Electronic toll collection system and vehicles

Abstract

This invention provides an Electronic Toll Collection (ETC) system and a vehicle. The system includes an on-board electronic tag, a vehicle gateway, an online control unit, a notification device, and a data center. The on-board electronic tag, online control unit, and notification device are communicatively connected to the vehicle gateway via a bus. The on-board electronic tag is used to send ETC-related information to the vehicle gateway via the bus. The vehicle gateway is used to transmit ETC-related information to the notification device and online control unit via the bus. The notification device is used to notify the user of ETC-related information. The online control unit is used to send ETC-related information to the data center; send information query requests to the data center; and receive information query results from the data center. The data center is used to store and query ETC-related information. This invention improves the usability of ETC, enhances the user experience, and makes the ETC system more intelligent.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The embodiments of the present invention generally relate to the field of vehicle manufacturing technology, and more specifically, to an electronic non-stop toll collection system and a vehicle. Background Technology

[0002] At present, Electronic Toll Collection (ETC) onboard units (OBU) are widely used in automobiles.

[0003] The current ETC OBU module is a network module independent of the vehicle. It cannot interact with other controllers on the vehicle, and therefore cannot interact with the vehicle's data and big data systems.

[0004] Furthermore, when paying tolls via ETC at toll booths, the toll amount is not immediately apparent. After the ETC payment is processed, users cannot know how much has been deducted. Although a few toll booths currently have screens displaying the amount, these screens are often in inconspicuous locations and difficult for users to see, thus preventing them from receiving timely payment information. Summary of the Invention

[0005] To address the aforementioned problems in the prior art, in a first aspect, embodiments of the present invention provide an electronic non-stop toll collection system, the system comprising: an on-board electronic tag, a vehicle gateway, an online control unit, a notification device, and a data center. The on-board electronic tag, the vehicle gateway, the online control unit, and the notification device are installed in a vehicle. The on-board electronic tag, the online control unit, and the notification device are communicatively connected to the vehicle gateway via a bus. The on-board electronic tag is used to send non-stop toll collection related information to the vehicle gateway via the bus. The vehicle gateway is used to transmit the non-stop toll collection related information to the notification device and the online control unit via the bus. The notification device is used to notify a user in the vehicle of the non-stop toll collection related information. The online control unit is used to: in response to receiving the non-stop toll collection related information, send the non-stop toll collection related information to the data center via a wireless network; in response to receiving an information query instruction, send an information query request to the data center via a wireless network; and receive the information query result from the data center. The data center is configured to: in response to receiving the non-stop toll collection information, store the non-stop toll collection information; and in response to receiving the information query request, retrieve the information query result from the stored non-stop toll collection information and send the information query result to the online control unit.

[0006] In some embodiments, the system further includes an anti-theft controller, which is communicatively connected to the vehicle gateway via a bus. The anti-theft controller is used to obtain vehicle speed information and / or vehicle anti-theft information from the vehicle gateway, and determine whether to disable the on-board electronic tag based on the vehicle speed information and / or vehicle anti-theft information.

[0007] In some implementations, the vehicle anti-theft information includes one or more of the following: anti-theft system status information and anti-theft system unlock signal.

[0008] In some embodiments, the notification device includes a speaker and / or a screen. The speaker is used to announce the non-stop toll collection information via voice. The screen is used to display the non-stop toll collection information.

[0009] In some implementations, the vehicle-mounted electronic tag is powered by the vehicle's KL30 or KL15.

[0010] In some embodiments, the vehicle-mounted electronic tag is integrated with the vehicle's interior rearview mirror assembly and positioned at the front end of the interior rearview mirror, and the vehicle-mounted electronic tag is mounted close to the vehicle's windshield.

[0011] In some embodiments, the system further includes an on-board diagnostic (OD) system interface connected to the vehicle gateway via the bus, and the OD system interface is adapted to interface with an external diagnostic tool. The OD system interface is used to forward one or more of the following received from the diagnostic tool regarding the on-board electronic tag: data read commands, status monitoring commands, diagnostic information, and configuration information, to the on-board electronic tag via the bus and the vehicle gateway; and to forward responses received from the on-board electronic tag regarding one or more of the following data read commands, status monitoring commands, diagnostic information, and configuration information via the bus and the vehicle gateway to the diagnostic tool.

