High end universal remotes, some of them costing as much or more than the projected price for Craigix's new machine, use LCD touch-screen controls which can be customized for the particular equipment combination.
'IR' isn't the end of it all though. To be understood by a TV, DVD Player or whatever, the IR needs to be placed on an appropriate carrier. 38Khz is typical, but some devices do expect others (I've seen 36Khz too for example). This could be done in software, but is Linux's timing that accurate?
A quick look with Google found a PDA-based universal remote project:
http://www.codeproject.com/cs/miscctrl/Uni...eControlPDA.asp
Considering the number of universal remotes I've read about that were programmed by downloading a remote control code database which must contain all of the specific IR control code sequences for many brands and models of consumer electronic equipment, someone might be able to reverse engineer such a database and save a great deal of work for themselves (assuming the databases aren't encrypted in some way). Failing that (either for legal or for practical reasons), a "learning mode" would allow the remote to learn the code sequence from different remotes and their various control keys, but this mode in commercially made programmable remotes is always relegated for use only when the control codes for a particular equipment brand or model are not contained in the universal remotes code database. It is much more of a hassle than just typing in a three digit number to select the mode for a brand/model already in the database. And a learning mode would require an IR photodiode in the USB dongle. Come to think of it, whether or not a database of remote control codes was used, you'd always need a learning capability. Without it, the remote would be severely handicapped, IMHO. But an IR photodiode and its amp would be an extremely cheap addition.
Just found this:
Linux Infrared Remote Control
LIRC is a package that allows you to decode and send infra-red signals of many (but not all) commonly used remote controls.
http://www.lirc.org/
Just to remind everyone, I AM NOT asking for this remote control functionality to be added to the Craigix gaming/multimedia device. This is just a possible additional use for an open platform with an LCD touchscreen and an external USB IR device supplied by some third party.
