I have used the GP1UX311QS IR Sensor and a NEC code compatible mini remote to make an input device for the Maple. Both are available from Adafruit; the IR Sensor for $2.00 and the remote for $5.00. The I3 pin R Sensor is easily configured with VCC and GND in, and Sig Out goes to a GPIO pin on the Maple. The chip decodes the IR stream sent from the remote and sends PWM pulses to the GPIO pin. It works fine with the Maple 3.3V system.
The remote has 21 buttons and are generic enough to use for most applications, including a number pad and arrow keys. Great device for making menu selections or otherwise moving the cursor around on a LCD display. My code works by hanging an "interrupt on change" to the pin with the IR sensor connected, and counting the time in usecs between level changes on the pin. Each change is recorded in an array that is later analyzed to determine the code of the button pressed. I have a sketch that prints out the pulses received (IR_Investigate) which is needed to determine the codes used by any particular remote, and another (IR_Manager) that is setup for the Adafruit mini remote and its codes. This sketch currently prints out the button that been pressed, but could readily form the foundation for an interactive application.
Anyone interested in a copy the sketches, shoot an email to PeterRArcher@hotmail.com