Vehicle and vehicle control method

Abstract

A vehicle may include: an electronic toll collection system (ETCS) terminal including a card integrated circuit (IC) chip; and a host unit connected to the ETCS terminal via a vehicle network, where the host unit may be configured to obtain a remaining distance to an ETCS payment location, determine whether the ETCS terminal is issuing a new card or deleting an issued card based on the remaining distance being less than a preset distance, and send the new card to the ETCS payment location. Based on determining that the ETCS terminal is issuing a new card or deleting the issued card, the ETCS terminal is allowed to stop an ongoing card issuing operation or an ongoing card deleting operation, and the ETCS terminal is allowed to change a payment card of the ETCS terminal to a card available for payment among cards stored in a card IC chip.

Description

[0001] CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0002] This application is based on and claims the benefit of priority from Korean Patent Application No. 10-2023-0112152 filed on August 25, 2023 in the Korean Intellectual Property Office, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference. Technical Field

[0003] The present disclosure relates to a vehicle applied to an Electronic Toll Collection System (ETCS) and a control method thereof. Background Art

[0004] An Electronic Toll Collection System (ETCS) (e.g., HI-PASS for Korean expressways, E-ZPass in the United States, or any other toll payment system configured for use in other countries) is a system for reducing traffic delays by using a standardized application interface with a dedicated short-range communication protocol.

[0005] That is, ETCS is a system capable of automatically transmitting and receiving toll information between roadside equipment and a terminal of a vehicle (eg, an onboard device or an ETCS terminal) based on a dedicated short-range communication technology.

[0006] For toll transaction processing, after a vehicle enters the toll area, ETCS identifies the category of the vehicle through a vehicle classification device and sends information through transmitting and receiving antennas on the lane by linking to a terminal installed in the vehicle.

[0007] Instead of inserting a credit card into an ETCS terminal, an embedded card integrated circuit (IC) chip may be deployed in the ETCS terminal, and card information issued by the card company may be input into the card IC chip, thereby preventing structural limitations or theft risks that may result when using a physical payment card.

[0008] Multiple cards can be issued to the IC chip of the ETCS terminal. However, when a new card is issued or an issued card is deleted, another issued card cannot be used to make payment with ETCS (such as HI-PASS).

[0009] The description in this background section is provided to enhance understanding of the background of the present disclosure and may include descriptions in addition to those of the prior art that are known to one of ordinary skill in the art to which this technology belongs. Summary of the invention

[0010] The following summary provides a simplified summary of certain features. The summary is not an exhaustive overview and is not intended to identify key elements.

[0011] An aspect of the present disclosure provides a vehicle and a control method thereof that can perform payment through an ETCS even during issuance of a new card or deletion of an issued card.

[0012] Additional aspects of the disclosure will be set forth in part in the description which follows and, in part, will be obvious from the description, or may be learned by practice of the disclosure.

[0013] A vehicle may include: an electronic toll collection system (ETCS) terminal, the ETCS terminal including a card integrated circuit (IC) chip; and a device, the device being connected to the ETCS terminal via a vehicle network, wherein the device is configured to: obtain a remaining distance to an ETCS payment location, determine whether the ETCS terminal is issuing a new card or deleting an issued card based on the remaining distance being less than a preset distance, control the ETCS terminal to stop an ongoing card issuance operation or an ongoing card deletion operation based on determining that the ETCS terminal is issuing a new card or deleting the issued card, and control the ETCS terminal to change a payment card of the ETCS terminal to a card that can be used for payment among the cards stored in the card IC chip.

[0014] The device can be configured to obtain the remaining distance in the following manner: obtaining the remaining distance from the position of the vehicle to an ETCS payment location located within a preset area based on map information of a navigation device, or obtaining the remaining distance to an ETCS payment location located on a travel route based on travel route information to the destination obtained by the navigation device.

[0015] The ETCS payment location may include at least one of a location of a toll booth or a location that accepts ETCS payment.

[0016] Based on determining that the ETCS terminal is issuing the new card, the device can be configured to send a card issuance stop request to the ETCS terminal to stop issuing the new card, and the ETCS terminal is configured to: stop the ongoing card issuance operation in response to receiving the card issuance stop request, and the ETCS terminal is configured to: change the payment card to a card that can be used for payment among the cards stored in the card IC chip.

[0017] Based on determining that the ETCS terminal is deleting the issued card, the device may be configured to send a card deletion stop request to the ETCS terminal to stop deleting the issued card, and the ETCS terminal is configured to: stop the ongoing card deletion operation in response to receiving the card deletion stop request, and the ETCS terminal is configured to change the payment card to a card that can be used for payment among the cards stored in the card IC chip.

[0018] The ETCS terminal may include: a communication interface, which is communicatively connected to the vehicle network; a card integrated circuit (IC) chip, which is configured to store the issued card; and an ETCS controller, which is configured to control the communication interface and the card IC chip, wherein the ETCS controller is configured to: when the ETCS terminal is in the process of issuing a new card or deleting an issued card, in response to a card issuance stop request to stop issuing a new card or a card deletion stop request to stop deleting an issued card received by the ETCS terminal, stop the ongoing card issuance operation or the ongoing card deletion operation, change the payment card to a card that can be used for payment among the cards stored in the card IC chip, and control the communication interface to use the card that can be used for payment to perform the ETCS payment process at the ETCS payment location.

[0019] The ETCS controller may be configured to control the control communication interface to terminate a communication session of the ongoing card issuance operation or the ongoing card deletion operation based on receipt of the card issuance stop request or the card deletion stop request.

[0020] The device can be configured to: based on receiving payment completion information indicating completion of the ETCS payment process, receive first message information about a stopped card issuance operation or second message information about a stopped card deletion operation from a server, and send the first message information or the second message information to the ETCS terminal.

[0021] The ETCS terminal may be configured to resume a stopped card issuing operation according to the first message information, or resume a stopped card deleting operation according to the second message information.

[0022] The apparatus may be configured to transmit a notification signal indicating a payment card change in response to receiving card change completion information indicating completion of the payment card change from the ETCS terminal.