[0012] In some embodiments, the system further includes a mobile terminal. The mobile terminal is configured to: send an information service request to the data center via a mobile communication network; and receive the information service response from the data center via the mobile communication network. The data center is further configured to: in response to receiving the information service request via the mobile communication network, generate the information service response based on stored information related to non-stop toll collection and third-party data, and send the information service response to the mobile terminal via the mobile communication network.

[0013] In some embodiments, the system further includes a mobile terminal with Bluetooth communication capability and a Bluetooth communication module. The Bluetooth communication module is mounted on the vehicle and communicatively connected to the online control unit. The mobile terminal is used to send a non-stop toll collection information query request to the online control unit via the Bluetooth communication module. The online control unit is further used to generate a non-stop toll collection information query response in response to receiving the non-stop toll collection information query request via the Bluetooth communication module, and to send the non-stop toll collection information query response to the mobile terminal via the Bluetooth communication module.

[0014] In a second aspect, embodiments of the present invention provide a vehicle comprising an on-board electronic tag, a vehicle gateway, an online control unit, and a notification device. The on-board electronic tag, the online control unit, and the notification device are communicatively connected to the vehicle gateway via a bus. The on-board electronic tag is used to send non-stop toll collection-related information to the vehicle gateway via the bus. The vehicle gateway is used to transmit the non-stop toll collection-related information to the notification device and the online control unit via the bus. The notification device is used to notify a user in the vehicle of the non-stop toll collection-related information. The online control unit is used to: in response to receiving the non-stop toll collection-related information, send the non-stop toll collection-related information to a data center via a wireless network; in response to receiving an information query instruction, send an information query request to the data center via a wireless network; and receive an information query result from the data center, wherein the information query result is obtained by the data center from stored non-stop toll collection-related information.

[0015] The non-stop toll collection system and vehicle proposed in this invention overcome the shortcomings of traditional ETC OBUs in the prior art. The ETC OBU can connect to the vehicle network, and the online control unit can obtain ETC deduction information and notify the user through the vehicle's notification device. This allows the user to know the ETC deduction status in real time, greatly improving the value of ETC and enhancing the user experience, making the ETC system more intelligent. Attached Figure Description

[0016] The above and other objects, features, and advantages of embodiments of the present invention will become readily apparent from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. Several embodiments of the invention are illustrated in the drawings by way of example and not limitation, wherein:

[0017] Figure 1 A schematic diagram of an example of an electronic non-stop toll collection system according to an embodiment of the present invention is shown;

[0018] Figure 2 A block diagram illustrating an example of an in-vehicle electronic tag according to an embodiment of the present invention is shown.

[0019] In the accompanying drawings, the same or corresponding reference numerals indicate the same or corresponding parts. Detailed Implementation

[0020] The principles and spirit of the invention will now be described with reference to several exemplary embodiments. It should be understood that these embodiments are given merely to enable those skilled in the art to better understand and implement the invention, and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention in any way.

[0021] In one aspect, embodiments of the present invention provide an Electronic Toll Collection (ETC) system. (See reference...) Figure 1 The diagram illustrates an example of an electronic non-stop toll collection system according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0022] like Figure 1 As shown, the electronic toll collection system may include: an onboard unit (OBU) (or ETC OBU as shown in the figure), a vehicle gateway, an online control unit (OCU), a prompting device, and a data center.

[0023] The ETC OBU, vehicle gateway, OCU, and alerting device are installed in the vehicle. The ETC OBU, OCU, and alerting device are communicatively connected to the vehicle gateway via a bus. Thus, the system can be connected to the vehicle network.

[0024] The bus can be one or more of the following: Controller Area Network (CAN) bus, CAN Flexible Data-rate (CAN FD) bus, and Local Interconnect Network (LIN) bus. The bus type is not limited to these and can be determined based on the overall vehicle network architecture.

[0025] The ETC OBU is used to send non-stop toll collection information to the vehicle gateway via the bus. This information may include, but is not limited to, deduction information, remaining balance, and the highway section traveled.

[0026] The vehicle gateway is used to transmit non-stop toll collection information to the prompting device and OCU via the bus.

