Off Topic: USB access from VB6

First let me apologise for the off topic message. If people have replies
then please then reply to my email. Thanks.
 
Right then, down to business.
 
I am helping a mate right a program in Visual Basic 6 and he wants it to
use the USB port on his PC to use his infrared device to control his
Hi-Fi and TV/Video etc. 
 
I'm good with VB but not this good. The device has its own driver so
that shouldn't cause a problem. As this will be similar to what any
Windows programmers in here are trying to do I wondered if anyone can
give some advice.
 
Sorry again for going off topic.
 
Neil