Does anyone know of a schematic for building an infrared pickup/flasher that will connect to the USB or Serial port on a laptop? I would like to start importing infrared remote codes to start programming remotes. I have seen one but the price was a little high considering the few parts that are in it. Or does someone have a better idea?

Thanks

It depends on which remotes you are trying to program.

You can pick up a Pronto on the Net for about 100 bucks. It will make the IR codes into Hex codes that can be used by other manufacturers like Xantech and Crestron.

Here's the schematic:

[Link: home.swiftdsl.com.au]

and you would then need to delve into lirc which is a Linux infrared software suite (http://www.lirc.org/). Many PC related remotes are well documented there and the software could be used to do exactly what you are looking to do with A/V remotes. If you are not familiar with Linux, I imagine the learning curve will be fairly steep. I do not know of any Windows equivalent software.

The Pronto solution is far more graceful for what you are asking. Bear in mind that there are remotes that neither Pronto nor lirc will be able to understand.

Sweet little product from Global Cache. I've used it before. Works great. Plug it into serial port, aim the remote and squirt. Then just paste directly into program, database, etc.
www.globalcache.com

Global Caché IR Products

GC-IRL IR Learner

Global Caché’s GC-IRL IR Learner is a must-have tool for every dealer, installer, and home automation enthusiast. The compact GC-IRL is used with a PC to learn the full spectrum, 30KHz to 500KHz, of IR codes that control infrared driven equipment. When used in conjunction with the free GC-IRL Utility the learned code is displayed, converted into other formats, and automatically copied into the Windows clipboard, which can then be pasted into any Windows application to facilitate quick database and/or spreadsheet creation and updating. The stored codes can be used to control and automate any device that accepts infrared control signals, from any networked computer, and over the Internet. The GC-IRL power is supplied by the RTS line of the serial port and requires no external power supply.

Thanks for the info Julie

I was looking at their network adapters quite a while ago but don't recall seeing the IR learner. Sure beats dual-booting into Linux. Ordering one today.

And I won't even point out Julie's double entendre.

Oh wait - I just did. Shame on me.

The learner is relatively new. Hurry up and try it. Let me know if it ranks as a Product of the Year.
-j

Thanks

I will have to check one of those out.

You might also check out getting an OFA remote with a JP1 cable to download/decode those learned commands into your laptop. These typically run around $20 to $30 and the cable is ~ $15 . The tools in the JP1 group include software to communicate with the OFA remote's EEPROM and that calls a program (DecodeIR.dll) that decodes the learned commands. It also provides the raw decodes in off and on times in uSec.

DecodeIR was written by John Fine who wrote MakeHex. So if it recognizes the command (and it does 90+% of the time) then you can generate the command in perfect Pronto hex using MakeHex (or all possible commands for that device and protocol). MakeHex's commands can be dropped into ccf Panels aka IRPanels to create a ccf.

There is a modified version of IRTool that can translate Pronto hex, cml2efc that can decode RTI-TT cml files and DecodeCCF that outputs a csv text file that can be loaded into Excel that lists all commands by protocol/device/sub-device and Function by menu from a ccf file. All of those programs use the same decoder, DecodeIR.dll. The point is that you can quickly find the commands you want and consistently decode a wide number of available files. You can also compare those to what you find in the field.

I have compared many decoded commands with Pronto hex, the OFA and an IR analyzer and all usually are within a few microseconds of each other. All are usually less than 1% off on IR carrier frequency. Here is a link and has screen shots of some of the various programs I mentioned:

[Link: hifi-remote.com]

So....what do you think?

It hasn't arrived (but I haven't been charged for it yet, either).

I'm thinking of piecing together the circuit I linked to earlier and seeing if their software works with that. For educational purposes. Really, I'll buy one of theirs when they get around to selling it to me.

If I find that round 'tuit I have laying around here, I'll give it a shot and post results.

also keep in mind that "learned" IR codes are often messier than universal codes, though the catch is trying to find what you need in a universal listing... like discreets.

Each remote has its own nueances for learning, the pronto 2ks most things you can't simply hold until learning is complete, you have to press a button and count to 1 or 2 then release... because even tho the remote says learning complete, the code won't work...

I am sure that there will be similar problems with a homemade IR capture device.

You next hurdle will be creating a device that will allow you to blast those captured IR codes so they can be learned on a uni remote

G

I believe you may be missing the point on why I am interested in doing this. I'd like to see how well the software which is included with their product converts received pulses of light into useable .ccf data as it advertises.

If you haven't looked already, here are the destructions for the GC-IRL: [Link: globalcache.com]

In the best case scenario, it will kick out a properly formed .ccf string.
If it doesn't kick out perfectly formed string for use with a Pronto, I'll have a heck of a good headstart to manually edit until it does.

Julie, I stumbled across your comments while searching for a way to learn some IR codes for a Crestron project I'm working on. I've looked up this globalcache device and it sounds like the trick. Problem is, the local distributor in Australia believes that it is designed to work with the global cache devices to learn codes and not a PC. The're not all that helpful.

I was wondering if you have actually hooked it up to your PC's serial port and actually carried out the IR learning without any hickups. Also can you tell me if the free software you mention actually comes with this as well and if not where to obtain it. Finally, does this program convert the IR files to ccf format (I'm new at this, so excuse my ignorance)

Con

ConA,
Welcome aboard! Julie, and anybody else here, will treat you well on this site because you show that you understand up to a particular point, and then you ask clear questions about items beyond that. You include enough information for us to give informed answers.

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