Path: utzoo!telecom-request Date: Sun, 19 May 1991 20:51:31 GMT From: Eric A Rasmussen Newsgroups: comp.dcom.telecom Subject: Re: Hayes Wins Damages on its Command Set Patent Message-ID: Organization: Worcester Polytechnic Institute 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 379, Message 2 of 10 Lines: 36 In article nanook@eskimo.celestial.com (Robert Dinse) writes: > In article , kentrox!bud@uunet.uu.net > (Bud Couch) writes: >> 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. Perhaps I am missing something obvious, but for computer equipment such as PC's (as opposed to dumb terminals) which have control of basically all the serial port lines, what would be so hard about using the terminal ready line to toggle between command mode and data mode? I always disable the 'feature' in my modem where it disconnects when the terminal ready line is not high. After all, what's the point if I can use the +++ ATH method to disconnect when I want. If I ever have to reboot while on-line I don't want to lose my connection. (Yes, this does happen. Say you download a program, run it, and it crashes.) Thus, I really have a free line which could readily be used for this purpose if I didn't have a Hayes compatible modem. Eric A. Rasmussen ear@wpi.wpi.edu ear%wpi@wpi.edu