Re: Transfer Incoming Serial Data to Keyboard Buffer

From: Larry I Smith (larryXiXsmith_at_verizon.net)
Date: 01/26/05 

Date: Wed, 26 Jan 2005 20:05:46 GMT

R P MacKay wrote:
> "Keyboard wedge" software monitors a serial port, and stuffs any
> incoming characters into the keyboard buffer.
>
> The net result is that a piece of equipment such as a barcode scanner
> can be plugged into a serial port and whenever a barcode is scanned,
> the characters appear to whatever program is active exactly as though
> someone had simply typed them.
>
> Keyboard wedge software, e.g. softcom, has been available on M$
> systems for years, although now most of the barcode, check, mag
> stripe, and smartcard scanners are physical PS2 keyboard wedges.
>
> We're seeing some new equipment coming out, with choice between serial
> port and USB port interfaces, and NO software of any sort for Linux.
>
> We've been looking for a Linux serial port keyboard wedge program, but
> haven't found anything yet.
>
> If you know of one, or know someone who might be interested in writing
> one, please respond.
>
> If there's a better place to look, I'd appreciate hearing about it!
>
> Thanks in advance - RP
>
> Yes, I asked this recently... however, the only answer was of the
> second most unhelpful variety: "try google"

Well, most folks use hardware wedges, since they're usually OS
independent. Most software wedges are specific to one vendor's
scanner (i.e different s/w drivers are req'd for each vendor's
products).

There are many scanners that have keyboard wedges built in to
the scanner (e.g. the scanner looks like a keyboard to the pc),
making those scanners OS-portable.
Here's one stand-alone hardware wedge that works with linux and Win:

http://www.barcodeman.com/altek/mule/mule.php

Here's one s/w wedge for Linux that is released under the
GPL and comes with source (so you can modify/enhance it):

http://www.cs-net.gr/linbar/

Good luck,

Larry 

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