Inter-vehicle personal data communications device

• US 5,668,880 A
• Filed: 01/17/1995
• Issued: 09/16/1997
• Est. Priority Date: 07/08/1991
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Philip Michael Alajajian
• Original Assignee: Philip Michael Alajajian
• Inventors: Alajajian, Philip Michael
• Primary Examiner(s): Gregory, Bernarr E.
• Application Number:
  US08/373,499
• Time in Patent Office: 973 Days
• Field of Search: 375/200-210, 380/9, 380/28, 380/29, 380/30, 380/34, 380/49, 380/50, 379/58, 379/59, 379/92, 455/33.1, 455/54.1
• US Class Current: 370/342
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 1/707 using direct sequence modulation
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 51/04 Real-time or near real-time messaging, e.g. instant messaging [IM]
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 51/58 Message adaptation for wireless communication
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 61/106 across networks, e.g. mapping telephone numbers to data network addresses
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 61/35 involving non-standard use of addresses for implementing network functionalities, e.g. coding subscription information within the address or functional addressing, i.e. assigning an address to a function
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 69/24 Negotiation of communication capabilities
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 12/037 of the control plane, e.g. signalling traffic
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 28/18 Negotiating wireless communication parameters
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 74/0808 using carrier sensing, e.g. carrier sense multiple access [CSMA]
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 8/26 Network addressing or numbering for mobility support

Abstract

A device for wireless, secure transmission of digital information signals utilizing carrier sense multiple access (CSMA) packet communications, or spread spectrum code division multiple access (CDMA) circuits, between a plurality of stations. The device is intended for use within motor vehicles. The digital information signals may be data or compressed voice signals. Each device operates using a visual network access schema under which the operator of each station manually enters, into the device keyboard, the license plate number of the Target vehicle to be contacted. The license plate number of the Target motor vehicle is used by the Sender device to identify the transmission parameters to the Target device. These parameters are the network address, data link address, frequency channel, code division multiple access (CDMA) code, and encryption key. A Target device uses its own license plate number and that of the Sender vehicle to identify the transmission parameters for delivering a response. Each device contains two receive channels; one for reception of broadcast packet messages or CDMA circuits, and the other for directed packet messages, including signalling messages for the CDMA circuits. To support broadcast messages, the use of a pseudo license plate number, or common address, is entered by the operator of the Sender device. A preferred set of broadcast addresses supports specific types of broadcasts, such as, emergency distress messages ("EBROAD"), traffic reports ("TBROAD"), or general broadcast messages ("GBROAD"). The device consists of ten major components.

Claims

1. A visual network access method for providing two-way communications of digital information signals between geographically separate and distinct entities over an electromagnetic medium;

each said entity having been preassigned its own unique alphanumeric identifier;

each said alphanumeric identifier consisting of a multiplicity of alphanumeric characters;

each said alphanumeric identifier being displayed on an object in close proximity to its associated entity and visible to the human eye from neighboring entities;

said visual network access method accepts input from a human operator associated with a local Sender entity, of the unique alphanumeric identifier associated with any one of said neighboring entities to which communications is being Targeted, as visually sighted by eyes of said operator;

said visual network access method uses said alphanumeric identifier, associated with the Target neighboring entity, together with the alphanumeric identifier associated with the local Sender entity, to determine the communications parameters required for establishment of two-way communications between said Sender and said Target entities;

said visual network access method consisting of the following method steps;

said Sender entity reading operator-entered Target alphanumeric identifier;

said Sender entity grouping together a predetermined number of alphanumeric characters at preselected positions of said Target alphanumeric identifier;

said Sender entity translating the alphanumeric character group into an equivalent decimal number;

said Sender entity using said decimal number to index a table of prestored numbers to identify the value of a specific communications parameter required to access said Target entity;

said Sender entity forwarding said value of said communications parameter to the communications subsystems associated with said communications parameter resident within said Sender entity to configure said communications subsystems for communications with said Target entity;

said Sender entity repeating the last four method steps to identify values for each of said communications parameters required by each of said Sender entity communications subsystems to access said Target entity;

said Sender entity translating said Target alphanumeric identifier into an equivalent binary address;

said Sender entity using said binary address to identify the destination address for packet messages sent to said Target entity;

said Sender entity translating said local Sender alphanumeric identifier into an equivalent binary address;

said Sender entity using said binary address to identify the origination address for packet messages sent to said Target entity;

said Sender entity sending message packets to said Target entity using Sender communications subsystems configured with selected communications parameter values;

said message packets containing;

said binary destination address, said binary origination address, said Sender alphanumeric identifier, and said Target alphanumeric identifier;

said Target entity receiving said message packets and parsing contents thereof;

said Target entity using said Sender alphanumeric identifier to select the communications parameter values for returning messages to the Sender entity by means of the following steps;

said Target entity grouping together a predetermined number of alphanumeric characters at preselected positions of said Sender alphanumeric identifier;

said Target entity translating the alphanumeric character group into an equivalent decimal number;

said Target entity using said decimal number to index a table of prestored numbers to identify the value of a specific communications parameter required to access said Sender entity;

said Target entity forwarding said value of said communications parameter to the communications subsystems associated with said communications parameter resident within said Target entity to configure said Target communications subsystems for communications with said Sender entity;

said Target entity repeating the last four method steps to identify values for each of said communications parameters required to access said Sender entity;

said Target entity translating said Target alphanumeric identifier into an equivalent binary address;

said Target entity using said binary encoded Target address as the origination address for packet messages sent to said Sender entity;

said Target entity translating said Sender alphanumeric identifier into an equivalent binary address;

said Target entity using said binary encoded Sender address as the destination address for packet messages sent to said Sender entity;

said Target entity sending message packets to said Sender entity using Target communications subsystems configured with selected communications parameter values;

said message packets containing;

said binary destination address, said binary origination address, said Sender alphanumeric identifier, and said Target alphanumeric identifier;

said Sender and said Target entities establishing a full-duplex communications link upon exchange of message packets.

