Etc system centralized management method, system and cloud center, psam card matrix

Abstract

The application provides an ETC system centralized management method and system, a cloud center and a PSAM card matrix. The method comprises the following steps: requesting a PSAM card from the PSAM card matrix through the cloud center; in a vehicle identity verification link, requesting a PSAM card allocated by the cloud center to decrypt vehicle information ciphertext, and receiving vehicle information plaintext decrypted by the PSAM card; in an ETC transaction link, requesting and receiving ETC transaction element information for ETC transaction from the PSAM card allocated by the cloud center. The application can enable external devices to realize vehicle identity verification and ETC payment in the ETC system through a remote access interface provided by the PSAM card matrix. The centralized mode of the PSAM center can greatly facilitate the management of the PSAM card, reduce the fault tolerance, improve the management efficiency, and save the operation cost.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of ETC technology, and in particular to a centralized management method for an ETC system, a system and cloud center, and a PSAM card matrix. Background Technology

[0002] ETC antenna devices require PSAM card information for online ETC card reading and deduction. Currently, in typical scenarios, each ETC antenna device has an independently inserted Personal Secure Access Module Card (PSAM card), meaning one card per device. In larger usage scenarios with numerous entrances and exits, this results in a large number of PSAM cards being managed, leading to widespread distribution, cumbersome processes, and increased risks of confusion, loss, or damage. It also increases the difficulty and cost of daily maintenance, requiring manual on-site visits to parking lots and antenna replacements. Furthermore, a damaged PSAM card renders the ETC antenna device unusable, resulting in low fault tolerance. The PSAM card is a type of smart card used for data encryption and protection, providing security authentication, encryption / decryption, and digital signature functions. It verifies the legitimacy of the user card and protects the terminal's deduction behavior.

[0003] In summary, the existing technology has the following problems: in scenarios with dense ETC antenna devices, the decentralized management of PSAM cards may lead to problems such as high management costs, low operational efficiency, and poor fault tolerance. Summary of the Invention

[0004] In view of this, embodiments of the present invention provide a centralized management method for an ETC system, a system and cloud center, and a PSAM card matrix to eliminate or improve one or more defects existing in the prior art.

[0005] One aspect of the present invention provides a centralized management method for an ETC system, the method comprising the following steps: requesting the allocation or release of a PSAM card from a PSAM card matrix through a cloud center; in the vehicle identity verification stage, requesting the decryption of encrypted vehicle information from the PSAM card allocated by the PSAM card matrix through the cloud center, and receiving the plaintext vehicle information obtained by the decryption by the PSAM card; in the ETC transaction stage, requesting and receiving ETC transaction element information for ETC transactions from the PSAM card allocated by the PSAM card matrix through the cloud center.

[0006] In some embodiments of the present invention, the step of requesting the allocation or release of a PSAM card from the PSAM card matrix through the cloud center includes: when a vehicle entering the ETC detection range triggers a transaction process, requesting the allocation of a PSAM card from the PSAM card matrix; when the ETC transaction is completed, requesting the release of the PSAM card from the PSAM card matrix; or requesting the reallocation or release of the PSAM card from the PSAM card matrix according to preset rules or time intervals.

[0007] In some embodiments of the present invention, the step of requesting the allocation of a PSAM card from the PSAM card matrix when a vehicle entering the ETC detection range triggers the transaction process includes: receiving a PSAM card allocation request from an external device; applying for PSAM card authorization from the PSAM card matrix; receiving the allocated PSAM card information returned by the PSAM card matrix and returning it to the external device; receiving an authorization confirmation request from the external device; requesting authorization confirmation from the PSAM card matrix; receiving the authorization result returned by the PSAM card matrix and the relevant authorization information for accessing the corresponding PSAM card in the vehicle identity verification and ETC transaction stages, and returning it to the external device.

[0008] In some embodiments of the present invention, the relevant authorization information includes a PSAM channel number and a PSAM terminal number; the relevant authorization information also includes multiple of the following: PSAM serial number, PSAM version number, PSAM key card type, PSAM application area identifier, and PSAM random number.

[0009] In some embodiments of the present invention, before the step of requesting the decryption of the vehicle information ciphertext from the PSAM card allocated by the cloud center to the PSAM card matrix in the vehicle identity verification stage, the method further includes: receiving a decryption request from an external device containing vehicle information ciphertext and vehicle OBU information, performing network number verification and blacklist verification on the decryption request, and sending a ciphertext parsing request containing vehicle information ciphertext and vehicle OBU information to the PSAM card allocated by the PSAM card matrix.

