Android IR Blaster

IR Blaster is an Android application for creating, managing, and transmitting infrared (IR) signals through multiple output methods, including a device’s built-in IR emitter, supported USB IR dongles, and audio-to-IR LED adapters.

The app enables users to build fully custom remotes, discover unknown IR codes through guided brute-force tools, and seamlessly manage IR configurations. It also supports importing IR signals from Flipper Zero .ir files, making it easy to reuse and adapt existing IR libraries across devices.

IR Blaster is designed to be flexible, hardware-agnostic, and user-friendly, while remaining powerful enough for advanced users who need precise control over IR protocols and signal timing.

Overview

• Multiple transmit paths (no built‑in IR required):
  • Internal (ConsumerIrManager) when the device has a hardware IR emitter
  • USB IR dongle (with discovery, permission, and bulk transfers)
  • Audio IR (mono 1‑LED or stereo anti‑phase 2‑LED adapters)
• Rich protocol support and a raw‑signal mode for precise mark/space patterns
• Import/export of remotes, including Flipper Zero .ir files and JSON backups
• Material 3 UI with dynamic color, dark mode, and a tabbed layout (Remotes, Signal Tester, Settings)

Tip: At least one transmit path must be available (Internal, USB, or Audio). A built‑in IR blaster is not required if you use a USB dongle or audio adapter.

Features

• Custom Remote Commands: Create and manage remotes using protocol encoders or raw IR patterns.
• Signal Tester (IR Finder / Infrared Bruteforcer): Systematically try protocol/code variations to discover working signals.
• Transmitter Selection & Auto Switch:
  • Choose Internal, USB, Audio (1 LED), or Audio (2 LEDs) under Settings > IR Transmitter.
  • Optional Auto Switch uses USB when a supported dongle is attached, otherwise Internal (disabled if Audio is selected).
• Import/Export & Maintenance (Settings > Remotes):
  • Import JSON backups and Flipper Zero .ir files
  • Export remotes to Downloads
  • Restore the built‑in demo remote
  • Delete all remotes
• Modern UI: Material 3 styling, dynamic color, and responsive layouts.

User‑facing

• Transmitter selection card with live capability updates and USB permission request flow.
• Signal Tester promoted as an IR bruteforcer (IR Finder) to help discover unknown codes.
• Expanded import/export options and maintenance actions for remotes.
• Material 3 theming with dynamic light/dark color schemes.

Technical/architectural

• Multi‑transmitter architecture:
  • Internal: Android ConsumerIrManager
  • USB: Discovery, permission, endpoint selection, and framed/bulk protocol with RLE payloads
  • Audio: AudioTrack at 48 kHz with mono or stereo anti‑phase synthesis
• Platform channels:
  • Method channel: org.nslabs/irtransmitter
  • Event channel: org.nslabs/irtransmitter_events
  • Methods: transmit, transmitRaw, hasIrEmitter, getTransmitterCapabilities, setTransmitterType, getTransmitterType, getPreferredTransmitterType, setPreferredTransmitterType, getAutoSwitchEnabled, setAutoSwitchEnabled, usbScanAndRequest, usbDescribe, getSupportedFrequencies
• Protocol framework: IrProtocolDefinition + IrFieldDef drive UI/validation; encoders return frequency + microsecond patterns.
• Raw signal encoder: Strict parsing, bounds checking, and safe trailing‑gap handling.
• Persistent settings via SharedPreferences: active type, preferred UI type, auto‑switch flag.

Transmitters and Hardware Support

Configure under Settings > IR Transmitter.

• Internal IR (built‑in)
  • Uses ConsumerIrManager when available, with optional carrier frequency range reporting.
• USB IR Dongle
  • Supported device filter: Vendor IDs 0x10C4 or 0x045E, Product ID 0x8468; requires one interface with bulk IN/OUT endpoints.
  • Permission & discovery: Scans supported devices, requests permission via a mutable PendingIntent (Android 12+), reacts to attach/detach.
  • Framing & transfer: Handshake on open, RLE‑encoded mark/space payloads fragmented into 56‑byte chunks over bulk OUT; background reader drains bulk IN briefly.
  • Tail safety: Adjusts the last gap for even‑length patterns to accommodate device expectations.
• Audio IR
  • Modes: Audio (1 LED, mono) and Audio (2 LEDs, stereo anti‑phase).
  • Implementation: 48 kHz PCM (16‑bit). Marks are synthesized tone windows; spaces are silence.
  • Usage: Requires a compatible audio‑to‑IR LED adapter and maximum media volume.