2. A visual network access method, according to claim 1, comprised of a message processor method, a communications control processor method, and a link control processor method.

3. A visual network addressing method according to claim 2, wherein said message processor interfaces with a keyboard and display unit, a voice processing unit, a memory storage unit and said communications control processor to provide a method for device operation and control using a message processor said method comprising the steps of:

said message processor generates a menu driven user interface on the display screen of said keyboard and display unit;

said message processor operates in the mode selected by the device user;

in the INITIALIZE mode said message processor method prompts the user for information required to initialize the device including user name, user telephone number, vehicle license plate number, vehicle model, vehicle color, vehicle model year, time and date setting;

the message processor method informs said communications control processor method of this non-communications mode;

in the SEND/RECEIVE mode said message processor method provides processing to enable the user to assign the device a Sender role enabling it to send directed and broadcast packet messages to Target devices and to process the responses from Target devices to which packet messages have been directed;

the message processor method solicits visual network access information for the Target vehicle from the device user, in the form of a Target vehicle license plate number, to support functions of said communications control processor method;

the message processor method prompts the user to select one of four sub-menus commensurate with building one of four user configurable message types, namely a Type 1, Type 2, Type 3, or Type 4 message;

in accordance with the message type selection input from user, the processor creates a message template for the display screen which guides the user in building the message type selected;

said message processor method processes received messages for display in a format commensurate with the message type received;

said message processor method forwards voice messages to said voice processing unit;

said message processor method informs said communications control processor method of SEND/RECEIVE mode of operation for proper device set up;

said SEND/RECEIVE mode also supports call signaling method, by means of generating control message packets, for the SET-UP CIRCUIT INITIATE/RESPOND mode;

in the LISTEN/RESPOND mode said message processor method provides processing to enable the device user to assign the device to a Target role enabling it to listen for directed and broadcast packet messages forthcoming from other devices acting in a Sender role, and to build and control the release of responses to received messages;

said message processor method informs said communications control processor method of said LISTEN/RESPOND mode of operation for proper device set up;

said LISTEN/RESPOND mode supports call signaling method, by means of receipt and generation of control message packets, for said SET-UP CIRCUIT INITIATE/RESPOND mode;

in said SET-UP CIRCUIT INITIATE/RESPOND mode said message processor method provides processing to enable the device user to establish a full-duplex digital communications circuit with a Target device;

the message processor method informs said communications control processor method of SET-UP CIRCUIT INITIATE/RESPOND mode of operation for proper device set up;

in the SET BROADCAST RECEIVE mode said message processor method provides processing to enable the device user to configure the packet broadcast receiver address, and to identify the metropolitan region and regional zone if the traffic broadcast address is selected;

said message processor method informs said communications control processor method of SET BROADCAST RECEIVE mode of operation for proper device set up;

in the PRE-STORE MESSAGES mode said message processor method provides processing to enable the device user to pre-store data and voice messages in a buffer;

these messages can be used in composing any of the four message types;

said message processor method informs said communications control processor method of said PRE-STORE MESSAGES mode of operation;

in the MESSAGE REVIEW mode said message processor method provides processing to enable the device user to scroll through the pre-stored messages obtained in said PRE-STORE MESSAGES mode, and received messages obtained in said SEND/RECEIVE mode and said LISTEN/RESPOND mode, and to select a message by an identification number indicative of its position in the buffer;

said message processor method informs said communications control processor method of said MESSAGE REVIEW mode of operation;

said message processor method generates a menu driven user interface on the display screen of said keyboard and display unit to enable a device user to efficiently compose and/or transfer each of the following packet message types, except Type 6, while operating in said SEND/RECEIVE, and said LISTEN/RESPOND modes, and only Type 6 packet messages while operating in said SET-UP CIRCUIT INITIATE/RESPOND mode;

the Type 1 message enables the user to exchange telephone numbers with a Target device;

these messages comprise the following information;

user name, vehicle model, vehicle color, vehicle model year, vehicle license plate number, user telephone number, and an optional personal message;

said message processor method notifies said communications control processor method as to the position of the AUTO/MANUAL mode switch located on said keyboard and display unit;

the release of responses to a Type 1 message by said communications control processor method of a Target device will be performed automatically if said AUTO/MANUAL mode switch is in the AUTO position, and manually by device user via message processor method if said switch is in the MANUAL position;

the Type 2 message enables the user to exchange personal data messages with a Target device;

these messages comprise the following information;

vehicle model, vehicle color, vehicle model year, vehicle license plate number, and a personal message;