[0010] In some embodiments of the present invention, in the ETC transaction process, the step of requesting and receiving ETC transaction element information for ETC transactions from the PSAM card allocated by the cloud center to the PSAM card matrix includes: receiving an ETC transaction element information acquisition request from an external device, parsing the request, and requesting ETC transaction element information for this ETC transaction from the PSAM card allocated by the cloud center to the PSAM card matrix; receiving the ETC transaction element information returned by the PSAM card allocated by the PSAM card matrix, and returning the ETC transaction element information to the external device.

[0011] Another aspect of the present invention provides a centralized management method for an ETC system. When an external device interacts with the on-board unit of a vehicle entering the ETC detection range, the method includes: requesting the allocation or release of a PSAM card from a PSAM card matrix via a cloud center; in the vehicle identity verification stage, reading the encrypted vehicle information recorded in the on-board unit, requesting the decryption of the encrypted vehicle information from the PSAM card allocated by the PSAM card matrix via the cloud center, and receiving the plaintext vehicle information obtained by decryption from the PSAM card returned by the cloud center; in the ETC transaction stage, requesting and receiving ETC transaction element information for ETC transactions from the PSAM card allocated by the PSAM card matrix via the cloud center.

[0012] Another aspect of the present invention provides a cloud center that establishes a communication connection with external devices and a PSAM card matrix; the cloud center is used to request the allocation or release of PSAM cards from the PSAM card matrix; the cloud center is used, in the vehicle identity verification process, to request the decryption of encrypted vehicle information from the PSAM card allocated by the PSAM card matrix through the cloud center, and to receive the plaintext vehicle information obtained by the decryption by the PSAM card; the cloud center is also used, in the ETC transaction process, to request and receive ETC transaction element information for ETC transactions from the PSAM card allocated by the PSAM card matrix through the cloud center.

[0013] Another aspect of the present invention provides a PSAM card matrix, which includes multiple PSAM cards managed in a matrix manner, and provides a functional interface for external devices to request allocation and release.

[0014] Another aspect of the present invention provides a centralized management system for an ETC system, comprising: a cloud center and a PSAM card matrix as described in the above embodiments, to implement the steps of the method described in any of the above embodiments.

[0015] The centralized management method, system and cloud center, and PSAM card matrix proposed in this invention enable external devices (including ETC antenna devices in parking lots that do not require PSAM card installation) to perform vehicle identity verification and ETC payment in the ETC system through the remote access interface provided by the PSAM card matrix. The PSAM card matrix also allows for key acquisition, encryption, and decryption through this remote access interface. Based on the method proposed in this invention, in scenarios with dense ETC antenna devices, the centralized PSAM model greatly facilitates PSAM card management, reduces fault tolerance, improves management efficiency, and saves operating costs.

[0016] Additional advantages, objects, and features of the invention will be set forth in part in the description which follows, and will also become apparent in part to those skilled in the art upon studying the description, or may be learned by practice of the invention. The objects and other advantages of the invention can be realized and obtained by means of the structures specifically pointed out in the description and drawings.

[0017] Those skilled in the art will understand that the objectives and advantages achievable with the present invention are not limited to those specifically described above, and that the above and other objectives achievable with the present invention will become clearer from the following detailed description. Attached Figure Description

[0018] The accompanying drawings, which are included to provide a further understanding of the invention and form part of this application, are not intended to limit the scope of the invention. In the drawings:

[0019] Figure 1 This is a flowchart of a centralized management method for an ETC system in one embodiment of the present invention.

[0020] Figure 2 This is a flowchart illustrating the process of applying for PSAM authorization through a cloud center in one embodiment of the present invention.

[0021] Figure 3 This is a flowchart illustrating the vehicle information decryption process in one embodiment of the present invention.

[0022] Figure 4 This is a flowchart of obtaining ETC transaction element information in one embodiment of the present invention.

[0023] Figure 5 This is a flowchart of the PSAM card scheduling process in one embodiment of the present invention.

[0024] Figure 6 This is a diagram of the centralized management system architecture of the ETC system in one embodiment of the present invention. Detailed Implementation

[0025] To make the objectives, technical solutions, and advantages of this invention clearer, the invention will be further described in detail below with reference to the embodiments and accompanying drawings. Here, the illustrative embodiments and descriptions of this invention are used to explain the invention, but are not intended to limit the invention.

