Vehicle information collection device and vehicle information collection system

Abstract

To provide a vehicle information collection device and a vehicle information collection system for collecting information on the use state of an on-vehicle device without applying an excessive load to the flash memory.SOLUTION: A vehicle information collection device 100 is provided with: an information acquisition unit 33 for acquiring identification information and use information related to the usage status of an on-vehicle device 10 from an on-vehicle device 10 incorporating a flash memory 12 and linked to the identification information of a vehicle 1; an information storage unit 32 for storing the identification information; an initial determination unit 34 for determining whether or not the identification information has been acquired for the first time based on the identification information; a time information generation unit 35 for generating initial time information that is information of the initial acquisition time when the identification information has been acquired for the first time when it is determined that the identification information has been acquired for the first time; and a write determination unit 13 for determining whether or not writing of the use information into the flash memory 12 is permitted based on the length of a collection period for collecting the use information predetermined according to the type of the vehicle 1 or the on-vehicle device 10 and the initial time information.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a vehicle information collection device and a vehicle information collection system that incorporate a flash memory and collect information on the usage status of in-vehicle devices associated with vehicle identification information.

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, a device for collecting information from a device having a flash memory has been known (see, for example, Patent Document 1). The device described in Patent Document 1 receives and accumulates performance life information from a plurality of computer terminal devices using a flash memory as a main memory via a communication line, and predicts the number of days until the flash memory of each terminal device reaches a life failure. In each terminal device, when one block reaches the end of its life, one replacement block is allocated. Each terminal device detects and stores the number of remaining replacement blocks, and outputs information from when a replacement block is newly allocated until the next time a new replacement block is allocated as performance life information.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] However, in the device described in Patent Document 1, when a replacement block is newly allocated, information on the number of remaining replacement blocks is unconditionally stored in each terminal device, which may impose an excessive load on the flash memory included in each terminal device.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0005] A vehicle information collection device according to one aspect of the present invention includes an information acquisition unit that acquires identification information and usage information regarding the usage status of an in-vehicle device from the in-vehicle device having a built-in flash memory and to which vehicle identification information is associated, an information storage unit that stores the identification information acquired by the information acquisition unit, a first-time determination unit that determines whether the identification information was first acquired by the information acquisition unit based on the identification information stored in the information storage unit, a time information generation unit that generates first-time time information which is information on the first acquisition time when the identification information was first acquired by the information acquisition unit when the first-time determination unit determines that the identification information was first acquired by the information acquisition unit, and a writing determination unit that determines whether to permit writing of the usage information to the flash memory based on the length of a collection period for collecting the usage information, which is predetermined according to the type of the vehicle or the in-vehicle device, and the first-time time information generated by the time information generation unit.

[0006] A vehicle information collection system according to one aspect of the present invention includes an in-vehicle device having a built-in flash memory and to which vehicle identification information is associated, and a server configured to be communicable with the in-vehicle device via the Internet. The server has an information acquisition unit that acquires identification information and usage information regarding the usage status of the in-vehicle device from the in-vehicle device, an information storage unit that stores the identification information acquired by the information acquisition unit, a first-time determination unit that determines whether the identification information was first acquired by the information acquisition unit based on the identification information stored in the information storage unit, a time information generation unit that generates first-time time information which is information on the first acquisition time when the identification information was first acquired by the information acquisition unit when the first-time determination unit determines that the identification information was first acquired by the information acquisition unit, and an information output unit that outputs the first-time time information generated by the time information generation unit to the in-vehicle device. The in-vehicle device has a writing determination unit that determines whether to permit writing of the usage information to the flash memory based on the length of a collection period for collecting the usage information, which is predetermined according to the type of the vehicle or the in-vehicle device, and the first-time time information output by the information output unit of the server.

