Post by thread:Decoding LEGO remote control

Hello All - - I'm interested in using a LEGO IR remote control to control other things besides the RCX. Has anyone here done any PIC development along these lines? I would like to use a PIC to decode the output of a Sharp GP1U581Y and convert the 16 LEGO control sequences to a single hex nibble. Any help or pointers will be greatly appreciated. Thanks, - Nick -

In light of the underwhelming lack of response to my LEGO IR post, maybe I need to clarify a little: The RCX tower and the LEGO remote control (#9738) both transmit a 38kHz carrier which is modulated at a 2400bps rate. The encoding is 8 data bits, odd parity, 1 stop bit, noninverted. I've also found Kekoa's RCX opcodes page. What I would like is help in using a PIC (or a Stamp) to decode the output of an IR receiver that is receiving opcodes from the LEGO controller. Lacking that, pointers to using a PIC for decoding TV IR remotes would help. Thanks, - Nick - Nick Taylor wrote: {Quote hidden}> > Hello All - - > > I'm interested in using a LEGO IR remote control to control other > things besides the RCX. Has anyone here done any PIC development > along these lines? > > I would like to use a PIC to decode the output of a Sharp GP1U581Y > and convert the 16 LEGO control sequences to a single hex nibble. > > Any help or pointers will be greatly appreciated. > > Thanks, > - Nick -

If this is serial protocol then just do a serin with the Stamp 2. See the docs for that, or Serin SI,N2400,B0 'SI=port B0 = input character (might want a timeout value) If it is pulse width modulated, then you can try Don Roy's code (I have a copy on my site at: http://204.233.101.40/robots/irremote.txt ) or at least look at it to see how he is handling inbound Sony code. Dan >In light of the underwhelming lack of response to my LEGO IR post, >maybe I need to clarify a little: > >The RCX tower and the LEGO remote control (#9738) both transmit a >38kHz carrier which is modulated at a 2400bps rate. The encoding >is 8 data bits, odd parity, 1 stop bit, noninverted. I've also >found Kekoa's RCX opcodes page. > >What I would like is help in using a PIC (or a Stamp) to decode the >output of an IR receiver that is receiving opcodes from the LEGO >controller. Lacking that, pointers to using a PIC for decoding TV >IR remotes would help. > >Thanks, > - Nick - > >Nick Taylor wrote: >> >> Hello All - - >> >> I'm interested in using a LEGO IR remote control to control other >> things besides the RCX. Has anyone here done any PIC development >> along these lines? >> >> I would like to use a PIC to decode the output of a Sharp GP1U581Y >> and convert the 16 LEGO control sequences to a single hex nibble. >> >> Any help or pointers will be greatly appreciated. >> >> Thanks, >> - Nick -

IrDA http://www.irda.org/ The home of the IRDA standards organization, somewhat messy, but they do provide the standards free for downloading. The narrow IrDa pulses use a pulse for every bit "1" on the RS232 interface and keep low for "0" bits, that's simple and easy, it requires a good sync, a pulse shaper and the decoding at the receiver. There are some standards, as the pulse width to be a percentage of the RS232 pulse. There's an application note entitled "IrDA-Compliant Transmitter/ Receiver," with lots of detail about the standard, at the SHARP web site, http://www.sharpmeg.com/datasheets/rf-ir/#0 and data sheets at http://www.sharpmeg.com/datasheets/rf-ir/#4 IR Remotes www.hut.fi/~then/electronics.html#irremote http://www.ziplabel.com/cir/ computer controlled IR remote control http://www.geocities.com/SiliconValley/Sector/3863/uir/index.html and interface_description.html http://www.rentron.com/project03.htm - excellent http://www.xs4all.nl/~jwasys/diy4.html - IR Remote extension by phone line IR Proximity Detection http://www.seattlerobotics.org/guide/infrared.html RS232 <> IR MAXIM MAX3130.. DOES RS232 AND IR. http://www.elmelectronics.com/Products/Connect/Connect.htm RS232 IR standards? http://149.170.200.3/Physics/Acorn/About.html For a linux driver, see www.thp.uni-koeln.de/~rjkm/lirc/lirc.tar.gz ftp://ftp.armory.com./pub/user/rstevew/IR/ http://www.misty.com/~don/irfilter.html - filters James Newton, webmaster http://get.to/techref (hint: you can add your own private info to the techref) spam_OUTjamesnewtonTakeThisOuTgeocities.com 1-619-652-0593 phone {Original Message removed}

> In light of the underwhelming lack of response to my LEGO IR post, Sorry, I'm very interested (we just got our kit at home, just started playing). I'm subscribed here from work, so I'd love to work with you on this but not today! Also I don't know anything yet. (But that is unlikely to stop me from talking :) About 10 web refs to chase from home, and then I might. > maybe I need to clarify a little: > > The RCX tower and the LEGO remote control (#9738) both transmit a > 38kHz carrier which is modulated at a 2400bps rate. The encoding > is 8 data bits, odd parity, 1 stop bit, noninverted. I've also > found Kekoa's RCX opcodes page. > > What I would like is help in using a PIC (or a Stamp) to decode the > output of an IR receiver that is receiving opcodes from the LEGO > controller. How about just starting with a 'scope or logic analyzer, or a PC that's scanning a parallel port pin? See you later, Barry.

Thanks for all the links James. This should keep me busy for awhile. - Nick - James Newton wrote: {Quote hidden}> > IrDA > http://www.irda.org/ The home of the IRDA standards organization, somewhat > messy, but they do provide the standards free for downloading. The narrow > IrDa pulses use a pulse for every bit "1" on the RS232 interface and keep > low for "0" bits, that's simple and easy, it requires a good sync, a pulse > shaper and the decoding at the receiver. There are some standards, as the > pulse width to be a percentage of the RS232 pulse. > There's an application note entitled "IrDA-Compliant Transmitter/ Receiver," > with lots of detail about the standard, at the SHARP web site, > http://www.sharpmeg.com/datasheets/rf-ir/#0 and data sheets at > http://www.sharpmeg.com/datasheets/rf-ir/#4 > > IR Remotes > www.hut.fi/~then/electronics.html#irremote > http://www.ziplabel.com/cir/ computer controlled IR remote control > http://www.geocities.com/SiliconValley/Sector/3863/uir/index.html and > interface_description.html > http://www.rentron.com/project03.htm - excellent > http://www.xs4all.nl/~jwasys/diy4.html - IR Remote extension by phone line > IR Proximity Detection > http://www.seattlerobotics.org/guide/infrared.html > > RS232 <> IR > MAXIM MAX3130.. DOES RS232 AND IR. > http://www.elmelectronics.com/Products/Connect/Connect.htm RS232 > > IR standards? > http://149.170.200.3/Physics/Acorn/About.html For a linux driver, see > www.thp.uni-koeln.de/~rjkm/lirc/lirc.tar.gz > ftp://ftp.armory.com./pub/user/rstevew/IR/ > http://www.misty.com/~don/irfilter.html - filters > > James Newton, webmaster http://get.to/techref > (hint: you can add your own private info to the techref) > .....jamesnewtonKILLspam@spam@geocities.com > 1-619-652-0593 phone > > {Original Message removed}