[0026] It should also be noted that, in order to avoid obscuring the invention with unnecessary details, only the structures and / or processing steps closely related to the solution according to the invention are shown in the accompanying drawings, while other details that are not closely related to the invention are omitted.

[0027] It should be emphasized that the term "including / comprises" as used herein refers to the presence of a feature, element, step, or component, but does not exclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, elements, steps, or components.

[0028] It should also be noted that, unless otherwise specified, the term "connection" in this article can refer not only to a direct connection, but also to an indirect connection involving an intermediary.

[0029] In the following description, embodiments of the invention will be illustrated with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the drawings, the same reference numerals represent the same or similar parts, or the same or similar steps.

[0030] To overcome the problems existing in the prior art, this invention proposes a centralized management method for ETC systems, a system and cloud center, and a PSAM card matrix, which are used to centrally manage all PSAM card information, thereby forming a centralized PSAM management model. This provides great convenience for PSAM card management, improves management efficiency, and saves operating costs.

[0031] Figure 1 This is a flowchart of a centralized management method for an ETC system according to an embodiment of the present invention. In specific implementation, the executing entity of this method can be a cloud center, and the method includes:

[0032] Step S110: Request the allocation or release of PSAM cards from the PSAM card matrix through the cloud center.

[0033] In the specific implementation process, the cloud center can receive PSAM card requests from external devices (including ETC antenna devices in the parking lot, etc.), and then request the PSAM card matrix to allocate or release PSAM cards. The cloud center records the PSAM cards corresponding to different external devices, and according to the calls of external devices, satisfies the calls of external devices to PSAM cards in the process of implementing ETC system functions.

[0034] Step S120: In the vehicle identity verification process, the cloud center requests the PSAM card allocated by the PSAM card matrix to decrypt the encrypted vehicle information and receives the plaintext vehicle information obtained by the PSAM card.

[0035] Step S130: In the ETC transaction process, the cloud center requests and receives ETC transaction element information for ETC transactions from the PSAM card allocated by the PSAM card matrix.

[0036] The vehicle information (plaintext) and ETC transaction element information are composed in the same way as in existing technologies. However, during the request process, because it is necessary to access the PSAM card allocated by the PSAM card matrix, the request instruction needs to include the channel number, serial number, etc., of the allocated PSAM card. This invention is not limited to this; it is merely an example of one implementation method.

[0037] The centralized management method, system and cloud center, and PSAM card matrix proposed in this invention enable external devices (including ETC antenna devices in parking lots that do not require PSAM card installation) to perform vehicle identity verification and ETC payment in the ETC system through the remote access interface provided by the PSAM card matrix. The PSAM card matrix also allows for key acquisition, encryption, and decryption through this remote access interface. Based on the method proposed in this invention, in scenarios with dense ETC antenna devices, the centralized PSAM model greatly facilitates PSAM card management, reduces fault tolerance, improves management efficiency, and saves operating costs.

[0038] In some embodiments of the present invention, the ETC antenna device may request to access the PSAM card in the PSAM card matrix once for each transaction, or the PSAM card may be allocated to different ETC antenna devices according to preset rules or time intervals. That is, the step of requesting the allocation or release of the PSAM card from the PSAM card matrix through the cloud center includes: (1) when a vehicle entering the ETC detection range triggers a transaction process, requesting the allocation of the PSAM card from the PSAM card matrix; when the ETC transaction is completed, requesting the release of the PSAM card from the PSAM card matrix; or (2) requesting the reallocation or release of the PSAM card from the PSAM card matrix according to preset rules or time intervals. These are only examples of two PSAM card allocation rules, and the present invention is not limited thereto. It can be adjusted according to the ideas of those skilled in the art.

[0039] By employing this embodiment of the invention, the rules for allocating PSAM cards in the PSAM card matrix to external devices can be flexibly adjusted, thereby flexibly meeting the needs of different scenarios.

[0040] In some embodiments of the present invention, step S130, where a vehicle entering the ETC detection range triggers a transaction process and requests the allocation of a PSAM card from the PSAM card matrix, includes:

[0041] (1) Receive PSAM card allocation requests from external devices;

[0042] (2) Apply for PSAM card authorization from the PSAM card matrix;

[0043] (3) Receive the PSAM card information returned by the PSAM card matrix and return it to the external device;

[0044] (4) Receive authorization confirmation requests from external devices;

[0045] (5) Request authorization confirmation from the PSAM card matrix;

[0046] (6) Receive the authorization result returned by the PSAM card matrix and the relevant authorization information for accessing the corresponding PSAM card in the vehicle identity verification and ETC transaction stages, and return it to the external device.