[0027] The notification device is used to notify users inside the vehicle of information related to non-stop toll collection. In one embodiment of the invention, the notification device includes a speaker and / or a screen. The speaker is used to announce the non-stop toll collection information via voice. The screen is used to display the non-stop toll collection information. Figure 1 As shown, as a specific example, the screen can be the instrument panel screen or the center console screen, and the speakers can be communicatively connected to the center console.

[0028] according to Figure 1 As shown in the specific example, when a vehicle passes through a highway tollbooth, the ETC payment information, balance information, etc., can be displayed on the vehicle's center console (radio) or instrument panel screen and broadcast aloud through the vehicle's speakers. Through real-time broadcasting, users can be aware of their ETC payment status in real time. This achieves both visual and auditory information broadcasting; of course, only one of these methods can be used, allowing users to choose. Real-time broadcasting of ETC-related information enhances the user experience and makes the ETC system more intelligent.

[0029] The OCU is used to: in response to receiving non-stop toll collection information, send the relevant information to the data center via a wireless network; in response to receiving an information query instruction, send an information query request to the data center via a wireless network (e.g., 4G / 5G network); and receive the information query result from the data center. The information query instruction may be, for example, a user-input information query instruction received through the vehicle's human-machine interface. The human-machine interface may be the same as or a different physical entity from the prompting device.

[0030] The data center is used to: store non-stop toll collection (ETC) related information in response to received requests; and retrieve query results from the stored ETC information in response to received query requests, and send the query results to the OCU. The data center may include backend servers, big data systems, cloud storage, cloud servers, etc. After storing ETC information, the data center facilitates user queries and use, and also facilitates the tracing or description of individual behavioral data.

[0031] The ETC system proposed through the embodiments of this invention allows the ETC controller to interact with the vehicle, thereby providing better ETC services. Furthermore, the ETC system can also interact with external data centers or big data systems through the vehicle's OCU to achieve data storage and subsequent queries, such as querying the highway routes traveled and ETC payment information over a past period.

[0032] As one embodiment of the present invention, such as Figure 1As shown, the system may further include an anti-theft controller, which is communicatively connected to the vehicle gateway via a bus. The anti-theft controller is used to obtain vehicle speed information and / or vehicle anti-theft information from the vehicle gateway, and determine whether to disable the ETC OBU based on the vehicle speed information and / or vehicle anti-theft information. As one embodiment of the present invention, the vehicle anti-theft information includes one or more of the following: anti-theft system status information and anti-theft system unlocking signal.

[0033] The current ECT OBU does not have anti-fraud function. Since the current ETC is a module independent of the whole vehicle, its working status cannot be controlled by the vehicle. As long as the battery has power, it will continue to work. At this time, if someone has the corresponding ETC device, they can deduct money from it, so it cannot prevent fraudulent use. So far, there have been many cases of fraudulent use.

[0034] The anti-theft controller proposed using embodiments of the present invention can solve the aforementioned problems in the prior art. An algorithm can be used to control the ETC OBU to be disabled only under specific conditions. For example, when the vehicle speed is zero and the anti-theft system is activated, the ETC OBU is inactive, thus preventing ETC fraud. For instance, if a vehicle is parked for a period of time, and unauthorized personnel use a device to fraudulently deduct ETC funds, the algorithm can be set to disable the ETC OBU under certain conditions, preventing unauthorized deductions. For example, it can be stipulated that the ETC OBU is disabled when the vehicle speed is zero and the anti-theft system is not released; or simply, the ETC OBU can be controlled by KL15, and the ETC OBU is inactive when KL15 is closed. By implementing the anti-fraud function, the usability of the ETC system is greatly improved, making the ETC system more intelligent.

[0035] In one embodiment of the present invention, the ETC OBU is powered by the vehicle's KL30 or KL15. Powering the device via the vehicle's KL30 or KL15 avoids the problem of the device becoming unusable due to battery depletion after prolonged use, as is the case with battery power. The power supply method for the ETC OBU can be determined based on its advantages and disadvantages. For example, using KL15 power supply is safer in terms of preventing fraudulent transactions, and the overall vehicle static current is also lower.

