Computer IR device as a remote control

[Aaron Fude]

Hi,

I would like to write a program to control my receiver through a
program on my computer with an IR device. In other words, to teach the
infrared device to send the specific codes to the receiver. That would
make it sort of like a universal remote if I can figure out what the
codes are. All that for fun.

Is there anything fundamentally flawed about this idea that would make
it not possible (i.e. codes are secret, infrared devices can't send
codes, infrared devices can't be controled by a computer, it's
illegal, etc.)

Many thanks in advance,

Aaron

[Tomi Holger Engdahl]

Aaron Fude > writes:

> Hi,
>
> I would like to write a program to control my receiver through a
> program on my computer with an IR device. In other words, to teach the
> infrared device to send the specific codes to the receiver. That would
> make it sort of like a universal remote if I can figure out what the
> codes are. All that for fun.
>
> Is there anything fundamentally flawed about this idea that would make
> it not possible (i.e. codes are secret, infrared devices can't send
> codes, infrared devices can't be controled by a computer, it's
> illegal, etc.)

There is nothing fundamentally flawed about this.
Many people have done things like this before.
Here is one project worth to look at:

LIRC is a package that allows you to decode and send infra-red
signals of many (but not all) commonly used remote controls.
http://www.lirc.org/

--
Tomi Engdahl (http://www.iki.fi/then/)
Take a look at my electronics web links and documents at
http://www.epanorama.net/

[Earl Kiosterud]

Aaron,

You can use the Nervis SLink-E, but it was discontinued. CHeck EBay. It has a programming
interface so you can make your own forms (screens), with buttons on them, though you have to
write some code to make them work. You'd use something like Visual Basic. Maybe VBA too
(that's Visual Basic for Applications, like in Word or Excel) -- not sure. It can also have
two-way communication with certain Sony devices, like the big 400-disc juke box CD player.

Also, look for USB devices that do this.
--
Earl

"Aaron Fude" > wrote in message
...
> Hi,
>
> I would like to write a program to control my receiver through a
> program on my computer with an IR device. In other words, to teach the
> infrared device to send the specific codes to the receiver. That would
> make it sort of like a universal remote if I can figure out what the
> codes are. All that for fun.
>
> Is there anything fundamentally flawed about this idea that would make
> it not possible (i.e. codes are secret, infrared devices can't send
> codes, infrared devices can't be controled by a computer, it's
> illegal, etc.)
>
> Many thanks in advance,
>
> Aaron

[jakdedert]

Aaron Fude wrote:
> Hi,
>
> I would like to write a program to control my receiver through a
> program on my computer with an IR device. In other words, to teach the
> infrared device to send the specific codes to the receiver. That would
> make it sort of like a universal remote if I can figure out what the
> codes are. All that for fun.
>
> Is there anything fundamentally flawed about this idea that would make
> it not possible (i.e. codes are secret, infrared devices can't send
> codes, infrared devices can't be controled by a computer, it's
> illegal, etc.)
>
> Many thanks in advance,
>
> Aaron

No need to customize or fabricate anything.

Buy an old Palm M130 on eBay for $20 or so, then download NoviiRemote or
any one of several Palm remote control programs (also available for
Windows Mobile devices). Extensive online libraries exist for remote
codes. The M130 IR will work unaided for several meters to control
almost anything. It has a 'learn' mode if you still have the original
remote. Some programs allow you to customize screens.

You might have to replace the battery in the Palm, but those are
available for less than $10...or simply leave the device in the charger.
It will work long enough between charges to change your channels, etc.

I haven't tried this on any of the newer TREO Palm phones, but it works
on my old 380....

jak