[0047] A specific embodiment of the present invention is as follows: Figure 2 As shown, Figure 2 This is a flowchart illustrating the PSAM authorization application process via a cloud center in one embodiment of the present invention. First, PSAM authorization refers to an external device accessing the PSAM card matrix through the cloud center's functions to apply for authorization from the PSAM matrix. This method includes the following steps:

[0048] (1) The cloud center requests authorization from the PSAM card matrix (via F8 command), the PSAM matrix returns the allocated PSAM card information (via E8 information), and the cloud center processes the authorization request.

[0049] (2) The external device sends an authorization confirmation request (via F9 command) to the PSAM card matrix again through the cloud center for authorization confirmation. Finally, it receives the authorization result and related authorization information (via E9 command information) returned by the cloud center and performs authorization confirmation processing.

[0050] In simple terms, an external device sends a request to the PSAM card matrix, which then allocates available PSAM card information to the requesting external device. Authorization of each PSAM card on the PSAM card matrix can be managed through the cloud center system. In other words, which external device is authorized to use a PSAM card on the PSAM card matrix is ​​managed by the cloud center. Authorization requests and confirmations require calls to the cloud center (or department center) interface. Authorization confirmation refers to the cloud center obtaining authorization confirmation information from the PSAM card matrix and then following up with the authorization confirmation information by calling the department center interface to perform authorization confirmation.

[0051] The F9 command includes APDU and MAC. The Application Protocol Data Unit (APDU) is the protocol used for communication between a smart card (such as an IC card) and a card reader (or interface device IFD). The APDU protocol defines the data format and rules transmitted during the interaction, allowing the reader to send commands and receive responses from the smart card. The Message Authentication Code (MAC), also represented as MAC, can be divided into MAC1 and MAC2, representing a string of information, which can be understood as a signature value.

[0052] Using the above embodiments of the invention, the cloud center can respond to requests from external devices and request the allocation of PSAM cards from the PSAM card matrix.

[0053] In some embodiments of the present invention, the relevant authorization information mentioned in step S130 includes at least the PSAM channel number and the PSAM terminal number. The PSAM channel number determines which transmission channel is needed to access the PSAM card matrix, and the PSAM terminal number determines which PSAM card is assigned to which external device. In some embodiments, depending on the needs of different scenarios, the relevant authorization information may also include multiple of the following: PSAM serial number, PSAM version number, PSAM key card type, PSAM application area identifier, and PSAM random number.

[0054] Table 1 shows a schematic diagram of the PSAM initialization information structure with a length of 35 bytes.

[0055] byte length Byte content meaning 1 byte PSAM Channel Number 6 bytes PSAM terminal number 10 bytes PSAM serial number 1 byte PSAM version number 1 byte PSAM key card type 8 bytes PSAM Application Area Identification 8 bytes PSAM random number

[0056] The channel number is a unique identifier used to distinguish different information transmission channels. In this embodiment, the PSAM initialization information is 35 bytes: 1 byte PSAM channel number; 6 bytes PSAM terminal number; 10 bytes PSAM serial number; 1 byte PSAM version number; 1 byte PSAM key card type; 8 bytes PSAM application area identifier; and 8 bytes PSAM random number.

[0057] In some embodiments of the present invention, before the step of requesting the decryption of the vehicle information ciphertext from the PSAM card allocated by the cloud center to the PSAM card matrix in the vehicle identity verification stage, the method further includes: receiving a decryption request from an external device containing vehicle information ciphertext and vehicle OBU information, performing network number verification and blacklist verification on the decryption request, and sending a ciphertext parsing request containing vehicle information ciphertext and vehicle OBU information to the PSAM card allocated by the PSAM card matrix.

[0058] like Figure 3 As shown, Figure 3 This is a flowchart illustrating the vehicle information decryption process in one embodiment of the present invention. The application scenario of this embodiment is a parking lot, and this embodiment provides a centralized management method and system for a parking lot ETC system. Figure 3 The external device in this context is the parking lot program, which refers to the entire system connecting the parking lot charging equipment with antennas and cameras. It can interact with the ETC antenna and can be understood as an abstraction of the ETC equipment in the parking lot environment. First, the parking lot program retrieves encrypted vehicle information from the vehicle's on-board unit (OBU). Then, it sends a decryption request containing the encrypted vehicle information to the cloud center. The cloud center initially parses the decryption request, verifying the network number and blacklist (this is existing technology). After successful verification, it sends a further decryption request to the PSAM card matrix to invoke the PSAM card (which stores key information). Specifically, this decryption request can be an F9 command containing two APDU instructions (Instruction 1: 8-byte OBU number + 4-byte OBU issuer identifier + 4-byte issuer identifier; Instruction 2: length of encrypted vehicle information + content). The cloud center receives the parsed plaintext vehicle information returned by the PSAM card matrix, performs plaintext parsing, and returns the parsed information to the parking lot program.

