Linux and Mac users have LIRC, which supports a bunch of different receiver types. Regardless of receiver type, the computer needs a program to listen for incoming remote commands and convert them to actions on the computer. The USBTINY and USBIRBOY are native USB devices, but lack wide support. These devices should work on a modern computer, through a USB->serial converter if necessary. The UIR/IRMan and UIR2 incorporate a classic PIC 16F84, but don’t provide firmware and/or source code.
HOW TO USE PC REMOTE RECEIVER SERIAL
Some more advanced infrared receivers are true serial port devices that measure or decoding infrared signals before sending data to the computer. We couldn’t get this type of receiver to work with the serial port on a modern Windows XP PC, and don’t expect the precise timing to transfer through a USB->serial converter. Linux or Mac users can try this receiver, if you still have a serial port. This is a super simple design, but it depends on direct interrupt access and timing precision that’s no longer available in Windows. Instead, a computer program times pulses on the serial port and demodulates the signal. These aren’t true serial devices because they don’t send data to the PC. This design probably originated on Usenet, and it’s still the most popular on the web: Engadget, Instructables, etc. The oldest PC infrared receiver design uses a receiver IC to toggle a serial port pin, usually DCD. Software processes the codes and triggers actions on the computer. The data stream is decoded by a microcontroller and sent to a computer over a USB connection. An infrared receiver IC separates the modulated beam into a clean stream of 0s and 1s. Remote controls transmit data on an modulated infrared beam.
HOW TO USE PC REMOTE RECEIVER FULL
We’ve got a full guide to the protocol plus schematics and a parts list. In this how-to we design a USB infrared receiver that imitates a common protocol supported by software for Windows, Linux, and Mac. PC remote control receivers range from ancient serial port designs (who has one?) to USB devices not supported by popular software. Unless you have a special HTPC, though, you’re probably stuck using the keyboard to pause, change the volume, and fast-forward through annoying Mythbusters recaps. Now that we listen to MP3s, and watch XVIDs or x264s, a computer is the entertainment center in at least one room of most homes.