Innotech Systems SpitFIRE II User Manual

INNOTECH SYSTEMS INC.

Universal Infrared Remote Control

From any PC!

"SpitFIRE"

Serial Port Interface IR Engine

SpitFIRE I 4-in-1 Remote Control

SpitFIRE II 6-in-1“ Learning”

Remote Control

V1.0

"SpitFIRE"

Serial Port Interface IR Engine

FEATURES

# Infrared remote control from a PC
# Available in two versions:

–SpitFIRE I 4-in-1 Remote Control. Uses internal Infrared Code

Library to support all common TV, VCR, Cable, Satellite, and DVD
Players

–SpitFIRE II 6-in-1 Remote Control. Combines internal Infrared Code

Library with "learning"

# Ideal for

– Home Automation
– Home Theater
– Industrial Control

Includes front panel infrared emitting diodes and rear panel jack for

#

remote IR emitter

Connects Directly to PC’s Serial Port

#

SpitFIRE II Learns all common IR protocols

#

Visible LEDs and status word outputs for easy user interface

#

TABLE OF CONTENTS

INTRODUCTION .................................................4

FRONT AND REAR PANELS .......................................5

OPERATING YOUR SPITFIRE ......................................6

Programming Overview..........................................6

LEARNING CODES FROM EXISTING REMOTE CONTROLS ...........7

Learning Codes ................................................7

Erasing Learned Codes ..........................................8

PROGRAMMING INTERFACE .....................................9

Command Byte to SpitFIRE ......................................9

Status Byte From SpitFIRE ......................................13

SPECIAL FEATURES ............................................15

Auto Search For Correct Code....................................15

Manual Search ...............................................17

Device Code Read-back.........................................18

Punch-Through ...............................................18

SpitFIRE Innotech Systems Inc. Page 3

INTRODUCTION

Congratulations on purchasing your SpitFIRE™ Serial Port Infrared Remote Control.

The Innotech Systems’ SpitFIRE

home entertainment control system!

The SpitFIRE controls all popular entertainment devices directly from a PC. The

SpitFIRE converts data words from your computer’s serial port into infrared remote

control signals.

The built-in infrared remote control database in the SpitFIRE I enables you to control

TVs, VCRs, satellites, cable boxes, and DVD players without the need to “learn” your

existing remote controls. In addition to the internal infrared remote control database, the

SpitFIRE II adds the ability for you to control additional audio and home theater devices

(or add additional buttons to existing devices) by “learning” the codes from your existing

remote controls.

The SpitFIRE includes two convenient front panel mounted infrared diodes. A mini-

phone plug located in the rear permits the use of mini stick--on IR emitters or IR blasters

for maximum flexibility.

The small (3¼" x 5¼") SpitFIRE may be situated behind or near the PC, and is

connected via a conventional serial cable to the PC. The SpitFIRE is controlled via a

standard serial interface. The host PC controls the SpitFIRE by simply sending simulated

button presses. The SpitFIRE will respond by returning status information for every

command.

tm

turns an ordinary PC into a powerful state-of-the-art

The SpitFIRE includes sample Visual Basic application software. The software displays

a “virtual” remote control on screen and responds to “virtual button presses” to illustrate

the operation of the device and for you to use as the basis for your own software

applications.

SpitFIRE Innotech Systems Inc. Page 4

FRONT AND REAR PANELS

SpitFIRE — FRONT PANEL

SpitFIRE — REAR PANEL

The SpitFIRE provides dual infrared-emitting

diodes on the front panel. These provide the

control signals for the desired consumer systems.

In addition, a rear panel connection permits the

use of remote IR emitters that may be mounted

SpitFIRE Innotech Systems Inc. Page 5

against the desired consumer systems.

Front panel status lights simplifies programming

the SpitFIRE. The status signals are also sent

back to the PC via the serial connection.

OPERATING YOUR SPITFIRE

Your SpitFIRE should be connected to a PC COM

port using a modem cable or a NULL modem

cable with a NULL modem adapter. If you use

the software included with the SpitFIRE software

you must select a COM port before it will

communicate.

To insure that the SpitFIRE is communicating to

the PC, click one of the source buttons (CBL, TV,

VCR or AUX). You should see the green LED

indicator on the SpitFIRE and on the PC remote

SEND CODE RESPONSE

SOURCE (TV, VCR, CBL, AUX) 1 FLASH

PROG 2 FLASHES

3 DIGIT DEVICE CODE 1 FLASH FOR EACH DIGIT

PROG 3 FLASHES

flash once. If it does not flash, try a different

COM port and check your cable.

