Power Functions Infrared Remote Control - programmaticaly - for €1

[MajorAlvega]

Hello.

There have been experiments on controlling PF IR with audio files (like this thread) but I didn't find an easy way to controlling it programmatically from a PC (although there are a few Arduino and Raspberry Pi projects).

This week I found a GitHub repo with iConor's lego-lirc, a program to generate LIRC configuration files for LEGO PF IR protocol... and also two ready-for-use configuration files.

So I made my own audio-IR-transmitter (just cut the cable from old headphones set and solder two IR LEDs, less than €1 cost) and used iConor files... and I'm now controlling a PF motor from the command line of my Ubuntu laptop.

I also got between 2 to 3 meters range, it's a replacement for the LEGO remotes but it's usefull enough for some interesting ideas (expect more on this later)

I'll also intend to show a video very soon.

Some more details here (caution: Linux only, no LEGO parts at all).

Edited November 14, 2014 by MajorAlvega

[MajorAlvega]

As I promised here are two very boring videos:

- my laptop moving a car at 3.0 meters

- my laptop controlling the speed of a M-motor and the position of a Servo

Edited November 16, 2014 by MajorAlvega

[VKTechnic]

Would be very cool to make this into a small dongle that you could plug into your phone. Then write an app for it and bam, you have a Kickstarter-worthy project!

[MajorAlvega]

There are already some dongles like the Irdroid:

They use a customized version if LIRC for Android but I suppose that on a PC LIRC (or WinLIRC) will work.

Since they also use the audio port perhaps their Android app works with «my» gadget, I'll give it a try.

[MajorAlvega]

Nop, doesn't work.

Installed Irdroid app and can import configuration file and it parses the key codes so I can send FORWARD_FORWARD but nothing happens.

With hearphones I can listen a 'click' so it seems to be working,

Perhaps my phone (Sony Xperia Z1) audio output isn't strong enough.

Irdroid is truly open source, they give the PDF with the schematics, its an easy circuit with a common (and cheap) audio amplifier, 2 IR leds and a few passive components. They also give the source code. As I'm not a coder guy, is there anyone who wants to make an Android app?