[0036] Currently, ETC (Electronic Toll Collection) devices are powered by batteries, which has the drawback of not providing continuous power. When the battery runs out, the device becomes unusable, affecting travel. If you need to pass through an ETC lane and the battery is dead, the ETC will be unusable, potentially because there are already long queues behind you, severely impacting traffic flow. The embodiment of this invention uses the vehicle's KL30 or KL15 motor to power the ETC OBU, solving the above-mentioned problems in the existing technology. It ensures that normal payment and passage are not affected by a dead battery, greatly improving convenience and user experience.

[0037] In one embodiment of the present invention, the ETC OBU can be pre-installed, with its installation location determined by the vehicle manufacturer. The ETC OBU can be integrated with the vehicle's interior rearview mirror assembly and positioned at the front end of the rearview mirror, close to the vehicle's windshield. In other words, the front end of the assembly is the ETC OBU, and the rear end is the interior rearview mirror. Because it is pre-installed, any aftermarket window tinting will not cover the ETC area, thus ensuring signal quality.

[0038] Currently, ETC OBUs are all installed in the aftermarket, which presents many inconveniences. Aftermarket solutions suffer from poor signal quality, meaning the signal quality of aftermarket products varies greatly. Furthermore, the installation location is typically affixed to the windshield, and some are installed behind window tint, affecting the ETC signal and leading to intermittent signal reading failures, or successful reading only when the vehicle is slow or stationary. This severely impacts usability. According to the original intention of the national ETC system, vehicles should be able to pass through ETC toll gates quickly, meaning the ETC signal should be strong enough for the device to read quickly without requiring the vehicle to slow down. In aftermarket installations, the installation location is arbitrary and cannot be standardized. The embodiment of this invention proposes a pre-installed method that integrates the ETC OBU with the vehicle's rearview mirror assembly, solving the above-mentioned problems in the prior art. First, the signal is not affected by window tint, ensuring signal quality. Second, the installation location is determined by the vehicle manufacturer, ensuring standardization of installation location and method.

[0039] Since the ETC (Electronic Toll Collection) system is connected to the vehicle network, it can be accessed and diagnosed using a diagnostic tool via the On-Board Diagnostics (OBD) interface. As one embodiment of the invention, the system further includes an On-Board Diagnostics (OBD) interface, which is connected to the vehicle gateway via a bus and is adapted to interface with an external diagnostic tool. The OBD interface is used to forward one or more of the following received from the diagnostic tool—data read commands, status monitoring commands, diagnostic information, and configuration information for the ETC OBU—to the ETC OBU via the bus and vehicle gateway; and to forward responses received from the ETC OBU via the bus and vehicle gateway—for one or more of the following—data read commands, status monitoring commands, diagnostic information, and configuration information—to the diagnostic tool. The ETC OBU is connected to the vehicle network, and by accessing it via the OBD using a diagnostic tool, data can be read, status monitored, faults diagnosed, and functions configured, thereby enabling better development, status checks, maintenance, and status reading and tracking of the ETC OBU.

[0040] As one embodiment of the present invention, the system further includes a mobile terminal. The mobile terminal is used to: send an information service request to a data center via a mobile communication network (e.g., a 4G / 5G network); and receive an information service response from the data center via the mobile communication network. For example, the above functions can be achieved by installing a corresponding application (APP) on the mobile terminal (e.g., a mobile phone). The data center is also used to: in response to receiving an information service request via the mobile communication network, generate an information service response based on stored non-stop toll collection information and third-party data information, and send the information service response to the mobile terminal via the mobile communication network. For example, the data center can provide users with more accurate driving services, such as providing more reasonable and more affordable travel routes, such as obtaining the best or cheapest route between two locations, etc.

[0041] OCU can upload ETC usage information to the service center (or service backend, or big data system) in real time. Through the data center, better ETC services can be provided to users, such as providing the cheapest driving routes. At the same time, users can check their ETC information at any time through the mobile APP bound to their vehicle via 4G / 5G network, such as checking the ETC deduction status for the past six months.

[0042] In one embodiment of the present invention, the system may further include a mobile terminal with Bluetooth communication capability and a Bluetooth communication module. The Bluetooth communication module is installed in the vehicle and is communicatively connected to the OCU. The mobile terminal is used to send a non-stop toll collection information query request to the OCU via the Bluetooth communication module. The OCU is also used to: generate a non-stop toll collection information query response in response to receiving the non-stop toll collection information query request via the Bluetooth communication module, and send the non-stop toll collection information query response to the mobile terminal via the Bluetooth communication module. Thus, ETC data can be read via Bluetooth connection to the vehicle.

