ECU Storage Reallocation Using Unused Allocated Areas
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Solution Overview
Problem
In-vehicle electronic control units (ECUs) face inefficiencies in storage allocation when the capacity of unallocated storage does not meet the request capacity, as existing methods cannot allocate unused areas from already allocated applications effectively.
Innovation Solution
An electronic control unit with an area allocation method that accepts area securement requests, determines if the unallocated storage capacity exceeds the request, and releases unused areas from less frequently accessed or soon-to-expire allocated applications to create a release area, combining this with unallocated capacity to allocate to the requesting application.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the capacity of unallocated area is used for allocation, then the storage allocation efficiency is improved, but when the unallocated capacity is insufficient, the request cannot be fully satisfied
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic storage allocation by allowing areas to transition between allocated and unallocated states based on real-time needs. The area release unit dynamically releases areas from allocated state back to unallocated state when requested applications cannot be satisfied with current unallocated capacity, enabling the system to adapt storage distribution dynamically rather than statically.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the status parameter of storage areas from 'allocated' to 'unallocated' through the area release unit. This parameter change allows the same physical storage to be reassigned, effectively increasing the available capacity for new requests without adding physical storage resources.
2Adaptability or versatility
If areas are released from allocated applications to satisfy new requests, then the flexibility of storage allocation is improved, but the reliability of existing applications may be affected
Solution Approach 1:
The area determination unit monitors the usage status of allocated areas and provides feedback to the area release unit. When an allocated area is determined to be unused or underutilized, this feedback triggers the release of that area to satisfy new requests, ensuring that releases only occur when it will not harm existing applications.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs self-service by automatically identifying and releasing unused allocated areas without manual intervention. The area release unit autonomously determines which allocated areas can be released based on usage monitoring, maintaining reliability while improving flexibility.
3Device complexity
If all unallocated area is allocated to a single request, then the simplicity of allocation process is improved, but the fairness of storage distribution among multiple applications deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the unallocated area into multiple smaller allocation units that can be distributed to different applications. Instead of allocating the entire unallocated area to one application, the system divides it and allocates portions to multiple applications based on their respective request capacities, achieving fair distribution while maintaining simple allocation logic.
Data Source
AI summary
By an electronic control unit, an area allocation method, or a computer-readable non-transitory storage medium storing an area allocation program, an area securement request is accepted from an area securement request application, it is determined whether a capacity of an unallocated area of a storage exceeds a request capacity, a part of unused area of an allocated area already allocated to an area-allocated application is release as a release area, a total capacity of at least a part of the capacity of the unallocated area and a capacity of the release area is allocated as the allocated area.