Turn RPi into a python3 kiosk when usb bar-code reader is plugged in

[klintkrossa]

Hello

How to turn RPi into a python3 kiosk when usb bar-code reader is plugged in?
I have the bar code reader program that I would like to test.
Where I have the problem is that if the program is not running if the bar code reader reads a bar code it put it where ever the text can go.
A web page would be a big disaster.

[topguy]

In what kind of environment does your Pi live if you cant control if someone plugs in the reader and starts scanning stuff ?
Is there a problem with running the program without the barcode reader plugged in ?
How is your program reading the scanned codes from the scanner ? Is it a GUI program that needs to be in "focus"/"on top" for it to work ? Or is it reading directly from the "evdev" device.

I assume that the barcodescanner works as a Keyboard ( HID-device ), have you checked if the scanner also can work as a serialport device ?
If the pi could see the scanner as a serialport then it will not interfere with programs like a browser.
You could also check if you can prevent X-Windows for using the scanner as a Keyboard.

[klintkrossa]

Thanks for the reply

I am looking to make the scanner focus on an input for a python3 script to log the upc. That way I can log the food in and use. I was hopping that when i plug in the upc reader It would bring up the python3 script and run the logging. there is a upc look up part to the script to.

[DarkElvenAngel]

You have a few options for this, I have a setup for starting a hotspot when a Wi-Fi device is installed but changing it for an HID device is simple enough.

You need to write a udev rule to detect your scanner and create a symlink say barcodescanner then you can write a service and a path file for systemd to watch for that device to be add. The service file can start your script and off you go.