responses to Type 2 messages are released only by manual intervention of the Target device user;

the Type 3 message enables the user to exchange travel directions messages with a Target device;

these messages comprise the following information;

vehicle model, vehicle color, vehicle model year, vehicle license plate number, and a travel information message;

responses to Type 3 messages are released only by manual intervention of the Target device user;

the Type 4 message enables the user to exchange voice messages with a Target device;

these messages comprise the following information;

vehicle model, vehicle color, vehicle model year, vehicle license plate number, and a personal voice message;

responses to Type 4 messages are only released only by manual intervention of the Target device user;

the Type 5 message enables the user to receive packetized traffic reports from a central broadcast terminal;

the traffic report packets contain a metropolitan region and a regional zone code to allow filtering by the communications control processor method;

the Type 6 message enables the user to initiate said call signaling method for establishment and tear-down of CDMA circuits.

4. A visual network access method according to claim 2, wherein said link control processor method interfaces with said communications control processor method and a digital PSK modem means to provide a method of packet communications using a LLC/MAC link control processor said link control processor method comprising the steps of:

said link control processor method receives outbound message blocks, address information and message type information from said communications control processor method;

said message type being one of Type 1, Type 2, Type 3, Type 4, Type 5 and Type 6;

said link control processor method formats the outbound message blocks into logical link control, LLC, frames, with 8 bit destination service access point, DSAP, field of LLC frame used to identify the message type;

link control processor method stuffs the SSAP field of the LLC frame with zero bits;

said link control processor method stores LLC frames for Type 1, Type 2, Type 3, Type 5 or Type 6 messages in a first outbound service queue;

link control processor method implements stop-and-wait flow control and stop-and-wait ARQ error control for the outbound Type 1, Type 2, Type 3, Type 5 and Type 6 messages in accordance with a first Logical Link Control protocol;

said link control processor method stores LLC frames for outbound Type 4 messages in a second outbound service queue;

link control processor method uses CON protocol primitives to first establish an outbound connection;

link control processor method implements sliding window flow control, with a window size of eight, and go-back-N ARQ error control for outbound Type 4 messages in accordance with a second Logical Link Control protocol;

said link control processor method transfers LLC frames from the first outbound service queue;

link control processor method assembles LLC frames into media access control frames containing source and destination addresses, and error detection fields;

link control processor method stores outbound MAC frames in outbound MAC queue;

said link control processor method transfers LLC frames from the second outbound service queue;

link control processor method assembles LLC frames into media access control frames containing BCDIC encoded source and destination addresses, and error detection fields;

link control processor method stores outbound MAC frames in outbound MAC queue;

said link control processor method implements a media access control protocol;

link control processor method monitors transmission channel via digital demodulator;

link control processor method provides control for channel access via signal sent to said digital modem means;

link control processor method forwards MAC frames from MAC queue to said digital modem modulator input;

said link control processor method receives media access control frames from said digital demodulator;

said link control processor method implements the media access control protocol;

link control processor method disassembles MAC frames, link control processor method performs address checking;

link control processor method performs cyclical redundancy code check on received message;

link control processor method stores inbound MAC frames having correct destination address and no message errors within in inbound MAC queue;

link control processor method drops MAC frames having either incorrect destination address or message errors;

link control processor method reads message type;

said link control processor method implements stop-and-wait flow control and stop-and-wait ARQ error control for inbound Type 1, Type 2, Type 3, Type 5, and Type 6 messages in accordance with the first Logical Link Control protocol;

link control processor method stores LLC frames for inbound Type 1, Type 2, Type 3, Type 5, or Type 6 messages in a first inbound LLC queue;

said link control processor method uses CON protocol primitives to first establish an inbound connection for inbound Type 4 messages;

link control processor method implements sliding window flow control, with a window size of eight, and go-back-N ARQ error control for inbound Type 4 messages in accordance with the second Logical Link Control protocol;

link control processor method stores LLC frames for inbound Type 4 messages in a second inbound LLC queue; and

link control processor method forwards LLC frames to said communications control processor method.

5. A visual network access method according to claim 2, wherein said communications control processor method interfaces with said message processor method, a memory storage unit, an encryption unit, said link control processor method, a digital modem unit, and a RF unit to provide a method for communications control using a communications control processor said method comprising the steps of:

said communications control processor method receives mode selection information, visual network access information in the form of a visually-sighted alpha-numeric identifier, and messages from said message processor method;

said communications control processor method operates in the mode selected by the device user;

in the INITIALIZE mode said communications control processor method configures said RF unit, said digital modem unit, said link control processor method, and said encryption unit with the frequency channel settings, CDMA codes, data link addresses and broadcast addresses, and session encryption keys, respectively;

in the SEND/RECEIVE mode said communications control processor method provides processing to send directed and broadcast packet messages to Target devices and to process the responses from Target devices to which packet messages have been directed;

in said SEND mode, the communications control processor method receives message information, and visual network access information for the device associated with a Target vehicle, from said message processor method, in the form of an alpha-numeric Target vehicle license plate number;

the communications control processor method uses this alpha-numeric number to identify the link address and to select an encryption key and frequency channel for packet transmissions with the Target;

the communications control processor method may receive any one of four user configurable message types, namely a Type 1, Type 2, Type 3, or Type 4 message;

