Vehicle Usage Data Collection with Flash Write Period Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing devices that collect information from in-vehicle equipment with flash memory apply excessive load, potentially shortening the product life due to frequent data writing and erasing, as seen in JP 2009-230660 A.
Innovation Solution
A vehicle information collection apparatus and system that includes a processor and memory to determine first-acquisition time information and manage a collection period for writing usage information into the flash memory, limiting the writing to a predetermined period to avoid excessive load.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If usage information is continuously stored in the flash memory of in-vehicle equipment, then the collection of usage status data is improved, but the flash memory becomes excessively loaded and product life is shortened
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary actions by determining whether identification information has been acquired for the first time before initiating continuous usage information storage. This preliminary check prevents unnecessary continuous writing operations that would excessively load the flash memory, thereby resolving the contradiction between collection efficiency and memory durability.
2Measurement precision
If information on remaining substitute blocks is unconditionally stored in each terminal device, then the tracking of flash memory life is improved, but an excessive load is applied to the flash memory
Solution Approach 1:
The system extracts the essential information needed for flash memory life tracking by determining whether identification information has been acquired for the first time, rather than unconditionally storing all usage information. This selective approach reduces the writing load on flash memory while maintaining the ability to track memory life, thereby resolving the contradiction between tracking accuracy and operation complexity.
Data Source
AI summary
Vehicle information collection apparatus, includes: processor and memory. Processor is configured to: acquire identification information of vehicle and usage information regarding usage status of in-vehicle equipment from in-vehicle equipment, in-vehicle equipment incorporating flash memory and being associated with identification information. Memory is configured to store identification information. Processor is further configured to: determine whether identification information has been acquired for first time based on identification information stored, generate first-acquisition time information when identification information is determined to have been acquired for first time, first-acquisition time information being information of first acquisition time at which identification information has been acquired for first time, and determine whether to permit writing of usage information into flash memory based on length of collection period and first-acquisition time information, collection period being period for collecting usage information and being determined in advance according to model of vehicle or in-vehicle equipment.