Towards the goal of a truly universal IR remote control

That sounds like a diabolical device invented by Ming and directed at Flash Gordon!

Flash

What was the Plan 9 from Outer Space interocitor ?

Probably because its a one-off standard sig gen to provide the basic variable clock frequency, 8x8 DIL (expandable later on) switches to set up the code , variable monostable to insert the implied zeros in those DSO-determined codes and basic variablw mark/space setting for gating variable IR LED pulse oscillator and a learning remote or 2. So once a collection of URC tried/ LIRC library/Arduino library etc have found a route into an unknown/unavailable-remote for a piece of "dead" kit it would be possible to get the full range of function codes, including those of normal inadequate URC that do not have the button for the function that you need.

The Interocitor first appeared in "This Island Earth", a wonderful "pulp" film. It was later used in a "Coneheads" TV special, which Britishers would likely not be familiar with.

"Plan 9" had a language-translation device, the "robo-dictatoor" [sic]. None of the actors pronounces it the same way.

The Logitech unit has some interesting features. Like a graphical interface and the ability to 'macro script' certain functions like turning on the monitor, set top box and sound system with one button press.

But for a basic remote, I've used something like the Sony RM-VZ220 (available at Radio Shack for $12-$14). They have hundreds of preprogramed device codes built in. And some oddball equipment can be partially controlled if you can find the same make and a similar model.

That might get you to a complete solution. If you can get a remote that operates some of the appliance functions, you can throw a 'scope on the output and reverse engineer those that work. Once you know the packet format (preamble, length, checksums, etc.) you might be able to 'fill in the blanks' by firing some unsupported codes in the same format and see what happens.