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Issue #201 April 2007
ATir Keyboard Interface
by Steven Savage
Start | System Overview | Keyboard | IR Remote Operation | ATir Hardware | Operation | Nice Solution | Sources & PDF
NICE SOLUTION
The ATir keyboard interface offers a convenient cross-platform solution
to interface an IR remote control to type keyboard macros to a PC. The
interface plugs into a PS2 keyboard port on the PC and accepts commands
from an infrared remote. The device can be configured to operate with
common remote controls with little or no change in code. For those of
you with laptops or new computers without PS2 ports, do not despair. USB-to-PS2
adapters are inexpensive and allow the ATir to be used within USB environments.
Another option would be to bypass the adapter and design the ATir with a USB connection. Directly implementing a USB interface is not trivial. Atmel has a family of microcontrollers with hardware support of the USB protocol that would be more appropriate for that kind of project (compared to the ATtiny45 used in this project). Of course, if you want to connect your USB device to an older PC with only PS2 ports, you’ll need an adapter. The ATir worked well with the USB adapter, which is nice for Power Point presentations from your laptop on the road. The adapters are readily available on the ’Net for less than $10, including shipping. Just don’t forget to program it before you leave, unless you have time and access to a PS2 keyboard.
Other remote controls for PCs are available, but the ones I have seen require using the supplied remote and installing drivers. With the ATir, you can recycle that old working remote control, even after the device it controlled has passed away. The system will work with any PC operating system that recognizes a keyboard. As constructed, it costs about $10.
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