[0043] refer to Figure 2 This diagram illustrates a block diagram of an example of an in-vehicle electronic tag according to an embodiment of the present invention. Figure 2As shown, the on-board unit (ETC OBU) includes an ETC OBU chip, a central processing unit (CPU), a CAN transceiver, and a power module. As a specific example, the ETC OBU chip could be the BK5822, but it is not limited to this chip. The BK5822 is a 0.18-micron complementary metal-oxide-semiconductor (CMOS) chip designed specifically for the national standard GB / T20851-2007 for electronic toll collection. It transmits and receives Class A ASK 512kHz or 1Mbps (FM0 encoded) data via the 5.7–5.85GHz channel, with an ASK receiver sensitivity of -70dBm at a bit error rate of 10E-5.

[0044] The BK5822 chip integrates a 5.79-5.84GHz ASK wireless data transceiver block and the national standard ETC communication protocol, offering the following advantages: 1. Excellent frequency selectivity, eliminating interference from adjacent channels; 2. High receiving sensitivity and automatic gain control to avoid communication failures that could prevent toll collection; 3. Compliant with the national standard GB / T20851-2007 for electronic toll collection in ETC systems.

[0045] There are many options for the core processor module CPU. Here, we take the NXP KEA128 as an example. The NXP KEA128 communicates with the BK5822 via the Serial Peripheral Interface (SPI) bus and is also connected to the CAN transceiver to obtain CAN bus data.

[0046] The power module obtains 12V power from the vehicle and generates 5V and 3.3V power through a voltage conversion module to power the CPU, ETCOBU chip, and CAN transceiver.

[0047] In another aspect, embodiments of the present invention provide a vehicle including an electronic vehicle tag (ETCOBU), a vehicle gateway, an online control unit (OCU), and a notification device.

[0048] The ETC OBU, OCU, and alert device are communicatively connected to the vehicle gateway via a bus. The bus can be one or more of the following: Controller Area Network (CAN) bus, CAN Flexible Data Rate (CAN FD) bus, and Local Interconnect Network (LIN) bus. The bus type is not limited to these and can be determined based on the overall vehicle network architecture.

[0049] The ETC OBU is used to send non-stop toll collection information to the vehicle gateway via the bus. This information may include, but is not limited to, deduction information, remaining balance, and the highway section traveled.

[0050] The vehicle gateway is used to transmit non-stop toll collection information to the prompting device and OCU via the bus.

[0051] The notification device is used to notify users inside the vehicle of information related to non-stop toll collection. In one embodiment of the invention, the notification device includes a speaker and / or a screen. The speaker is used to announce the non-stop toll collection information via voice. The screen is used to display the non-stop toll collection information. Figure 1 As shown, as a specific example, the screen can be the instrument panel screen or the center console screen, and the speakers can be communicatively connected to the center console.

[0052] according to Figure 1 As shown in the specific example, when a vehicle passes through a highway tollbooth, the ETC payment information, balance information, etc., can be displayed on the vehicle's center console (radio) or instrument panel screen and broadcast aloud through the vehicle's speakers. Through real-time broadcasting, users can be aware of their ETC payment status in real time. This achieves both visual and auditory information broadcasting; of course, only one of these methods can be used, allowing users to choose. Real-time broadcasting of ETC-related information enhances the user experience and makes the ETC system more intelligent.

[0053] The OCU is used to: in response to receiving non-stop toll collection information, send the non-stop toll collection information to the data center via a wireless network; in response to receiving an information query instruction, send an information query request to the data center via a wireless network; and receive information query results from the data center, wherein the information query results are obtained by the data center from the stored non-stop toll collection information.

[0054] In the vehicle proposed in the embodiments of this invention, the ETC controller can interact with the entire vehicle to better provide ETC services. Furthermore, ETC can also interact with external data centers or big data systems through the vehicle's OCU to achieve data storage and subsequent queries, such as querying highway routes traveled over a past period and ETC payment information.