[0023] These and other features and advantages are described in greater detail below. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0024] These and / or other embodiments of the present disclosure will become apparent and more easily understood through the following description of the embodiments in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0025] Figure 1 An Electronic Toll Collection System (ETCS) associated with a vehicle is shown;

[0026] Figure 2 A vehicle is shown approaching a toll booth;

[0027] Figure 3 It is the control block diagram of the vehicle;

[0028] Figure 4 is a diagram showing a card issued to a card integrated circuit (IC) chip of an ETCS terminal in a vehicle;

[0029] Figure 5 is a diagram showing issuance of a new card to a card IC chip of an ETCS terminal in a vehicle;

[0030] Figure 6 is a diagram showing deletion of a card issued to a card IC chip of an ETCS terminal in a vehicle;

[0031] Figure 7 and Figure 8 is a flow chart showing operations performed when a vehicle approaches an ETCS payment location during the issuance of a new card in an ETCS terminal in the vehicle;

[0032] Fig. 9 and Fig.10 is a flow chart showing operations performed when a vehicle approaches an ETCS payment location during deletion of a card issued to an ETCS terminal in the vehicle;

[0033] Fig.11 is a flow chart showing operations performed to resume card issuance after ETCS payment is completed in a vehicle; and

[0034] Fig.12 is a flow chart showing the operations performed to recover card deletion after completing ETCS payment in the vehicle. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0035] The same reference numerals represent the same elements throughout the specification. In addition, this specification does not describe all elements according to the examples of the present disclosure, and omits the well-known description or repeated parts in the field to which the present disclosure belongs. Terms such as "~part", "~component", "~module", "~device" may refer to at least one process processed by at least one hardware or software. According to various aspects of the present disclosure, multiple "~parts", "~components", "~modules", "~devices" may be embodied as a single element, or a single "~part", "~component", "~module", "~device" may include multiple elements.

[0036] It should be understood that when an element is referred to as being “connected” to another element, it may be directly or indirectly connected to the other element, where the indirect connection includes “connection” via a wireless communication network.

[0037] It should be understood that when used in this specification, the term "comprising" specifies the presence of stated features, integers, steps, operations, elements and / or components, but does not exclude the presence or addition of at least one other feature, integer, step, operation, element, component and / or groups thereof.

[0038] It should be understood that when it is stated in this specification that one member is 'on' another member, not only may one member be in contact with the other member but also the other member may exist between the two members.

[0039] It will be understood that, although the terms first, second, etc. may be used herein to describe various elements, these elements should not be limited by these terms.It will be understood that the singular form is intended to include the plural form as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise.

[0040] The reference numerals used for the method steps are used only to facilitate the explanation and do not limit the order of the steps. Therefore, unless the context clearly dictates otherwise, the written instructions may be executed in other ways.

[0041] Figure 1 An Electronic Toll Collection System (ETCS) is shown in relation to a vehicle.

[0042] Reference Figure 1 ETCS1 may include a server 10 that provides connected car services (CCS) for vehicles, a vehicle 20 that includes an ETCS terminal, a user terminal 30 (eg, a mobile device, etc.), and a card company server 40 that issues a card to the ETCS terminal.

[0043] The server 10 , the vehicle 20 , the user terminal 30 , and the card company server 40 may each be connected to the network 50 in a wired and / or wireless manner, and may transmit and receive data to and from each other through the network 50 .

[0044] In response to receiving the card issuance request from the user terminal 30, the server 10 may send the card issuance request to the card company server 40. The server 10 may receive the card information from the card company server 40 and send a card issuance command including the security key and the card information to the vehicle 20.

[0045] In response to receiving the card deletion command from the card company server 40 , the server 10 may send the card deletion command including the authorization key to the vehicle 20 .

[0046] The server 10 can match and store the card management information of the card issued to the vehicle with the client information, thereby managing the card issuance status. In this case, when the card changes (new card issuance or card deletion), the server 10 can update the client information and the card management information.

[0047] In response to receiving the card issue command or the card delete command from the server 10 , the vehicle 20 may transmit the card issue command or the card delete command to the ETCS terminal.

[0048] The ETCS terminal of the vehicle 20 may issue a card to a card integrated circuit (IC) chip by generating a supplemental security domain (SSD) and an applet based on a card issue command, or may delete a card issued to the card IC chip by deleting the SSD and the applet based on a card delete command.

[0049] In this case, the ETCS terminal may include a card IC chip that can issue or delete cards over the air (OTA).

[0050] The ETCS terminal can perform a payment process with ETCS (eg, HI-PASS) (hereinafter, referred to as "performing ETCS payment") by changing a payment card to a card usable for payment in a card IC chip storing one or more issued cards.

[0051] The user terminal 30 may receive input from the driver (user) of the vehicle 20. For example, the user terminal 30 may receive input for issuing a new card or input for deleting an issued card, and may send a card issuance request or a card deletion request to the server 10 based on the input.

[0052] The card company server 40 may generate card information about the card to be issued to the card IC chip of the ETCS terminal and transmit the card information to the server 10. For example, if the valid period of the card expires (e.g., the card has reached the expiration date) or the toll is not paid, the card company server 40 may transmit a card deletion request to the server 10.

[0053] The server 10 can control the process of issuing a card to a card IC chip of the ETCS terminal or deleting an issued card, thereby managing the card of the ETCS terminal.

[0054] Figure 2 A vehicle is shown approaching a toll booth.

[0055] Reference Figure 2 ETCS 1 may include a toll station TG, which is an ETCS payment location through which the vehicle 20 passes, and roadside equipment (RSE 60 ), which may be provided on one side of the toll station TG.

[0056] The ETCS terminal of the vehicle 20 may perform an ETCS payment procedure to pay a toll through dedicated short range communication (DSRC) with the RSE 60 .

[0057] In the above, the constituent components of the ETCS 1 to which the vehicle is applied and the relationship between the constituent components have been described. Hereinafter, each of the constituent components will be described in detail.

[0058] Figure 3 It is the control block diagram of the vehicle.

[0059] Reference Figure 3 The vehicle 20 may include a communicator 210 (e.g., including a communication interface, a wireless modem, etc.) for communicating with an external electronic device, an ETCS terminal 220 including a card IC chip 223, and a device equipped in the vehicle 20 for controlling a connected car service (CCS) (e.g., a host unit 230).

