Need to receive IR signal with iPhone 5

Question

Need to receive IR signal with iPhone 5

Hello everyone. I need to be able to receive an IR signal with my iphone 5 but I'm having trouble figuring out what product to buy because they're all advertised as transmitters (for making your phone a universal remote). Does anyone know if any of these devices can also receive IR signals? And if so, can they only be used with the app they're designed to work with (the one that gives you the UI for the remote) or can I beam whatever I want to my phone once the receiver is on?

If it helps I'll explain exactly what I'm trying to do: I have an Alphasmart Neo2, a typing device which is basically a keyboard that logs all of my keystrokes and then dumps them into a word processor (or email, or anything that has a cursor really) when I plug it in and tell it to. This alphasmart is also capable of sending an IR signal, and I want to see if it's possible to open up a text app on my iphone 5 and have the alphasmart send the keystrokes via IR.

Thank you for any assistance!

iPhone 5, iOS 9.3.1

Posted on Apr 19, 2016 6:19 AM

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Answer 1

Apr 19, 2016 6:33 AM in response to inevitable_betrayal_

I would start by contacting the makers of the keyboard and asking them if they are aware of any device that does what you want.

You should also contact the makers of the other devices you've investigated if you have additional questions about the features of those specific devices.

At a guess, you won't be able to do what you want owning to the sandboxing that iOS uses.

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Answer 2

Apr 19, 2016 6:48 AM in response to IdrisSeabright

Thanks for the reply! The keyboard is somewhat outdated and the makers are unfortunately not a company anymore. As for the devices it's difficult because there are so many on the market it's hard to narrow it down and I'd rather not send a hundred emails. If that's what I wind up having to do I'll go that route but I thought I'd give forums a shot in the hopes I might find some others with similar experience or knowledge.

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Answer 3

Apr 19, 2016 6:54 AM in response to inevitable_betrayal_

I really don't think it's possible. I don't recall ever seeing anyone ask about it. Try searching the forum. Try doing an internet search. Pick the three most likely candidate devices and contact the manufacturers.

Best of luck.

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Answer 4

Apr 19, 2016 7:11 AM in response to IdrisSeabright

Thanks. I've been searching the internet pretty heavily for about 2 weeks now to no avail. It's an odd question to search because IR transmitters are quite common, but I specifically need a receiver. So every way I try to phrase it or search it just brings more info on transmitting and none on receiving. The various forums have also come up blank unfortunately. I'll keep looking though!

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Answer 5

Apr 19, 2016 7:29 AM in response to inevitable_betrayal_

Should I stumble across anything, I'll post back.

Fingers crossed!

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Answer 6

Apr 19, 2016 8:06 AM in response to inevitable_betrayal_

I'm sure this isn't going to be helpful, but Lego makes IR receivers to use in robots. So they exist. Finding one to work with an iOS device will still be a challenge. It's the sort of technology that gets abandoned pretty quickly. My last smartphone before I got an iPhone (a Palm Treo) supported 2 way IR.

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Answer 7

Apr 19, 2016 8:13 AM in response to Lawrence Finch

I love Legos......

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Answer 8

Apr 19, 2016 8:32 AM in response to IdrisSeabright

The lego model of Intrepid: https://photos.google.com/album/AF1QipO_Y6trHIj-h_e2noSkgvcBz-xC6ZzDbQUaMadl

In the image below, the black thingy on the deck between the two 5" gun turrets is an IR receiver. The accompanying remote allows the turrets to rotate.

https://photos.google.com/album/AF1QipO_Y6trHIj-h_e2noSkgvcBz-xC6ZzDbQUaMadl/pho to/AF1QipMv7fTNulqJXZUCQJ-f0AuldIzGhy_En…

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Answer 9

Apr 19, 2016 10:00 AM in response to Lawrence Finch

But does it fire little plastic Lego shells? 😉

I've sadly lost my Lego Technic sets. I don't recall having an IR device but there were gears and motors and other cool stuff. Better even than an Erector set.

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