Take two: Publishing details of a proprietary protocol I reverse engineered

[HAHobbyist]

[Something went wrong with my first post, so trying again...]

There is a brand of home automation devices that can communicate via radio frequency. For example, imagine a door sensor that sends out an RF signal when the door opens then another device connected to a lamp receives the signal and turns the lamp on. I am interested in making my own devices that can interoperate with this brand. I do not currently plan on selling them, but rather tinkering with electronics is my hobby and I want to implement functionality the company does not offer in their devices.

I live in WA. The company is based in the US and I know they have patents on their devices. They offer a Developer’s Kit for $500 or so and you must sign some sort of confidentially agreement to get the kit. And I believe the kit includes the details of the RF protocol but I have seen neither the kit nor the agreement. I mention this because I think it indicates they would prefer the details of their protocol be kept secret.

I reversed engineered the protocol myself using some radio & electronic equipment. Then I created my own device that can transmit and receive these radio packets. I am proud of my work and would like to share it with the hobbyist community. In addition to a write-up on how I did the reverse engineering, I would like to publish the full details of their RF protocol on the web. My question is: am I exposing myself to any legal action by publishing this?

 

[FlyingRon]

I suspect you are talking Z-WAVE?

If there are patents on the protocol, it has already been disclosed. You can write a book on it. To my knowledge the protocol is not expressed in Z-Wave's patents.

If you haven't signed a confidentiality agreement and you are not using information obtained by those who have (or are otherwise internal to those owning the trade secret), you are free to publish it.

 

[HAHobbyist]

Close. Insteon.

Thanks for the help.

 

[justalayman]

Close. Insteon.

Thanks for the help.

Are you talking about X10? If so, read this:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/X10_(industry_standard)

If something is considered an industry standard, the protocol itself is not prevented from being used by others although there could be royalties due the patent holder. I believe what you were considering purchasing isn't so much the protocol specs themselves but a license to use the protocol.

I give you kudos for the reverse engineering but it wasn't required.

this might be beneficial to you:

http://rs.cs.iastate.edu/smarthome/documents/Manuals%20and%20Tutorials/Insteon/INSTEON_Developers_Guide_20051014a.pdf

 

[FlyingRon]

Insteon devices speak X.10 over the power lines to other X.10 devices, but the Insteon protocol is different.

However, they seem to have published the spec anyhow: http://www.insteon.net/pdf/Insteondetails.pdf

It doesn't appear to be a "trade secret." You're free to publish info on it yourself.

 

[justalayman]

Insteon devices speak X.10 over the power lines to other X.10 devices, but the Insteon protocol is different.
.

thanks ron. I see that now.


but the basis of my statement remains the same; if it is an "industry standard", the use is not generally restricted but the patent holder may charge for its use.

I think what you linked is the same publication I linked

 

[FlyingRon]

Writing about it isn't "using" the patent. Implementing a device with it would be.

 

[justalayman]

Writing about it isn't "using" the patent. Implementing a device with it would be.

I don't disagree with that.

The OP currently has no concerns I can see but he did leave the door open to the possible need to obtain a license. I was speaking to that possibility as well.

I do not currently plan on selling them, but rather tinkering with electronics is my hobby and I want to implement functionality the company does not offer in their devices.*

to me, that suggests there is the possibility of selling his devices in the future.