Retrofitting with USB barcodereader
2 minute read
The barcodereader microservice enables the processing of barcodes from USB-linked scanner devices, subsequently publishing the acquired data to the Unified Namespace .
When should I use it?
When you need to connect a barcode reader or any other USB devices acting as a keyboard (HID). These cases could be to scan an order at the production machine from the accompanying order sheet. Or To scan material for inventory and track and trace.
What can I do with it?
You can connect USB devices acting as a keyboard to the Unified Namespace. It will record all inputs and send it out once a return / enter character has been detected. A lof of barcode scanners work that way. Additionally, you can also connect something like a quality testing station (we once connected a Mitutoyo quality testing station).
How can I use it?
To use the microservice barcode reader, you will need configure the helm-chart and enable it.
- Enable _000_commonConfig.datasources.barcodereader.enabled in the Helm Chart
- During startup, it will show all connected USB devices. Remember yours and then change the INPUT_DEVICE_NAME and INPUT_DEVICE_PATH
- Also set ASSET_ID, CUSTOMER_ID, etc. as this will then send it into the topic ia/ASSET_ID/…/barcode
- Restart the pod
- Scan a device, and it will be written into the topic xxx
Once installed, you can configure the microservice by setting the needed environment variables. The program will continuously scan for barcodes using the device and publish the data to the Kafka topic.
What are the limitations?
- Sometimes special characters are not parsed correctly. They need to be adjusted afterward in th Unified Namespace.