Control your IR devices via SMS

by Chris Ziegler, posted Aug 26th 2006 at 6:38PM

As the site clearly indicates, "The purpose of this circuit is to make the human life better and easier," and we couldn't agree more. If you've got an ancient Ericsson lying around that would otherwise be ready for the recycle bin, this circuit gives your faithful friend a new lease on life as an SMS-actuated IR sender capable of controlling up to eight devices, depending on how you opt to build it. A simple 8-digit text message to the phone is all it takes to send the appropriate ON or OFF signals, and as an added bonus, the author shows you how to wire the phone directly into the circuit so a battery's no longer required. A better and easier human life, indeed.

[Via Make]

Filed under: Misc

Tags: circuit, control, controller, infrared, ir, project, sms

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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)

Neutral

Big Frank @ Aug 26th 2006 8:47PM

Alot of lighthearted articles make it on Engadget; and most of the "inventions" or projects that come on are at least cool, if not very useful. This one is neither.

Neutral

Al @ Aug 26th 2006 9:24PM

I used to control IR devices with my old Nokia 3650. Why would I need to use SMS if the phone had software to do so already?

Neutral

brian tunning @ Aug 27th 2006 8:13AM

Where I live, everyone has a/c units scattered around the home, which are exclusively controlled via IR. Keeping them running while you're out of the house is too expensive, so it would be great if I could SMS my apartment to get things cooling just before I get home.

Neutral

Terrorist @ Aug 27th 2006 9:25AM

Bomb goes boom!

Neutral

oven @ Aug 27th 2006 6:57PM

so you have to pay for a second cell phone plan to keep the old phone active. sounds expensive.

Neutral

pearl @ Sep 30th 2008 1:10AM

can this device be applied for locking and unlocking doors??pls send to me the circuit of this project...thanks..

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