Re: Can I expect in-kernel decoding to work out of box?

[Jarod Wilson <jarod@redhat.com>]

On Wed, Jul 28, 2010 at 03:08:13PM -0300, Mauro Carvalho Chehab wrote:
> Em 28-07-2010 14:04, Jon Smirl escreveu:
> > On Wed, Jul 28, 2010 at 11:56 AM, Mauro Carvalho Chehab
> > <mchehab@redhat.com> wrote:
> >> Em 28-07-2010 11:41, Jon Smirl escreveu:
> >>
> >>> It's possible to build a Linux IR decoder engine that can be loaded
> >>> with the old LIRC config files.
> >>
> >> I think it is a good idea to have a decoder that works with such files anyway.
> > 
> > The recorder should use the Linux IR system to record the data. It
> > would confusing to mix the systems. Users need to be really sure that
> > the standard protocol decoders don't understand their protocol before
> > resorting to this. Any one in this situation should post their
> > recorded data so we can check for driver implementation errors.
> > 
> > An example: if you use irrecord on Sony remotes lirc always records
> > them in raw mode. The true problem here is that irrecord doesn't
> > understand that Sony remotes mix different flavors of the Sony
> > protocol on a single remote. This leads you to think that the Sony
> > protocol engine is broken when it really isn't. It's the irrecord tool
> > that is broken.  The kernel IR system will decode these remotes
> > correctly without resorting to raw mode.
> 
> A decoder like that should be a last-resort decoder, only in the
> cases where there's no other option.
> 
> >> There are some good reasons for that, as it would allow in-kernel support for
> >> protocols that may have some patent restrictions on a few countries that allow
> >> patents on software.
> > 
> > Are there any IR protocols less than 20 (or 17) years old?
> 
> Yes. This protocol is brand new:
> 	https://www.smkusa.com/usa/technologies/qp/
> 
> And several new devices are starting to accept it.

The US patent appears to have been filed in 1995 and granted in 1997, so
"brand new" is relative. ;)

http://www.freepatentsonline.com/5640160.html

We do have a few more years of being encumbered by it here in the US
though. :(

-- 
Jarod Wilson
jarod@redhat.com