodiments. Figure 11 The operation method shown in Figure 2 can be implemented by any example embodiment of a storage device, and the storage device includes Figure 3 the storage device 220 shown in Figure 1 the storage device 220 shown in

[0119] Referring to Figure 11, in operation S800, the storage device may check the available space (e.g., free space) of a first memory area that is operated as storing autonomous driving analysis data. In some example embodiments, when there are not enough free blocks (e.g., memory cells) for performing garbage collection or wear leveling on a second memory area, the storage device may first check the available space of the first memory area to use the free space of the first memory area.

[0120] In operation S810, the storage device may set a portion of the first memory area to operate as a memory area for storing general data based on the result of the check in operation S800.

[0121] According to some example embodiments, when the second memory area is insufficient, the storage device may use the first memory area.

[0122] Figure 12 is a flowchart of an operation method of a storage device according to some example embodiments. Figure 12 The operation method shown in may be implemented by any example embodiment of a storage device, the storage device including Figure 2 the storage device 220 shown in, Figure 3 the storage device 220 shown in, Figure 1 the storage device 120 shown in, etc.

[0123] Referring to Figure 12 , in operation S900, the storage device may perform an operation for increasing the first memory area, which is operated as free space for storing autonomous driving analysis data.

[0124] In operation S910, the storage device may determine whether the current state satisfies an update condition. In some example embodiments, before updating the autonomous driving analysis data according to operation S930, the storage device may first check whether the current state of the autonomous vehicle satisfies the update condition. Here, the update of the autonomous driving analysis data may include deletion or migration of the autonomous driving analysis data. In some example embodiments, the update condition may include at least one of a state where the autonomous vehicle is approaching or located at a pre-specified position and a state where the autonomous vehicle is stopped or parked.

[0125] In the case of "No" in operation S910, the storage device may store a value indicating that the update is scheduled in a flag of the autonomous driving analysis data to be updated in operation S920.

[0126] In the case of "Yes" in operation S910, the storage device may update the autonomous driving analysis data in operation S930.

[0127] Figure 13It is a block diagram of a memory card system 1000 according to some example embodiments.

[0128] Referring to Figure 13 , the memory card system 1000 may include a host 1100 and a memory card 1200. The memory card 1200 may correspond to a storage device to which some example embodiments including any example embodiments described with reference to Figures 1 to 12 are applied. The host 1100 may include a host controller 1110 and a host connector 1120. The memory card 1200 may include a card connector 1210, a card controller 1220, and a flash memory 1230.

[0129] The host 1100 may write data to the memory card 1200 or read data from the memory card 1200. The host controller 1110 may send a request (e.g., a write request) (or a command CMD), a clock signal CLK generated by a clock generator (not shown) of the host 1100, and data DATA to the memory card 1200 through the host connector 1120. In response to a write request received through the card connector 1210, the card controller 1220 may store the data in the flash memory 1230 synchronously with a clock signal generated by a clock generator of the card controller 1220. The flash memory 1230 may store the data sent from the host 1100.

[0130] In some example embodiments, the flash memory 1230 may include a first memory area that is operated to store autonomous driving analysis data received from the host 1100. In some example embodiments, the card controller 1220 may monitor the received autonomous driving analysis data, predict a shortage of the first memory area, and perform an operation to increase the free space of the first memory area.

[0131] Figure 14 It is a block diagram of a solid state drive (SSD) system 2000 according to some example embodiments.

[0132] Referring to Figure 14 , the SSD system 2000 may include a host 2100 and an SSD 2200. The SSD 2200 may correspond to a storage device to which the embodiments described with reference to Figure 1 etc. are applied.

[0133] The SSD 2200 can exchange signals SGL with the host 2100 through the signal connector 2211 and can receive power PWR through the power connector 2221. The SSD 2200 can include a plurality of flash memories 2201 to 220n ("n" is any positive integer), an SSD controller 2210, and an auxiliary power supply 2220. The flash memories 2201 to 220n can be used as a storage medium of the SSD 2200. In addition to the flash memories, the SSD 2200 can include non-volatile memories (such as PRAM, MRAM, RRAM, or FRAM).