[0059] Using this embodiment of the invention, the encrypted vehicle information of the read vehicle on-board unit (OBU) can be parsed, and then the encrypted vehicle information can be parsed to obtain the plaintext vehicle information by calling the PSAM card allocated by the PSAM card matrix.

[0060] In some embodiments of the present invention, in the ETC transaction process, the step of requesting and receiving ETC transaction element information for ETC transactions from the PSAM card allocated by the cloud center to the PSAM card matrix includes: (1) receiving an ETC transaction element information acquisition request from an external device, parsing the request, and requesting ETC transaction element information for this ETC transaction from the PSAM card allocated by the cloud center to the PSAM card matrix; (2) receiving the ETC transaction element information returned by the PSAM card allocated by the PSAM card matrix, and returning the ETC transaction element information to the external device.

[0061] In some scenarios, the request for obtaining ETC transaction element information may include information such as the vehicle's license plate number, OBU number, and preset or selected payment path. ETC transaction element information is the necessary information that external devices (including roadside units, roadside antenna devices, and ETC antenna devices) need to obtain from the vehicle's on-board unit to realize ETC payment. The ETC transaction element information can be the same as existing technologies, except that the request information needs to additionally include the necessary information for accessing the PSAM card matrix to realize the function in the scenario of this solution.

[0062] Figure 4This is a flowchart of obtaining ETC transaction element information in one embodiment of the present invention. Figure 4 The external device in this invention is the parking lot program, which refers to the entire system of parking lot charging equipment connected to antennas and cameras. It can interact via the ETC antenna and can be understood as an abstraction of the ETC devices within the parking lot environment. In this embodiment, the ETC transaction element information includes MAC1 and the terminal transaction sequence number. Here, MAC1 is a Message Authentication Code (MAC code). First, the parking lot program generates a request to obtain element information. In this embodiment, the element information includes the MAC code and the terminal transaction sequence number. The program then sends a request to the cloud center to obtain the MAC code. After parsing the request, the cloud center sends a decryption command (F9 command) to the PSAM card matrix. The PSAM card matrix responds (E9 command, containing MAC1 and the terminal transaction sequence number; E9 command represents decrypting plaintext in the industry) to the cloud center. The cloud center returns MAC1 and the terminal transaction sequence number to the parking lot program. In this scenario, the MAC1 can be understood as functioning similarly to an order number.

[0063] In this embodiment, the F9 instruction can contain an APDU instruction (which contains a 4-byte random number + a 2-byte transaction sequence number + a 4-byte deduction amount). The transaction time in the instruction can be represented as YYYYMMDDHHmmSS. The parsed mac1 can contain: (1) a 1-byte key version number + a 1-byte key algorithm identifier; (2) a 0015 file CPU card internal number; (3) a 4-byte OBU issuer identifier + a 4-byte issuer identifier.

[0064] Figure 5 This is a flowchart of PSAM card scheduling in one embodiment of the present invention. In this embodiment, PSAM card scheduling refers to allocating PSAM cards to different ETC devices according to their requests during a single transaction. The method includes: (1) The vehicle triggers an external device to enter the ETC transaction process, and the external device requests to obtain the card slot number; (2) The PSAM card matrix determines whether it is empty. If it is, it determines whether the preset number of cycles has been reached. If it is, the ETC transaction ends (further hardware support is required to replace and iterate the PSAM card). Otherwise, the card slot number is obtained again; (3) If the card slot number is determined to be not empty, the external device holds the card slot number, queries the PSAM card information, and calls the PSAM card matrix; (4) When the ETC transaction ends, the external device releases the card slot number, and the ETC transaction ends.

[0065] In the above embodiment, a PSAM card notification can only process one transaction. When a lane needs to make a transaction, it first applies for a PSAM card. Once the application is successful, the transaction can be made. During the entire transaction process, the PSAM card will not be used by other lanes. After the transaction is successful, the PSAM card is released, and other transactions can continue to apply for it.

