[mythtv-users] Device to receive IR and send as PS2/AT keyboardsignals?

[John Rives]

> After reading a few posts about difficulties with LIRC and the problems
> with emulating various keyboard keystrokes with an IR remote, I was
> thinking about a project. The idea would be to build a small dedicated
> circuit using a PIC micro controller to receive IR and to transmit mapped
> PS2/AT style keyboard signals.

I am currently using a setup that does exactly what you are talking about.
Granted, mine cost a total of about $80 - it works perfectly. Check the
mailing list archives for IR keyboards and remote controls. Chicony makes a
pretty cheap IR keyboard that plugs straight into PS2 ports for both
keyboard and mouse. I went through three different remotes finding one that
worked well, but the Sony RM-VL1000 ($53 at Bestbuy) works perfectly. All
you needs is an IR keyboard, a "learning" remote control with enough memory,
and about 25 minutes to do this without any knowledge of circuits or how to
solder.

>
> This would be a small unit that would plug into your Keyboard jack and
> present an IR receive window somewhere on the front of your PC. You would
> then use it to very simply receive IR commands and then map them to
> keystrokes (or a series of keystrokes ala "macro") from the keyboard. For
> example, pressing PLAY on the IR remote could be mapped to "F1" or even
> "ALT-TAB, ALT-TAB SPACE CTRL-F1" or some such.

Done. And Done. See my above statement - remote controls with macros.

>
> The Parallax Basic Stamp (http://www.parallax.com) even already has some
> PS2/AT-Keyboard code floating around as well as some IR receive/interpret
> code for IR remotes. I would be willing to take a shot at building such a
> device if the general consensus was positive on such an endeavor. Of
> course, in order to become a beta tester, I would require you come over
> and help me get to the bottom of what's wrong with my MythTV box! :D  but
> I digress... :)
>
> Anyway, if there is such a device already, or the idea sounds stupid,
> then... uh. never mind. But, if such a device might be of value to the
> community as a whole I might try and gen up a prototype. Comments? :)

Perhaps another idea would be finding a way to nicely hide/mod the IR
receiver inside a case. But this is such a subjective issue (what type of
case? how does each user like the appearance?) it may not be a one size fits
all solution.

>
> Vern
>
> PS: Look for a list of the progress (or lack thereof) on my bedraggled
> Myth box over the weekend as I gather the details for a decent, useful
> "cry for help style" post...

What's broke?

>
> --
> Vern Graner CNE/CNA/SSE     | "If the network is down, then you're
> Senior Systems Engineer     | obviously incompetent so why are we
> Texas Information Services  | paying you? Of course, if the network
> vern at txis.com www.txis.com  | is up, then we obviously don't need
> Cell 507-7851 Desk 328-8947 | you, so why are we paying you?" VLG
>
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