Auto Switch

• When enabled and if the device has Internal IR, the app prefers USB when a permitted dongle is attached, otherwise Internal.
• Selecting either Audio mode or changing type manually disables Auto Switch.

Signal Tester (IR Finder / Infrared Bruteforcer)

The Signal Tester is designed to help discover unknown working IR commands.

What it does

• Iterates over valid protocol/code combinations to discover a working signal for your target device.
• Sends test patterns using the currently selected transmitter path (Internal, USB, or Audio).
• Surfaces parsing errors and invalid inputs early to avoid spurious transmissions.

Inputs & constraints

• Protocol selection and parameter fields are derived from IrProtocolDefinition and IrFieldDef.
• Hex prefix constraints are parsed and normalized via lib/ir_finder/ir_prefix.dart:
  • Accepts inputs like AA, AA BB, 0xAABB, AA:BB:CC (spaces/colons allowed; case‑insensitive).
  • Enforces even number of hex digits; clamps to a maximum byte count; returns normalized uppercase hex.
  • Provides structured error messages when parsing fails.

How it works (high‑level)

• Builds candidate payloads within protocol‑specific bounds, honoring any prefix constraint.
• Encodes each candidate using the selected protocol encoder into a (frequency, mark/space) pattern.
• Transmits the pattern through the active transmitter (Internal, USB, or Audio).
• Provides progress/run status in the UI and allows the session to be stopped.
• Input validation: Every protocol encoder checks hex length/format and throws on invalid values.
• Raw signal guardrails (when testing raw):
  • Limits entries (4096), enforces positive durations, clamps frequency (10–100 kHz),
  • Auto‑pads a trailing space if the pattern ends with a mark (odd length) to complete the frame.
• USB path normalizes the final tail gap for even‑length patterns to improve dongle compatibility.

Practical tips

• Start with the correct protocol family if known (e.g., NEC/Sony) and add a narrow hex prefix to reduce the search space.
• Prefer Internal or USB for consistent timing; use Audio with max media volume and a known‑good adapter.
• Stop the run as soon as your device reacts and save that code into a remote button.

Implementation references: lib/widgets/ir_finder_screen.dart, lib/ir_finder/ir_prefix.dart, lib/ir_finder/irblaster_db.dart, lib/ir_finder/ir_finder_models.dart.

Remotes Management

• Import remotes: JSON backups and Flipper Zero .ir files (Settings > Remotes > Import remotes).
• Export remotes: Save a JSON backup to Downloads.
• Restore Demo Remote: Reset to a built‑in demo configuration.
• Delete all remotes: Clear the entire list from this device.