Programming Overview

Before operating an entertainment product, the

SpitFIRE must first be set up to send the correct

codes. To program the SpitFIRE through the PC

for a specific TV, VCR, Cable box, satellite, or

DVD code from the included infrared remote

control "library," the procedure is:

If you don't see 3 flashes when the final PROG

key is pressed, the SpitFIRE has not accepted

your 3 digit ISI code. A table of ISI device codes

is provided at the back of this manual.

SEND CODE RESPONSE

SOURCE (TV, VCR, CBL, AUX) 1 FLASH

PROG 2 FLASHES

01 FLASH

31 FLASH

81 FLASH

PROG 3 FLASHES

SpitFIRE Innotech Systems Inc. Page 6

For example to set up the SpitFIRE to control a

Sony TV (ISI# 038):

You can control up to six simultaneous sources in

any combination of TV VCR Cable box, DSS

receiver, DVD player etc.

Devices not already in the SpitFIRE infrared

remote control database may be “learned” from

existing remote controls. You may “learn”

complete devices or use the learning capability to

add additional buttons to existing devices. Once

learned, the codes are stored in non-volatile

LEARNING CODES FROM EXISTING REMOTE CONTROLS

(SpitFIRE II only)

Learning Codes

To “learn” the codes to add a new device, or to

add a button to an existing device:

1. Send the source code for which you wish to

store the learned code. (1 flash). (Note: You may

learn IR codes only to sources 1-4. Sources 5 and

6 are for library database codes only.)

memory and retained even with power removed.

For details on learning new remote control codes,

see “Learning Codes from Existing Remote

Controls.

4. Hold the original OEM remote control up to the

IR sensor located on the front panel. (See

SpitFIRE Front Panel drawing on page 5.)

Note: Some OEM remote controls have multiple

infrared (IR) LEDS. It is important to have a

direct line between the IR LED on the OEM

remote and the IR sensor. Please note: you may

need to hold the remote control right up against

the IR sensor.

2. Send LEARN (Scancode 47h).

You will receive a status message 1100. Both the

Program and Learn LEDs (red and green LEDs)

will now light. (As the learning process is

essentially manual, use of the visible LEDs for

user feedback is recommended.)

3. Send the button code for the “virtual button”

for which you wish to store the learned data. The

Green program LED will turn off. (If no button

code is received, the learn sequence will time out

and you will receive status message 1010.

SpitFIRE Innotech Systems Inc. Page 7

When the code is learned the red Learn LED will

go out and you will receive a 21h return flash

(green Program LED will flash).

If the IR code is invalid or the IR code cannot be

learned you will receive a status message 1110. If

no IR is detected you will receive status message

1011.

Repeat steps 2-4 to learn addition buttons for the

current source.

LEARNING IR CODES

SEND CODE RESPONSE

SOURCE 1-4

LEARN RED AND GREEN LEDs WILL LIGHT

SEND DESIRED BUTTON CODE. (IF USING

SUPPLIED SOFTWARE, CLICK ON DESIRED

BUTTON )

HOLD ORIGINAL REMOTE CLOSE TO

SPITFIRE II WHILE AIMING IR LED ON

REMOTE AT IR SENSOR ON SPITFIRE.

PRESS DESIRED BUTTON ON ORIGINAL

REMOTE

Erasing Learned Codes

Learned functions are associated with the selected

source (TV, VCR etc.). To erase learned functions

for a specific device TV, VCR etc.), you

overwrite the learned code with a code from the

code library. You can erase the complete device;

individual buttons cannot be erased.

1 GREEN FLASH

GREEN LED WILL GO OUT

RED LED WILL GO OUT, GREEN LED WILL

FLASH

2. Send the scancode for Program (40h).

The Program LED will flash twice.

3. Select a 3-digit ISI device code number from

the code list and send the 3-digit code. The

Program LED will flash once for each key

pressed.

1. Select the device you wish to reprogram by

sending the appropriate Source Code (TV, VCR,

Cable etc.). For instance to erase the learned

buttons associated with the VCR, send the Source

Code you have associated with the VCR.

The Program LED will flash once.

SpitFIRE Innotech Systems Inc. Page 8

4. Send the scancode for Program (40h) again to

lock in the code. The Program LED should flash

3 times. The VCR function will now operate per

the selected device code without any learned

buttons.

