edward@ukma.UUCP (Edward C. Bennett) (01/06/86)
Can someone out there give a simple explaination of how infrared remote controls work? How hard would it be to build your own? Is there a "programmable, one unit imitates anything" one of these on the market? (Hmmmm, new product idea....) My cable decoder, TV and VCR all have infrared remote and I think it would be fun to build something capable of controlling all three. -- Edward C. Bennett ihnp4!cbosgd!ukma!edward "Goodnight M.A."
kevin@cad.UUCP (Wing) (01/06/86)
In article <2453@ukma.UUCP>, edward@ukma.UUCP (Edward C. Bennett) writes: > > Can someone out there give a simple explaination of how infrared > remote controls work? How hard would it be to build your own? Is there > a "programmable, one unit imitates anything" one of these on the market? > (Hmmmm, new product idea....) > > My cable decoder, TV and VCR all have infrared remote and I think > it would be fun to build something capable of controlling all three. > > -- > Edward C. Bennett > I have actually done a small amount of research on this, as I feel the same way as you. I have seen some devices that control cable channel selection via the IR remote, thus eliminating any physical link between this selection box and the TV in question. You can buy different "personality cards" to control different brands of TVs. Since most of the functions one does with a TV or VCR are the same regardless of the brand, I think a one-controls-all device would be a nice thing to have.
alw@mit-eddie.UUCP (Alan Wu) (01/07/86)
[] General Electric makes what is probably just what you need. It's an intelligent infrared remote controller which can "watch" and "learn" the control sequences transmitted by most other IR remotes on the market. It's not much larger than many existing IR remotes. Now, if they could only give it a timer and a calendar and a larger memory, you wouldn't need a programmable VCR... For more info, see a recent issue of "Video" and/or "Video Review" magazines, one or both of which had articles about the GE remote controller. From ads in both magazines, it appears that the list price of the gadget is about $200.
drf@opus.UUCP (Dwight Frye) (01/07/86)
There is an infrared remote control unit made by GE which is "programable". When it is placed "head to head" with an existing infrared control unit it "learns" the desired command sequences. It is a handheld control with an LCD display used to show specific functions that have been programed. The reported suggested retail price from GE is $149.95. I found this item in an issue of TV Satellite Videoworld. It is on page 60 in the November 1985 edition.
brown@nicmad.UUCP (01/07/86)
In article <2453@ukma.UUCP> edward@ukma.UUCP (Edward C. Bennett) writes: > > Can someone out there give a simple explaination of how infrared >remote controls work? How hard would it be to build your own? Is there >a "programmable, one unit imitates anything" one of these on the market? >(Hmmmm, new product idea....) Most infrared controls transmit a series of digital encoded control signals. Kind of like sending ASCII text characters, but the same sequence is sent as long as you hold the button and the number of bits varies per manufacturer. Sorry to say that someone has beaten you to the idea. I forgot who, the magazine ad is at home, but someone has one out that will remember three(?) different devices. It was reviewed and did an excellent job. -- ihnp4------\ harvard-\ \ Mr. Video seismo!uwvax!nicmad!brown topaz-/ / decvax------/
cutter@apple.UUCP (Mark Cutter) (01/07/86)
Summary: original poster wanted to build a single infrared remote to replace the several he now has, vcr, tv, etc. This is exactly what Steve Wozniak is doing in his new company, CL9 (Cloud-9). They will be programmable infrared controllers, and should be out soon.