Advantages of the Invention

[0007] According to the present invention, information regarding the usage status of in-vehicle devices can be collected without imposing an excessive load on the flash memory.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0008]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

Figure 5

Modes for Carrying Out the Invention

[0009] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 5. In recent years, so-called connected cars that communicate with surrounding vehicles, infrastructure facilities, cloud servers, etc. via the Internet have been increasingly popular. In addition, in-vehicle infotainment (IVI) systems installed in connected cars and providing various information contents and entertainment contents according to user operations have been increasingly popular. Such an IVI system is provided via an in-vehicle device having a wireless communication function. A user interface is displayed on the display of the in-vehicle device by a pre-installed application program, and contents corresponding to user operations are provided when the user operates the user interface via an operation unit such as a touch panel.

[0010] In such an IVI system, by collecting, analyzing, and interpreting information on the usage status of in-vehicle devices (usage information) including user operation information, it is possible to review the specifications of the user interface and improve application programs. However, in order to collect the usage information of in-vehicle devices, it is necessary to write a large amount of data including relatively large-capacity image information to the flash memory built into the in-vehicle device, which may impose an excessive load on the flash memory and shorten the product life. That is, the tunnel oxide insulating film of the flash memory gradually deteriorates as data writing and erasing are repeated, and usually reaches the end of its life after about 1,000 to 10,000 times of writing and erasing. Therefore, in this embodiment, the vehicle information collection device is configured as follows so that the usage information of the in-vehicle device can be collected without imposing an excessive load on the flash memory.

[0011] FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of a vehicle information collection device according to an embodiment of the present invention, and shows an example of the configuration of a vehicle information collection system 100 which is a vehicle information collection device. As shown in FIG. 1, the vehicle information collection system 100 includes an in-vehicle device 10 mounted on a vehicle 1 and a server 30 configured to be communicable with the in-vehicle device 10 via the Internet 20.

[0012] The in-vehicle device 10 includes a computer having a CPU 11 as a central processing unit, memories such as a ROM and a RAM as main storage devices, a flash memory 12 as an auxiliary storage device, an I / O interface, and other peripheral circuits. Identification information of the vehicle 1 (for example, a vehicle identification number (VIN (Vehicle Identification Number))) is associated with the in-vehicle device 10, and the identification information of the vehicle 1 is stored in a non-rewritable manner in the ROM of the in-vehicle device 10. Functionally, the in-vehicle device 10 has a writing determination unit 13 that determines whether to permit writing of the usage information of the in-vehicle device 10 to the flash memory 12. That is, the CPU 11 of the in-vehicle device 10 functions as the writing determination unit 13.

[0013] Server 30 is a management server that collects and manages usage information of in-vehicle device 10, and is configured to include a computer having a CPU 31, a memory such as a ROM and a RAM, an I / O interface, and other peripheral circuits. Server 30 may be configured by using a virtual server function on the cloud, or may be configured to be distributed among a plurality of terminals. As a functional configuration, server 30 has an information storage unit 32, an information acquisition unit 33, a first-time determination unit 34, a time information generation unit 35, an information output unit 36, and a state determination unit 37. That is, the memory of server 30 functions as information storage unit 32, and the CPU 31 of server 30 functions as information acquisition unit 33, first-time determination unit 34, time information generation unit 35, information output unit 36, and state determination unit 37.

[0014] When in-vehicle device 10 starts up, it accesses server 30 via Internet 20. At this time, the identification information of vehicle 1 is transmitted from in-vehicle device 10 to server 30. Information acquisition unit 33 of server 30 acquires the identification information of vehicle 1 transmitted from in-vehicle device 10 and stores it in information storage unit 32. More specifically, when information acquisition unit 33 acquires the VIN, which is the identification information of vehicle 1, it generates a hash value corresponding to the acquired VIN by using a predetermined hash function, and stores the generated hash value in information storage unit 32 as the identification information of vehicle 1.

