I create a full universal remote control application to control all your IR signal devices (TV,HI-Fi,BLU-RAY,A/C,Remote Lights,...) from android with this https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=power.remote.control for small home room automation.Android send bluetooth signal to arduino with bluetooth shield and arduino with IR led send IR signals to IR devices inside your room.You must decode IR signals from your device.For example i had decode my A/C Toyotomi and create a library IR pulses Toyotomi.Also you can control and arduino with connected relays or you can add remote control sockets or Xbee with relays and control lights,coffee maker,....robots,rc car,ip camera....This is my simple sketch for receive the bluetooth signals...http://www.power7.net/apk_file/Blue_Remote_Control_V1_0.pde
Thanks.

Hello arduino friend.Very nice project,idea.For receive IR signals use IR receiver and arduino with led,dc motor?What remote control use?

I create a project for control all your IR signal devices (TV,HI-Fi,A/C,Remote Lights,...) from android with this https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=power.remote.control free ads application.Android send bluetooth signal to arduino with bluetooth shield and arduino with IR led send IR signals to IR devices inside your room.You must decode IR signals from your device.For example i had decode my A/C Toyotomi and create a library IR pulses Toyotomi.Also you can control and arduino with connected relays or you can add remote control sockets and control lights,coffee maker,....Look and inside my site for more informations.

When i say parallels two switches i mean connect parallels to hot line both switches.Maybe remote control socket ac have manual switch....
A good link for switches AC is http://www.newworldencyclopedia.org/entry/Switch

OR gate mean if a=on and b=off the device is on
                    if a=off and b=on the device is on
                    if a=off and b=off the device is off
                    if a=on and b=on the device is on

a,b is your switches parallels...remote and not remote...

Why loose? Work as OR gate you do not loose the remote function....

Ok....switch off and from your system for off...device.Work as OR gate...

You can connect ... double cables one for remote control and one for manual switch....two switches parallels...

If you use remote sockets you must on the device first from switch device permantly and control from remote socket....

Yes friend.Is very nice project if you try to decode IR signals.If you want i help you step by step...Look there....http://learn.adafruit.com/ir-sensor/overview....also i had decode my A/C toyotomi and i have create a library for this....http://www.power7.net/arduinoethernet.html

Another way is socket/plug with IR remote control.You can decode IR signals from remote control and send it from arduino with an IR led.More easy and safe way no relays,no cables....AC 220 Volt is danger!!!If you think is difficult decode IR signals connect directly remote control with arduino.First the safe and your life and after your project.Inside arduino sketch you can put extra code for TV,Hi-fi,A/C and with bluetooth shield you can make all in one remote control for all your devices from android smartphone!No wires,no cables.

     User ----> Android+Bluetooth------->Bluetooth shield+Arduino+IR led----->Send IR signals devices ( small local home automation )

Hello arduino friends.I create a project for control Air Condition (A/C) from web browser local or from anywhere in the world.For example you can start your home A/C from your office or opposite, before returning from a trip for set up the ideal temperature...I decode my remote control IR signals and create IR library signals.I use an IR led for transmit signal connected at digital pin and a temperature sensor connected at analog pin.You can add and humidity sensor,PIR sensors,Laser sensors,Light sensors (LDR)...Another way is an universal remote control connected with arduino from digital output via transistor as switch with on/off button or other buttons.Also you can add mosfets and relays for other devices without IR signals for example electric infrared heating panels.The user interface is a simple html page inside SD card for show a virtual remote control for A/C.You can send me suggestions and ideas for improvement of the website graphics (virtual remote control image) and extension of the code for controlling other devices.Thanks.
http://www.power7.net/arduinoethernet.html

I create an arduino+cellphone project for remote control A/C or other devices with IR signals, with sms or call.
I have photos , videos , explain AT commands and arduino code for communication between phone and arduino.
I connect cellphone with cable or via bluetooth.
You can add pir sensor,temperature sensor,smoke sensor for create alarm system.
The GSM project link is http://www.power7.net/GSM_tutorial.html
Thanks.

Hello arduino friend.You need only receive data from arduino+bluetooth send to android back...Try my bluetooth terminal  https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=arduino.bluetooth.terminal work for me i test it with my sketch http://www.power7.net/apk_file/Android_Bluetooth2.ino via serial pins 0,1 send 1 wait...and reply 25...You must put android near shield better...Do you have pair devices with android?Check the cable connection Tx,Rx....

Hello arduino friends.I have create many applications for arduino and android.
For example you can control your arduino from web browser,or with sms,or with simple call or with android timer...with android as mobile modem
via bluetooth or usb connection.
I have upload my android apps for arduino to Google Play Android Market.Thanks.