Path: utzoo!telecom-request Date: 14 May 91 23:17:49 GMT From: nanook@eskimo.celestial.com (Robert Dinse) Newsgroups: comp.dcom.telecom Subject: Re: Hayes Wins Damages on its Command Set Patent Message-ID: Organization: ESKIMO NORTH (206) 367-3837 SEATTLE WA. Sender: Telecom@eecs.nwu.edu Approved: Telecom@eecs.nwu.edu X-Submissions-To: telecom@eecs.nwu.edu X-Administrivia-To: telecom-request@eecs.nwu.edu X-Telecom-Digest: Volume 11, Issue 371, Message 3 of 8 Lines: 53 In article , kentrox!bud@uunet.uu.net (Bud Couch) writes: > In the interest of stemming panic out there, let's be quite clear. > The enforcement was to a specific patent, not to the "Hayes AT Command > Set". That patent, although quite important to modem users, does not > cover the "AT" _command_ set. > The patent upheld is on the method of notifying the DCE equipment that > the next data arriving should be treated as a command to the DCE, as > opposed to data to be transmitted to the far end; that is, switching > to command mode. > Most software defaults to a one second pause, transmitting three plus > (+) signs, followed by a one second pause. Hayes patent is broader, > covering any time delay, followed by any unique sequence. This patent, > however, covers only async data ports used for both data and command. Since the timed escape is an essential part of the command set, it is impossible for a modem manufacturer to claim Hayes compatability without it. Thus, Hayes, if successful at enforcing this patent, has a monopoly on this kind of modem. Indeed, I can't think of a way you could escape from data mode to command mode not using a timed delay and some unique sequence, that wouldn't be possibly contained in transmitted data. I agree with a previous poster that says this reeks of look and feel, it's more than that, it's functionality. It's not just like someone said, hey you can't make a spread-sheet that has that user interface, they've said, hey, you can't make a spreadsheet that works at all. The ability to escape from data mode to command mode is essential in a smart modems operation. The ability to do that in a way that guarantees that escape to command mode won't accidentally be invoked by the data stream would be difficult (I can't think of a way) without timing and a unique string being an essential feature of the escape from data mode. This type of BS really torques me. I have one Hayes modem and nine clones here, I will not buy another Hayes product. Not only must modem manufacturers figure this as a cost they have to figure in, but so must consumers. And since Hayes compatables comprise nearly all consumer type modems, we are essentially all being held hostage by Hayes, they, if successful in enforcing this patent, have a complete monopoly on the field. My feeling is that the Justice Department, gutted by Reagan and Bush, really should be filing anti-trust suits against corporations that participate in monpoly by litigation.