[0060] The communicator 210 , the ETCS terminal 220 , and the host unit 230 may each be connected to a vehicle network (NT), and may transmit and receive data to and from each other.

[0061] The communicator 210 may be wirelessly connected to the network 50, and may communicate with the server 10. To this end, the communicator 210 may include a wireless communication device (eg, a wireless communication module of a known type).

[0062] The ETCS terminal 220 may include a communication interface 221, an ETCS controller 222, and a card IC chip 223. Here, the communication interface 221 may be connected to a vehicle network (NT) to perform communication (e.g., communication with the communicator 210 and / or the host unit 230). The ETCS controller 222 may control the issuance and deletion of a card for the card IC chip 223, may stop a card issuance operation or a card deletion operation according to a request from the host unit 230, and may change a payment card to a card that can be used for payment among the cards stored in the card IC chip 223. The card IC chip 223 to which the card information of the issued card is input may perform payment.

[0063] The communication interface 221 may be connected to a vehicle network (NT) and perform communication. To this end, the communication interface 221 may include a wireless communication device (eg, a communication module of a known type).

[0064] In response to receiving a card issuance stop request for stopping card issuance or a card deletion stop request for stopping card deletion from the host unit 230 when issuing a new card or deleting an issued card, the ETCS controller 222 may stop the ongoing card issuance operation or card deletion operation, change the payment card to a card that can be used for payment among the cards stored in the card IC chip 223, and control the communication interface 221 to perform ETCS payment, thereby using the card that can be used for payment to pay tolls or pay for product purchases at the ETCS payment location.

[0065] In response to receiving a card issue command including a security key and card information from the host unit 230, the ETCS controller 222 may issue a card to the card IC chip 223 using the security key. Specifically, the ETCS controller 222 may issue a card by generating an SSD and an applet corresponding to the card information to the card IC chip 223 using the security key.

[0066] After completing the card issuance to the card IC chip 223 , the ETCS controller 222 may transmit card management information corresponding to the issued card to the server 10 through the host unit 230 .

[0067] The card management information may include at least one of card identification information, card life cycle information, card company information, card issuance information, or card status information of the card.

[0068] In response to receiving a card deletion command including an authorization key from the host unit 230 through the communication interface 221, the ETCS controller 222 may use the authorization key to delete the card issued to the card IC chip 223. In this case, deleting the card issued to the card IC chip 223 may refer to deleting the SSD and applet corresponding to the card.

[0069] For example, in response to receiving a card deletion command including an authorization key, the ETCS controller 222 may delete the card issued to the card IC chip 223 by deleting the SSD and the applet stored in the card IC chip using the authorization key.

[0070] After completing the card deletion from the card IC chip 223 , the ETCS controller 222 may send a message confirming successful card deletion to the server 10 through the host unit 230 .

[0071] In response to receiving a card issuance command including a security key and card information after sending a message confirming successful card deletion, the ETCS controller 222 may use the security key to generate an SSD and applet corresponding to the card information on the card IC chip 223, thereby issuing a new card to the card IC chip 223. The ETCS controller 222 may include at least one memory and at least one processor, the at least one memory storing a program for performing the aforementioned operations and operations described later, and the at least one processor implementing the stored program. In the case where a plurality of memories and processors are provided, the plurality of memories and processors may be integrated into one chip, or provided in physically separate locations.

[0072] The card IC chip 223 may have a plurality of issued cards. The card IC chip 223 may perform payment based on card information of a card designated as a payment card among the issued cards. For example, the card IC chip 223 may perform ETCS payment for toll payment based on toll information received from the RSE 60 provided at the toll station TG as the ETCS payment location.

[0073] The card IC chip 223 may include an issuer security domain (ISD), which may be initially (e.g., permanently) installed in the card IC chip 223 by the initial card issuer (e.g., the manufacturer of the vehicle 20); and an SSD, which is installed by a service provider (card company) providing payment services and requires management of a separate key. In this case, deletion and change of card information may be performed only by the ISD, and the structure of the security domain (SD) including the ISD and the SSD may comply with the global platform (GP) card specification.

[0074] Meanwhile, in response to receiving a card issuance stop request from the host unit 230 when issuing a new card, the ETCS controller 222 may stop the ongoing card issuance operation and change the payment card to a card available for payment among the cards stored in the card IC chip 223. The ETCS controller 222 may control the communication interface 221 to terminate the communication session of the ongoing card issuance operation.

[0075] In response to receiving a card deletion stop request from the host unit 230 when deleting an issued card, the ETCS controller 222 may stop the ongoing card deletion operation and change the payment card to a card available for payment among the cards stored in the card IC chip 223. The ETCS controller 222 may control the communication interface 221 to terminate the communication session of the ongoing card deletion operation.

[0076] After changing the payment card, the ETCS controller 222 may transmit card change completion information indicating completion of the payment card change to the host unit 230 through the communication interface 221 .

[0077] After performing the ETCS payment process at the ETCS payment location using the changed payment card, the ETCS controller 222 may transmit payment completion information indicating the completion of the ETCS payment to the host unit 230 through the communication interface 221 .

[0078] In response to receiving the card issuance message information (which may be message information regarding the stopped card issuance) from the host unit 230, the ETCS controller 222 may resume the card issuance operation according to the received card issuance message information.

[0079] In response to receiving the card removal message information (which may be message information regarding the stopped card removal) from the host unit 230, the ETCS controller 222 may resume the card removal operation according to the received card removal message information.

[0080] The host unit 230 may control the CCS. For example, the host unit 230 may store CCS subscription information, and transmit and receive data to and from the server 10 through the communicator 210 based on the CCS subscription information.

[0081] Head unit 230 may be a vehicle infotainment system such as an audio, video, navigation, telematics (AVNT) device.

[0082] The host unit 230 may obtain travel route information, map information, time information, and / or location information of the vehicle 20 to a destination through navigation.

[0083] The host unit 230 and the communicator 210 may be integrated into a single device.