PROGRAMMING INTERFACE DESCRIPTION

The SpitFIRE is controlled via a full-duplex bi-

directional asynchronous serial interface operating

at 2400 baud, 8 data bits, with no parity. A host

CPU can manipulate the SpitFIRE by writing

commands in the form of simulated button presses

to it. The SpitFIRE will respond by returning

status information for every command.

Command Byte to SpitFIRE

D7 D6 D5 D4 D3 D2 D1 D0

Button

pressed Scan Code

This gives a maximum capacity of 128 buttons.

D7, the button pressed bit, has several purposes.

‚

‚

‚

When D7 is set, the SpitFIRE recognizes that a

button is pressed. D7 is cleared when a button is

released. When a command is given as described

below, the SpitFIRE will respond with the same

press/release state via the status byte. (See Status

Byte Format).

It provides a way to hold down a button

for an arbitrarily long period of time.

It provides a flow control mechanism

between the two asynchronous

processors. Some commands are

executed very quickly (10s of

microseconds) and some are quite slow

(100s of milliseconds).

It provides a way to distinguish two

consecutive identical button presses.

To maintain flow control, the SpitFIRE will not

return a status response byte until it has processed

the previous command.

The command byte consists of 7 scancode bits and

one button-pressed bit.

Commands are sent to the SpitFIRE in the form

of keypad scancodes (or “virtual key presses”).

The 7 LSBs of the command are the scancode.

This gives the system 128 virtual buttons that can

be “pressed.” Of these 128 buttons the SpitFIRE

uses a subset to represent the buttons on a typical

remote control.

After the SpitFIRE has received and acted on a

command it will return a status byte. The status

byte tells the host processor how the previous

scancode was dealt with. It also tells the system

that it can send another command. The details of

the status byte are covered later in this document.

The SpitFIRE can be configured to transmit IR

messages indefinitely, or it can be instructed to

transmit an IR message a fixed number of times

and then stop. When sending an indefinite length

IR message, a ‘transmitting IR now’ status

message is returned at the start of a transmission.

SpitFIRE Innotech Systems Inc. Page 9

Subsequently, when a button release command is

sent, the SpitFIRE completes the current

transmission and then it returns the appropriate

status.

Special scancodes are available to tell the

SpitFIRE to transmit IR message until told to

stop, or to send messages a fixed number of times.

The auto-repeat range is from 1 to 8 messages. A

setting of 0 tells the SpitFIRE to send the

message continuously until the button is released.

When the transmit N times feature is used, the

SpitFIRE will not return a status byte until the IR

transmission is completely sent (N times) so that

the system knows that the transmission is

complete.

The following is a list of scancodes that a system

can send to the SpitFIRE . Codes are in

hexadecimal and do not include the button-

pressed bit.

Code Code Function Notes

0 00h #0
1 01h #1
2 02h #2
3 03h #3
4 04h #4
5 05h #5
6 06h #6
7 07h #7
8 08h #8

9 09h #9
10 0Ah ENTER
11 0Bh MUTE
12 0Ch VOL+
13 0Dh VOL­14 0Eh CH+
15 0Fh CH­16 10h REWIND
17 11h PLAY
18 12h FF
19 13h RECORD
20 14h STOP
21 15h PAUSE
22 16h POWER
23 17h RECALL
24 18h TV/VCR
25 19h DISPLAY

Code Code Function Notes

26 1Ah REPEAT
27 1Bh RANDOM
28 1Ch MODE
29 1Dh DISC
30 1Eh SEL1
31 1Fh SEL2
32 20h SEL3
33 21h SEL4
34 22h SEL5
35 23h SEL6
36 24h SEL7
37 25h SEL8
38 26h SEL9
39 27h SEL10
40 28h UP
41 29h DOWN
42 2Ah LEFT
43 2Bh RIGHT
44 2Ch TRACK UP
45 2Dh TRACK DOWN
46 2Eh SKIP UP
47 2Fh SKIP DOWN
48 30h INDEX UP
49 31h INDEX DOWN
50 32h TRACK
51 33h GROUP

SpitFIRE Innotech Systems Inc. Page 10

Code Code Function Notes

52 34h PROGRAM
53 35h CONTINUE
54 36h SNOOZE
55 37h TEN PLUS
56 38h PWR ON
57 39h PWR OFF
58 3Ah MENU
59 3Bh TITLE
60 3Ch CLEAR