[0134] The flash memories 2201 to 220n can be respectively connected to the SSD controller 2210 through channels Ch1 to Chn. One or more flash memories can be connected to one channel. The flash memories connected to one channel can be connected to the same data bus. The SSD controller 2210 can exchange signals SGL with the host 2100 through the signal connector 2211. Here, the signal SGL can include a request, an address, and data. The SSD controller 2210 can program data into the flash memories or read data from the flash memories according to the request of the host 2100.

[0135] The auxiliary power supply 2220 can be connected to the host 2100 through the power connector 2221. The auxiliary power supply 2220 can receive power PWR from the host 2100 and can be charged. The auxiliary power supply 2220 can be arranged inside or outside the SSD 2200. For example, the auxiliary power supply 2220 can be arranged in the main board and can provide auxiliary power to the SSD 2200.

[0136] In some example embodiments, the flash memories 2201 to 220n can each include a first memory area that is operated to store autonomous driving analysis data received from the host 2100. In some example embodiments, the SSD controller 2210 can monitor the received autonomous driving analysis data, predict a shortage of the first memory area, and perform an operation for increasing the free space of the first memory area.

[0137] As described herein, any device, system, module, portion, unit, controller, circuit, and / or portions thereof, and / or any part thereof (including but not limited to autonomous driving system 1, autonomous driving server 2, network 3, autonomous vehicle 10, area control system 100, host device 110, ZCU 111, storage device 120, management circuit 121, autonomous vehicle 20, first ZCU to third ZCU 211, 212, and 213, storage device 220, central computing system 230, first sensor to third sensor 241A, 242A, and 243A, first actuator to third actuator 241B, 242B, and 243B, any part thereof, controller 221, management circuit 222, memory device 223, first memory area 223A, second memory area 223B, buffer memory 224, policy register 300, memory card system 1000, host 1100, host controller 1110, host connector 1120, memory card 1200, card connector 1210, card controller 1220, flash memory 1230, SSD system 2000, host 2100, SSD 2200, SSD controller 2210, SSD connector 2211, multiple flash memories 2201 to 220n, auxiliary power supply 2220, power connector 2221, any part thereof, etc.) may include one or more instances of processing circuitry (such as hardware including logic circuits, a hardware / software combination (such as a processor executing software), or a combination thereof), may be included in one or more instances of processing circuitry (such as hardware including logic circuits, a hardware / software combination (such as a processor executing software), or a combination thereof), and / or may be implemented by one or more instances of processing circuitry (such as hardware including logic circuits, a hardware / software combination (such as a processor executing software), or a combination thereof). For example, the processing circuitry may more specifically include but is not limited to a central processing unit (CPU), an arithmetic logic unit (ALU), a graphics processing unit (GPU), an application processor (AP), a digital signal processor (DSP), a microcomputer, a field programmable gate array (FPGA), and programmable logic units, a microprocessor, an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC), a neural network processor (NPU), an electronic control unit (ECU), an image signal processor (ISP), etc. In some example embodiments, the processing circuitry may include a non-transitory computer-readable storage device (e.g., a memory) (e.g., a solid state drive (SSD)) storing a program of instructions, and a processor (e.g., a CPU) configured to execute the program of instructions to implement functions and / or methods performed by some or all of any device, system, module, portion, unit, controller, circuit, and / or portions thereof according to any example embodiment.

[0138] While the inventive concept has been particularly shown and described with reference to some example embodiments thereof, it will be understood that various changes in form and detail may be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the appended claims.

Claims

1. A storage device, comprising: A memory device including a first memory area configured to store autonomous driving analysis data; And A controller configured to control the memory operations of the memory device, Wherein, the controller includes: A management circuit configured to: Monitor multiple pieces of target information related to autonomous driving, Predict a shortage of the first memory area, and Perform an operation for increasing the free space of the first memory area based on the prediction result.

2. The storage device according to claim 1, wherein, The multiple pieces of target information include at least one of the following items: Driver setting information, driver characteristic information, remaining space information of the first memory area, and autonomous driving analysis data reception information.

3. The storage device according to claim 1, further comprising: A policy register configured to be set with a first policy as a setting policy for managing autonomous driving analysis data by a host, Wherein, the operation for increasing the free space of the first memory area includes: Sending a policy change request to the host through the management circuit, the policy change request requesting to change the first policy to a second policy.