[0084] The host unit 230 may receive a card issue command or a card delete command from the server 10 through the communicator 210 , and may transmit the card issue command or the card delete command received from the server 10 through the communicator 210 to the ETCS terminal 220 .

[0085] The head unit 230 may identify an ETCS payment location from map information obtained through navigation. The ETCS payment location may be a toll booth that accepts ETCS payment, or a store that accepts ETCS payment, such as a drive-through store where customers can pay for services in their cars without stopping.

[0086] The host unit 230 may obtain a remaining distance and / or a remaining time from the current position of the vehicle 20 to an ETCS payment location located within a preset area among the ETCS payment locations.

[0087] The host unit 230 may obtain a remaining distance and / or a remaining time to an ETCS payment location located on the travel route based on the travel route information to the destination obtained through navigation.

[0088] Based on the remaining distance (and / or remaining time) to the ETCS payment location being less than a preset distance (and / or preset time), the host unit 230 may determine whether the ETCS terminal 220 is issuing a new card or deleting an issued card.

[0089] Based on determining that a new card is being issued or an issued card is being deleted, the head unit 230 may allow the ETCS terminal 220 to stop the card issuing operation or the card deleting operation performed by the ETCS terminal 220 .

[0090] In a case where a new card is being issued, the host unit 230 may send a card issuance stop request to the ETCS terminal 220, thereby stopping the ongoing card issuance operation.

[0091] In a case where an issued card is being deleted, the head unit 230 may send a card deletion stop request to the ETCS terminal 220, thereby stopping the ongoing card deletion operation.

[0092] After stopping the ongoing card issuing operation or the ongoing card deleting operation, the host unit 230 may allow the ETCS terminal 220 to change the payment card of the ETCS terminal 220 to a card available for payment among the cards stored in the card IC chip 223 .

[0093] The host unit 230 may receive card change completion information indicating that the payment card change is completed from the ETCS terminal 220 .

[0094] In response to receiving the card change completion information, the host unit 230 may notify the user that the payment card has been changed. The host unit 230 may use a screen and / or a speaker to notify the user that the existing payment card has been changed to another card.

[0095] The host unit 230 may receive payment completion information indicating completion of the ETCS payment from the ETCS terminal 220 .

[0096] In response to receiving the payment completion information, the host unit 230 may request and receive card issuance message information regarding the stopped card issuance from the server 10 .

[0097] In response to receiving the card issuance message information, the host unit 230 may transmit the card issuance message information to the ETCS terminal 220. The host unit 230 may allow the ETCS terminal 220 to resume the card issuance operation by transmitting the card issuance message information (which is message information about the stopped card issuance) to the ETCS terminal 220.

[0098] In response to receiving the payment completion information, the host unit 230 may request and receive card deletion message information regarding the stopped card deletion from the server 10 .

[0099] In response to receiving the card deletion message information, the host unit 230 may transmit the card deletion message information to the ETCS terminal 220. The host unit 230 may allow the ETCS terminal 220 to resume the card deletion operation by transmitting the card deletion message information to the ETCS terminal 220.

[0100] The host unit 230 may include at least one memory and at least one processor, the at least one memory storing a program for performing the aforementioned operations and operations described later, and the at least one processor implementing the stored program. In the case where multiple memories and processors are provided, the multiple memories and processors may be integrated into one chip, or provided in physically separate locations.

[0101] The vehicle 20 may include the above-mentioned components, and thus, even during the issuance of a new card or the deletion of an issued card when the vehicle 20 is approaching a toll station, it is possible to perform toll payment by stopping the issuance of a card or the deletion of a card and activating a card that can be used for payment. In other words, even when the vehicle approaches a toll station while a new card is being issued or an issued card is being deleted, it is possible to pay a toll when entering the toll station.

[0102] Figure 4 : is a diagram showing a card issued to a card IC chip of an ETCS terminal in a vehicle.

[0103] Reference Figure 4 , the card issued to the card IC chip 223 is not a physical card, and the card information is stored in the card IC chip 223. In this way, the ETCS terminal 220 uses an embedded ETCS card (e.g., an embedded HI-PASS card) and has a structure in which a user cannot physically remove the card (e.g., without destroying the device or any part of the device).

[0104] The card IC chip 223 may have a plurality of issued cards 225 and 226 .

[0105] The card IC chip 223 may include an ISD 224, an SSD 225a, and an applet 225b of the card company A, and an SSD 226a and an applet 226b of the card company B. In this case, deletion and change of card information may be performed only by the ISD 224, and the structure of the security domain (SD) including the ISD 224, the SSDs 225a and 226a, and the applets 225b and 226b may comply with the global platform (GP) card specification.

[0106] The ETCS terminal 220 may issue cards 225 and 226 by generating SSDs 225a and 226a and applets 225b and 226b corresponding to card information in the card IC chip 223 using a security key. In this case, the generation of the SSDs 225a and 226a and the applets 225b and 226b may be performed by the ISD 224.

[0107] In this case, the security key may correspond to a key with authority to issue a new card, and may be issued by a Personal Security Application Module (PerSAM). The PerSAM may be a card-type security device that may be required to be used according to a specified procedure in order to securely deliver the key for issuing the card (electronic money). The PerSAM may be a module that has the key information required for issuance, and may be provided by the Toll Road Authority that oversees ETCS.

[0108] The card IC chip 223 may perform a payment process based on card information of a card designated as a payment card among issued cards. For example, the card IC chip 223 may perform ETCS payment based on toll information received from a base station provided at an ETCS payment location.

[0109] Figure 5 1 is a diagram showing issuance of a new card to a card IC chip of an ETCS terminal in a vehicle.

[0110] Reference Figure 5 In response to receiving a card issue command from the host unit 230 , the ETCS terminal 220 may generate a new SSD and applet in the card IC chip 223 to issue a new card 227 .

[0111] More specifically, the ETCS terminal 220 may issue the new card 227 by generating an SSD and an applet corresponding to the new card information in the card IC chip 223 using a security key.

[0112] After that, the ETCS terminal 220 may send the card management information to the host unit 230. The host unit 230 may send the card management information to the server 10. That is, after completing the issuance of a new card to the card IC chip 223, the ETCS terminal 220 may send the card management information of the newly issued card to the server 10 through the host unit 230.

