Portable Tape Storage for Autonomous Vehicle Data Collection

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current disk-based solutions for collecting large amounts of data in autonomous vehicles are limited by low data rates and storage capacity, requiring multiple stops for data collection and being prone to damage.

Innovation Solution

A portable tape storage system with one or more tape drives, servers, and power supplies that can collect and store hundreds of gigabytes to tens of terabytes of data in real-time, utilizing tape drives that offer higher data rates and greater storage capacity than disk drives, with shock-absorbing mounts and power drawn from the vehicle's battery.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If disk-based storage solutions are used in autonomous vehicles, then data can be stored, but the data rate is low and storage capacity is limited

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedata collection rateVSAvoidstorage capacity

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent transitions from disk-based storage to tape-based storage, fundamentally changing the storage medium parameter. Tape drives provide higher data rates (up to 100x faster than disk) and vastly greater storage capacity (hundreds of gigabytes to tens of terabytes per cartridge), directly resolving the contradiction between productivity and quantity of storage.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Quantity of substance

If multiple data containers are used for storage, then storage capacity increases, but the number of stops for data collection increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestorage capacityVSAvoidtime for data container changes

Core Design Contradiction:

Quantity of substanceVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system pre-loads large-capacity tape cartridges (hundreds of GB to TBs) before vehicle operation. This preliminary preparation of high-capacity storage media eliminates the need for frequent container changes during data collection, reducing time loss and maintaining continuous operation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

By changing from small-capacity disk/dataset containers to large-capacity tape cartridges, the system increases storage capacity by factors of 10-100x, thereby reducing the frequency of container changes and the associated time losses.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Productivity

If disk drives are used for data storage, then data can be collected, but the system is prone to damage from vibration

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedata collection capabilityVSAvoidresistance to vibration damage

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs disposable or replaceable tape cartridges that can be quickly swapped out. These cartridges are designed to be robust and replaceable, allowing the system to maintain reliability in vibratory environments by simply replacing damaged cartridges rather than repairing complex mechanical systems.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

Solution Approach 2:

The transition from disk drives to tape drives changes the mechanical parameters of the storage system. Tape drives have fewer moving parts and different vibration characteristics compared to disk drives, making them inherently more resistant to vibration damage in mobile autonomous vehicle environments.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

4Productivity

If tape drives are installed in autonomous vehicles, then higher data rates and storage capacity are achieved, but the system complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedata collection rateVSAvoidsystem complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system is segmented into modular components: tape drives, servers, power supplies, and shock-absorbing mounts are separate, replaceable units. This segmentation allows for easier maintenance, replacement, and configuration, managing system complexity while achieving high productivity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The tape drive system serves multiple functions: high-speed data collection, large-capacity storage, and vibration resistance. The universal design of the tape cartridge interface and standardized mounting systems reduces overall system complexity despite the advanced capabilities provided.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentUS11621019B2Portable tape storage on a mobile platform

Publication Date: 2023.04.04 INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINE CORPORATION

AI summary

A system may include one or more tape drives. A front portion of the one or more tape drives may be exposed to allow access to one or more respective tape cartridges of each of the one or more tape drives. The system may include one or more servers. The one or more servers may control the one or more tape drives. The system may include one or more ports communicatively connected to the one or more tape drives. Each of the one or more ports may respectively be associated with a specific sensor. Each of the specific sensors may record a specific datum. The system my include one or more power supplies.