[0055] In one embodiment of the present invention, the vehicle may further include an anti-theft controller, which is communicatively connected to the vehicle gateway via a bus. The anti-theft controller is used to obtain vehicle speed information and / or vehicle anti-theft information from the vehicle gateway, and determine whether to disable the ETC OBU based on the vehicle speed information and / or vehicle anti-theft information. In another embodiment of the present invention, the vehicle anti-theft information includes one or more of the following: anti-theft system status information and anti-theft system unlocking signal.

[0056] The current ECT OBU does not have anti-fraud function. Since the current ETC is a module independent of the whole vehicle, its working status cannot be controlled by the vehicle. As long as the battery has power, it will continue to work. At this time, if someone has the corresponding ETC device, they can deduct money from it, so it cannot prevent fraudulent use. So far, there have been many cases of fraudulent use.

[0057] The anti-theft controller proposed using embodiments of the present invention can solve the aforementioned problems in the prior art. An algorithm can be used to control the ETC OBU to be disabled only under specific conditions. For example, when the vehicle speed is zero and the anti-theft system is activated, the ETC OBU is inactive, thus preventing ETC fraud. For instance, if a vehicle is parked for a period of time, and unauthorized personnel use a device to fraudulently deduct ETC funds, the algorithm can be set to disable the ETC OBU under certain conditions, preventing unauthorized deductions. For example, it can be stipulated that the ETC OBU is disabled when the vehicle speed is zero and the anti-theft system is not released; or simply, the ETC OBU can be controlled by KL15, and the ETC OBU is inactive when KL15 is closed. By implementing the anti-fraud function, the usability of the ETC system is greatly improved, making the ETC system more intelligent.

[0058] In one embodiment of the present invention, the ETC OBU is powered by the vehicle's KL30 or KL15. Powering the device via the vehicle's KL30 or KL15 avoids the problem of the device becoming unusable due to battery depletion after prolonged use, as is the case with battery power. The power supply method for the ETC OBU can be determined based on its advantages and disadvantages. For example, using KL15 power supply is safer in terms of preventing fraudulent transactions, and the overall vehicle static current is also lower.

[0059] Currently, ETC (Electronic Toll Collection) devices are powered by batteries, which has the drawback of not providing continuous power. When the battery runs out, the device becomes unusable, affecting travel. If you need to pass through an ETC lane and the battery is dead, the ETC will be unusable, potentially because there are already long queues behind you, severely impacting traffic flow. The embodiment of this invention uses the vehicle's KL30 or KL15 motor to power the ETC OBU, solving the above-mentioned problems in the existing technology. It ensures that normal payment and passage are not affected by a dead battery, greatly improving convenience and user experience.

[0060] In one embodiment of the present invention, the ETC OBU can be pre-installed, with its installation location determined by the vehicle manufacturer. The ETC OBU can be integrated with the vehicle's interior rearview mirror assembly and positioned at the front end of the rearview mirror, close to the vehicle's windshield. In other words, the front end of the assembly is the ETC OBU, and the rear end is the interior rearview mirror. Because it is pre-installed, any aftermarket window tinting will not cover the ETC area, thus ensuring signal quality.

[0061] Currently, ETC OBUs are all installed in the aftermarket, which presents many inconveniences. Aftermarket solutions suffer from poor signal quality, meaning the signal quality of aftermarket products varies greatly. Furthermore, the installation location is typically affixed to the windshield, and some are installed behind window tint, affecting the ETC signal and leading to intermittent signal reading failures, or successful reading only when the vehicle is slow or stationary. This severely impacts usability. According to the original intention of the national ETC system, vehicles should be able to pass through ETC toll gates quickly, meaning the ETC signal should be strong enough for the device to read quickly without requiring the vehicle to slow down. In aftermarket installations, the installation location is arbitrary and cannot be standardized. The embodiment of this invention proposes a pre-installed method that integrates the ETC OBU with the vehicle's rearview mirror assembly, solving the above-mentioned problems in the prior art. First, the signal is not affected by window tint, ensuring signal quality. Second, the installation location is determined by the vehicle manufacturer, ensuring standardization of installation location and method.