[0113] In this case, the card management information may include at least one of the following: card identification information for identifying the card, card expiration information indicating the expiration date of the card (e.g., blank card, completed issuance, etc.), card company information, card issuance information, or card status information.

[0114] In response to receiving the card management information from the vehicle 20, the server 10 can manage the card status based on the card management information. For example, the server 10 can match and store the customer information with the card management information of the card issued to the vehicle, thereby managing the customer information and the card management information of the card issued to the vehicle 20.

[0115] Figure 6 It is a diagram showing deletion of a card issued to a card IC chip of an ETCS terminal in a vehicle.

[0116] Reference Figure 6 , the ETCS terminal 220 may delete the card issued to the card IC chip 223 in response to receiving a card deletion command from the host unit 230 .

[0117] More specifically, the ETCS terminal 220 may delete the SSD and the applet of the card 225 corresponding to the card deletion command from the cards 225 and 226 issued to the card IC chip 223 by using the authorization key, thereby deleting the issued card 225 .

[0118] Thereafter, the ETCS terminal 220 may transmit to the host unit 230 whether the card issued to the card IC chip 223 has been successfully deleted. The host unit 230 may transmit to the server 10 whether the card has been successfully deleted.

[0119] For example, after completing the card deletion from the card IC chip 223 , the ETCS terminal 220 may send a message confirming successful card deletion to the server 10 through the host unit 230 .

[0120] Figure 7 and Figure 8 is a flow chart showing operations performed when a vehicle approaches an ETCS payment location during the issuance of a new card in an ETCS terminal in the vehicle.

[0121] Reference Figure 7 , the host unit 230 may determine whether the ETCS terminal 220 is issuing a new card ( 400 ).

[0122] Based on determining that a new card is being issued (Yes in operation 400), the host unit 230 may determine whether there is a card available for payment in the card IC chip 223 of the ETCS terminal 220 (402). The host unit 230 may determine whether there is an ETCS card available for payment other than the currently issued embedded ETCS card.

[0123] Based on determining that a card that can be used for payment exists in the card IC chip 223 (Yes in operation 402 ), the host unit 230 may obtain a remaining distance to the ETCS payment location ( 404 ).

[0124] The head unit 230 may identify an ETCS payment location from map information obtained through navigation. The ETCS payment location may be a toll booth that accepts ETCS payment, or a store that accepts ETCS payment, such as a drive-through store where customers can pay for services in their cars without stopping.

[0125] The host unit 230 may obtain a remaining distance and / or remaining time from the current position of the vehicle 20 to an ETCS payment location located within a preset area among the ETCS payment locations. The host unit 230 may receive global positioning system (GPS) information of the vehicle 20, determine the speed and position of the vehicle based on the GPS information, and obtain a remaining distance from the current position of the vehicle to the nearest toll booth after map matching.

[0126] The host unit 230 can obtain the remaining distance and / or remaining time to the ETCS payment location located on the travel route based on the travel route information to the destination obtained by navigation. In the case where the route to the destination is set, the host unit 230 can determine the distance to the toll station that accepts ETCS payment, the required time, etc.

[0127] The host unit 230 may determine whether the remaining distance (and / or remaining time) to the ETCS payment location is less than a preset distance (and / or preset time) ( 406 ).

[0128] Based on determining that the remaining distance (and / or remaining time) to the ETCS payment location is less than the preset distance (and / or preset time) (Yes in operation 406), the host unit 230 may send a card issuance stop request to the ETCS terminal 220 to stop the card issuance operation of the ETCS terminal 220 (408). The host unit 230 may use a screen or a speaker to inform the user that ETCS payment cannot be made with an issued card (e.g., a HI-PASS card being issued).

[0129] As described above, when the ETCS terminal 220 is issuing a new card, there is a card that can be used for payment in the card IC chip 223, and the remaining distance (and / or remaining time) to the ETCS payment location is less than the preset distance (and / or preset time), the host unit 230 can send a card issuance stop request to the ETCS terminal 220, thereby allowing the ETCS terminal 220 to stop the ongoing card issuance operation and change the payment card to another card that can be used for payment.

[0130] Reference Figure 8 , the server 10 may send a card issuance command to the host unit 230 (500).

[0131] In response to receiving the card issue command from the server 10 , the host unit 230 may transmit the received card issue command to the ETCS terminal 220 ( 502 ).

[0132] In response to receiving the card issue command from the host unit 230 , the ETCS terminal 220 may issue a new card by generating a new SSD and applet in the card IC chip 223 according to the card issue command ( 504 ).

[0133] The ETCS terminal 220 may receive a card issuance stop request from the host unit 230 when issuing a new card (506).

[0134] In response to receiving the card issuance stop request from the host unit 230, the ETCS terminal 220 may stop the ongoing card issuance operation (508).

[0135] The ETCS terminal 220 may change the payment card to a card that can be used for payment among the cards stored in the card IC chip 223 ( 510 ).

[0136] After changing the payment card, the ETCS terminal 220 may transmit card change completion information indicating completion of the payment card change to the host unit 230 (512).

[0137] In response to receiving the card change completion information indicating that the payment card change is completed from the ETCS terminal 220 , the host unit 230 may notify the user that the existing payment card has been changed to another card using a screen or a speaker ( 514 ).

[0138] Fig. 9 and Fig.10 is a flow chart showing operations performed when a vehicle approaches an ETCS payment location during deletion of a card issued in an ETCS terminal in the vehicle.

[0139] Reference Fig. 9 , the host unit 230 may determine whether the ETCS terminal 220 is deleting an issued card (600).

[0140] Based on determining that the issued card is being deleted (YES in operation 600 ), the host unit 230 may obtain a remaining distance to the ETCS payment location ( 602 ).

[0141] The host unit 230 may determine whether the remaining distance (and / or remaining time) to the ETCS payment location is less than a preset distance (and / or preset time) ( 604 ).

[0142] Based on determining that the remaining distance (and / or remaining time) to the ETCS payment location is less than the preset distance (and / or preset time) (Yes in operation 604), the host unit 230 may send a card deletion stop request to the ETCS terminal 220 to stop the card deletion operation of the ETCS terminal 220 (606). The card deletion operation may be performed when it is impossible to use the issued card after the issued card has been used to pay the toll at the ETCS payment location.