the communications control processor method formats a message frame commensurate with message type selected;

the communications control processor method segments the message frame and transfers these to said encryption unit, the communications control processor method reassembles encrypted segments from said encryption unit, the communications control processor method transfers an encrypted message frame to said link control processor method;

the communications control processor method forwards link address and message type information to said link control processor method, and frequency information to said RF unit;

for said RECEIVE mode the reverse flow of message information is followed;

in said SEND/RECEIVE mode, said communications control processor method provides a call signaling method for establishment of CDMA circuit communications, by means of control message packets, for the SET-UP CIRCUIT INITIATE/RESPOND mode;

in the LISTEN/RESPOND mode said communications control processor method provides processing to enable it to listen for directed and broadcast packet messages forthcoming from other devices acting in a Sender role, and to build and control the release of responses to received messages;

said communications control processor method is informed of said LISTEN/RESPOND mode of operation by said message processor method for proper device set up;

in said LISTEN/RESPOND mode, said communications control processor method provides a call signaling method, by means of control message packets, for said SET-UP CIRCUIT INITIATE/RESPOND mode;

in said SET-UP CIRCUIT INITIATE/RESPOND mode said communications control processor method provides processing to establish a full-duplex digital communications circuit between a Sender and a Target device, including a call signaling method, identification and selection of communications parameters including;

encryption codes, CDMA codes, and frequency bands of operation, and a link acquisition/synchronization procedure;

said communications control processor method is informed of said SET-UP CIRCUIT INITIATE/RESPOND mode of operation by said message processor method for proper device set up;

in the SET BROADCAST RECEIVE mode said communications control processor method provides processing to configure the packet broadcast receiver address;

Type 5 message packets are filtered according to the operator specified metropolitan region and regional zone whenever the traffic broadcast receive address is also selected by the device operator;

said communications control processor method is informed of said SET BROADCAST RECEIVE mode of operation by said message processor method for proper device set up;

in the SEND/RECEIVE mode, said communications control processor method is notified by said message processor method as to the position of the AUTO/MANUAL mode switch located on said keyboard and display unit;

the communications control processor method automatically releases responses to a Type 1 message if said AUTO/MANUAL mode switch is in the AUTO position, or by means of a release signal from said message processor method if said switch is in the MANUAL position;

responses to all other message types, except Type 6 call signaling messages, are released by the communications control processor method only upon detection of the release signal by said message processor method;

Type 6 messages are generated by said communications control processor method upon invocation by said message processor method to initiate call signaling method for establishment and tear-down of CDMA circuits.

6. A communications control processor method according to claim 5;

wherein said visual network access information in the form of an alphanumeric vehicle license plate number is received from the keyboard and display unit of a Sender device operating in said SEND/RECEIVE mode, by means of a message processor said method, identifying a Target device to which a digital information signal is addressed;

wherein said communications control processor method is responsive to said visual network access information by creating a network address and providing to link control processor said method a data link address, for addressing of packet transmissions between said Sender device and said Target device, by performing binary encoding of the first six alphanumeric characters of the motor vehicle license plate number;

the network address being represented using eight bit American Standard Code for Information Interchange, ASCII, encoding, resulting in forty-eight total network address bits;

the data link media access control, MAC, address being represented using six bit Binary Coded Decimal Interchange Coding, BCDIC, encoding, with zero stuffing of high order bit positions resulting in forty-eight total MAC address bits;

wherein device initialization information in the form of an alpha-numeric vehicle license plate number of Sender vehicle is received from said keyboard and display unit, by means of said INITIALIZE mode of message processor said method, identifying said Sender device;

wherein said communications control processor method is responsive to said initialization information by creating a network address and by providing to link control processor said method a data link address for said Sender device, to enable recognition of packet messages addressed to said Sender device, by performing binary encoding of the first six alpha-numeric characters of the motor vehicle license plate number;

the network address being represented using eight bit American Standard Code for Information Interchange, ASCII, encoding, resulting in forty-eight total network address bits;

the data link media access control, MAC, address being represented using six bit Binary Coded Decimal Interchange Coding, BCDIC, encoding, with zero stuffing of high order bit positions resulting in forty-eight total MAC address bits;

wherein said communications control processor method is responsive to any of a set of pseudo Target motor vehicle license plate numbers, received from said keyboard and display unit to initiate a broadcast, including CBROAD, EBROAD, GBROAD, and TBROAD, by providing to said link control processor method a network address and a data link address, for broadcast addressing from a single Sender to many Target devices, by performing binary encoding of the six characters of a pseudo Target motor vehicle license plate number to represent a common broadcast address;

the network address being represented using eight bit American Standard Code for Information Interchange, ASCII, encoding, for forty-eight total network address bits;

the data link MAC address being represented using six bit BCDIC encoding, with zero stuffing of high order bit positions, resulting in forty-eight total MAC address bits;

wherein said communications control processor method is responsive to said visual network access information by providing to said encryption unit means an encryption key for direct addressing of packet transmissions by using a predetermined number, n, of alpha-numeric characters in predetermined positions of a Target vehicle license plate number, each alpha-numeric character having 36 possibilities, to select, by one-to-one mapping, from a pre-stored table of 36ⁿ unique keys contained within a periodically updated and distributed memory device, the encryption key to be used to send an encrypted message to a Target vehicle, and in the preferred approach using the same encryption key to receive a reply from the Target vehicle to minimize set-up delays;