murray@hcradm.UUCP (Murray Maloney) (01/07/86)
I recently purchased GE's new Command Control. It is a programmable remote controller which can be used in place of up to 4 remotes. It operates in four modes: TV, VCR, CABLE, and AUX. I am using the AUX mode to control my Sony STR VX550 A/V Receiver. The unit has 35 programmable keys in each mode, plus a variety of of special functions which are selectable through a FUNCTION key which displays function names in an LCD window. I have put all of my remote controllers away, and now have only one unit sitting on my chairside table. Through it I control my complete A/V system, including all volume controls, cassette deck, turntable, TV, cable and radio channel selection, and CD player. While building such a device might be a very interesting and challenging project, I doubt that you could beat the $119 U.S. price that I paid in Clearwater, Fla. Try your local GE store. These units are not selling in great numbers yet, and you can likely find them in stock. Be advised that some retailers are asking for the full $150 List Price. Good Luck, Murray Maloney
jayj@hpisla.UUCP (Jay Johannes) (01/07/86)
# Written 6:58 pm Jan 5, 1986 by edward@ukma.UUCP in net.video
# Subject: Infrared remotes
My cable decoder, TV and VCR all have infrared remote and I think
it would be fun to build something capable of controlling all three.
# End of text from net.video on hpisli.UUCP
This product exists. I believe it is made by G.E. and sells for about
$70. You can program up to 5 remotes into it. It has an LCD display
and menu selection for less common functions, and a bunch (highly technical
terminology) of buttons for common functions. You program it by placing
the two remotes head to head and pressing buttons on each unit. I saw
a demo of this unit, and have read about it in VIDEO and VR, but have
not seen it in the stores yet. The unit appears to have more power than
a normal remote, so can hit from longer distances or steeper angles.
Wozniak's new company is also supposed to be coming out with a similar unit.
I don't know any details. Read a very short article in Electronic News
in early December about it.
I too am waiting for this.
Jay "A gunfighter can only use two pistols" Johannes
.. !hpfcla!hpisla!jayjjeff@hpcnoe.UUCP (01/07/86)
> Is there >a "programmable, one unit imitates anything" one of these on the market? >(Hmmmm, new product idea....) Yes, there is a programmable remote control available on the market. It was mentioned in "Video" a couple month ago. I think GE makes it and it costs more than $100 (too rich for my blood). -- Jeff Wu
mat@amdahl.UUCP (Mike Taylor) (01/07/86)
In article <2453@ukma.UUCP>, edward@ukma.UUCP (Edward C. Bennett) writes: > Is there > a "programmable, one unit imitates anything" one of these on the market? > (Hmmmm, new product idea....) > > My cable decoder, TV and VCR all have infrared remote and I think > it would be fun to build something capable of controlling all three. I think that is just what Wozniak's (post-Apple) company is planning to come out with as its first product. -- Mike Taylor ...!{ihnp4,hplabs,amd,sun}!amdahl!mat [ This may not reflect my opinion, let alone anyone else's. ]
doug@terak.UUCP (Doug Pardee) (01/08/86)
> Is there a "programmable, one unit imitates anything" one on the market?
GE makes one.
--
Doug Pardee -- CalComp -- {hardy,savax,seismo,decvax,ihnp4}!terak!douggant@convexs.UUCP (01/08/86)
GE, i believe, builds a product capable of _learning_ the codes of
3 or 4 different remotes. i don't remember the model, and i believe it
sells for around $150.