[0143] As described above, when the ETCS terminal 220 is deleting an issued card, there is a card that can be used for payment in the card IC chip 223, and the remaining distance (and / or remaining time) to the ETCS payment location is less than the preset distance (and / or preset time), the host unit 230 can send a card deletion stop request to the ETCS terminal 220, thereby allowing the ETCS terminal 220 to stop the ongoing card deletion operation and change the payment card to another card that can be used for payment.

[0144] Reference Fig.10 , the server 10 may send a card deletion command to the host unit 230 ( 700 ).

[0145] In response to receiving the card deletion command from the server 10 , the host unit 230 may transmit the received card deletion command to the ETCS terminal 220 ( 702 ).

[0146] In response to receiving the card deletion command from the host unit 230, the ETCS terminal 220 may delete the issued card by deleting the SSD and applet of the card corresponding to the card deletion command from the card issued to the card IC chip 223 according to the following card deletion command (704).

[0147] The ETCS terminal 220 may receive a card deletion stop request from the host unit 230 when deleting an issued card ( 706 ).

[0148] In response to receiving the card deletion stop request from the host unit 230, the ETCS terminal 220 may stop the ongoing card deletion operation (708).

[0149] The ETCS terminal 220 may change the payment card to a card that can be used for payment among the cards stored in the card IC chip 223 ( 710 ).

[0150] After changing the payment card, the ETCS terminal 220 may transmit card change completion information indicating completion of the payment card change to the host unit 230 ( 712 ).

[0151] In response to receiving the card change completion information indicating that the payment card change is completed from the ETCS terminal 220 , the host unit 230 may notify the user that the existing payment card has been changed to another card using a screen or a speaker ( 714 ).

[0152] Fig.11 is a flow chart showing the operations performed to resume card issuance after ETCS payment is completed in the vehicle.

[0153] Reference Fig.11 , the ETCS terminal 220 may perform an ETCS payment process at an ETCS payment location using the changed payment card ( 800 ).

[0154] After performing the ETCS payment process, the ETCS terminal 220 may transmit payment completion information indicating the completion of the ETCS payment process to the host unit 230 ( 802 ).

[0155] In response to receiving the payment completion information from the ETCS terminal 220 , the host unit 230 may request card issuance message information regarding the stopped card issuance from the server 10 ( 804 ).

[0156] The server 10 may transmit the card issuance message information to the host unit 230 in response to the request from the host unit 230 (806).

[0157] In response to receiving the card issuance message information from the server 10 , the host unit 230 may transmit the card issuance message information to the ETCS terminal 220 ( 808 ).

[0158] The host unit 230 may allow the ETCS terminal 220 to resume the card issuing operation by transmitting card issuing message information to the ETCS terminal 220 (810).

[0159] Fig.12 is a flow chart showing the operations performed to recover card deletion after completing ETCS payment in the vehicle.

[0160] Reference Fig.12 , the ETCS terminal 220 may perform an ETCS payment process at an ETCS payment location using the changed payment card ( 900 ).

[0161] After performing the ETCS payment, the ETCS terminal 220 may transmit payment completion information indicating the completion of the ETCS payment to the host unit 230 ( 902 ).

[0162] In response to receiving the payment completion information from the ETCS terminal 220 , the head unit 230 may request card deletion message information regarding the stopped card deletion from the server 10 ( 904 ).

[0163] The server 10 may transmit the card removal message information to the host unit 230 in response to the request from the host unit 230 (906).

[0164] In response to receiving the card deletion message information from the server 10 , the host unit 230 may transmit the card deletion message information to the ETCS terminal 220 ( 908 ).

[0165] The host unit 230 may allow the ETCS terminal 220 to resume the card deletion operation by transmitting card deletion message information to the ETCS terminal 220 ( 910 ).

[0166] According to one aspect of the present disclosure, a vehicle may include: an electronic toll collection system (ETCS) terminal, the ETCS terminal including a card integrated circuit (IC) chip; and a host unit, the host unit connected to the ETCS terminal via a vehicle network, wherein the host unit may be configured to: obtain a remaining distance to an ETCS payment location, determine whether the ETCS terminal is issuing a new card or deleting an issued card based on the remaining distance being less than a preset distance, allow the ETCS terminal to stop an ongoing card issuance operation or an ongoing card deletion operation based on a determination that the ETCS terminal is issuing a new card or deleting the issued card, and allow the ETCS terminal to change the payment card of the ETCS terminal to a card that can be used for payment among the cards stored in the card IC chip.

[0167] The host unit may be configured to obtain a remaining distance from the current position of the vehicle to an ETCS payment location within a preset area based on map information obtained through navigation, or to obtain a remaining distance to an ETCS payment location on a travel route based on travel route information to a destination obtained through the navigation.

[0168] The ETCS payment location may include at least one of a location of a toll booth or a location of a store that accepts ETCS payment.

[0169] Based on determining that the ETCS terminal is issuing the new card, the host unit may be configured to send a card issuance stop request to the ETCS terminal to stop issuing the new card, and the ETCS terminal may be configured to stop the ongoing card issuance operation in response to receiving the card issuance stop request from the host unit, and change the payment card to a card that can be used for payment among the cards stored in the card IC chip.

[0170] Based on determining that the ETCS terminal is deleting the issued card, the host unit may be configured to send a card deletion stop request to the ETCS terminal to stop deleting the issued card, and the ETCS terminal may be configured to stop the ongoing card deletion operation in response to receiving the card deletion stop request from the host unit, and change the payment card to a card that can be used for payment among the cards stored in the card IC chip.

[0171] The ETCS terminal may include: a communication interface, which is communicatively connected to the vehicle network; a card integrated circuit (IC) chip, which is configured to store the issued card; and an ETCS controller, which is configured to control the communication interface and the card IC chip, wherein the ETCS controller may be configured to: when the ETCS terminal is issuing the new card or deleting the issued card, in response to receiving a card issuance stop request to stop issuing the new card or a card deletion stop request to stop deleting the issued card from the host unit by the ETCS terminal, stop the ongoing card issuance operation or the ongoing card deletion operation, change the payment card to a card that can be used for payment among the cards stored in the card IC chip, and control the communication interface to perform ETCS payment at the ETCS payment location using the card that can be used for payment.

