Need Programable IR remote driven by usb port

[Steve in San Marcos <dr.dr.steve@xxxxxxxxx>]

I have a Robot ( ERnie ) running around my house. The eye for the
robot is a SHarp Camcorder with a zoom lens.

I would like to zoom the camcorder lens under USB software control.
I can currently do this only with a handheld remote.
If I could find a IR learning remote then I can train it from my
existing camcorder remote.  Then I just need to run an executable file
to drive the USB port and drive the learning remote.

I think I could do this with an Adicon Ocelot, but that would be too
bulky and expensive for this application.

Any ideas ?
Steve