64 40h PROGRAM Returns 2, 3

flashes or

error code

65 41h SOURCE 1 Returns 1

flash

66 42h SOURCE 2 Returns 1

flash

67 43h SOURCE 3 Returns 1

flash

68 44h SOURCE 4 Returns 1

flash

69 45h SOURCE5

(SpitFIRE II)

70 46h SOURCE6

(SpitFIRE II)

71 47h LEARN

(SpitFIRE II)

80 50h Transmit IR

continuously

Returns 1

flash
Returns 1

flash
return status

msg 1100

(Return 0

flashes)

until told to stop

Code Code Function Notes

81 51h Transmit IR once (Return 1

flash)

82 52h Transmit IR

twice

83 53h Transmit IR

three times

84 54h Transmit IR four

times

85 55h Transmit IR five

times

86 56h Transmit IR six

times

87 57h Transmit IR

seven times

88 58h Transmit IR

eight times

(Return 2

flashes)
(Return 3

flashes)
(Return 4

flashes)
(Return 5

flashes)
(Return 6

flashes)
(Return 7

flashes)
(Return 8

flashes)

89 59h SEARCH (Auto

Search)

90 5Ah Toggle Punch-

through

(Return 1

flash [on], or 0

flash [off])

96 60h Return firmware

major

97 61h Return firmware

minor

98 62h Return database

revision major

99 63h Return database

revision minor

(Returns 1

flash)
(Returns 1

flash)
(Returns 1

flash)
(Returns 1

flash)

SOURCE is used to identify the device being

controlled (TV, VCR, Cable etc). SOURCE 1-

SOURCE 4 may be used with either library or

learned codes. SOURCE 5 and SOURCE 6 are

for library codes only. All sources can be

associated with any type of device.

Before any IR messages can be sent, the SpitFIRE

must be programmed for the device code of the

appliance is being controlled. If you learn a new

code, the code will overwrite the library code for

the source selected. If you intend to learn a code

for a specific source, it is not necessary to

program a source code.

SpitFIRE Innotech Systems Inc. Page 11

The programming sequence for selecting a device

code from the IR code library is as follows:

Button LED Flashes

SOURCE 1 1

‚
‚
‚
‚

SOURCE

PROGRAM

3-digit-ISI-number

PROGRAM

The green Program LED flashes to indicate the

progress of the programming sequence. The

visible LED flash information is also returned as

a status byte to help the host track its progress

through the programming sequence.

The red Learn LED is used to provide user

feedback during the learning process.

The ISI number is a three digit code that indicates

which type of device is being controlled. Innotech

provides a list of ISI-to-manufacturer/model types.

Leading zeros must be included in the

programming sequence. For example, to set up

the VCR whose ISI number is 045, the “virtual

key” sequence is:

PROGRAM 2

#0 1

#4 1

#5 1

PROGRAM 3

For hand held remote controls this button

sequence is inherently a button press followed by

a button release. For the SpitFIRE , the system

must send a command with the button-press bit

set. When the status byte is returned, it too will

have its button-press bit set. The system must

then send a button release command and wait for

the button-release status byte acknowledge. This

is the flow control handshake. The 7 LSBs of the

button-release command can contain any code. In

fact, if the button-press bit is set to 0, the scan

code portion of the command is ignored. The

programming sequence to set source #1 to ISI

number 045 is:

Button function Scancode Status returned

SOURCE1 press C1 (41 with MSB set) 1 flash
SOURCE1 release 41 (or 0) button release
PROGRAM press C0 2 flashes
PROGRAM release 0 button release
#0 press 80 1 flash
key release 0 button release
#4 press 84 1 flash
key release 0 button release
#5 press 85 1 flash
key release 0 button release
PROGRAM press C0 3 flashes
Key release 0 button release

SpitFIRE Innotech Systems Inc. Page 12

It is not strictly necessary to issue a Key Release

command during the programming sequence. The

SpitFIRE will respond to any scancode changes

Button function Scancode Status returned
SOURCE1 press C1 1 flash
PROGRAM press C0 2 flashes
#0 press 80 1 flash
#4 press 84 1 flash
#5 press 85 1 flash
PROGRAM press C0 3 flashes

in the command. The SpitFIRE will operate

properly if you issue:

However, in the absence of a Key Release

command, the SpitFIRE cannot distinguish two

identical consecutive scancodes. For example, if

the ISI number were 113, the first two “ones”

could not be distinguished without a button

The SpitFIRE will respond to programming

codes rapidly. At the end of the programming

sequence it will provide a status byte that

indicates if the engine accepted the ISI number. (3

flashes)

release between them.