Alan Gant, CONVEX Computer Corporation
{uiucdcs,allegra,ihnp4}!convex!gantal@psivax.UUCP (Al Schwartz) (01/09/86)
In article <2453@ukma.UUCP> edward@ukma.UUCP (Edward C. Bennett) writes: > Can someone out there give a simple explaination of how infrared >remote controls work? How hard would it be to build your own? Is there >a "programmable, one unit imitates anything" one of these on the market? >(Hmmmm, new product idea....) > My cable decoder, TV and VCR all have infrared remote and I think >it would be fun to build something capable of controlling all three. >ihnp4!cbosgd!ukma!edward Infrared remotes (the transmitter) send pulses of infrared light (using an infrared LED) to the device to be controlled (the receiver). For each command that is sent to the device, there are a stream of pulses that constitute a unique bit pattern. The receiver knows the format of this pulse stream and can then decode the command. Usually the pulses of light vary in duration to distiguish the 1 and 0 bits. The pulses of light are usually sent at some modulation frequency such as 40Khz to minimize the effects of ambient room light. General Instrument (a semiconductor manufacturer) makes IC's that make the transmitter (AY-3-8470) and the receiver (AY-3-8475) designs as simple and inexpensive as possible. My bet is that most of the remotes use these chips or some equivalent. General Electric has just introduced a general purpose IR remote that will mimic the function of all of your other IR remotes. The selling price here in LA is $150. I think this was a very good idea. are a stream of pulses organized in a predetermined format such that the -- Al Schwartz Pacesetter Systems, Inc., Sylmar, CA UUCP: {ttidca|ihnp4|sdcrdcf|quad1|nrcvax|bellcore|logico}!psivax!al ARPA: ttidca!psivax!al@rand-unix.arpa
raan@hp-pcd.UUCP (raan) (01/09/86)
>> Can someone out there give a simple explaination of how infrared >>remote controls work? How hard would it be to build your own? Is there >>a "programmable, one unit imitates anything" one of these on the market? >>(Hmmmm, new product idea....) In fact, there is already such a device on the market. It is made by GE and is called the Control Central (model RC-100 I think). It can be programmed with at least 4 (and if your lucky and creative, maybe more) remote control units. It comes with built in commands for the GE line of TVs, VCRs, etc. I have programmed mine to control 5 different units from 4 different manufacturers and still have not exceeded its capacity. It is about 3x7 inches, has about 20 keys (all programmable) plus an LCD with labelled functions and 3 keys to activate the selected function. It is programmed by "playing" the original remote into the Control Central which analyzes the signal and then duplicates it. The only unit I found it could not duplicate was the remote for the AR stereo remote control. It sells for about $120 mail order. As to how they work: Most remotes transmit a digitally coded signal on a IR carrier. The IR light is modulated with a carrier frequency (the Control Central can handle any frequency between 33 and 70 Khz). This carrier frequency is further modulated with the digital code. There are ICs available to do both the modulating and demodulating, requiring only a few simple outboard parts. Coding is done with square pulses, where the width indicates a 1 or a 0. Most of my units use pulse spacing on the order of 5-10 mS, and codes of about 10 bits. The AR uses a 4 bit code and pulse spacing more like 100 mS. This seems to be beyond the limits of the Control Central to duplicate accurately and the AR tolerates no instability -- hence no go. Some units transmit the same code over and over as long as the button is held, others transmit a function code and then switch to a repeat code. I find this annoying since it can generate false behaviour. I managed to convince the Control Central to always transmit the function code by pressing and releasing the original unit's button rapidly while programming the Control Central. --- Raan Young Unix mail: [hplabs|uoregon|orstcs|harpo|microsoft|tekronix]->!hp-pcd!raan HPMAIL: Raan YOUNG / HP3900/50 US mail: Raan Young | Hewlett-Packard | 1000 NE Circle | Corvallis, OR 97330 Phone: (503) 757-2000 X2506 TELNET 81-757-2506
tim@ism780c.UUCP (Tim Smith) (01/09/86)