[0066] In some embodiments of this invention, the cloud center can use a List data structure from a remote dictionary server and the `brpop` command to implement a circular queue. Information such as the PSAM card slot position is configured via a webpage and loaded into the remote dictionary server. When a service request is made, the PSAM card slot number is obtained from the head of the queue and held until the operation ends. After the service is completed, the slot number is released, thus achieving PSAM card scheduling. The remote dictionary server (Redis server for short) is an open-source data structure server that uses in-memory storage. The List data structure can be a linked list (LinkedList) or a list of strings (List of...). (String). The `brpop` command is an operation command used by remote dictionary servers to block-promote the removal of an element from the end of a linked list; that is, it removes and retrieves the last element of the string list from the right side (or tail). The `brpop` command blocks the connection when the string list is empty.

[0067] In one embodiment of the present invention, the process of the ETC antenna device scanning a vehicle and completing a transaction includes: (1) when the vehicle enters the ETC lane, the ETC device in the parking lot is first triggered to enter the transaction process; (2) the ETC device requests the allocation of a PSAM card from the PSAM matrix through the cloud center; (3) the vehicle identity verification stage is entered to verify the vehicle's identity; (4) the transaction information acquisition stage is entered to complete the payment under the ETC system; (5) after the transaction is completed, the external device releases the PSAM card to the PSAM card matrix through the cloud center.

[0068] Another aspect of the present invention provides a centralized management method for an ETC system. The execution entity of this method can be an external device. When the external device interacts with the on-board unit of a vehicle entering the ETC detection range, the method includes:

[0069] (1) Request the allocation or release of PSAM cards from the PSAM card matrix through the cloud center.

[0070] (2) In the vehicle identity verification process, read the encrypted vehicle information recorded in the vehicle unit, request the PSAM card allocated by the PSAM card matrix through the cloud center to decrypt the encrypted vehicle information, and receive the plaintext vehicle information decrypted by the PSAM card returned by the cloud center.

[0071] (3) In the ETC transaction process, the cloud center requests and receives ETC transaction element information for ETC transactions from the PSAM card allocated by the PSAM card matrix.

[0072] The external equipment can be parking lot software or ETC antenna equipment without a PSAM card installed.

[0073] Using this embodiment of the invention, the external device can: on the one hand, interact with the on-board unit (OBU) to deduct fees, and on the other hand, access the PSAM card matrix through the cloud center to access the centrally managed PSAM card matrix.

[0074] Accordingly, another aspect of the present invention provides a cloud center that establishes a communication connection with external devices and a PSAM card matrix; the cloud center is used to request the allocation or release of PSAM cards from the PSAM card matrix; the cloud center is used, in the vehicle identity verification process, to request the decryption of encrypted vehicle information from the PSAM card allocated by the PSAM card matrix through the cloud center, and to receive the plaintext vehicle information obtained by the decryption by the PSAM card; the cloud center is also used, in the ETC transaction process, to request and receive ETC transaction element information for ETC transactions from the PSAM card allocated by the PSAM card matrix through the cloud center.

[0075] Accordingly, another aspect of the present invention provides a PSAM card matrix, which includes multiple PSAM cards managed in a matrix manner, and provides a functional interface for external devices to request allocation and release.

[0076] Accordingly, another aspect of the present invention provides a centralized management system for an ETC system, comprising the aforementioned cloud center and PSAM card matrix, for implementing the steps of the method described in any of the above embodiments.

[0077] Figure 6 This is an architecture diagram of a centralized management system for the ETC system in one embodiment of the present invention. The system includes multiple external devices within the parking lot that do not require the installation of PSAM cards. These external devices submit requests to the cloud center to access the PSAM card matrix. The cloud center receives and parses the requests from the external devices and forwards them to the PSAM card matrix. The PSAM card matrix responds to the cloud center's requests, performing the functions that would normally be available to external devices with PSAM cards installed. The cloud center forwarding the requests from external devices can also be understood as the cloud center calling the PSAM card matrix based on the requests from the external devices. It should be noted that... Figure 6 Cards 1-5 and external devices 1-5 are merely examples, and the present invention is not limited thereto.

[0078] The execution subject of the method proposed in this invention includes one or more of the following: an external device that does not require the installation of a PSAM card, a cloud center, and a PSAM card matrix. Each of these can be a separate entity or a combined system, serving as the execution subject.

