iLearn: Learning Basics

iLearn is a utility for learning IR codes using any of our learning products.  iLearn can be obtained from our downloads page:

https://www.globalcache.com/downloads/

IR codes can also be obtained through our IR database which can be found here.

Connecting to the learner

Before we can begin learning we must first tell iLearn which learner product is being used and enter the unit's IP address (networked learners) or COM port (serial learners).

A list of learners supported by iLearn can be found here.

Once the learner product type is selected enter the unit's IP address and click Connect.  Upon successful connection the Connect button should change to Disconnect.

Learning an IR code

Using the Infrared remote, point the remote at the learner from about 1 inch away.  Press the desired button on the remote. An IR code should appear in the Learned Code view within iLearn. 

Learner Location:

• iTach Ethernet and WiFi (original design with one hole for both reset and learner):
  
  iTach Ethernet and WiFi (new design with separate hole for learner):
  
  Note: Relay and Serial iTach units also have built in IR learners in the same relative positions as above.
• Flex Ethernet and WiFi:
  
• Global Connect:
  

Note: Typically IR codes will fill at least one full line (left to right) in the Learned Code view in iLearn.  If the learned code is less than one full line or no code appears the full IR code may not have been learned.  In that case re-aim the remote at the learner and try again.

The IR format can be selected from the Format Drop-down menu.  All codes will be shown in the Global Caché format in the Learned Code view, but will be converted to the selected format upon clicking of the Edit button. 

Once satisfied that the code has been learned and the desired IR format has been selected click the Edit button to move the IR code down to the Edit View.

Note: By default the Module and Connector in the Capture Options section will be 1 which addresses the first IR port on most of our products.  Information about addressing subsequent IR ports, or IR ports on the GC-100 using the Module and Connector values can be found here.

Testing and Saving IR codes

If using a unit with IR transmitting capabilities IR codes can be tested by clicking the Send IR button. 

Note: This forum post only covers testing Global Caché formatted IR codes using the TCP connection method.

Once the Send IR button is clicked the code will be sent to the unit.  A response containing the string "completeir" should be received in the Send IR Response field if the code was sent successfully. 

If an emitter has been connected to the receiver of the device being learned the user should also check to make sure that the correct behavior was performed on that device before proceeding to save the IR code.

To save the IR code enter the button name in the Button Name field and click the Save button.  All IR codes will be saved in a file at the path indicated at the bottom of the iLearn interface.  To learn additional IR codes simply repeat the process starting from the Learning and IR code section above.

 

Advanced Learning: Capture Options

The Capture Options view provides additional values for tweaking the resulting IR code. Most users will find that their IR codes work without adjusting these values.  The Lines, New Line, and Ending Value are not covered here as these values are set automatically by iLearn and almost never need to be adjusted from their default values.

Module and Connector:

These values are used to address the IR code to a specific IR port.  Module and Connector values for the IR ports on our various IR products can be found here. 

Repeat:

The repeat value is used to specify how many times the IR code will be replayed or repeated upon transmission.  Some Infrared receivers will not respond to an IR code unless it is repeated more than once.  For these devices we typically recommend using a repeat of 3.  Repeats of 3 are most notably required for all Sony devices.

Offset:

Some IR codes have a portion of the IR code which is only sent once regardless of how long the button is held.  This portion of the code is known as the preamble.  The offset value indicates where in the code the repeated (non-preamble) portion of the IR code starts. Codes that require offsets are usually identifiable by the Learned Code view showing two different blue highlighted lines.  In these cases the offset value should be increased until the entire first line is yellow-highlighted.

Additional Tips for Learning IR Codes:

• After connecting to the iTach IP2IR with the iLearn utility, hold the remote about 1-2" away from the pinhole and press the button on the remote that you wish to learn.
•  It is possible that the learning diode inside the pinhole can be misaligned. Try different angles when pressing the IR remote button to determine the best position during learning.
• The learning process can be imprecise, and may require multiple attempts.
• The default settings for iLearn will be designed to send the IR code out the first port of the Global Caché device. If you have an emitter cable connected to that port, and the emitter side attached to the IR receiver of the device, you can immediately test the code. If the code is a valid format, the IR Response box will show a "completeir,1:1", both the LED above the emitter port and the emitter will flash.
• Placement of the emitter is important. The emitters have a very short range. If you need a bit more tolerance, you can use the IR Blaster cable to provide a longer range to provide a better test for the code to control the device. The IR Blaster will work from about 12" away in a regular IR port, or from 40 feet away if configured as IR Blaster on port 3 of the IP2IR.