[0172] The ETCS controller may be configured to control the communication interface to terminate a communication session of an ongoing card issuance operation or an ongoing card deletion operation in response to receiving the card issuance stop request or the card deletion stop request.

[0173] The host unit may be configured to, in response to receiving payment completion information indicating completion of ETCS payment from the ETCS terminal, request and receive first message information regarding issuance of the stopped card or second message information regarding deletion of the stopped card from a server, and send the first message information or the second message information to the ETCS terminal.

[0174] The ETCS terminal may be configured to: resume the stopped card issuance operation according to the first message information, or resume the stopped card deletion operation according to the second message information.

[0175] The host unit may be configured to notify a user of a payment card change in response to receiving card change completion information indicating completion of the payment card change from the ETCS terminal.

[0176] According to one aspect of the present disclosure, a vehicle control method may include: obtaining a remaining distance to an ETCS payment location, determining whether an electronic toll collection system (ETCS) terminal including a card integrated circuit (IC) chip is issuing a new card or deleting an issued card based on the remaining distance being less than a preset distance, stopping an ongoing card issuance operation or an ongoing card deletion operation of the ETCS terminal based on determining that the ETCS terminal is issuing the new card or deleting the issued card, and changing the payment card of the ETCS terminal to a card that can be used for payment among the cards stored in the card IC chip.

[0177] The obtaining of the remaining distance may include: obtaining, by a host unit connected to the ETCS terminal via a vehicle network, the remaining distance from the current position of the vehicle to an ETCS payment location within a preset area based on map information obtained through navigation, or obtaining the remaining distance to an ETCS payment location on a travel route based on travel route information to a destination obtained through the navigation.

[0178] The ETCS payment location may include at least one of a location of a toll booth or a location of a store that accepts ETCS payment.

[0179] Stopping an ongoing card issuance operation may include: a host unit connected to the ETCS terminal via a vehicle network sending a card issuance stop request to the ETCS terminal to stop issuing the new card; the ETCS terminal stopping the ongoing card issuance operation in response to receiving the card issuance stop request from the host unit; and the ETCS terminal changing the payment card to a card that can be used for payment among the cards stored in the card IC chip.

[0180] Stopping an ongoing card deletion operation may include: sending a card deletion stop request to stop deleting the issued card by a host unit connected to the ETCS terminal via a vehicle network; stopping the ongoing card deletion operation by the ETCS terminal in response to receiving the card deletion stop request from the host unit; and changing the payment card to a card that can be used for payment among the cards stored in the card IC chip by the ETCS terminal.

[0181] Stopping an ongoing card issuance operation or an ongoing card deletion operation may include: in response to receiving a card issuance stop request to stop issuing the new card or a card deletion stop request to stop deleting the issued card by the ETCS terminal, the ETCS terminal controls the communication interface connected to the vehicle network to terminate the communication session of the ongoing card issuance operation or the ongoing card deletion operation.

[0182] The control method may further include changing, by the ETCS terminal, the payment card of the ETCS terminal to a card available for payment among the cards stored in the card IC chip, and then performing ETCS payment at an ETCS payment location using the card available for payment.

[0183] The control method may further include: in response to receiving payment completion information indicating completion of ETCS payment from the ETCS terminal, a host unit connected to the ETCS terminal via a vehicle network requests and receives first message information about the issuance of the stopped card or second message information about the deletion of the stopped card from a server, and sends the first message information or the second message information to the ETCS terminal.

[0184] The control method may further include: resuming the stopped card issuing operation according to the first message information, or resuming the stopped card deleting operation according to the second message information.

[0185] The control method may further include, in response to receiving card change completion information indicating completion of the payment card change from the ETCS terminal, notifying a user of the payment card change by a head unit connected to the ETCS terminal via a vehicle network.

[0186] As can be seen from the above, according to the present disclosure, the ETCS payment process can be performed when a new card is issued or an issued card is deleted, thereby improving customer convenience and satisfaction. In addition, when a vehicle according to the present disclosure approaches a toll booth when a new card is being issued or an issued card is being deleted, the toll can be paid by activating another card that can be used for payment.

[0187] Meanwhile, the aforementioned controller and / or its components may include at least one processor / microprocessor combined with a computer-readable recording medium storing computer-readable code / algorithm / software. The processor / microprocessor may execute the computer-readable code / algorithm / software stored in the computer-readable recording medium to perform the above-mentioned functions, operations, steps, etc.

[0188] The aforementioned controller and / or its components may also include a memory implemented as a non-transitory computer-readable recording medium or a transient computer-readable recording medium. The memory may be controlled by the aforementioned controller and / or its components and is configured to store data sent to or received from the aforementioned controller and / or its components, or data processed or to be processed by the aforementioned controller and / or its components.

[0189] The disclosed features may be implemented as computer-readable code / algorithm / software in a computer-readable recording medium. The computer-readable recording medium may be a non-transitory computer-readable recording medium, such as a data storage device capable of storing data readable by a processor / microprocessor. For example, the computer-readable recording medium may be a hard disk drive (HDD), a solid-state drive (SSD), a silicon disk drive (SDD), a read-only memory (ROM), a compact disk read-only memory (CD-ROM), a magnetic tape, a floppy disk, an optical recording medium, etc.

Claims

1. A vehicle comprising: an Electronic Toll Collection System (ETCS) terminal, the ETCS terminal comprising a card Integrated Circuit (IC) chip; as well as a device connected to the ETCS terminal via a vehicle network, The device is configured as follows: Get the remaining distance to the ETCS payment location, Based on the remaining distance being less than a preset distance, determining whether the ETCS terminal is issuing a new card or deleting an issued card, Based on determining that the ETCS terminal is issuing a new card or deleting the issued card, controlling the ETCS terminal to stop the ongoing card issuance operation or the ongoing card deletion operation, and The ETCS terminal is controlled to change a payment card of the ETCS terminal to a card usable for payment among the cards stored in the card IC chip.