in particular, the Sender device always being assigned the encryption key belonging to the Target vehicle to both send and receive messages for that vehicle;

in particular, the Target device always using its own encryption key while acting in the Target role for listening and responding to messages from the Sender;

wherein said communications control processor method is responsive to any of a set of pseudo license plate numbers, received from said keyboard and display unit to initiate a broadcast, including CBROAD, EBROAD, GBROAD, and TBROAD, by providing to said encryption unit means the encryption key for broadcast addressing by using a predetermined number of alphanumeric characters, n, in predetermined positions of a pseudo Target vehicle license plate number representing the designated common broadcast address, to select, by one to one mapping, from a pre-stored table of 36ⁿ unique keys contained within a periodically updated and distributed memory device, the encryption key to be used to send an encrypted broadcast message to all vehicles; and

using the encryption key of the Sender vehicle, obtained by one-to-one mapping of a predetermined number, n, of alpha-numeric characters in predetermined positions of the Sender vehicle license plate number from a pre-stored table 36ⁿ unique keys, to receive a reply from any of the vehicles responding to the broadcast message;

wherein said communications control processor method is responsive to said visual network access information by providing to said encryption unit means a common encryption key for establishment of full-duplex circuit communications between a Sender and Target device, by using a predetermined number, n, of alpha-numeric characters in predetermined positions of a Target vehicle license plate number, each alpha-numeric character having 36 possibilities, to select, by one-to-one mapping, from a pre-stored table of 36ⁿ unique keys contained within a periodically updated and distributed memory device, and, by using a predetermined number, n, of alpha-numeric characters in predetermined positions of a Sender vehicle license plate number to select, by one-to-one mapping, a second encryption key to be modulo-two added to the first key, to yield a composite key which is thereupon divided by two to form the encryption session key to be used to establish the full-duplex CDMA communications circuit;

wherein said communications control processor method is responsive to said visual network access information by providing to said RF unit means a frequency channel to be used for direct addressing of packet transmissions by using a predetermined number, n, of alpha-numeric characters in predetermined positions of a Target vehicle license plate number to select, by one to one mapping from a pre-stored table of 36ⁿ unique channels, the access channel frequency to be used to send a message to a Target vehicle;

in the preferred approach the same frequency channel is used to receive a reply from the Target vehicle to minimize set-up delays;

wherein said communications control processor method is responsive to said visual network access information by providing to said RF unit means a frequency band to be used for establishment of CDMA communications circuits by using a predetermined number, n, of alpha-numeric characters in predetermined positions of a Target vehicle license plate number to select, by one to one mapping from a prestored table of 36ⁿ unique channels, the frequency band to establish a simplex circuit to the Target vehicle;

in the preferred approach the same frequency band is used to establish a second simplex circuit from the Target vehicle to the Sender device to minimize set-up delays;

wherein said communications control processor method is responsive to any of a set of pseudo Target vehicle license plate numbers, received from said keyboard and display unit for initiating a broadcast, including CBROAD, EBROAD, and GBROAD, by providing to said RF unit means a frequency channel to be used for broadcast addressing by using a predetermined number, n, of alpha-numeric characters in predetermined positions of a pseudo Target vehicle license plate number representing the designated common broadcast address, to select by one to one mapping from a pre-stored table of 36ⁿ unique channels, the access channel frequency to be used to send a broadcast message to all vehicles;

in the preferred approach the frequency channel of the Sender vehicle, obtained by the one-to-one mapping of a predetermined number, n, of alpha-numeric characters in predetermined positions of the Sender vehicle license plate number from a pre-stored table of channels, is used to receive a reply from any of the vehicles responding to the broadcast message;

wherein said communications control processor method is responsive to said visual network access information by providing to said digital CDMA modem means two CDMA codes to be used for the establishment of a full-duplex communications circuit between a Sender and Target device by using a predetermined number, n, of alpha-numeric characters in predetermined positions of a Target vehicle license plate number to select from a pre-stored table of 36ⁿ unique codes, the code division multiple access code to be used for the forward simplex circuit to a Target vehicle and, by using a predetermined number, n, of alpha-numeric characters in predetermined positions of a Sender vehicle license plate number to select from a pre-stored table of 36ⁿ unique codes, the code division multiple access code to be used for the reverse simplex circuit from a Target vehicle.

7. A communications control processor method, according to claim 5, wherein said call signaling method, for the establishment of CDMA circuit-based communications between a Sender and a Target device, further comprising a CIRCUIT SET-UP INITIATE/RESPOND mode process, a SEND/RECEIVE mode process, and a LISTEN/RESPOND mode process;

at the invocation of said CIRCUIT SET-UP INITIATE mode process, said SEND/RECEIVE mode process is used by a Sender device to signal a request to a Target device, acting with said LISTEN/RESPOND mode process, for a circuit to be established;

upon notification by said CIRCUIT SET-UP RESPOND mode process of the Target device, by means of said LISTEN/RESPOND mode process, that resources are available, a full-duplex secure CDMA circuit is established between the Sender and Target devices using two separate CDMA codes determined by mapping their respective alpha-numeric identifiers to a designated look-up table;

subsequently, after communications have been completed and upon user action, said CIRCUIT SET-UP INITIATE/RESPOND mode process invokes said SEND/RECEIVE mode process for signaling by either device for termination of same CDMA circuit, upon which, said CDMA circuit is disengaged.