[0062] Since the ETC (Electronic Toll Collection) system is connected to the vehicle network, it can be accessed and diagnosed using a diagnostic tool via the On-Board Diagnostics (OBD) interface. In one embodiment of the invention, the vehicle also includes an On-Board Diagnostics (OBD) interface, which is connected to the vehicle gateway via a bus and is adapted to interface with an external diagnostic tool. The OBD interface is used to forward one or more of the following received from the diagnostic tool regarding the ETC OBU: data read commands, status monitoring commands, diagnostic information, and configuration information, to the ETC OBU via the bus and vehicle gateway; and to forward responses received from the ETC OBU regarding one or more of the following received from the ETC OBU via the bus and vehicle gateway to the diagnostic tool. The ETC OBU is connected to the vehicle network, and by using a diagnostic tool to access it via OBD, data can be read, status monitored, faults diagnosed, and functions configured, thereby enabling better development, status checks, maintenance, and status reading and tracking of the ETC OBU.

[0063] In one embodiment of the present invention, the vehicle may further include a Bluetooth communication module, which is communicatively connected to the OCU. The vehicle can interact with a mobile terminal equipped with Bluetooth communication functionality via the Bluetooth communication module. The mobile terminal can send a non-stop toll collection (ETC) related information query request to the OCU via the Bluetooth communication module. The OCU is also configured to, in response to receiving the ETC related information query request via the Bluetooth communication module, generate an ETC related information query response and send the response to the mobile terminal via the Bluetooth communication module. Thus, ETC data can be read via Bluetooth connection to the vehicle.

[0064] This invention provides an ETC OBU system integrated into the vehicle's network, overcoming the shortcomings of traditional ETC OBUs in the prior art. This system integrates CAN / CAN FD or LIN, allowing it to connect to the vehicle network and obtain ETC payment information. This information is displayed on the vehicle's center console (radio) or instrument panel screen and broadcast through the vehicle's speakers, enabling users to monitor ETC payments in real time. According to this invention, the system can also obtain vehicle information from the vehicle network, such as speed signals and anti-theft system activation signals. Algorithms can then be used to disable the ETC OBU under specific conditions, such as when the vehicle is moving at zero speed and the anti-theft system is activated. This prevents ETC fraud; for example, if the vehicle remains stationary, criminals cannot use the device to steal funds. According to this invention, the system can be powered by the vehicle's KL30 or KL15 power supply, eliminating the need for battery power and the problem of battery depletion. In addition, this solution can be pre-installed, with the vehicle manufacturer determining the installation location. The ETC OBU is integrated with the interior rearview mirror assembly. The front of this assembly is the ETC OBU, and the rear is the interior rearview mirror. In other words, the ETC OBU is attached to the windshield during installation. Since it is pre-installed, the glass film will not cover the ETC area, thus ensuring signal quality.

[0065] Furthermore, the system can also establish an ETC big data system and a mobile app. Since the system is connected to the vehicle network, the ETC OBU can communicate with the vehicle's OCU and radio (Bluetooth module). The OCU can upload ETC usage information to the service backend (big data system) in real time. Through the big data system, better ETC services can be provided to users, such as providing the cheapest driving routes. At the same time, users can check their ETC information at any time through the vehicle app via 4G / 5G network, such as checking the ETC deduction status for the past six months. They can also connect to the vehicle via Bluetooth to read ETC data.

[0066] These advantages greatly enhance the system's value and improve the user experience, making the ETC system more intelligent.

[0067] The foregoing description of embodiments of the invention has been given for illustrative purposes and is not exhaustive, nor is it intended to limit the invention to the exact forms disclosed. Those skilled in the art will understand that various changes can be made without departing from the scope of the invention, and elements therein can be substituted with equivalents. Furthermore, many modifications can be made to adapt particular situations or materials to the teachings of the invention without departing from the basic scope of the invention. Therefore, the invention is not intended to be limited to the specific embodiments disclosed as the best mode contemplated for carrying out the invention; the invention will include all embodiments falling within the scope of the appended claims.

