Dynamic Probe Replacement for Vehicle Data Acquisition

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing vehicle data acquisition systems lack flexibility in acquiring data for analysis, often requiring source code changes that are difficult and prone to inaccuracies, especially for engineers without expertise, and can disrupt vehicle operations during data collection.

Innovation Solution

A vehicle data acquisition system with a data acquisition assisting section and a probe section that can be dynamically incorporated into the in-vehicle information processing device, allowing the probe section to be replaced with acquiring instructions at specific points in the process procedure, enabling flexible and accurate data collection without altering the source code or disrupting vehicle operations.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If the source code of the program is changed to modify the data log function, then the types and numbers of data to be acquired can be changed according to the analysis target, but the work can only be performed by experienced engineers and accurate changes are difficult to achieve

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveflexibility of data acquisitionVSAvoiddifficulty of program modification
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a diagnostic program as an intermediary layer between the control program and the data storage system. This diagnostic program includes a data acquisition section that can be dynamically modified through function change information from a terminal device, while the original control program source code remains unchanged. The intermediary diagnostic program handles the flexibility of data acquisition configuration, resolving the contradiction between adaptability and ease of operation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If the diagnostic program stores vehicle data based on storing condition after the control program executes a diagnosis process, then the data can be collected and stored for each process result, but the flexibility to integration and sophistication of programs decreases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveaccuracy of data collectionVSAvoidrigidity of program structure
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements a dynamic data acquisition system where the diagnostic program can be modified in real-time through function change information sent from a terminal device. The data acquisition section can dynamically change which data items are acquired and their storage conditions based on breakdown information, rather than being fixed to store data only after complete diagnosis processes. This dynamic approach maintains program flexibility while ensuring reliable data collection.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

3Ease of operation

If function change information is sent from a terminal device to change the data log function, then even inexperienced engineers can easily collect vehicle data, but the system requires a terminal device connection and cannot operate independently

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveease of data collectionVSAvoiddependency on external terminal
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent incorporates a data acquisition assisting section in advance in the in-vehicle information processing device that contains pre-configured data acquisition capabilities. When function change information is received from a terminal device, this pre-existing assisting section can immediately execute the data acquisition with modified parameters. The preliminary inclusion of this section reduces the system's operational dependency on external terminals while maintaining ease of operation through remote configuration capabilities.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentEP2629204B1Vehicle data acquisition system and vehicle data acquisition method
Publication Date: 2019.02.13 TOYOTA JIDOSHA KK
  • EP2629204B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP2629204B1 patent drawingFigure 3(a)~4
  • EP2629204B1 patent drawingFigure 5~7

AI summary

Provided is a vehicle data acquisition system that stores, in a memory device (31), vehicle data acquired by way of a vehicle-mounted information processor (21). A data acquisition program (12) assisting the acquisition of the vehicle data is dynamically incorporated in the vehicle-mounted information processor (21). A probe section (P), which can be replaced with another command, is positioned as an invalid command in one or a plurality of positions in an application program (11) incorporated in advance in the information processor (21). The data acquisition program (12) replaces the probe section (P) with a vehicle data acquisition command and stores the acquired vehicle data in chronological order in the memory device (31). The data acquisition program (12) re-replaces the probe section (P) with an invalid command after the vehicle data is acquired.