C1000 As A Ir Remote Options

[xXInbellionXx]

Is this Possible???

[JohnX]

If I understand the situation correctly, no it's not possible. On the SL-5500 you could actually get access to the IR transmitter in a sort of "raw" mode, allowing you to actually turn it on and off manually in a way that made it behave like a TV remote. On the SL-Cxx00 hardware, even the kernel can only address it as a serial port. If I'm wrong or if the situation has changed (since 2005 or so, when I last looked at this), I would love to hear about it.

-John

[speculatrix]

My guess is that the IR pin on the C1000/3x00 is connected to a UART pin, which means it would normally be forced to play a serial function. However, the PXA processors are very configurable, so it might be possible to change the function to a general purpose input/output pin - and as a GPIO you could bit-bash an infrared controller.

My guess is that a bit more googling with some of the terms above might yield results!

I've asked on the Angstrom list as there are kernel hackers there who'd know.

[Jon_J]

I just found this page. Scroll down to point #9
links are included on that page for "remote extender" and "opie-remote".
EDIT: opps, the remote extender has been discontinued, but opie-remote should work if you are close to your TV set or IR receiving device.
http://quickening.zapto.org/Zaurus.html

9. Altho the Zaurus has an IR port it is too weak for remote control. No problem! I bought the Remote Extender from smarthome.com. With it, I can use my Zaurus as a universal remote control from anywhere in my house. I used Thomas Steven's opie-remote software and configured support for my reciever, tv, vcr, tivo, and the hdtv, dvd, winamp, realone, media player, and browser on my HTPC

I have a Palm Zire 72, which works very well with an aftermarket remote control software, so I haven't tried opie-remote on my Zaurii.

[speculatrix]

Stanislav Brabec answered my query on the angstrom list...

> does anyone know how the IR port on the '000 series is connected - I
> presume it's a pin on the CPU, but can it be redefined as a GPIO pin
> and thus could this Zaurus be used as an IR remote control?

I guess you will get into problems at least with transmission distance
and very probably with modulation frequency.

IrDA module is probably something like Sharp GP2W0150YP0F: SIR LP
115.2 kb/s, transmission distance 20cm.

Any special function GPIO pins of PXA270 can be repurposed as an
ordinary GPIO.

For more see Intel® PXA27x Processor Family Developer’s Manual, section
General-Purpose I/O Controller


Rx:
GPIO 46

Tx:
GPIO 47

IR switch:
machine_is_borzoi() || machine_is_spitz():
xxx_scoop_gpio((&spitzscoop2_device.dev,SPITZ_SCP2_IR_ON);
machine_is_akita():
akita_xxx_ioexp(&akitaioexp_device.dev,AKITA_IOEXP_IR_ON);

in short, yes!

Paul

[JohnX]

I stand corrected!

[Drake01]

I stand corrected!

You may stand corrected, but if the 20cm estimate is accurate, you might as well just hit the buttons on the receiving device with your finger. 20cm = 0.2m = 7.9 in. Kind of a shame, really. I think the Z could support a pretty cool universal remote control app.

It's a shame that this item clearly indicates that it's a proprietary card.

EDIT: Found this one, which appears to still be in production. I wonder if the company (which seems to be having the device manufactured) would be willing to cough up with specs?