In article <2453@ukma.UUCP> edward@ukma.UUCP (Edward C. Bennett) writes: > > Can someone out there give a simple explaination of how infrared >remote controls work? How hard would it be to build your own? Is there This may not be exactly accurate. I obtained this by going to Radio Shack, getting an IR phototransistor, and hooking it up to a logic analyzer and an oscilliscope in a hardware lab ( I knew those hardware guys must be good for something! :-) ), and pointing my VCR, cable, and TV remote controls at it ( the transistor, not the 'scope ). The remote control emits pulses of square waves of IR. The square waves seem to be at around 38 KHz. When I say "pulse of N msec" I mean that for N msec it switches on and off at a frequency of about 38 KHz. Let a pulse of 0.6 msec be represented by [.], and let a pulse of 1.6 msec be represented by [..], and let a gap of 0.6 msec be represented by ., and let a gap of 1.6 msec be represented by .., and let 1 mean [.], and let 2 mean [.].[.], and let 3 mean [.].[.].[.], etc. My TV remote control sends a header, followed by data that tells which key was pressed. The header looks something like this ( using the above notation ): [..]..1..4..1..1..6.. < a few more digits that I don't remember > The data for the key is 9 digits, which always add up to 17. Let H be the header above. Then one of my keys is, e.g., H..9..1..1..1..1..1..1..1..1 another one was something like. H..4..4..2..2..1..1..1..1..1 If a key is held down, it sends a code that has the header followed by some data that does not follow the rules for keys. It does this once or twice a second for as long as the key is held down. The VCR remote control was similar. It had a different header, and the it had a variable number of digits ( although the sum of the digits was a constant ). The VCR repeats by simply resending the whole thing. The cable remote sent a header and a three digit code for the row, and a three digit code for the column of the key pressed. I don't remember of either of these codes added up to a constant. By the way, I became interested in this for the same reason you are; I wanted something to allow my cable box and vcr to work together. GE(?) has such a device, but it is expensive ($150?). It should not be hard to build such a device. Even the highest frequency required ( 38 KHz ) is slow enough that software and a microprocessor should be able to deal with it, although it would be easy to deal with it in hardware. I never got around to it, because I found that I mostly tape broadcast stuff, or maybe one cable channel, so I just leave my cable box tuned to that channel. -- Tim Smith sdcrdcf!ism780c!tim || ima!ism780!tim || ihnp4!cithep!tim
dca@edison.UUCP (01/10/86)
> > Can someone out there give a simple explaination of how infrared > remote controls work? How hard would it be to build your own? Is there > a "programmable, one unit imitates anything" one of these on the market? > (Hmmmm, new product idea....) Infra-red remotes simply work by pulsing a infra-red led at a certain frequency (pretty easy). There is a remote out there made by GE for around $100 (I think) which can be taught remote codes (you put the GE remote in learn mode and then press the appropriate button on the remote you want to substitute for). After teaching the GE remote can then send any of the remote codes you taught it. David Albrecht
andrew@hammer.UUCP (Andrew Klossner) (01/10/86)
>> Can someone out there give a simple explaination of how infrared >>remote controls work? > > Most infrared controls transmit a series of digital encoded control signals. > Kind of like sending ASCII text characters, but the same sequence is sent > as long as you hold the button and the number of bits varies per manufacturer. Some units send out the control signal once when you push the button, then repeatedly send a "key still down" message until you release. I consider this to be a misfeature; it means I can't hold down the button and wave the control around until the beam hits the base unit. I have to keep repressing the button while adjusting my aim. -=- Andrew Klossner (decvax!tektronix!tekecs!andrew) [UUCP] (tekecs!andrew.tektronix@csnet-relay) [ARPA]
gelfand@valid.UUCP (Brooks Galfand) (01/11/86)
> > Can someone out there give a simple explaination of how infrared > remote controls work? How hard would it be to build your own? Is there > a "programmable, one unit imitates anything" one of these on the market? > (Hmmmm, new product idea....) > > My cable decoder, TV and VCR all have infrared remote and I think > it would be fun to build something capable of controlling all three. > > -- > Edward C. Bennett > > ihnp4!cbosgd!ukma!edward > > "Goodnight M.A." *** REPLACE THIS LINE WITH YOUR MESSAGE *** General Electric makes a programmable infared remote controller. I have seen it advertised but have not tried it.