[0015] Based on the identification information stored in information storage unit 32, first-time determination unit 34 of server 30 determines whether the identification information has been acquired for the first time by information acquisition unit 33. More specifically, first-time determination unit 34 determines whether the hash value newly generated by information acquisition unit 33 matches the hash value already stored in information storage unit 32. If the newly generated hash value does not match the hash value stored in information storage unit 32, it is determined that the identification information has been acquired for the first time. If the newly generated hash value matches the hash value stored in information storage unit 32, it is determined that the identification information has not been acquired for the first time, that is, it is the second time or later.

[0016] When the initial determination unit 34 determines that the identification information is acquired for the first time, the time information generation unit 35 generates initial time information, which is information (timestamp) of the initial acquisition time tf when the identification information is first acquired by the information acquisition unit 33. The initial time information generated by the time information generation unit 35 is associated with the identification information (hash value of VIN) of the vehicle 1 and stored in the information storage unit 32. The initial time information stored in the information storage unit 32 is protected so that it cannot be rewritten.

[0017] The information output unit 36 transmits the initial time information generated by the time information generation unit 35 to the in-vehicle device 10. More specifically, when the identification information of the vehicle 1 is acquired for the first time, the newly generated initial time information is immediately transmitted to the in-vehicle device 10. When it is acquired for the second time or later, the initial time information stored in the information storage unit 32 is read out and transmitted to the in-vehicle device 10.

[0018] The initial time information transmitted from the information output unit 36 of the server 30 to the in-vehicle device 10 is stored in the flash memory 12 of the in-vehicle device 10. The initial time information stored in the flash memory 12, which is a non-volatile memory, is maintained even when the power supply to the vehicle 1 or the in-vehicle device 10 is cut off, but is erased when the in-vehicle device 10 is initialized or reset. For example, when the user of the vehicle 1 is changed, the in-vehicle device 10 is initialized or reset, and personal information including the initial time information stored in the flash memory 12 is erased.

[0019] The writing determination unit 13 of the in-vehicle device 10 determines whether to permit writing of the usage information to the flash memory 12 based on the initial time information stored in the flash memory 12 and the length of a collection period T1 for collecting predetermined usage information. The collection period T1 is a period for collecting usage information necessary for improving the application of the in-vehicle device 10, and is predetermined as a period of about 3 years, for example, in consideration of the period required for dealing with initial defects, the support period, etc., according to the type of the vehicle 1 or the in-vehicle device 10. That is, in addition to the normal use of the flash memory 12, writing and erasing of the usage information are performed, and it is predetermined as the minimum necessary period so as not to extremely shorten the product life of the flash memory compared to the product life of the vehicle 1. Information on the length of the collection period T1 is stored in the ROM of the in-vehicle device 10.

[0020] The writing determination unit 13 permits writing of the usage information to the flash memory 12 until the collection period T1 elapses from the first acquisition time tf, and prohibits writing of the usage information to the flash memory 12 after the collection period T1 has elapsed from the first acquisition time tf. More specifically, if the current time tc has not reached the collection end time (tf + T1) obtained by adding the collection period T1 to the first acquisition time tf, writing of the usage information to the flash memory 12 is permitted. On the other hand, if the current time tc has reached the collection end time (tf + T1), writing of the usage information to the flash memory 12 is prohibited.

[0021] The writing determination unit 13 may permit writing of the usage information to the flash memory 12 until the collection period T1 elapses from the reference time t0, and prohibit writing of the usage information to the flash memory 12 after the collection period T1 has elapsed from the reference time t0. The reference time t0 is a predetermined point in time determined in advance according to the type of the vehicle 1 or the in-vehicle device 10, and is determined in advance according to, for example, the release date of a specific type. Information on the reference time t0 is stored in the ROM of the in-vehicle device 10.