Supported Infrared Protocols

Protocol	Input format	Carrier (Hz)	Frame structure / timing summary	Notes
Raw Signal	pattern (µs), optional frequencyHz	10,000–100,000 (default 38,000)	Alternating mark/space durations starting with mark; tokens can be decimal/hex; comments supported; auto-append 45ms trailing space if odd length	Max 4096 entries, positive durations only; strict parsing and bounds
Denon	4 hex	38,000	Build 13 bits = nib0(4)+nib1(4)+nib2(4)+nib3(1); duplicate to 26; encode bits with mark=280, space 860/1720; sequence = first13 + pre (c+b+[280, 43560]) + second13 + post (b+c+[280, 43560])	Strict 4 hex digits
F12_relaxed	hex → first 12 bits	38,000	Map 0 → [422,1266], 1 → [1266,422]; adjust last slot to make total 54,000µs	Uses full hex string but only first 12 bits
JVC	4 hex (16 bits MSB-first)	38,000	Preamble 8400/4200; each bit mark=525, space=525 (0) or 1575 (1); trailing 525 + 21000 gap; the 16-bit sequence is built twice after preamble	Strict 4 hex digits
NEC	up to 8 hex (left-padded) → 32 bits	38,222	Preamble 9000/4500; bit mark=562 + space 562 (0) or 1687 (1); trailing mark 562; pad final gap to 108,800µs	Accepts 1–8 hex; normalized to 8
NEC2	up to 8 hex (left-padded) → 32 bits	38,222	Same construction as NEC in this implementation	Accepts 1–8 hex; normalized to 8
NECx1	up to 8 hex (left-padded) → 32 bits	38,400	Preamble 4500/4500; bit mark=562 + space 562/1687; trailing 562; pad to 108,800µs	Optional helper for toggle frame
NECx2	up to 8 hex (left-padded) → 32 bits	38,400	Single NECx-like frame padded to 108,800µs; then duplicate the whole frame back-to-back	Output is two identical frames
Pioneer	8 hex (32 bits)	40,000	Preamble 8350/4200; bit mark=538 + space 538 (0) or 1614 (1); trailer 538 + 26236; whole frame duplicated	Strict 8 hex digits
Proton	4 hex (16 bits)	38,500	Header 8000/4000; send last 8 bits; separator 500/8000; then first 8 bits; final 500; pad to 63,000µs	Bit mark=500; 0=500; 1=1500; strict 4 hex
RC5	up to 3 hex	36,000	Manchester coding, unit 889µs; leader “10” or “11” based on head; toggle flips each encode; 11-bit payload; frame padded/replaced to 114,000µs	Toggle bit maintained internally
RC6	hex (last 4 hex used → 16 bits)	36,000	Manchester-like with helpers e/f; leader 2664/888; mid-field toggle flips each encode; bits encoded with T=444 pairs	Uses last 4 hex digits as payload
RCA_38	3 hex → 12 bits (high nibble + low byte)	38,700	Preamble 3840/3840; 0=[480,960], 1=[480,1920]; trailer [480,7680]; sequence duplicated	Strict 3 hex digits
RCC0082	3 hex (nibbles)	30,300	Prefix 22 ints [BIT=528,GAP=2640,BIT×19,END=21120], then [BIT,GAP,BIT,BIT]; build 10-bit: “0” + n0(last3) + n1(all4) + n2(first2); transition-based emission; parity-based tail then suffix (same 22)	Tail even=111,408, odd=110,880
RCC2026	11 hex → 42 bits (from 44 padded)	38,222	Header 8800/4400; bit mark=550 + space 550 (0) or 1650 (1); final mark 550 + 23100; then tail [8800, 4400, 550, 90750]	Strict 11 hex; takes last 42 bits
REC80	12 hex → 48 bits (32 + 16)	37,000	Header 3456/1728; bit1 432/1296; bit0 432/432; tail 432/74736	Strict 12 hex
RECS80	3 hex	38,000	Toggle flips each encode; bit string: “1” + toggle + n0(first3) + n0(last1) + n1(all4) + n2(first1); each bit mark=158 + space 7426 (1) or 4898 (0); end 158/45000	Internal toggle maintained
RECS80_L	3 hex	33,300	Same bit string as RECS80; bit1 180/8460; bit0 180/5580; end is 180 then pad to 138,000µs	Low-frequency variant; fixed frame length
Samsung36	7 hex → 36 bits (A8+B8+C4+D8+~D8)	38,000	Start 4500/4500; first 16 bits (500/500	1500); 500/4500 separator; last 20 bits same; final 500/59000
Sharp	4 hex → 26 bits (13 doubled)	38,000	Build 13 bits = nib0(4)+nib1(4)+nib2(4)+nib3(first1); encode with b=[280,860]/c=[280,1720]; add d=c+b+[280,43560]; then second 13 + e=b+c+[280,43560]	Strict 4 hex; two-block structure
SONY12	3 hex → 12 bits	40,000	Header 2400/600; 0=600/600; 1=1200/600; remove last duration; pad to 45,000µs; duplicate frame	Strict 3 hex
SONY15	4 hex → 15 bits (from 16 padded)	40,000	Same timings as SONY12; remove last duration; pad to 45,000µs; duplicate frame	Strict 4 hex
SONY20	5 hex → 20 bits	40,000	Same timings as SONY12; remove last duration; pad to 45,000µs; duplicate frame	Strict 5 hex
Thomson7	3 hex (int)	33,000	Mask 0xF7F; 12 bits = last4 + toggle + first7; 0=[460,2000]; 1=[460,4600]; append 460; pad to 80,000µs; duplicate frame	Toggle maintained; hex int input with min/max