2. The vehicle according to claim 1, wherein the device is configured to obtain the remaining distance by: obtaining a remaining distance from the vehicle's location to an ETCS payment location within a preset area based on map information from a navigation device, or A remaining distance to an ETCS payment location located on the travel route is obtained based on the travel route information to the destination obtained by the navigation device. 3 . The vehicle of claim 2 , wherein the ETCS payment location comprises at least one of a location of a toll booth or a location that accepts ETCS payment.

4. The vehicle according to claim 1, wherein: Based on determining that the ETCS terminal is issuing the new card, the apparatus is configured to send a card issuance stop request to the ETCS terminal to stop issuing the new card, and the ETCS terminal being configured to stop the ongoing card issuance operation in response to receiving the card issuance stop request, and The ETCS terminal is configured to change the payment card to a card usable for payment among the cards stored in the card IC chip.

5. The vehicle according to claim 1, wherein: Based on determining that the ETCS terminal is deleting the issued card, the apparatus is configured to send a card deletion stop request to the ETCS terminal to stop deleting the issued card, and The ETCS terminal is configured to stop an ongoing card deletion operation in response to receiving the card deletion stop request, and The ETCS terminal is configured to change the payment card to a card usable for payment among the cards stored in the card IC chip.

6. The vehicle according to claim 1, wherein the ETCS terminal comprises: a communication interface communicatively connected to the vehicle network; a card integrated circuit (IC) chip, the IC chip being configured to store the issued card; as well as an ETCS controller configured to control the control communication interface and the card IC chip, The ETCS controller is configured as follows: When the ETCS terminal is in the process of issuing a new card or deleting an issued card, in response to receiving a card issuance stop request for stopping issuing a new card or a card deletion stop request for stopping deleting an issued card by the ETCS terminal, the ongoing card issuance operation or the ongoing card deletion operation is stopped, changing the payment card to a card that can be used for payment among the cards stored in the card IC chip, and The communication interface is controlled to perform an ETCS payment procedure at an ETCS payment location using a card available for payment.

7. The vehicle according to claim 6, wherein the ETCS controller is configured to: based on receiving a card issuance stop request or a card deletion stop request, control the control communication interface to terminate a communication session of an ongoing card issuance operation or an ongoing card deletion operation.

8. The vehicle of claim 1, wherein the device is configured to: receiving, based on receiving payment completion information indicating completion of the ETCS payment process, first message information about a stopped card issuance operation or second message information about a stopped card deletion operation from the server, and The first message information or the second message information is sent to the ETCS terminal. 9 . The vehicle according to claim 8 , wherein the ETCS terminal is configured to resume a stopped card issuing operation according to the first message information, or to resume a stopped card deleting operation according to the second message information. 10 . The vehicle according to claim 1 , wherein the apparatus is configured to transmit a notification signal indicating a payment card change in response to receiving card change completion information indicating completion of the payment card change from the ETCS terminal.

11. A vehicle control method, the control method comprising the following steps: determining, by the vehicle, a remaining distance to an ETCS payment location; determining whether an electronic toll collection system (ETCS) terminal including a card integrated circuit (IC) chip is issuing a new card or deleting an issued card based on the remaining distance being less than a preset distance; Based on determining that the ETCS terminal is issuing the new card or deleting the issued card, stopping the ongoing card issuance operation or the ongoing card deletion operation of the ETCS terminal; as well as The payment card of the ETCS terminal is changed to a card that can be used for payment among the cards stored in the card IC chip.

12. The control method according to claim 11, wherein determining the remaining distance comprises: obtaining, by a device coupled to the ETCS terminal and based on map information of a navigation device via a vehicle network, a remaining distance from a current position of the vehicle to an ETCS payment position located within a preset area, or A remaining distance to an ETCS payment location located on the travel route is obtained based on the travel route information to the destination obtained by the navigation device. 13 . The control method according to claim 12 , wherein the ETCS payment location comprises at least one of a location of a toll booth or a location that accepts ETCS payment.

14. The control method according to claim 11, wherein stopping the ongoing card issuance operation comprises: sending a card issuance stop request for stopping issuance of the new card to the ETCS terminal via a vehicle network by a device coupled to the ETCS terminal; stopping, by the ETCS terminal, an ongoing card issuance operation in response to receiving the card issuance stop request; and The payment card is changed by the ETCS terminal to a card usable for payment among the cards stored in the card IC chip.

15. The control method according to claim 11, wherein stopping the ongoing card deletion operation comprises: sending a card deletion stop request for stopping deletion of issued cards by a device coupled to the ETCS terminal via a vehicle network; The ETCS terminal stops the ongoing card deletion operation in response to receiving the card deletion stop request; as well as The payment card is changed by the ETCS terminal to a card usable for payment among the cards stored in the card IC chip.

16. The control method according to claim 11, wherein stopping the ongoing card issuance operation or the ongoing card deletion operation comprises: Based on receiving a card issuance stop request to stop issuing new cards or a card deletion stop request to stop deleting issued cards, a communication interface coupled to the vehicle network is controlled to terminate a communication session of an ongoing card issuance operation or an ongoing card deletion operation.

17. The control method according to claim 11, further comprising the following steps: the ETCS terminal changes the payment card of the ETCS terminal to a card that can be used for payment among the cards stored in the card IC chip, and The ETCS payment process is performed at an ETCS payment location using a card that can be used for payment.

18. The control method according to claim 11, further comprising the following steps: receiving, by a device coupled to the ETCS terminal and via a vehicle network, first message information about a stopped card issuance operation or second message information about a stopped card deletion operation based on payment completion information indicating completion of an ETCS payment process received from the ETCS terminal, and The first message information or the second message information is sent to the ETCS terminal.

19. The control method according to claim 18, further comprising the following steps: The stopped card issuance operation is resumed according to the first message information, or the stopped card deletion operation is resumed according to the second message information.

20. The control method according to claim 11, further comprising the following steps: In response to receiving card change completion information indicating completion of the payment card change from the ETCS terminal, a notification signal indicating a payment card change is sent by a device coupled to the ETCS terminal via a vehicle network.

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