.. _irremote:


IR REMOTE LIRC
**************

Using lirc to remotely control devices with IR (infrared).

PocketVJ Exhibition Image 4.0.7 or older do following steps:

First uninstall the out of date  lirc version with::

 sudo apt-get purge lirc
 sudo apt-get autoclean


Then install the special patched version (needs CP 4.0.6 or newer) with::

 sudo apt-get install -y /var/www/sync/debs/liblirc-client0_0.9.4c-9_armhf.deb
 sudo apt-get install -y /var/www/sync/debs/liblirc0_0.9.4c-9_armhf.deb
 sudo apt-get install -y /var/www/sync/debs/lirc_0.9.4c-9_armhf.deb


This will take a few minutes.


After comnpletion, edit the .conf file to enable sending::

 sudo nano /etc/lirc/lirc_options.conf

 driver          = default
 device          = /dev/lirc0


From here on the software is installed.
Now we need to enable the IR sender::

 sudo nano /boot/config.txt 
 
 dtoverlay=gpio-ir-tx,gpio_pin=4


Finally we copy the IR protocol file to the lirc config, I always store mine in::

 /var/www/sync/remotes/
 
 


In this example, the IR file made for U400 Livia Ultra Short Throw Laser Beamer::


 sudo cp /var/www/sync/remotes/laserbeamer.lircd.conf /etc/lirc/lircd.conf 
 


Connect the IR sender as documented in :ref:`expansion`.



Test it with (use a digicam to check if diode is flashing)::


 irsend SEND_ONCE laserbeamer KEY_POWER



Recording your own IR is way more complicated and will not be described here in detail, only some hints::

 sudo nano /etc/lirc/lirc_options.conf =>
 driver          = default
 device          = /dev/lirc1

 nano /boot/config.txt =>
 dtoverlay=gpio-ir,gpio_pin=18 #pin of receiver
 dtoverlay=gpio-ir-tx,gpio_pin=4 #pin of sender


 stop lircd.service =>
 sudo /etc/init.d/lircd stop

 test =>
 mode2 -d /dev/lirc1


 record =>
 irrecord -f -d /dev/lirc1 ~/lircd.conf

 nice tool to check =>
 sudo ir-keytable -c -p all -t

 Most important keys:
 KEY_POWER
 KEY_OK
 KEY_HOME
 KEY_MENU
 KEY_MEDIA (source select)
 
 KEY_VOLUMEUP
 KEY_VOLUMEDOWN
 KEY_MUTE
 
 KEY_UP
 KEY_LEFT
 KEY_DOWN
 KEY_RIGHT
 
 KEY_PLAY
 KEY_PAUSE
 
 KEY_F1 (focus+)
 KEY_F2 (focus-)
 
 KEY_F3 (keystone+)
 KEY_F4 (keystone-)
 

I ended up in listing the raw ir commands in terminal with::


 mode2 -d /dev/lirc1
 

Ignore the first 2 blocks, then always make 6 blocks for one line:


.. image:: _images/16_raw_signals.png

Which is extremely time consuming and frustrating, but it works!