MDC1200 ActiveX or OCX

the064cobra · Post by **the064cobra** » Wed Dec 20, 2006 1:02 pm

Hey everyone.

I've seen a few postings regarding MDC1200.

I program in Visual Basic 6. I'd like to make a program to decode the 'squawk' PTT signal, man-down signal etc. I've seen the C libraries but I don't program C.

Has anyone developed any OCX's or ActiveX libraries for VB6?

I saw some chatter regarding using a standard modem to try to decode. Has anyone had any luck with that?

My thoughts are completely open....either via modem, parallel port, serial port, USB or sound card in; I would like to program a CAD for that. Both a Lite version which would be free for all and a pro version which I would sell.

Does Motorola have any SDK's for this?

Maybe if someone knows how to get those C libraries and make/convert them as an active DLL suitable for an ActiveX/OCX for VB, some progress can be made.

Any suggestions would be great.
RG

tvsjr · Post by **tvsjr** » Wed Dec 20, 2006 4:49 pm

Suggestion: VB6 is an old, outdated, piece of crap. Learn a real programming language (hell, even VB .NET would work). Then worry about decoding funny squawks.

MDC1200 is patented by Motorola. If you build a decoder, and especially if you try to sell it, you're likely going to be looking down the barrel of a patent infringment lawsuit from Moto legal. This would be a Bad Thing.

the064cobra · Post by **the064cobra** » Wed Dec 20, 2006 10:30 pm

It sure does suck knowing old pieces of crap languages. But, after all, like old classic muscle cars, they're still good to drive once in a while. vb isn't that bad for some things. (my opinion)

I do appreciate though the info on the patented MDC1200 info.

So I guess, Motorola has to sell you a license to use their technology in purchasable software. I guess that's why they're billionaires and we're down here.

ok, so now, using VB.Net, say we make it completely free.....would we still look at a legal issues?

It would still be nice to have some answers to my other questions though...

tvsjr · Post by **tvsjr** » Thu Dec 21, 2006 5:51 am

Violating a patent is violating a patent... whether or not you sell the item, you're still in violation. You would need to either get a license or come up with a way to decode the signal that doesn't violate the Motorola patents. Unless your programming-fu is extremely good, you're not likely going to find a way to avoid the patent - and, even if you do, you're still likely to get sued.

If you want it, the best way is to get a license for the tech, or find some OTS commercial module that would decode the data and dump it out in serial/etc. for you.

I wouldn't compare VB6 to an old muscle car... it's more like an old Yugo. You can work on it for a little while and get it to run, and it'll die just far enough from home to completely and totally hose you.

AEC · Post by **AEC** » Thu Dec 21, 2006 6:41 am

tvsjr wrote:Violating a patent is violating a patent... whether or not you sell the item, you're still in violation. You would need to either get a license or come up with a way to decode the signal that doesn't violate the Motorola patents. Unless your programming-fu is extremely good, you're not likely going to find a way to avoid the patent - and, even if you do, you're still likely to get sued.

If you want it, the best way is to get a license for the tech, or find some OTS commercial module that would decode the data and dump it out in serial/etc. for you.

I wouldn't compare VB6 to an old muscle car... it's more like an old Yugo. You can work on it for a little while and get it to run, and it'll die just far enough from home to completely and totally hose you.

While what ou say, is in essence, correct...
But as a personal use 'thing' he can reverse engineer to his heart's content and still be safe, it's when a sale of same runs the risk of patent infringement that the troubles begin.

Even the laws provide for fair use, and this includes personal use, provided he is not attempting to circumvent the patent if he decides to market his 'device'.

If he comes up with a 'new and novel' approach to decoding that has nothing remotely similar design-wise to the Circle-M design, then he's free to sell it.

Direct copies are a NO-NO, but a totally fresh design can be sold as long as there isn't anything even remotely Circle-M related involved, including any coding that may be used.

That's how Cimarron and others probably get around the legal loopholes as I'm sure none of those companies like to pay royalties for licensing.

Good thing Circle-M doesn't own VB or Winblows as well, then we'd all be up a creek witout a paddle for certain!

RFguy · Post by **RFguy** » Thu Feb 01, 2007 3:03 pm

I see that ICOM now has full MDC1200 features.

I have seen some reference to the patent being expired.
http://www.popularwireless.com/ubb/Foru ... 02933.html

Maybe it is a free for all now?

Post by **alex** » Thu Feb 01, 2007 3:16 pm

From what I understand - the Patent ran out on it.

But don't quote me on that - I've heard that rumor going around - which is why some of the other companies have jumped on the MDC bandwagon.

-Alex

Post by **alex** » Thu Feb 01, 2007 3:21 pm

Here's some of the patents found using google:

http://www.google.com/patents?q=motorol ... ch+Patents

Play around in that - it's pretty cool.

-Alex

mr.syntrx · Post by **mr.syntrx** » Fri Feb 02, 2007 1:04 am

RFguy wrote:I see that ICOM now has full MDC1200 features.

I have seen some reference to the patent being expired.
http://www.popularwireless.com/ubb/Foru ... 02933.html

Maybe it is a free for all now?

And it gets better - Icom's mobiles and high tier portables will transmit inhibit packets

the064cobra · Post by **the064cobra** » Mon Feb 12, 2007 12:01 am

Would be nice if we could just hook it up to an old 1200 baud modem and auto decode to ascii.