While infrared is actually being transmitted, the

Once programmed, the SpitFIRE will remember

the ISI numbers of all the programmed sources

until the engine is reset or until it is

reprogrammed. You may have up to six different

devices programmed and quickly scan between

them by issuing a Source # scancode.

status response to the next button may take

significantly longer. If an undefined scancode is

issued, the device will respond with an error

scancode. In addition, if a button is pressed that

is defined, but is not implemented for the

particular device programmed, the device will

respond with a different error response.

Status Byte From SpitFIRE

You will get one and only one status change per command that you send to the SpitFIRE .

Status Byte from SpitFIRE

7 6 543210

Button press Tx IR MOD1 MOD0 DAT3 DAT2 DAT1 DAT0

DB7 ScanKey Up/Down feedback bit

DB6 Transmitting IR message bit (if continuous)

DB5-4 MOD bits determine the interpretation of the DAT bits.

0 X Software revision level (5 bits DAT0-3 and MOD0)

SpitFIRE Innotech Systems Inc. Page 13

1 0 Visible LED flash count

1 1 Status message

DAT3-0 Status messages (MOD=11)

0000 NOP

0001 This scancode is not currently used

0010 The selected device number is not in the database

0011 This button is not implemented on the selected device.

0100 No source programmed

0101 Programming sequence aborted

0110 IR transmission complete

0111 Database error

1000 SpitFIRE has been reset

1001 Auto search mode

1010 No learn location specified

1011 No IR detected in learn mode

1100 Press button to specify learn location

1110 Invalid code

1111 Could not learn button

DAT3-0 LED flashes in BCD (0-9)

DAT3-0 Software revision code (0-31) Uses MOD0 as a 5th bit.

For example, assume that a VCR was previously programmed as Source 1. To select the source and

press the POWER button:

System sends C1h Select VCR (source #1)

System gets 21h Return 1 flash

System sends D2h Transmit IR 2 times mode

System gets 21h Return 1 flash

System sends 96h Press the POWER button

System gets 36h IR Transmission complete (after a delay)

The source selection and transmission instructions stay in effect until they are changed.

SpitFIRE Innotech Systems Inc. Page 14

SPECIAL FEATURES

The SpitFIRE has a number of special features:

Auto Search For Correct Code

Overview

If you can not find the correct code in the manual,

the SpitFIRE can cycle through available codes

rapidly to help locate a usable code. It is

recommended that this feature be used only when

all other methods have failed, as you may have to

cycle through many codes before finding a usable

one.

1. Manually turn on the device to control.

2. Send the desired SOURCE code.

3. Send PROGRAM.

4. Send SEARCH.

5. When the device turns off, immediately issue

PROGRAM

SOURCE 3 (43h) searches TVs

SOURCE 4 (44h) searches all devices.

When the sequence SOURCE-PROGRAM-

SEARCH is entered, the SpitFIRE will begin

transmitting IR codes for all devices starting from

the next one currently programmed for that source

selection.

The SpitFIRE will transmit one of 4 different IR

codes depending on the button-set encountered for

the device being tried. Not every device in the

library has a POWER button so the SpitFIRE will

transmit one of the following codes: POWER,

CH+, MUTE, or PLAY, depending on which one

it encounters first for the current device.

If the SpitFIRE is set up to transmit IR

continuously, (default state or scan-code 50h) it

will transmit the test message 4 times. If it is set

up to transmit IR from 1-8 times (scan-codes 51h-

58h), then it will transmit the programmed number

of times for each device.

AutoSearch Detail

The SOURCE commands provides four

alternative search capabilities, permitting the user

to save time when performing an AutoSearch:

SOURCE 1 (41h) searches cable boxes and DSS

receivers

SOURCE 2 (42h) searches VCRs and DVD

players

SpitFIRE Innotech Systems Inc. Page 15

After the SpitFIRE transmits the test message, it

will wait for 2.5 seconds for the user to respond

before it moves on to the next device in the

library.

