Hi, i've been working on an individual project (related to my work) and the idea to use it on iPhone and iTouch has come straight to my mind.

So i started to build a prototype and it works great ! (i can control my TV, DVD, Mac...)

Here is a picture of the very early stage of the prototype dev.



Now, i'm in the process to design the PCB and make the appication to use the hardware dongle connected to the dock connector of the iPhone or iTouch.

The first version will only act as a remote and you'll need to use your computer (OS X, Linux or Windows) to capture the IR codes (learning process).
In the second version, i've planned to make it totally autonomous (no computer required).

Because Hackint0sh is a community and as you know our purpose is not business related, iCouchPotatoe will be available for free (software and hardware schematics). You will still be able to donate (i've asked a friend to set this up for me).

I will start a PCB production if there is enough people interested.
(you'll pay the price i'll pay + shipping).

The IR to Audio Converter

The schematic below is to Capture the IR codes and Convert them to Audio by using your computer.



The 5V (VCC) can be taken from a USB plug.

You can use any kind of audio capture software that has a Normalize filter (Audacity, Sound Studio...)

- Set the recording audio input to Line in/44100hz/16bit
- Place the remote controller near the QSE156 IR sensor (~5cm).
- Record the Line in while pressing the button you want to capture.
- Take care not to saturate, when you press a button the Input Levels should be around -1.5dB.
- Then cut/remove the silence at the beginning/end of the captured audio file.
- Select it all and choose "Normalize" in the Filters menu.
- To check if the recorded button is correct, just plug the iCouchPotatoe AUDIO to IR Jack to your computer
headphones/Speakers out, put it in front of the device you want to control and play the audio file.
- If it works, you can save it as AIFF or WAV (don't use any compressed format that will remove the high frequencies)
- Send it to the phone/iTouch in a playlist with iTunes.

The next version will be a Dock connector Dongle completely autonomous (no computer+software needed to capture)

The Audio to IR jack plug



The trick of this very simple piece of hardware was used years ago (2003/4) by Griffin Technology with their Total Remote product.
Most of the Remote Controls in consumer products are using a frequency range between 30 and 40Khz. The average Bandwidth permitted by audio chip on soundcards is limited around ~20Khz
Using two IR LEDs mounted in reverse will do the job as the recorded audio signal from the iCouchPotatoe AUDIO to IR converter is split and phased out.
So when playing the audio back, each IR LED will emit half the signal/frequency (15~20Khz). Together they will reproduce the original IR frequency exactly like the original remote.

If you want to test the IR to AUDIO jack you have made, just download this audio file

http://www.medi@fire.com/?oybuvyouxmy (replace @ by a)

It is the Apple Remote Volume UP command converted in AIFF.
You can play it from your iPhone or iTouch in front of an Intel Mac.

The software is still under development, it will support Theme for different Remote Control Brands.
You can also submit your captured codes as sound sets.

If you are a Skilled iPhone Dev and wanna join this project to help to make the application a killer app, you can PM me. Also, if you have some idea about the logo and icon for the application, you can post them here.

Have fun

impressive looks like Bender been doing more than bending........

tnx xianli (especially the "free" thing that u mentioned...) =)

Is there no way to tap into the built in proximity detector of the iPhone as that is IR based, or is it completely the wrong interface?

Nice project though!

Originally Posted by XianLi

.... Also, if you have some idea about the logo and icon for the application, you can post them here. ...

Im on the logo, ready later today! Good work XianLi!!!

Very nice, I can't wait to be a couch potato.

dont wanna be negative or anything, but wouldnt something like a wifi or bt version be more convenient than something wired to the device???

Also, if you are motivated for the software part, maybe something that uaes the uirt box through a pc would be suitable? then you dont need a wire or dongle connected to the iphone?

Originally Posted by RVN84

dont wanna be negative or anything, but wouldnt something like a wifi or bt version be more convenient than something wired to the device???

Also, if you are motivated for the software part, maybe something that uaes the uirt box through a pc would be suitable? then you dont need a wire or dongle connected to the iphone?

I think you have misunderstood the purpose of iCouchPotatoe.

It is not like the coming soon IRed2 (webapp using the wifi to send commands to a server installed on a Mac with an IRtrans box).

iCouchPotatoe is already autonomous for controlling Devices (able to be controlled by IR remote control).

You just learn/capture (with a PC or Mac) all the codes from the device's remote you want to control, send them to the phone, plug the Dongle and just use the phone as a remote.

I already use my iPhone or iTouch as an Apple remote

I would like you to add bruteforce mode for me
http://www.thinkgeek.com/gadgets/electronic/9a06/
http://www.thinkgeek.com/gadgets/electronic/755e/

Originally Posted by stonefred

I would like you to add bruteforce mode for me
http://www.thinkgeek.com/gadgets/electronic/9a06/
http://www.thinkgeek.com/gadgets/electronic/755e/

Good call my friend, that would be a nice feature