[0022] In this case, the writing determination unit 13 calculates the length (T2 = T1 - (tf - t0)) of the individual collection period T2 for collecting usage information by subtracting the length (tf - t0) of the period from the reference time t0 to the first acquisition time tf from the length of the collection period T1. The writing determination unit 13 permits writing of the usage information to the flash memory 12 until the individual collection period T2 elapses from the first acquisition time tf, and prohibits writing of the usage information to the flash memory 12 after the individual collection period T2 has elapsed from the first acquisition time tf. More specifically, if the current time tc has not reached the collection end time (tf + T2) obtained by adding the individual collection period T2 to the first acquisition time tf, writing of the usage information to the flash memory 12 is permitted. On the other hand, if the current time tc has reached the collection end time (tf + T2), writing of the usage information to the flash memory 12 is prohibited.

[0023] When writing of the usage information to the flash memory 12 is permitted, for example, each time a user operation is performed on the in-vehicle device 10, the usage information is written to and accumulated in the flash memory 12. The usage information in this case includes information on the user interface screen displayed on the display of the in-vehicle device 10 at the time when the user operation was performed, information on the coordinate position on the screen where the user operation was performed, and the like. The usage information accumulated in the flash memory 12 is transmitted to the server 30 at a predetermined cycle (for example, once every 24 hours or every time the in-vehicle device 10 is started) together with the identification information of the vehicle 1, and is erased from the flash memory 12.

[0024] The information acquisition unit 33 of the server 30 acquires the identification information of the vehicle 1 and the usage information of the in-vehicle device 10 transmitted from the in-vehicle device 10, and stores them in the information storage unit 32. More specifically, the information acquisition unit 33 stores the usage information of the in-vehicle device 10 in the information storage unit 32 in association with the identification information (hash value of the VIN) of the vehicle 1. Thereby, the usage information of the in-vehicle device 10 is collected and managed on the server 30 side.

[0025] On the in-vehicle device 10 side, writing usage information to the flash memory 12 is prohibited in the initial state. Therefore, when the initial time information is not stored in the flash memory 12, the write determination unit 13 of the in-vehicle device 10 prohibits writing the usage information to the flash memory 12. For example, during the period before the in-vehicle device 10 accesses the server 30 for the first time, or during the period before the in-vehicle device 10 accesses the server 30 after being initialized or reset, writing the usage information to the flash memory 12 is prohibited. When writing the usage information to the flash memory 12 is prohibited on the in-vehicle device 10 side, the usage information of the in-vehicle device 10 is not transmitted to the server 30, and the server 30 side cannot collect and manage the usage information of the in-vehicle device 10.

[0026] Note that when the in-vehicle device 10 accesses the server 30 for the first time after being initialized or reset, information indicating that the in-vehicle device 10 has been initialized or reset is transmitted from the in-vehicle device 10 to the server 30 together with the identification information of the vehicle 1. As a result, on the server 30 side, the usage information collected before the initialization or reset of the in-vehicle device 10 and the usage information collected later can be managed as usage information by different users. In this case, the accuracy of the analysis and analysis of the collected usage information can be improved.

[0027] When the state determination unit 37 of the server 30 determines that the identification information has been acquired for the first time by the first-time determination unit 34, it determines whether usage information has been acquired by the information acquisition unit 33, in other words, whether the usage information acquired by the information acquisition unit 33 is equal to or greater than a predetermined amount. That is, when the identification information of the vehicle 1 is acquired for the first time on the server 30 side, the initial time information of the vehicle 1 has not yet been generated, so writing and collecting usage information on the in-vehicle device 10 side is prohibited. Nevertheless, if the information acquisition unit 33 acquires the usage information of the in-vehicle device 10, there is a possibility that the identification information of the vehicle 1 has been tampered with. When the state determination unit 37 determines that the usage information acquired by the information acquisition unit 33 is equal to or greater than a predetermined amount, the information output unit 36 outputs warning information indicating that there is a possibility that the identification information of the vehicle 1 has been tampered with.