During the 2.5 second interval, if the user presses

the PROGRAM button, the SpitFIRE will accept

the current device and program it into the selected

slot. The SpitFIRE will return status message

with a flash-count of 3 (status byte 0xA3) to

indicate that it accepted the new program.

If the user presses any other key during the 2.5-

second interval, the SpitFIRE will cancel

AutoSearch mode and the original programmed

device will remain. The SpitFIRE will return a

status message with a flash count of 0 (status byte

0xA0) to indicate that it did not accept any new

programming. The SpitFIRE will also stop

searching and return a 0 flash after it has traversed

the entire library.

AutoSearch cancels itself after running through all

its codes (returns 0 flashes).

In the case of SOURCE1, SOURCE2, or

SOURCE3, it will take about 6 minutes to go

through the selected portion of the library. In the

case of SOURCE4 (where the SpitFIRE transmits

all codes), it will take about 18 minutes to traverse

the entire library.

During AutoSearch, the SpitFIRE will alternately

return a status code 0xF9 (AutoSearch status +

transmitting IR bit) at the start of each IR burst,

and 0xB9 (AutoSearch status + NOT transmitting

IR bit) at the end of the burst. NOTE: The MSB

of the status byte can be either 1 (key pressed) or

0 (key not pressed) depending on the last scan

code received.

The status bytes returned during AutoSearch

mode are the only exception to the rule that every

scan code returns one and only one status byte.

This exception enables the controlling program

can better track the progress of the search.

To review: After the user enters

SOURCEx - PROGRAM - AUTOSEARCH

the SpitFIRE will immediately return an

AutoSearch status & IR transmitting (0xF9)

status, followed briefly by AutoSearch status

(0xB9) status, followed by the 2.5 second guard

delay. It will then repeat this sequence until one

of the following occurs…

The programming sequence to AutoSearch for the

code for source #1 is:

Button

Function

Source1 press C1 (41 with

Scancode Status

Returned

1 flash

MSB set)

Program press C0 2 flashes

Auto press D9 1 flash

The remote control will now search through
the library for the target device code in 3
second intervals. Every 3 seconds the user
will be prompted by the light flashing and the
remote will attempt to turn the power off.
When the device turns off, immediately issue:

program press C0 3 flashes

The code will be saved. The user should check

the other buttons to ensure they all work with

the target device. If they do not, repeat the

preceding auto search steps.

To stop Auto Search, issue any key code except

AUTO.

The user sends PROGRAM to accept the current

code (returns 3 flashes).

After the SpitFIRE is programmed using

AutoSearch, you will not know the library code

The user presses any other button to cancel

number programmed. See Device Code Read-

AutoSearch mode (returns 0 flashes).

SpitFIRE Innotech Systems Inc. Page 16

Back to read back the programmed library code

number.

Manual Search For Correct Code

The user can manually toggle through the

library one code at a time to find the correct

code for a TV, VCR or Cable/Satellite. Starting

from the currently selected device, the SpitFIRE

will begin searching through that same category

(TV, VCR, etc.) in the library. This is useful

when the POWER button operates the user’s

equipment, but other buttons do not, indicating

the selected code is close but not the same.

Using Manual Search, the user can try all the

numeric keys, play, stop, etc. to thoroughly test

the selection.

The programing sequence is:

1. Manually turn on the device.

2. SOURCE (1-4)

3. PROGRAM

4. 0-0-0

As with AutoSearch, SOURCE1 will scan all

cable boxes and DSS receivers, SOURCE2 will

scan all VCRs and DVD players, SOURCE3

will scan all TVs and SOURCE4 will scan

everything.

The programming sequence to manual search

the code for source #1 is:

Button

Function

Source1 press C1 (41 with

Scancode Status

Returned

1 flash

MSB set)

Program press C0 2 flashes

#0 press 80 1 flash

key release 0 button release

#0 press 80 1 flash

key release 0 button release

#0 press 80 1 flash

key release 0 button release

Program press C0 3 flashes

Key release 0 button release

Each time PROGRAM is sent, the device code
will increment. Send SOURCE1 to lock in the
code.

Source1 press C1 (41 with

1 flash

MSB set)

5. Issue PROGRAM as needed. Each time

PROGRAM is sent, the SpitFIRE will

increment the device code.

NOTE: Some devices (such as cable boxes)

may not support power buttons on the remote.

In this case, you can substitute any other

supported button to test the code.

If the current selection does not operate the

equipment, you may press PROGRAM and

observe 3 flashes. The SpitFIRE is now set up

for the next consecutive device in the library.

