Your infrared remote control isn't as complicated as you might think.
Remote controls were first developed and used by the Germans to drive naval vessels into Allied ships during WWI and have since been used to control electronic devices and vehicles.
Input
The infrared remote control is actually a surprisingly simplistic device. Its function begins when a command is input, such as pressing the volume button. Doing this completes a circuit built into the remote that transmits a binary electrical signal to the remote's light-emitting diode, or LED.
Transmission
The LED receives the electrical signal that from the completed circuit, and converts it into an invisible beam of infrared light. This beam is then sent to the television or other device that is being controlled.
Signal Received
The infrared light containing the electrical information is received by a photo diode in the television or wireless device you are using. The diode then sends it to the device's integrated circuit, which reads the signal and determines the action the device must take, such as increasing the volume or changing a channel.
Tags: electrical signal, infrared light, infrared remote, infrared remote control, remote control