IR Modual

If you haven't had a chance to look at Bill's video on IR controls here is the link.

I hope it helps 😊 

Thanks so much for the link. I missed that. I will take a look at it.

I have another question. How can I edit the topic to correct the typo. I meant to type module!

Sorry for the late reply. I've been busy with work. Thanks so much for the example code I will give it a try!

Here are some pictures of my current project:

@robotbuilder

I tried your code and it works the same as my code but the only difference is that your code removes the road block that allows the code to move on like a finite state machine. The problem remains that if the button is pressed and held down, it will not re execute the same condition unless you release the button and press it again. I tried everything and my lack of understanding of what is going on is making it hard to figure this out. 

I need a "do while condition is true" or "do until button is released" but my results are that it either loops forever, or it will loop only once when a button is pressed, but then I run into the problem that if i can get it to loop while holding down the button any key that it pressed will now trigger the loop because the value is different than the trigger value which is not what I want to have happen either.

apparently the event only happens once after the remote button is pressed but there needs to be a way to monitor to see if the button remains pressed.

#include "IRremote.h"
//#include "IR.h"
#define KEY_1 (0xFF30CF)
IRrecv irrecv(11);           // pin #11
decode_results results;      // create instance of 'decode_results'

void setup() {
  Serial.begin(9600);
  Serial.println("IR Receiver Button Decode");
  irrecv.enableIRIn();
}

void loop()
{
  if (irrecv.decode(&results)){             // Did we received an IR signal?
  
    
        if (results.value == KEY_1){        //#1 button on Elegoo remote. #define KEY_1 (0xFF30CF)
                      
        //Need to loop While button is pressed
        digitalWrite(9, HIGH);
        delay(50);
        digitalWrite(9, LOW);
        //Need to exit loop after button released
        }
        
        
    irrecv.resume();
  }  
}

@xybitz I have found that some IR controllers output 0xFFFFF if you hold the button down, indicating a repeat signal.  You need to set a variable to the last action, and then if you receive a repeat signal, re-execute that action.  You can use a Serialprint to see if this is happening on your controller.

@xybitz

This is the first time I have used an IR receiver so it is a learning experience for me too.  I will try to work it out and get an IR remote control of a car working as required!! I will do more research on the problem.

The code I sent works fine for me. The only loop you should need is the main loop().  While the Arduino is executing a delay it can't do other things that is why it is better to use an interrupt or as I have done a timer.

In the code I posted when the Arduino gets an IR code it turns on the LED for that key.  If after the interval time it doesn't get another IR code it turns off all the LEDs (as it doesn't record which one it turned on). Actually that is a bug as I now realise that if another key is pressed before the interval time limit is up the previous LEDs remain on!!

I am using a Samsung tv remote using the number keys 1,2,3 and 4. I am using the infrared receiver module shown below. The Samsung remote sends codes at fixed intervals, and in my opinion at a rather slow rate, while a key is being held down.  It sends nothing when none of the keys are pressed.

Just reviewed,
https://dronebotworkshop.com/using-ir-remote-controls-with-arduino/
and I see you can easily build your own remote controller using another Arduino.

@robotbuilder

Thanks so much for the feedback. That's the exact same IR module that I'm using. It came with my Elegoo Uno Super starter kit. I'm also using the remote that came with that kit.

I need to try to do a loop while the incoming IR data is 0xFFFFFF and exit the loop only if the data stops. When the proper key is selected it goes to the right case but then I need a loop that will continue as long as the incoming data is true. After the button is released, the code can return to the beginning to scan for the next button press.

Ok I was able to get my code to work. It now turns on a LED HIGH as long as the button on the remote is pressed.

Once inside the correct case, it executes the block of code then does another remote button check within that block to see if the button is still pressed. Pressing and holding any other button will not do anything because there are no cases to handle the repeat code. The repeat code is only checked after its already inside the proper case.

I have included my code for others to use if interested. I'm sure there are better ways of doing this but this is the simplest way I could figure out how to do this with my level of programming abilities.

 

// Modified Code By: XybitZ
// ------------------------------------------------------
// Connect IR module pins to Arduino Uno:
// G = Ground, R = 5v, Y = Pin# 11
// LED Anode (+) long lead, to 220 Ohm resistor to pin #9
// LED Cathode (-) Flat side, to Arduino GND pin
// Example code turns on a LED as long as the correct remote button is held down. 
// LED is turned OFF when button is released.

#include "IRremote.h"

#define KEY_REPEAT (0xFFFFFFFF)
#define KEY_1 (0xFF30CF)          //Elegoo Super Starter Kit remote. Code may differ

IRrecv irrecv(11);                // Pin #11 Arduino Uno
decode_results results;           // create instance of 'decode_results'

void setup() {
  Serial.begin(9600);
  Serial.println("IR receiver button code");
  irrecv.enableIRIn();
}

void loop()
{
    if (irrecv.decode(&results)) {                    //Check remote button state
        Serial.println(results.value, HEX);           //Print the value
        irrecv.resume();                              //Receive the value    
        
        switch(results.value){                        //Compare values
     
         case KEY_1:                                  //if the button #1 is pressed 
          redo:                                       //if key held down, code jumps back to here
          
           digitalWrite(9,HIGH);                      //Turn on LED
           delay(130);                                //Wait 130ms so remote has time to respond. This delay is needed to work
        
            if (irrecv.decode(&results)) {        //Check again the button state
              Serial.println(results.value, HEX);
              irrecv.resume();                    //Receive the next value
              
              if (results.value == KEY_REPEAT){   //if value = (0xFFFFFFFF) "still pressed" then redo 
                goto redo;                        //
                 }//end if
                
              } //end if

           break;                                 //end case
          
        }//end if
        digitalWrite(9,LOW);                      //turn off LED
     }//end if  
}//end if


The video
 https://youtu.be/xl4-2xWA6Dk 

@robotbuilder

I didnt give up on the code. It does exactly what i needed. I needed it to loop inside the propper case condition allowing the user to press and hold a key to drive a LED HIGH. The challenge i had was when you press a key and hold the key down (long press), it would only do the operation one time and stop. That was the problem I was having. I solved this issue.

As I demonstrated in my video, the LED turns on and stays on as long as the remote button remains pressed and this is the desired effect. I pressed other keys on the remote in the video to demonstrate that the LED does not turn on which is also the proper result, because if you press and hold a different key it will generate the same repeat code so you dont want that repeat code to triger an undesired case condition.

@xybitz

Have you looked at these two videos:  Paul McWhorter Lesson 64 and Paul McWhorter Lesson 65

Haven't watched them myself, but he always gives plenty of good instruction.

@codecage i watched both video links you provided and they were informative. I watch a lot of his videos and like  the instruction. The only thing not really  covered in either video was how to controll somthing by holding down a particular button.

Thanks for the link,  I appreciate it.