Notes:

• Protocol identifiers and display names are maintained in lib/ir/ir_protocol_registry.dart.
• Encoders validate inputs and produce an explicit frequency (Hz) and alternating mark/space durations (µs).

Developer Notes

Platform channels

• Method Channel: org.nslabs/irtransmitter
  • transmit: Send encoder‑generated patterns at the encoder’s frequency.
  • transmitRaw: Send a raw microsecond pattern at a specified frequency.
  • hasIrEmitter: True if any path is available (internal, USB present, or audio available).
  • getTransmitterCapabilities: Returns hasInternal, hasUsb, usbOpened, hasAudio, currentType, usbDevices[], autoSwitchEnabled.
  • setTransmitterType / getTransmitterType
  • getPreferredTransmitterType / setPreferredTransmitterType
  • getAutoSwitchEnabled / setAutoSwitchEnabled
  • usbScanAndRequest
  • getSupportedFrequencies
  • usbDescribe
• Event Channel: org.nslabs/irtransmitter_events
  • Emits capability snapshots on attach/detach, permission responses, and type changes.

Audio path

• AudioIrTransmitter + AudioPcmBuilder synthesize PCM from mark/space patterns (mono or stereo anti‑phase).

USB path

• UsbDiscoveryManager filters, opens, and claims interfaces; UsbProtocolFormatter handles handshake, RLE body, fragmentation, and tail adjustments; UsbIrTransmitter performs bulk I/O and runs a short‑lived background reader.

Persistence

• tx_type, ui_tx_type, auto_switch in SharedPreferences persist user choices and auto behavior.

Requirements

• One of the following transmit paths:
  • Built‑in IR blaster (Internal)
  • Supported USB IR dongle (VID 0x10C4 or 0x045E, PID 0x8468)
  • Audio‑to‑IR LED adapter (Audio modes)
• Android 11+

Installation

1. Download the APK:

Or download the latest APK from the Releases Section.

2. Install the Application:

   • Enable installation from unknown sources if needed.
   • Follow the on‑screen instructions.

3. Launch and Configure:

   • Open IR Blaster.
   • Choose your transmitter (Settings > IR Transmitter).
   • Create remotes or import a Flipper Zero .ir file.

Usage

Creating Custom Remotes

1. Open the Remotes tab.
2. Create a remote and add buttons using protocol encoders or raw patterns.
3. Save and test your buttons from the Remote view.

Using the Signal Tester (IR Finder)

1. Open the “Signal Tester” tab.
2. Provide protocol parameters and optional hex prefix constraints.
3. Start testing; the bruteforcer will try variations to identify working signals via your selected transmitter.

USB Notes

• When a supported USB dongle is attached, use “Request USB permission” if prompted.
• Auto Switch prefers USB when available; disable it for manual selection or Audio use.

Audio Notes

• Use maximum media volume when transmitting via audio.
• Requires a compatible audio‑to‑IR LED adapter (mono or stereo anti‑phase).

Contributing

Contributions are welcome! If you'd like to help improve IR Blaster:

1. Fork the repository.
2. Create a new branch for your feature or bug fix.
3. Submit a pull request with your proposed changes.

License

This project is licensed under the GNU GPLv3 License.

Support

If you encounter any issues or have questions, please open an issue on the GitHub repository or contact the maintainer.

Acknowledgments

IR Blaster is originally a fork of osram-remote. Special thanks to TalkingPanda0 for his foundational work.