What is it?

This item is an upgrade replacement board for the 5 device Innovage Jumbo Infrared 42 Button Remote Control, fully customizable using any infrared protocol. There are no limits! Purchase the board only with all components installed or a remote complete with the module installed ready to program. (See my other listing here) You can choose between a board with an Atmega328PB or an Atmega328P installed. Please choose the desired option when ordering.

Why did you make it?

I was looking for a big button remote control for my elderly parents. I searched for a simple "ELDERLY REMOTE" and found nothing of interest. Most of the elderly remotes are too expensive, lack the necessary functions or do not have the codes for modern equipment. Many of these remotes are too small for elderly people to see what they are doing.

If my parents were to press the wrong key on their existing (complicated remote control), sometimes they would be left without TV for days until I could visit them to reset their TV.

I found a Jumbo Remote. The buttons are big, perfect for seniors! However, in its' original configuration it also lacks codes for modern electronics. Even if you find a code that will work on some devices, most times the command would not be correct for the associated key. (i.e. to get the play function, you may have to hit record) These days, and with modern electronics, this product is obsolete!

So I decided to write my own code for this remote. Because the original remote is equipped with an epoxy covered "chip on board", the board would have to be replaced with one that contains a re-programmable chip. I chose the Atmega328P or Atmega328PB because of the pico power capability and pin change interrupts on almost every pin.

I also wanted 100% control of all keys on the remote. Disabling keys that are not being used, and re-organizing the keys was also necessary. This way, even if their life depended on it, my elderly parents couldn't press the "wrong key" and leave their TV in some strange mode, unable to watch. They are not active at their age, so being without TV is a big deal for them.

What makes it special?

This little board upgrades the the Jumbo Remote Control and brings it back to life by replacing the main board. Simply remove the original small board containing the IR LED and micro controller and install the Jumbo IR Remote Control Replacement Board Module.

The board replacement module contains a pico power Atmega328P or an Atmega328PB which keeps the batteries going for one year (depending on usage). Also available on board is an ISP connector for programming. You can use the custom template to expose the ISP header in the back cover (drilling and filing required). The IR range has been greatly improved over the original. You can operate the remote up to 25' away from the component!

If you buy the board only, it comes with all components installed. Every board is tested before it is shipped. Source code is available upon purchasing the board as well as a schematic diagram of the remote control keypad and detailed instructions.

Source code included is written in AVR assembler only. There is NO ARDUINO, C, OR C++ SOURCE CODE AVAILABLE AT THIS TIME.

The board is also equipped with an arduino programming header. If you include the bootloader code and program the correct fuses, you can use the Arduino IDE to write and program your own code (source code not included).

The source code includes six of the most common IR Protocols used today, NEC, NEC2, REC80, SONY12, NECrnc, and DISHIR using 3 carrier frequencies, 38 KHz, 40 KHz and 57 KHz. I will be adding more protocols upon request. The source code is very well commented and simple to modify for your existing equipment.

In order to find the commands for your existing remote, you will need to capture each command using a IR decoder available here.

Three things are needed in order to program: 1. The IR protocol used. (most modern electronics these days use the NEC protocol) 2. The IR command or sometimes called OBC (or original button code) in hexadecimal. 3. The System or Device code in hexadecimal. You will also need an ISP programmer that supports the Atmega328P or Atmega328PB.

The "Code Search" function is not enabled in the new firmware. This means that the remote does not support code entry as the original universal remote did. You will have to edit the command table in the source code and manually enter every command for every button you wish to use.

If you are purchasing this item, please check your Tindie email for user guide links and all necessary instructions.