[0028] Figure 2 is a flowchart showing an example of a process executed by the CPU 11 of the in-vehicle device 10 according to a program stored in advance in the memory of the in-vehicle device 10. The process shown in this flowchart is started, for example, when the vehicle 1 and the in-vehicle device 10 are activated. As shown in Figure 2, first, in step S1, it is determined whether the initial time information is stored in the flash memory 12. If it is negated in step S1, the process proceeds to step S2, and if it is affirmed in step S1, the process proceeds to step S3. In step S2, the identification information of the vehicle 1 is transmitted to the server 30 to request the initial time information. When the in-vehicle device 10 and the server 30 are connected via the Internet 20, the initial time information is transmitted from the server 30 to the in-vehicle device 10 in response to the request and stored in the flash memory 12 of the in-vehicle device 10. When the in-vehicle device 10 and the server 30 are not connected, the initial time information remains not stored in the flash memory 12 of the in-vehicle device 10. In step S3, a write determination process (Figures 4 and 5) is performed.

[0029] Figure 3 is a flowchart showing an example of a time information generation process executed by the CPU 31 on the server 30 side according to a program stored in advance in the memory of the server 30. The process shown in this flowchart is executed each time the identification information of the vehicle 1 is transmitted from the in-vehicle device 10 to the server 30. As shown in Figure 3, first, in step S10, a hash value corresponding to the acquired identification information is generated, and it is determined whether the generated hash value matches the hash value stored in the information storage unit 32. If it is negated in step S10, it is determined that new identification information has been acquired and the process proceeds to step S11, and if it is affirmed in step S10, it is determined that existing identification information has been acquired and the process proceeds to step S13.

[0030] In step S11, it is determined whether the usage information of in-vehicle device 10 has been acquired together with the identification information of vehicle 1, in other words, whether the usage information acquired together with the new identification information is equal to or greater than a predetermined amount. If the determination in step S11 is negative, the process proceeds to step S12, and if the determination in step S11 is positive, the process proceeds to step S14. In step S12, the initial time information of the initial acquisition time tf when the new identification information was acquired is generated and stored in the information storage unit 32. In step S13, the initial time information stored in the information storage unit 32 is read out and transmitted to the in-vehicle device 10. In step S14, warning information indicating that the identification information of vehicle 1 may have been tampered with is output.

[0031] Figures 4 and 5 are flowcharts showing an example of a writing determination process executed by the CPU 11 of the in-vehicle device 10 according to a program stored in advance in the memory of the in-vehicle device 10. In the example of Figure 4, in step S20, it is determined whether the initial time information is stored in the flash memory 12. If the determination in step S20 is positive, the process proceeds to step S21. On the other hand, if the determination in step S20 is negative, it is determined that the initial state exists and the process proceeds to step S23. In step S21, it is determined whether the current time tc has reached the collection end time (tf + T1) obtained by adding the collection period T1 to the initial acquisition time tf. If the determination in step S21 is positive, the process proceeds to step S22, and writing of the usage information to the flash memory 12 is permitted. On the other hand, if the determination in step S21 is negative, the process proceeds to step S23, and writing of the usage information to the flash memory 12 is prohibited.

[0032] In the example of Figure 5, instead of step S21 in Figure 4, in step S30, it is determined whether the current time tc has reached the collection end time (tf + T2) obtained by adding the individual collection period T2 to the initial acquisition time tf. If the determination in step S30 is positive, the process proceeds to step S22, and writing of the usage information to the flash memory 12 is permitted. On the other hand, if the determination in step S30 is negative, the process proceeds to step S23, and writing of the usage information to the flash memory 12 is prohibited.

[0033] In this way, by limiting the period during which the usage information of in-vehicle device 10 is written to flash memory 12 to the minimum necessary period (steps S21 to S23, S30), the usage information of in-vehicle device 10 can be collected without imposing an excessive load on flash memory 12. Also, the initial time information of the initial acquisition time tf, which is a prerequisite for permitting the writing of usage information to flash memory 12, is generated on the server 30 side and protected so that it cannot be rewritten (steps S1 to S3, S10 to S13, S20), and the collection period can be reliably managed. In particular, even when in-vehicle device 10 is initialized or reset after the writing of usage information to flash memory 12 has been permitted, the collection period can be reliably managed. Further, since the initial time information generated on the server 30 side is also stored on the in-vehicle device 10 side, the collection period can be managed on the in-vehicle device 10 side even when not connected to server 30 (steps S20 to S23, S30).