Claims

1. An electronic toll collection system, characterized in that, The system includes: an on-board electronic tag, a vehicle gateway, an online control unit, a notification device, and a data center. The vehicle-mounted electronic tag, the vehicle gateway, the online control unit, and the prompting device are installed on the vehicle; The vehicle-mounted electronic tag, the online control unit, and the alerting device are all communicatively connected to the vehicle gateway via a bus. The vehicle-mounted electronic tag includes an ETC OBU chip, a central processing unit, a CAN transceiver, and a power module. The vehicle-mounted electronic tag is used to send non-stop toll collection related information to the vehicle gateway via the bus; The vehicle gateway is used to transmit the non-stop toll collection information to the prompting device and the online control unit via the bus; The notification device is used to notify users inside the vehicle of information related to non-stop toll collection. The online control unit is configured to: in response to receiving the non-stop toll collection related information, send the non-stop toll collection related information to the data center via a wireless network; in response to receiving an information query instruction, send an information query request to the data center via a wireless network; and receive the information query result from the data center. The data center is configured to: in response to receiving the non-stop toll collection information, store the non-stop toll collection information; and in response to receiving the information query request, retrieve the information query result from the stored non-stop toll collection information and send the information query result to the online control unit.

2. The system according to claim 1, characterized in that, The system also includes an anti-theft controller, which is communicatively connected to the vehicle gateway via a bus. The anti-theft controller is used to obtain vehicle speed information and / or vehicle anti-theft information from the vehicle gateway, and determine whether to disable the vehicle electronic tag based on the vehicle speed information and / or vehicle anti-theft information.

3. The system according to claim 2, characterized in that, The vehicle anti-theft information includes one or more of the following: anti-theft system status information and anti-theft system unlock signal.

4. The system according to claim 1, characterized in that, The notification device includes a speaker and / or a screen. The speaker is used to broadcast the non-stop toll collection information via voice. The screen is used to display information related to non-stop toll collection.

5. The system according to claim 1, characterized in that, The vehicle-mounted electronic tag is powered by the vehicle's KL30 or KL15.

6. The system according to claim 1, characterized in that, The vehicle-mounted electronic tag is integrated with the vehicle's interior rearview mirror assembly and is located at the front end of the interior rearview mirror, and the vehicle-mounted electronic tag is installed close to the vehicle's windshield.

7. The system according to claim 1, characterized in that, The system also includes an on-board diagnostic system interface, which is connected to the vehicle gateway via the bus, and the on-board diagnostic system interface is adapted to interface with an external diagnostic tool. The on-board diagnostic system interface is used to forward one or more of the data reading instructions, status monitoring instructions, diagnostic information, and configuration information received from the diagnostic instrument for the on-board electronic tag to the on-board electronic tag via the bus and the vehicle gateway; and to forward the responses received from the on-board electronic tag for one or more of the data reading instructions, status monitoring instructions, diagnostic information, and configuration information via the bus and the vehicle gateway to the diagnostic instrument.

8. The system according to claim 1, characterized in that, The system also includes a mobile terminal. The mobile terminal is used to: send an information service request to the data center via a mobile communication network; and receive an information service response from the data center via a mobile communication network. The data center is also configured to: in response to receiving the information service request via a mobile communication network, generate the information service response based on the stored non-stop toll collection information and third-party data information, and send the information service response to the mobile terminal via the mobile communication network.

9. The system according to claim 1, characterized in that, The system also includes a mobile terminal with Bluetooth communication function and a Bluetooth communication module. The Bluetooth communication module is installed on the vehicle and can be communicatively connected to the online control unit. The mobile terminal is used to: send a query request for non-stop toll collection information to the online control unit via the Bluetooth communication module; The online control unit is further configured to: generate a non-stop toll collection information query response in response to receiving the non-stop toll collection information query request through the Bluetooth communication module, and send the non-stop toll collection information query response to the mobile terminal through the Bluetooth communication module.

10. A vehicle, characterized in that, The vehicle includes an on-board electronic tag, a vehicle gateway, an online control unit, and a notification device. The vehicle-mounted electronic tag, the online control unit, and the alerting device are all communicatively connected to the vehicle gateway via a bus. The vehicle-mounted electronic tag includes an ETC OBU chip, a central processing unit, a CAN transceiver, and a power module. The vehicle-mounted electronic tag is used to send non-stop toll collection related information to the vehicle gateway via the bus; The vehicle gateway is used to transmit the non-stop toll collection information to the prompting device and the online control unit via the bus; The notification device is used to notify users inside the vehicle of information related to non-stop toll collection. The online control unit is configured to: in response to receiving the non-stop toll collection related information, send the non-stop toll collection related information to the data center via a wireless network; in response to receiving an information query instruction, send an information query request to the data center via a wireless network; and receive information query results from the data center, wherein the information query results are obtained by the data center from the stored non-stop toll collection related information.

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