12. A device according to claim 2, having an auxilliary receiver means to enable the receipt of broadcast traffic report message packets which are tagged by metropolitan region and regional zone, and a communications control processing means to provide filtering of such messages in accordance with the metropolitan region and regional zone as set by the device user via said keyboard and display unit.

8. A device for two-way communications of digital information signals over an electromagnetic medium between geographically separate and distinct entities, each said entity being equipped with said device and identifiable by a unique alpha-numeric identifier;

said device consisting of a man-machine interface means, a message processor means, a communications control processor means, and a transceiver means;

said man-machine interface means providing a mechanism for input of said alpha-numeric entity identifiers and information from said operator;

said man-machine interface means communicating with said message processor for transfer of said alpha-numeric entity identifiers and operator-entered information;

said message processor means providing a menu generation and control function for said man-machine interface means, and a function for formatting of said operator-entered information;

said message processor means interfaces with said communications control processor means for transfer of said alpha-numeric entity identifiers and said operator-entered information;

said communications control processor means providing a function for reformatting said operator-entered information received from said message processor means and said transceiver means, a function for identifying network communications parameter values from said alpha-numeric entity identifiers, and a function for configuring transceiver subsystems with said network communications parameter values;

said communications control processor means interfaces with said transceiver means for conveyance of said operator-entered message information and said network communications parameter values;

said transceiver means comprising a link control unit means, a digital modem unit means, and a radio frequency unit means to support electro-magnetic communications between devices.

9. A device according to claim 8, for the wireless encrypted transmission of digital information signals between a plurality of stations utilizing both carrier sense multiple access, CSMA, packet transmissions, and code division multiple access, CDMA, communications circuits, addressed by means of said visual network access method over selected radio frequency, RF, channels, comprising:

a keyboard and display unit means to permit entry by a device user of a visually sighted alpha-numeric identifier for a Target station, and for providing a man-machine interface to the message processor means for controlling initialization, mode of operation, message creation, message storage, and message review;

a message processor means for processing message inputs to and from said keyboard and display unit means, memory storage unit means, voice processing unit means and communications control processor means;

a memory storage unit means for non-volatile and volatile storage of messages and communications control parameters by said keyboard and display unit means, said message processor means, said voice processing unit means, and said communication control processor means;

a voice processing unit means for receiving an analog voice signal from a built-in microphone and a preamplifier within the device upon command from said message processor, performing an A-law analog-to-digital, A/D, conversion of the analog voice signal, and compressing the digital voice signal output from the conversion using a speech compression algorithm, forwarding result to said memory storage unit means and signalling said communications control processor means of availability of compressed digital voice signal for building an outbound message frame;

compressed voice messages received by said communications control processor means in inbound message frames are forwarded to said memory storage unit means by said communications control processor means followed by a signal to said voice processing unit means which then employs a speech compression algorithm to expand the digital signal, followed by an A-law digital-to-analog, D/A conversion to produce an analog voice output which is routed to a loudspeaker means via an amplifier means;

an encryption unit means for encrypting message segments upon receipt of plain text message segments and an encryption key from said communications control processor means, and forwarding the encrypted communications to said communications control processor means; and

for receiving encrypted message segments and an encryption key from said communications control processor means, decrypting these segments, and forwarding the decrypted segments back to said communications control processor means;

a link control unit means, consisting of a logical link control/media access control, LLC/MAC, link control processor, and a synchronous data link control, SDLC link control processor;

said LLC/MAC link control processor means for receiving message blocks for packet transmission from said communications control processor together with address and message type, and forwarding data link frames to the digital phase shift keying, PSK, modem; and

for receiving data link frames from said digital PSK modem and forwarding message blocks to said communications control processor means;

said LLC/MAC link control processor means evaluates the level of activity on the transmission channel, by monitoring said digital demodulator output level, to provide channel access control via signal sent to digital PSK modem;

said SDLC, link control processor means for receiving a message stream for synchronous CDMA transmission from said communications control processor means, and forwarding modified High Level Data Link Control, HDLC, data link frames to the digital CDMA modem; and

for receiving modified HDLC data link frames from said digital CDMA modem and forwarding a message stream to said communications control processor means;

a digital modem unit means, consisting of a digital PSK modem, and a digital CDMA modem;

said digital PSK modem means for receiving digital messages from said LLC/MAC link control processor means and, upon command by said link control processor means, modulating the bit stream in accordance with a phase-shift keying scheme and forwarding the output to the RF unit; and

for receiving a phase-shift keyed waveform from said RF unit, demodulating the waveform into a digital bit stream, and forwarding the result to said LLC/MAC link control processor means;

said digital CDMA modem means for receiving transmit and receive CDMA code addresses from said communications control processor means, and digital messages from said SDLC link control processor and, upon command by said communications control processor means, CDMA encoding the digital message and modulating the encoded bit stream in accordance with a phase-shift keying scheme and forwarding the output to said RF unit means; and

