Detect input from barcode reader

[Parus]

I am planning to buy a USB barcode reader. I don't want to use it as a keyboard wedge scanner.
But before I do I wonder if it's possible to see whether the input comes from a barcode reader.
I need a Windows Service that detects whether a barcode is scanned and depending on the text on the barcode starts another program.
Is this possible and has anyone experience with this?

 

[Pete (BSC)]

I'm am currently trying to read data from an USB barcode scanner. I found a handful of libraries online.

So far, I've had the most success with:USB Hid Device Library There are a couple good references at the bottom of his page.

I'll post back any additional information (failures/success).

 

[Pete (BSC)]

Success!

Using the HIDLibrary I was able to read data directly from the USB port (not as a keyboard wedge or COM port emulation).

Make sure you download the entire library, there is a test container application that you can use to test and tinker with.

The only thing I am not 100% sure (best practice)... when I call "Read" and then scan I get the data from the scanner. If I don't call "Read" again I don't get the data if I scan, when I call read then I get the data. So, after I call read, after I process a read I call "Read" again so it's waiting for the next scan.

 

[Pete (BSC)]

Addendum

I have been testing the code; but, I ran across an odd problem that some successful scans are not being caught.

I found a C# user components on Code Project:
A USB HID Component for C# that I converted to VB.NET.

It works very well, the current item I'm working on is how to close the connection on the parent form, open it up on a child form and when the child closes, re-open on parent.

 

[Parus]

I have bought the Datalogic Heron G with RS232 emulation, that worked fine for me when I use the visual studio serial port component

 

[Pete (BSC)]

I have used the RS232 emulator with the product I have; but, this could be a function of the device, in that once the PC is rebooted I have to re-scan a programming barcode for it to reset to use the RS232; by default, it is a keyboard wedge. Do you have the same issue with the Heron G?

 

[Parus]

No, I don't have that issue, once I scanned the barcode for USB-COM emulation the scanner stays programmed like that, even when I connect it to another computer.
Only the chosen COM-port seems to change when I connect the scanner to another pc, but it doesn't change anymore when the computer reboots.