thanks, do you mean an IR sensor like this?
https://www.jaycar.com.au/5mm-infrared-receiver/p/ZD1952

A device such as that could certainly be one way to do it, and if it does not have an excessive noise level that should allow geting the signal quite simply. Certainly that device includes all of the functions that I would have suggested.

 

when you say create a module, can you please direct me to more information on this topic

hi 222,
This video is a good staring point for creating your own IR Remote.
The Arduino software is free, as are the IR libraries.

E

 

thanks for all the suggestions, some great starting points for me.