Accessible sky remote

Building An Accessible Sky remote with Arduino Mega

Code at Github

Sketchup Diagram: Box Diagram

This project builds a Sky Remote suitable for a user with limited fine motor controls (sutch as users with MS or other degenerative nerve conditions. It was conceived to help my father operate the TV, once his fine movement left him unable to operate a standard (or even traditional 'accessible') remote.

This project uses an Arduino Mega processor, however any Arduino board compatible with the IRremote library and enough digital inputs for your buttons will suffice. The mega is admittedly overkill for the functionality required.

Dependencies:

  • An arduino board! - One supported by the IRremote library - see: link
  • Aformentioned library selected for your sketch.
  • Switches and a joystick, I recommend Arcade joysticks and switches as they have very definite actions, but require little force to actuate. They are also widely available.
  • An IR LED and appropriate current limiting resistor for it. You can desolder from an existing remote if you want, however I suggest you keep a working remote around for the equipment.
  • Wires, Wiring tools and soldering equipment. A lot of switches come with Spade connectors which may be more flexible to solder to than the switches directly.
  • An appropriate enclosure,
  • A Step drill will be useful to drill holes in the enclosure for the switches and joystick.

Example Wiring Diagram

TinyCad: Wiring Diagram

Credits

I used the fantasic IRremote library for Arduino, without which this would not have been possible. Arduino IRremote

hexreader at the Edaboard forums for this post detailing reverse engineering of the Sky Plus remove codes: Edaboards

The SB-Projects detailing of the RC6 Protocol RC6

Appendix:

I have detailed the remote codes from the post linked above here in case this goes down. I've only implemented the ones I require in the header file, however it will be simple to add/remove as you need.

Sky+ commander buttons - cover closed
00c00-00c09             0 to 9
00c0c                   on/off
00c20                   ch+
00c21                   ch-
00c24           pause
00c28           fast forward
00c3c               text
00c3d           rewind
00c3e           play
00c3f           stop
00c40           record
00c58           up
00c59           down
00c5a           left
00c5b           right
00c5c           select
00c6d           red
00c6e           green
00c6f           yellow
00c70           blue
00c7d           box office
00c7e           services
00c80           sky
00c81           help
00c83           backup
00ccb           i
00ccc           tv guide
00cf5           interactive