Re: Linux and remote control device

Vojtech Pavlik
2008-01-22T10:14:33Z

On Tue, Jan 22, 2008 at 10:47:22AM +0100, Francis Moreau wrote:
> On Jan 22, 2008 9:19 AM, Vojtech Pavlik <vojtech@suse.cz> wrote:
> > On Tue, Jan 22, 2008 at 09:01:10AM +0100, Francis Moreau wrote:
> > > Hello,
> > >
> > > I'd like to add support for my Infrared remote control to Linux.
> > >
> > > So far I only see LIRCD project that make the kernel support
> > > such device but I'm not sure if this project is the best choice
> > > since it's not part of mainline kernels. And there are certainly
> > > good reasons which I'm not aware of.
> > >
> > > Another possibility is to make the remote controle device an input
> > > device. But I see several flaws:
> > >
> > > - The IR receiver on my board can't be use as a transmitter any
> > > more
> >
> > The input subsystem moves events in both directions. It would need some
> > additional hacking to work with IR transmitters, but it might be
> > possible.
> >
> > > - All scancodes are embedded in the kernel.
> >
> > While they reside in the kernel, they can be changed from userspace.
> >
> > > Do you think it's still the way to go despite the 2 points raised above ?
> >
> > It might be, but I'm not 100% convinced either.
> >
>
> All your answers sound good however.
>
> Could you please tell me why you're not sure ?

It would still limit the IR ability to sending/receiving "just"
keypresses. You may want to send and receive more (arbitrary data) over
an IR dongle attached to the machine.

--
Vojtech Pavlik
Director SuSE Labs