When you find the correct code, pressing the

SOURCE button will save the program setting.

After the SpitFIRE is programmed using

Manual Search, you will not know the library

code number programmed. See Device Code

Read-Back to read back the programmed library

code number.

SpitFIRE Innotech Systems Inc. Page 17

Device Code Read-back

flashes. To exit this mode, press a source key.

After the SpitFIRE is programmed with either

Search mode, you will not know the resultant

ISI number. To read back the current ISI

number, the key sequence is as follows.

SOURCE – PROGRAM - Digit – PROGRAM

Where SOURCE is the slot that you want to

read back. (41h - 44h), PROGRAM is 40h, Digit

is either 1, 2, or 3 for the Hundreds, Tens, or

Ones digit respectively.

The SpitFIRE will return a flash count of 0 to 9

to indicate the digit.

Example: To read the ISI number of the TV slot

TV(43h) Return 1 flash (0xA1)

PROGRAM(40h) Return 2 flashes (0xA2)

1 (01h) Return 1 flash (0xA1)

PROGRAM(40h) Return 100s digit of TV

e.g. 1 flash (0xA1)

2 (02h) Return 1 flash (0xA1)

NOTE: You can program any type of device in

any of the 6 slots available. For example if you

have 2 VCRs you can set one up on the VCR

slot and the other in the AUX slot. However, if

you use Search, the VCR slot will only scan for

VCRs whereas the AUX slot will scan all

devices in the library.

Punch-Through

Availability of this feature varies depending on

the type of TV, VCR, and cable box used.

It can be very convenient to selectively transmit

button codes that are not for the currently

selected device. For example, when set for

Cable box operation, Punch-through can permit

the volume commands to adjust the television

volume. Similarly, TVs generally do not have a

PLAY button but VCRs do. If the last

SOURCE button pressed was TV, and the user

presses PLAY, punch-thru allows the SpitFIRE

to press PLAY on a source that does have a

PLAY button without first switching to it.

PROGRAM(40h) Return 10s digit of TV

e.g. 2 flashes (0xA2)

3(03h) Return 1 flash (0xA1)

The SpitFIRE defaults to punch-thru being

disabled. If a user presses a key that is not

implemented on the currently active source, the

SpitFIRE will return an error status (0xB3) that

PROGRAM(40h) Return 1s digit of TV

e.g. 5 flashes (0xA5)

says that the desired button does not exist. If

punch-thru is enable, the PLAY message will be

transmitted on the first programmed device that

Therefore the ISI number of the device in the

TV slot is 125.

has a PLAY button implemented. You will only

get an error if PLAY doesn’t exist on any of the

programmed sources.
While in this mode, you can freely go between

the 100s, 10s and 1s digits to recount the

NOTE: If you press a button on a source that

SpitFIRE Innotech Systems Inc. Page 18

isn’t programmed yet while punch-thru if off,

you will get a No-Device-Programmed Status

message (0xB4). However if punch-thru is

enabled, and no device has the desired button,

you will get a Button-not implemented status

message instead.

Punch-thru mode is toggled with scan-code 90

(5Ah).

Punch- thru will be affected by learned

functions. For example, if you are controlling a

VCR and issue a VOL +, the volume command

will normally punch-thru to the proper device.

However, if you learn a new code onto the

VOL+ button, it will no longer punch-thru.

DEVICE CODES

If punch-thru is toggled ON, the SpitFIRE will

return a 1 flash status message (0xA1).

If punch-thru mode is toggled OFF, you will get

a 0 flash status message. (0xa0).

IR

Detector

(optional)

DTR

RX

RS232

Connector

TX

DSR

RS232

Transceiver

Data In

Status

For a code list of supported devices and

associated ISI codes, please refer to the

appropriate document:

“Index of Device Codes – SpitFIRE I”

– Or –

“Index of Device Codes – SpitFIRE II.”

RF Transmitter

(optional)

SP4001

Universal

Remote

Control

IC

Infrared

Diodes

External IR

Emitter

Status

External ROM

(Optional)

SpitFIRE Block Diagram

SpitFIRE Innotech Systems Inc. Page 19

Innotech Systems Inc.

320 Main Street

Port Jefferson NY 11777

[phone] FAX [phone]

[e-mail]

05/02

©2002 Innotech Systems Inc.

SpitFIRE Innotech Systems Inc. Page 20