for receiving a phase-shift keyed CDMA waveform from said RF unit means, demodulating the waveform into a digital bit stream, CDMA decoding the digital bit stream, and forwarding the result to said SDLC link control processor;

a radio frequency unit means, consisting of a narrowband transmitter/receiver, an auxilliary narrowband receiver, and a wideband CDMA transmitter/receiver;

said narrowband transmitter/receiver for receiving both transmit and receive frequency channel information from said communications control processor means, and transmit channel access control information from said LLC/MAC link control processor means, upconverting a phase-shift keyed modulated waveform received from said digital PSK modem, upon command by modem, from an intermediate frequency to an RF microwave frequency channel as specified by said communications control processor means, amplifying the resultant waveform which is fed to an antenna; and

for receiving a narrowband RF microwave input signal, on a frequency channel as specified by said communications control processor, from an antenna, amplifying the signal, downconverting the signal from RF to IF, and feeding the resultant signal to said digital PSK modem;

said auxilliary narrowband receiver with an identical receiver mechanism for receipt of broadcast messages;

said wideband CDMA transmitter/receiver for receiving both transmit and receive frequency band information, and transmit channel access control information, from said communications control processor means, upconverting a phase-shift keyed modulated waveform received from said digital CDMA modem, upon command by modem, from an intermediate frequency to an RF microwave frequency band as specified by said communications control processor means, amplifying the resultant waveform which is fed to an antenna; and

for receiving a wideband RF microwave input signal from an antenna, on a frequency band as specified by said communications control processor means, amplifying signal, downconverting signal from RF to IF, and feeding the resultant signal to said digital CDMA modem;

a communications control processor means for using data elements obtained from said memory storage unit means, upon signalling by said message processor means to build messages and, by using visual network access and broadcast address information received from device user via said message processor means, to specify the packet network addresses, and the packet link addresses for said link control unit, the direct session keys, for packet or circuit usage, and broadcast session keys for said encryption unit means, the code division multiple access CDMA codes for said digital CDMA modem, and the direct and broadcast frequency channels for said RF unit means;

said communications control processor means segments outgoing plain text messages, forwards these to said encryption unit means, receives the encrypted segments back from said encryption unit means and reassembles the segments into the final encrypted message frame which the processor delivers to said link control unit means;

said communications control processor means segments incoming encrypted messages received from said link control unit means, forwards the segments to said encryption unit means, receives the decrypted segments back from said encryption unit means and reassembles the segments into the final decrypted message which said communications control processor means delivers to said message processor means via said memory storage unit means; and

a power supply means for supplying power to said keyboard and display unit means, said memory storage unit means, said voice processing unit means, said message processor means, said communications control processor means, said encryption unit means, said link control unit means, said digital modem unit means, and said RF unit means.

10. A device according to claim 9, wherein said link control unit means further comprises:

a means for receipt of message blocks, address and message type information from said communications control processor;

a means for formatting outbound message blocks into Logical Link Control, LLC, frames;

a means for stuffing SSAP field of LLC frame with zero bits;

a means for storing LLC frames in an outbound service queue in accordance with message type;

a means for implementing message flow control and error control in accordance with a Logical Link Control protocol;

a means for transferring LLC frames from outbound service queue;

a means for assembling LLC frames into MAC frames;

a means for storing outbound MAC frames in outbound MAC queue;

a means for implementing a media access control protocol;

a means for monitoring transmission channel;

a means for providing channel access control;

a means for forwarding MAC frames from MAC queue to digital modulator input;

a means for MAC link control processing in which MAC flames are received from said digital demodulator output;

a means for implementing the media access control protocol;

a means for disassembling MAC frames;

a means for performing address checking;

a means for performing cyclical redundancy code check on received message;

a means for storing error free inbound MAC frames having correct destination address;

a means for dropping inbound MAC frames having errors or incorrect destination address;

means for reading message type;

a means for storing LLC frames in inbound message queue in accordance with message type;

a means for implementing flow control and error control in accordance with the Logical Link Control protocol;

a means for forwarding LLC frames to said communications control processor.

11. A device according to claim 9, wherein said message processor means further comprises:

a means for creation of a menu driven user interface on the display screen of said keyboard and display unit to enable device mode control;

a means for providing device operation in an INITIALIZE mode to enable preliminary device configuration information to be entered by a device user;

a means for providing device operation in a SEND/RECEIVE mode for menu generation, message formatting, and exchange of information;

a means for providing device operation in a LISTEN/RESPOND mode for menu generation, message formatting, and exchange of information;

a means for providing device operation in a SET-UP CIRCUIT INITIATE/RESPOND mode for establishment of a full duplex communications circuit with a Target device;

a means for providing device operation in a SET-UP BROADCAST RECEIVER mode for configuration of an auxiliary receiver by a device user to receive broadcast messages of a user-selected category;

a means for providing device operation in a PRE-STORE MESSAGES mode to enable messages to be developed by a device user and stored for later use;

a means for providing device operation in a MESSAGE REVIEW mode to store received messages and to enable a device user to review stored messages;

a means for message processing in which a menu driven user interface is created on the display screen of said keyboard and display unit to provide for message composition and transfer;

a means for composition and transfer of Type 1 packet messages to enable a device user to exchange telephone numbers with a Target device;

a means for composition and transfer of Type 2 packet messages to enable a device user to exchange personal data messages with a Target device;

a means for composition and transfer of Type 3 packet messages to enable a device user to exchange travel directions messages with a Target device;

a means for composition and transfer of Type 4 packet messages to enable a device user to exchange voice messages with a Target device;

a means for receipt of Type 5 packet messages to enable a device user to receive packetized traffic reports from a central broadcast terminal;

a means for initiation and transfer of Type 6 packet messages to enable a device user to initiate call signaling for establishment and tear-down of full-duplex CDMA circuits.