[0034] According to this embodiment, the following operational effects can be achieved. (1) The vehicle information collection system 100, which is a vehicle information collection device, includes an in-vehicle device 10 with a built-in flash memory 12 and associated with the identification information of vehicle 1, and a server 30 configured to communicate with the in-vehicle device 10 via the Internet 20 (Fig. 1). The server 30 includes an information acquisition unit 33 that acquires the identification information of vehicle 1 and usage information regarding the usage status of the in-vehicle device 10 from the in-vehicle device 10, an information storage unit 32 that stores the identification information acquired by the information acquisition unit 33, a first-time determination unit 34 that determines whether the identification information was first acquired by the information acquisition unit 33 based on the identification information stored in the information storage unit 32, a time information generation unit 35 that generates first-time time information, which is information on the first acquisition time tf when the identification information was first acquired by the information acquisition unit 33, when the first-time determination unit 34 determines that the identification information was first acquired by the information acquisition unit 33, and an information output unit 36 that outputs the first-time time information generated by the time information generation unit 35 to the in-vehicle device 10 (Figs. 1 and 3). The in-vehicle device 10 has a writing determination unit 13 that determines whether to permit writing of the usage information to the flash memory 12 based on the length of a collection period T1, which is predetermined according to the type of vehicle 1 or the in-vehicle device 10, and the first-time time information output by the information output unit 36 of the server 30 (Figs. 1, 4, and 5). In this way, by restricting the period during which the usage information of the in-vehicle device 10 is written to the flash memory 12, the usage information of the in-vehicle device 10 can be collected without imposing an excessive load on the flash memory 12.

[0035] (2) The writing determination unit 13 permits writing of the usage information to the flash memory 12 until the collection period T1 has elapsed since the first acquisition time tf, and prohibits writing of the usage information to the flash memory 12 after the collection period T1 has elapsed since the first acquisition time tf (Fig. 4). In this case, the collection period can be managed for each of vehicle 1 and the in-vehicle device 10.

[0036] (3) The writing determination unit 13 calculates the length of the individual collection period T2 for collecting usage information by subtracting the length of the period (tf - t0) from the reference time t0 to the first acquisition time tf, which is predetermined according to the type of the vehicle 1 or the in-vehicle device 10, from the length of the collection period T1. The writing determination unit 13 permits writing of the usage information to the flash memory 12 until the individual collection period T2 elapses from the first acquisition time tf, and prohibits writing of the usage information to the flash memory 12 after the individual collection period T2 has elapsed from the first acquisition time tf (FIG. 5). In this case, the collection period can be managed for each type of the vehicle 1 or the in-vehicle device 10.

[0037] (4) When it is determined by the first determination unit 34 that the identification information has been acquired by the information acquisition unit 33 for the first time, the server 30 further includes a state determination unit 37 that determines whether the usage information acquired by the information acquisition unit 33 is equal to or greater than a predetermined amount (FIGS. 1 and 3). When it is determined by the state determination unit 37 that the usage information acquired by the information acquisition unit 33 is equal to or greater than a predetermined amount, the information output unit 36 outputs warning information indicating that the identification information may have been tampered with (FIG. 3). That is, when, from the vehicle 1 to the server 30, together with the new identification information, usage information that should not have been permitted to be collected yet is transmitted, there is a possibility that the identification information of the vehicle 1 has been tampered with. Therefore, necessary measures can be taken by outputting appropriate warning information.