dbj@rice.EDU (Dave Johnson) (01/11/86)
> Can someone out there give a simple explaination of how infrared > remote controls work? How hard would it be to build your own? Is there > a "programmable, one unit imitates anything" one of these on the market? > (Hmmmm, new product idea....) General Electric makes exactly such a device. They call it the "Control Central" Programmable Remote System. It can be programmed to emulate the infrared codes of up to four seperate remote control units. The list price is supposed to be $150. According to a small pamphlet I have on the Control Central, you can get more information on it by calling the "GE Answer Center" at 1-800-626-2000. -- Dave Johnson Dept. of Computer Science Rice University UUCP: {lbl-csam,cbosgd,shell,convex,sun,texsun}!rice!dbj ARPA: dbj@rice.EDU, dbj@rice.ARPA
bing@galbp.UUCP (Bing Bang) (01/14/86)
In article <> gelfand@valid.UUCP (Brooks Galfand) writes: >> My cable decoder, TV and VCR all have infrared remote and I think >> it would be fun to build something capable of controlling all three. >> >General Electric makes a programmable infared remote controller. >I have seen it advertised but have not tried it. if anybody out there has more specific info on the said controller, i'd appreciate it... i too have the ol' "juggle three remote controller" blues... bing -- "Break, but never bend." from an oak tree i know ...that can move in two directions at the same time ...akgua!galbp!bing
tim@ism780c.UUCP (Tim Smith) (01/17/86)
Doesn't the GE remote control simply replace other remote controls? If so then all it is good for is eliminating the mess of having multiple remote controls. A more useful approach is the one taken by Wozniak (sp?) with the one his company had at CES. This one includes a timer, and can be used to add programmability to devices that do not have it. A common case is cable converters, which tend to not get along well with VCRs. This can also be used to get around the high prices VCR manufacturers want for reasonable programmability ( like 8 events ). Just get the simple one event model, and let the remote control handle it. -- Tim Smith sdcrdcf!ism780c!tim || ima!ism780!tim || ihnp4!cithep!tim
murray@hcradm.UUCP (Murray Maloney) (01/17/86)
In article <264@galbp.UUCP> bing@galbp.UUCP (Bing Bang) writes: >In article <> gelfand@valid.UUCP (Brooks Galfand) writes: >>> My cable decoder, TV and VCR all have infrared remote and I think >>> it would be fun to build something capable of controlling all three. >>> >>General Electric makes a programmable infared remote controller. >>I have seen it advertised but have not tried it. > >if anybody out there has more specific info on the said controller, >i'd appreciate it... i too have the ol' "juggle three remote controller" >blues... > I purchased the GE Central Control while I was in the Tampa-St. Pete area. The manager of a local GE store said that he had sold only two to-date. MSLP for this unit is $150 in U.S. funds (I'm from Canada), but I paid $119. The hand control has about 35 keys on it, one of which is used to select the source device ( TV, VCR, Cable, AUX ). I use it to control my Toshiba FST TV/Monitor, Sony SL2700 Beta HiFi VCR, and Sony STR VX550 Audio Video Receiver. I don't use a cable box now, so that source is unused at present. Since the full set of keys is available in each source,even very complex systems can be programmed. In each source, a set of "hidden" functions can also be programmed, and called back through the unit's LCD display. These functions include device controls which may not be present on some current remote controls ( BALANCE, COLOR, TINT, BRIGHTNESS... ). VCR special effect functions, cable tuning, and a myriad of AUX functions are included. You can't re-program the function names, but there is nothing stopping you from using a function for a different purpose. In all four source modes, I have programmed the VOLUME and MUTE keys to control the level of my stereo receiver. Meanwhile, I use the BALANCE function, in TV and AUX modes, to control the level on the TV. I get maximum effect of my outboard "Surround Sound" decoder by having full control over the Stereo and Center channel levels. I am quite pleased with the performance of my Control Central. It was a breeze to program, and it seems to emit a wider signal than the Toshiba remote I have ( I had to aim it directly at the bottom of the TV ). There seems to be a lot of interest in this device on the net, so I will post again, when I have the manual ( easy to follow ) and the hand unit with me. Before you run out to get one of these great little toys, be advised that Wozniak is developing his own version. It is rumored to be even more versatile than the GE model, with expandable memory and full programmability of functions.