ROM in computer language/terminology stands for READ ONLY MEMORY.

When you activate a delay box, like a Mega 450, it can only store pre set information, launch RPM, shift point, throttle stop activation and throttle stop termination. As an example when you turn on your home computer, or lap top it opens a screen that has the web sites you want to see, web sites you pre-programed to view. Examples might be Google, the weather channel, or Drag Race Results. ROM doesn't have the ability to learn other than what is pre-set.

A example of RAM (RANDON ACCESS MEMORY)

RAM has the capability of leaning and adapting. An example of this is that if your cars on board computer has RAM capability it can learn and adapt to different drivers, their habits or tendencies.

EXAMPLE: Two cars, one driven by a 16 year old kid, the other driven by a 84 year old grandmother. Over a short time the on board computer with in each car learns (RAM) the habits of each driver. Take them to a drag strip and race them. The car driven by the 16 year old will be quicker and faster. Exchange cars drive them for a day and race again. Again the car driven by the 16 year old will be quicker.

Video games as an example have both ROM (pre-set storage) to open the game and RAM to adapt to changing situations, or in some cases the reaction of the players.

Enter Drag Racing.

Here is where it gets interesting. If your on board "Delay Box" is modified to have a RAM, it can learn and adapt. Tie it in to a weather station and it's possible to have it learn and adapt to a given performance requirement . If the car does not spin the tires it's entirely possible to run the predicted ET with incredible accuracy.

The challenge is to detect that a delay box has been modified to accept a RAM function.

Hello Bob,
Is this theoretical talk for potential developments, or does this capability currently exist? (With regard to a Delay Box interacting with a weather station, etc)?
It does sound interesting, but I am trying to even imagine how a delay box could take Wx input, and what it could possibly do to somehow translate that data into actions that could assist the car in "running the number"?
(Other than perhaps manipulating the shift point to make the car pick up or slow down based on a predicted ET, and do boxes even have an ET input)? I would tend to think the MSD Grid would have more potential for this type of enhancement, it seems to have much more computing power than a delay box, and numerous input/output capabilities.
I do appreciate that you are a "thinking man", (I believe anyone who plays this game has to be, if they are competitive). And whether this is reality or could be someday, props for "thinking outside the box"!" (Ok, that was a terrible pun)

Tie all of this into a front wheel rotation data recording device (Corvette) that counts the number of rotations of the front wheel (it does) and you have a million dollar winner. Is it possible?

Absolutely, and not entirely theoretical.

Next, develop a tree reader and think of the possibilities, especially at million dollar events.

Find a someone who can write code and I believe it is possible, or maybe it's been done.

The only down side to RAM is that normally, unlike ROM, it holds data for a short time, but that could be expanded.

quote:

Again the car driven by the 16 year old will be quicker.

Hey, that's profiling!

quote:

The only down side to RAM is that normally, unlike ROM, it holds data for a short time, but that could be expanded.

Most all 2008 and newer cars have ADAPTS (RAM) built in, and is constantly updating for conditions and never stops updating. The transmission is the biggest place this is seen. The computer learns how to adapt and shift the trans, based on who is driving the car. Replacing the transmission fluid in these cars, causes the car to re adapt for fluid that isnt broke down. 2014 and Newer is using adapts even more on the engine side now for idle and fuel control. There is alot of technology out there right now, yes its smart enough to do what we need. Even with all this being said, it is still WAY too easy to make a bracket car consistent, without the aid of electronics.

Not to bring up a topic from the past, that may still be a sore subject for some - This conversation brought back memories of the controversy associated with the Matty Box from way back...

Hook this box to the tree reader and you can never lose...

The adaptive learning the OP is referring to later model vehicles is called KAM or "Keep Alive Memory". To reiterate It is a type RAM memory that logs driver and vehicle sensor inputs to make slight adjustments to the "tune" of the vehicle to improve driving experience and vehicle performance.

Ever have a CEL that needed some repairs and the vehicle seemed to drive funny for a little while afterwards? its likely your KAM was reset during the repair.