[0038] In the above embodiment, an example has been described in which the server 30 manages the first time information, and the in-vehicle device 10 calculates the collection end times (tf + T1) and (tf + T2) and performs the writing determination process. However, a writing determination unit may be provided on the server 30 side, and the server 30 side may calculate the collection end time and perform the writing determination process.

[0039] The above description is merely an example, and the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment and modification examples as long as the features of the present invention are not impaired. It is also possible to arbitrarily combine one or more of the above embodiment and modification examples, and it is also possible to combine the modification examples with each other.

Description of Reference Numerals

[0040] 1 Vehicle, 10 In-vehicle device, 11 CPU, 12 Flash memory, 13 Writing determination unit, 20 Internet, 30 Server, 31 CPU, 32 Information storage unit, 33 Information acquisition unit, 34 Initial determination unit, 35 Time information generation unit, 36 Information output unit, 37 State determination unit, 100 Vehicle information collection system

Claims

1. An information acquisition unit that acquires the identification information and usage information regarding the usage status of the in-vehicle device from an in-vehicle device with a built-in flash memory to which vehicle identification information is associated; An information storage unit that stores the identification information acquired by the information acquisition unit; A first-time determination unit that determines whether the identification information was first acquired by the information acquisition unit based on the identification information stored in the information storage unit; When the first-time determination unit determines that the identification information was first acquired by the information acquisition unit, a time information generation unit that generates first-time time information, which is information on the first acquisition time when the identification information was first acquired by the information acquisition unit; A writing determination unit that determines whether to permit writing of the usage information to the flash memory based on the length of a collection period, which is predetermined according to the type of the vehicle or the in-vehicle device, for collecting the usage information, and the first-time time information generated by the time information generation unit. A vehicle information collection device characterized by comprising the above.

2. In the vehicle information collection device according to Claim 1, The writing determination unit permits writing of the usage information to the flash memory until the collection period has elapsed from the first acquisition time, and prohibits writing of the usage information to the flash memory after the collection period has elapsed from the first acquisition time. A vehicle information collection device characterized by this.

3. In the vehicle information collection device according to Claim 1, The writing determination unit calculates the length of an individual collection period for collecting the usage information by subtracting the length of the period from a reference time, which is predetermined according to the type of the vehicle or the in-vehicle device, to the first acquisition time from the length of the collection period, permits writing of the usage information to the flash memory until the individual collection period has elapsed from the first acquisition time, and prohibits writing of the usage information to the flash memory after the individual collection period has elapsed from the first acquisition time. A vehicle information collection device characterized by this.

4. In the vehicle information collection device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, When it is determined by the first determination unit that the identification information has been acquired for the first time by the information acquisition unit, a state determination unit that determines whether or not the usage information acquired by the information acquisition unit is equal to or greater than a predetermined amount; When it is determined by the state determination unit that the usage information acquired by the information acquisition unit is equal to or greater than the predetermined amount, the vehicle information collection device further includes an information output unit that outputs warning information indicating that the identification information may have been tampered with.

5. An in-vehicle device incorporating a flash memory and associated with vehicle identification information; A server configured to communicate with the in-vehicle device via the Internet, The server An information acquisition unit that acquires the identification information and usage information regarding the usage status of the in-vehicle device from the in-vehicle device; An information storage unit that stores the identification information acquired by the information acquisition unit; A first determination unit that determines whether or not the identification information has been acquired for the first time by the information acquisition unit based on the identification information stored in the information storage unit; When it is determined by the first determination unit that the identification information has been acquired for the first time by the information acquisition unit, a time information generation unit that generates first time information that is information on the first acquisition time when the identification information was acquired for the first time by the information acquisition unit; An information output unit that outputs the first time information generated by the time information generation unit to the in-vehicle device, The in-vehicle device Based on the length of a collection period for collecting the usage information, which is predetermined according to the type of the vehicle or the in-vehicle device, and the first time information output by the information output unit of the server, a writing determination unit that determines whether or not to permit writing of the usage information to the flash memory. A vehicle information collection system characterized by having

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