4. The storage device according to claim 3, wherein, The policy register stores: A first parameter related to the storage duration of autonomous driving analysis data, A second parameter related to a data deletion unit associated with autonomous driving analysis data, and A third parameter related to a data deletion method associated with autonomous driving analysis data, and The first parameter to the third parameter are related to the setting policy for managing autonomous driving analysis data.

5. The storage device according to claim 3, wherein The management circuit is further configured to: Search among the autonomous driving analysis data based on the policy register to find the autonomous driving analysis data to be deleted, and Delete the found autonomous driving analysis data from the first memory area based on the policy register.

6. The storage device according to claim 3, wherein, The second policy corresponds to the policy desired by the management circuit.

7. The storage device according to claim 6, wherein, The policy change request includes information indicating the policy desired by the management circuit.

8. The storage device according to claim 3, wherein, The second policy corresponds to the policy determined by the host.

9. The storage device according to claim 1, wherein, The memory device further includes: A second memory area configured to store general data, and The operation for increasing the free space of the first memory area includes: Setting a part of the second memory area as an operation for the memory area operation of storing autonomous driving analysis data through the management circuit.

10. The storage device according to claim 9, further comprising: A policy register configured to be set with a first policy as a policy for managing autonomous driving analysis data by a host, Wherein, the operation for increasing the free space of the first memory area further includes: An operation of determining the details of the adaptive operation of the second memory area based on the policy register through the management circuit, and An operation of setting the part of the second memory area as an operation for the memory area operation of storing autonomous driving analysis data according to the details of the adaptive operation of the second memory area determined based on the policy register.

11. The storage device according to claim 1, wherein, The memory device further includes: A second memory area operated to store general data, and The management circuit is further configured to: In response to determining that the second memory area is insufficient, set a part of the first memory area as an operation for the memory area of storing general data.

12. The storage device according to claim 1, wherein, The management circuit is further configured to: In response to determining that the state of a vehicle equipped with a storage device does not meet the update condition, a flag value indicating that an update of the autonomous driving analysis data stored in the first memory area is scheduled is stored.

13. The storage device according to claim 1, wherein, The autonomous driving analysis data includes at least one selected from the group consisting of: Data associated with accident records of the autonomous vehicle, data associated with evaluating the safety performance of the autonomous vehicle, and data associated with safety monitoring of the autonomous vehicle.

14. The storage device according to claim 1, wherein, The management circuit is further configured to: assign different weights to the multiple pieces of target information before monitoring the multiple pieces of target information.

15. An operating method of a storage device, the storage device communicating with a host device including a plurality of zone control units, the operating method including: Storing first autonomous driving analysis data received from the host device in a first memory area; Monitoring multiple pieces of target information related to autonomous driving and predicting a shortage of the first memory area; And Performing an operation for increasing the free space of the first memory area.

16. The operating method according to claim 15, wherein, The multiple pieces of target information include: Information associated with the autonomous driving level set by the driver, information associated with the autonomous driving usage time of the driver, information associated with the driver's habits, and information associated with the remaining space of the first memory area.

17. The operating method according to claim 15, wherein, The step of performing an operation for increasing the free space of the first memory area includes: Sending a policy change request to the host device, the policy change request requesting a change in the policy for managing the autonomous driving analysis data including the first autonomous driving analysis data.

18. The operating method according to claim 17, wherein, The policy includes: At least one of the storage duration of the autonomous driving analysis data, the data deletion unit of the autonomous driving analysis data, and the data deletion method of the autonomous driving analysis data.

19. The operating method according to claim 15, wherein The step of performing an operation for increasing the free space of the first memory area includes: Setting a part of the second memory area storing general data to operate as a memory area for storing second autonomous driving analysis data to be received from the host device.

20. A storage device, comprising: A memory device including a first memory area and a second memory area, the first memory area being configured to store autonomous driving analysis data received from the host, and the second memory area being configured to store general data; And A controller configured to manage first autonomous driving analysis data stored in the first memory area based on a policy initially set by the host, wherein the controller is further configured to: Monitor second autonomous driving analysis data received from the host, Predict a shortage of the first memory area, and Selectively perform one of the following: An operation of requesting the host to change the policy based on the prediction result, and An operation of setting a part of the second memory area to operate as a memory area for storing third autonomous driving analysis data to be received from the host.

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