13. A device according to claim 9, wherein the communications control processor means further comprises:

means for coordination with said message processor means, said memory storage unit means, said encryption unit means, said link control unit means, said digital modem unit means, and said RF unit means;

a means for providing communications control in an INITIALIZE mode to enable preliminary device communications parameter configuration information to be established;

a means for providing communications control in a SEND/RECEIVE mode for information processing and exchange;

a means for providing communications control in a LISTEN/RESPOND mode for information processing and exchange;

a means for providing communications control in a SET-UP CIRCUIT INITIATE/RESPOND mode for establishment of a full-duplex communications circuit with a Target device;

a means for providing communications control in a SET-UP BROADCAST RECEIVER mode for configuration of an auxiliary receiver for receipt of broadcast messages of a user-selected category;

a means for communications control processing in which Type 1 packet messages enabling a device user to exchange telephone numbers with a Target device, Type 2 packet messages enabling a device user to exchange personal data messages with a Target device, Type 3 packet messages enabling a device user to exchange travel directions messages with a Target device, and Type 4 packet messages enabling a device user to exchange voice messages with a Target device are transferred to and from said message processor means; and

in which Type 5 packet messages enabling a device user to receive packetized traffic reports from a central broadcast terminal are transferred to said message processor means;

a means for initiation and transfer of Type 6 packet messages to provide call signaling for establishment and tear-down of full-duplex CDMA circuits through coordination with said message processor means.

14. A call signaling method for a hybrid CSMA/spread spectrum wireless network for the establishment and tearing down of full-duplex spread spectrum circuits between a Sender and a Target station comprising the following method steps:

said Sender station sending a call request message packet to said Target station using CSMA protocol to request establishment of a full-duplex spread spectrum circuit;

said Target station processing said call request message packet and determining the availability of spread spectrum resources;

said Target station sending a call request response packet to said Sender station with information regarding the availability of spread spectrum resources, and if available, notifying said Sender station to initiate spread spectrum acquisition sequence;

said Sender station and said Target station each independently initiating a forward half-duplex spread spectrum acquisition sequence to the other, and independently synchronizing to a reverse half-duplex spread spectrum acquisition sequence from the other;

said Sender station and said Target station notifying each other using a CSMA message packet when synchronization to said reverse half-duplex spread spectrum sequence has completed;

said Sender station and said Target station commencing use of full-duplex spread spectrum circuit upon acquisition of said half-duplex reverse spread spectrum circuit from the other and notification from the other that acquisition of said forward half-duplex spread spectrum circuit has completed;

said Sender station and said Target station using CSMA message packet to notify the other if a transmission error has occurred for tear-down of said full-duplex spread spectrum circuit;

said Sender station and said Target station using CSMA message packet to notify the other when transmission has completed for tear-down of said full-duplex spread spectrum circuit.

15. A network access method for sending a message to a target entity, the target entity having a target identifier, the method comprising the steps of:

decoding at least one communication parameter encoded in the target identifier;

formatting the message;

setting at least one of a frequency band, a frequency channel, an encryption key, and a spread-spectrum code of a communication subsystem according to the at least one decoded communication parameter; and

sending the formatted message to the target entity.

16. The method as recited in claim 15, wherein the step of decoding the at least one communication parameter includes:

accessing a lookup table based on a value of a character in a specified location in the target identifier.

17. A data communications device for sending a message to a target entity, the target entity having a target identifier, comprising:

means for receiving the target identifier assigned to the target entity;

means, coupled to the receiving means, for decoding at least one communication parameter encoded in the target identifier;

means for formatting the message;

means for setting at least one of a frequency band, a frequency channel, an encryption key, and a spread-spectrum code of a communication subsystem according to the at least one decoded communication parameter; and

means for sending the formatted message to the target entity.

18. The data communication device as recited in claim 17, wherein the decoding means comprises means for storing at least one communication parameter according to a value of a character in a specified location in the target identifier.

19. A data communications device for sending a message to a target entity where the target entity has a target identifier, the device comprising:

a keyboard and display unit which receives the target identifier;

a memory coupled to the keyboard and display unit which stores at least one communication parameter;

a message processor coupled to the memory and the keyboard and display unit which composes the message;

a communications control processor coupled to the message processor and the memory which decodes at least one target communication parameter encoded in the target identifier and which sets at least one of a frequency band, a frequency channel, an encryption key, and a spread-spectrum code of the data communications device according to the at least one decoded target communication parameter;

a link control unit coupled to the communications control processor which provides media access control addressing for the composed message; and

a transceiver subsystem coupled to the link control unit and the communications control processor which transmits the composed message with the provided media access control addressing.

20. The data communication device as recited in claim 19 wherein the memory comprises a Read Only Memory which stores the at least one communication parameter.