Have a look at my IR tutorial at http://www.winpicprog.co.uk where I give fully working PIC code for receiving and transmitting Sony SIRC remote control codes. By using this code in a 16C745 PIC, which has a USB connection built-in, you could easily build your interface with this one chip and an IR receiver I/C.
One of the tutorials may also be helpful to you, as it displays Sony IR control codes on an LCD text module.