DIY Apple Remote Shield for the Arduino

Have you ever wanted to make an apple remote? Or maybe want to have one of your arduino creations be able to control iTunes on your Mac, your iPod, Or your Apple TV? Now you can! 

Awhile back I was working on a project that that I wanted to be able to start music the on my mac through the IR receiver. After a while of looking around I found this library which allows you to use your arduino as an Apple Remote. I integrated it in to my project and it worked great! So the other day I decided to make an Apple Remote shield for my arduino.

Note: Depending on the IR Led's you use, the performance of this can vary greatly.

 If you have any questions, comments, &/or suggestions. Please ask them.


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Parts:
- Arduino
- 2 or 3 IR Led's
- 5 NO Momentary push buttons (NO Stands for Normally Open)
- Wire
- Perf-Board

Tools:
- Computer
- A-B USB Cable

Software:
- Arduino Software
- Apple Remote Library (This can be found in the step: Coding the Arduino!)

This is pretty flexable, If you want more Led's feel free to add them in. If you want to control the led with a transistor feel free to add that in! Also you may have noticed that my shield doesn't have a menu button. I decided not to put one in, But if you want to add one in you can. The library does support.

Notes:
 - Make sure the leads for the IR Led's don't touch the ICSP Headers! 
 - If you want to use header pins DON'T push the end of the wire from the top to the bottom in other words do picture 7, but picture 8.

Steps:
- Cut the Perf-board. I used a piece 23x18 that has a few cutouts.
- Layout the switches
- Bend the ground wire & solder it in
- Wrap the loose end of the ground, up through a hole in the perf-board. Then push it down through the next & trim the end. (Pictures 5 - 10)
- Bend the IR Leds
- Insert the Led's and solder the cathodes (Short Lead) to the ground wire
- Bend the anode of one led & solder it to the other one (Picture 21)
- Install a wire for the closest button (Picture 22)
- Add a wire for the IR LED's (Picture 23)
- Connect the lower button (Picture 24)
- Connect the middle button (Picture 25)
- Wire the top button (Picture 26)
- Connect the furthest button (Picture 27)
- Your Done!

If you want to use header pins instead of wire to connect your shield to your arduino here's how.

 Steps:
- Leave the leads from the led's & buttons straight
- Strip and trim the wires so they can be soldered to (Picture 2)
- Cut your headers pins so you have a piece that is 7 pins long
- Solder the header pins in

Install the libraries:
Download & unzip the file "AppleRemote.zip". Copy that unzipped folder to:
'"/hardware/libraries/"

Upload the code:
- Download the file: 'Arduino_Apple_Remote.pde'
- Open it in the Arduino IDE.
- Plug in your arduino
- Press Upload to I/O board button.

Install the Libraries:
Download & unzip the file "AppleRemote.zip". Copy that unzipped folder to: '"/Applications/Arduino/Contents/Resources/Java/hardware/libraries/" 

Upload the code:
- Download the file: 'Arduino_Apple_Remote.pde'
- Open it in the Arduino IDE.
- Plug in your arduino
- Press Upload to I/O board button.

Usage:
Point at IR receiver & press button. Depending on the LED's you may need to move the remote around a little to get it to work. 

Note: Pairing must be disabled for this to work. (Picture 2)

Advancement Ideas:
Use a transistor to control the led's instead of just running them off Pin 13. This 'should' improve the range.
Use this to make a remote for a robot.
Add more IR Led's
Use aluminum foil to boost the range.