[0079] The centralized management method for the ETC system proposed in this invention enables external devices (including ETC antenna devices in parking lots that do not require PSAM cards) to perform vehicle identity verification and ETC payment within the ETC system through the remote access interface provided by the PSAM card matrix. This interface also allows for key acquisition, encryption, and decryption. Based on this method, in scenarios with dense ETC antenna devices, the centralized PSAM model greatly facilitates PSAM card management, reduces fault tolerance, improves management efficiency, and saves operating costs.

[0080] The advantages of the solution proposed in this invention include, but are not limited to:

[0081] (1) This invention provides a remote access interface to ETC antenna devices by centrally managing PSAM cards in a matrix manner, so that ETC antenna devices can obtain keys, encrypt and decrypt them based on the remote access interface.

[0082] (2) Compared to the existing method of inserting PSAM cards into ETC antenna devices, the method and system proposed in this invention cannot function properly if the PSAM card is damaged or lost. However, the centralized PSAM card deployment and management method proposed in this invention will not affect the normal operation of the ETC antenna device even if some cards are damaged or lost. That is, centralized PSAM card management can improve the fault tolerance rate of operation. As long as the PSAM card management center is not completely damaged, the ETC antenna device can obtain PSAM information normally and thus function normally.

[0083] (3) The cloud center proposed in this invention provides an interface for each ETC antenna device that needs to obtain PSAM card information by centrally managing PSAM card information, so that the ETC antenna device has the ability to remotely access and obtain keys, encrypt and decrypt.

[0084] (4) Furthermore, the PSAM card matrix proposed in this invention can automatically remove the information of damaged PSAM cards based on an automatic status identification strategy when a problem is detected in some PSAM cards in the centralized PSAM management system. This avoids affecting the equipment in use and improves the overall fault tolerance of the system. For problematic PSAM cards, maintenance and replacement can be carried out only in the central computer room, significantly reducing maintenance costs and eliminating the need for manual replacement of PSAM cards at the local ETC antenna equipment location.

[0085] Those skilled in the art will understand that the exemplary components, systems, and methods described in conjunction with the embodiments disclosed herein can be implemented in hardware, software, or a combination of both. Whether implemented in hardware or software depends on the specific application and design constraints of the technical solution. Those skilled in the art can use different methods to implement the described functions for each specific application, but such implementation should not be considered beyond the scope of this invention. When implemented in hardware, it can be, for example, electronic circuits, application-specific integrated circuits (ASICs), appropriate firmware, plug-ins, function cards, etc. When implemented in software, the elements of this invention are programs or code segments used to perform the desired tasks. The programs or code segments can be stored in a machine-readable medium or transmitted over a transmission medium or communication link via data signals carried in a carrier wave.

[0086] It should be clarified that the present invention is not limited to the specific configurations and processes described above and shown in the figures. For the sake of brevity, detailed descriptions of known methods are omitted here. In the above embodiments, several specific steps are described and shown as examples. However, the method process of the present invention is not limited to the specific steps described and shown. Those skilled in the art can make various changes, modifications, and additions, or change the order of steps, after understanding the spirit of the present invention.

[0087] In this invention, features described and / or illustrated for one embodiment may be used in the same or similar manner in one or more other embodiments, and / or combined with or in place of features of other embodiments.

[0088] The above description is merely a preferred embodiment of the present invention and is not intended to limit the invention. For those skilled in the art, various modifications and variations can be made to the embodiments of the present invention. Any modifications, equivalent substitutions, improvements, etc., made within the spirit and principles of the present invention should be included within the scope of protection of the present invention.

Claims

1. A centralized management method for an ETC system, characterized in that, The method is executed by a cloud center, which establishes communication connections with external devices and a PSAM card matrix. The external devices include ETC antenna devices without PSAM cards installed. The method includes: Request the allocation or release of a PSAM card from the PSAM card matrix; during the vehicle identity verification process, request the PSAM card allocated by the PSAM card matrix to decrypt the encrypted vehicle information and receive the plaintext vehicle information obtained by decryption from the PSAM card. In the ETC transaction process, the PSAM card assigned by the PSAM card matrix requests and receives ETC transaction element information for ETC transactions. The step of requesting the allocation or release of a PSAM card from the PSAM card matrix includes: When a vehicle enters the ETC detection range and triggers a transaction process, it requests the allocation of a PSAM card from the PSAM card matrix; when the ETC transaction is completed, it requests the release of the PSAM card from the PSAM card matrix; or According to preset rules or time intervals, request the PSAM card matrix to reallocate or release PSAM cards; The process of requesting the allocation of a PSAM card from the PSAM card matrix when a vehicle enters the ETC detection range triggers a transaction includes: receiving a PSAM card allocation request from an external device; requesting PSAM card authorization from the PSAM card matrix; receiving the allocated PSAM card information returned by the PSAM card matrix and returning it to the external device; receiving an authorization confirmation request from the external device; requesting authorization confirmation from the PSAM card matrix; receiving the authorization result returned by the PSAM card matrix and the relevant authorization information for accessing the corresponding PSAM card in the vehicle identity verification and ETC transaction stages, and returning it to the external device.

2. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that, The relevant authorization information includes the PSAM channel number and the PSAM terminal number; The relevant authorization information also includes multiple items such as PSAM serial number, PSAM version number, PSAM key card type, PSAM application area identifier, and PSAM random number.

3. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that, Before the step of requesting the PSAM card assigned by the PSAM card matrix to decrypt the encrypted vehicle information in the vehicle identity verification process, the method further includes: receiving a decryption request from an external device containing encrypted vehicle information and vehicle OBU information, performing network number verification and blacklist verification on the decryption request, and sending an encrypted parsing request containing encrypted vehicle information and vehicle OBU information to the PSAM card assigned by the PSAM card matrix.

4. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that, In the ETC transaction process, the steps of requesting and receiving ETC transaction element information from the PSAM card assigned by the PSAM card matrix include: Receive ETC transaction element information acquisition request from external device, parse the request and request ETC transaction element information for this ETC transaction from the PSAM card allocated by the PSAM card matrix; Receive ETC transaction element information returned by the PSAM card assigned by the PSAM card matrix, and return the ETC transaction element information to the external device.

5. A centralized management method for an ETC system, characterized in that, The method is executed by an external device. The cloud center establishes a communication connection with the external device and the PSAM card matrix. The external device includes an ETC antenna device without a PSAM card installed. When the external device interacts with the on-board unit of a vehicle entering the ETC detection range, the method includes: Request the allocation or release of PSAM cards from the PSAM card matrix through the cloud center; In the vehicle identity verification process, the encrypted vehicle information recorded in the on-board unit is read, and the encrypted vehicle information is decrypted by requesting the PSAM card allocated by the PSAM card matrix through the cloud center. The plaintext vehicle information obtained by decryption by the PSAM card returned by the cloud center is received. In the ETC transaction process, the cloud center requests and receives ETC transaction element information from the PSAM card allocated by the PSAM card matrix for ETC transactions. The step of requesting the allocation or release of PSAM cards from the PSAM card matrix through the cloud center includes: When a vehicle enters the ETC detection range and triggers a transaction process, it requests the allocation of a PSAM card from the PSAM card matrix; when the ETC transaction is completed, it requests the release of the PSAM card from the PSAM card matrix; or According to preset rules or time intervals, request the PSAM card matrix to reallocate or release PSAM cards; The process of requesting the allocation of a PSAM card from the PSAM card matrix when a vehicle enters the ETC detection range triggers a transaction includes: receiving a PSAM card allocation request from an external device; requesting PSAM card authorization from the PSAM card matrix; receiving the allocated PSAM card information returned by the PSAM card matrix and returning it to the external device; receiving an authorization confirmation request from the external device; requesting authorization confirmation from the PSAM card matrix; receiving the authorization result returned by the PSAM card matrix and the relevant authorization information for accessing the corresponding PSAM card in the vehicle identity verification and ETC transaction stages, and returning it to the external device.

6. A cloud center, characterized in that, The cloud center establishes communication connections with external devices and the PSAM card matrix; the cloud center is used to request the allocation or release of PSAM cards from the PSAM card matrix; the cloud center is used to request the decryption of encrypted vehicle information from the PSAM card allocated by the PSAM card matrix and receive the plaintext vehicle information obtained by the decryption from the PSAM card during the vehicle identity verification process; the cloud center is also used to request and receive ETC transaction element information for ETC transactions from the PSAM card allocated by the PSAM card matrix during the ETC transaction process.

7. A PSAM card matrix, characterized in that, The PSAM card matrix contains multiple PSAM cards managed in a matrix manner, and the PSAM card matrix provides functional interfaces for external devices to request allocation and release.

8. A centralized management system for an ETC system, characterized in that, It comprises: the cloud center of claim 6 and the PSAM card matrix of claim 7, to implement the steps of the method of any one of claims 1-5.

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